Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:45 am, the temperature in Townsend is 27 degrees.

Yesterday morning at this time the temperature was 68 degrees. These are the kind of temperature swings that are normal this time of the year. Fishing may be good one day and slow the next day due to the changing water temperatures.

Today will be partly sunny with a high in the low 50’s, falling to the middle 30’s overnight.

Rain is likely tomorrow and overnight with a high in the low 50’s and a low in the low 40’s.

The weekend will be sunny and warm.

Little River is flowing at 383 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.45 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 244 cfs. The water temperature is 45.9 degrees and falling.

We got some rain yesterday, .68 inches in Townsend. Most streams in the mountains rose quickly to fairly high levels. They are all receding now. Some are flowing at normal while others are flowing higher.

Water temperatures are plunging. That is not a good fishing condition. At some point today that may change but we won’t see the streams warm to the temperatures we saw during the past two days which were incredible. However, warm days and nights will return this weekend. Fishing will improve again.

If you go fishing in the mountains today, wait a while for the water to begin warming. Fish in the low elevations where the water is warmer. Nymphs will likely work best for you. Keep an eye on the surface for possible aquatic insect activity.

Fishing for stocked trout has been very good in the low elevation rivers. I keep hearing unbelievable reports from anglers who are fishing in Gatlinburg. Fishing may slow somewhat due to the cooler water temperatures but that won’t last. I would still go later today hoping the water is warming. Nymphs, squirmy worms, egg patterns, emergers, midge pupa or streamers are good fly choices. The trout have been caught and released many times in the delayed harvest rivers. I’ve heard they are not as easily fooled as they were before. Using finer tippet and smaller flies is a good tactic under these conditions.

There will be long periods of generation at most dams today with a few exceptions. If you are planning to fish on a tailwater you will need to work with the generation schedules. Check the TVA websites from the links below.

This coming weekend will be the last of our Winter Free Fly Tying Demonstrations until Fall.

Saturday will feature Walter Babb, who will be tying between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Just about everyone around here has heard of or met Walter. Many of you have been taught fly tying and beginner fly fishing by Walter at our school. Walter has been fly fishing in the mountains for over 60 years. He is an incredible fly tyer. He is also a bamboo rod maker who creates magnificent works of art used for fly fishing.

Chris Bean will be demonstrating Sunday between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Chris grew up fishing in the Smoky Mountains. He loves chasing big brown trout. He is a full time fly fishing guide working at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain. Chris is a very knowledgeable fly fisherman and fly tyer. You will learn by spending a couple of hours with him.  

You do not need a reservation to attend these free demonstrations. Just show up at the shop.

Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.

Byron Begley
February 29, 2024

WALTER BABB BAMBOO RODS FOR SALE - Buy directly from Walter. CLICK HERE for more information.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com