Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:48 am, the temperature in Townsend is 38 degrees.

There is a 100% chance for rain today and a 90% chance tonight. Today’s high will be in the low 50’s, dropping to the low 40’s tonight.

The warming trend begins tomorrow, with partly sunny skies, a high in the low 60’s and a low in in the middle 40’s.

Sunday will be sunny and warm with a high in the low 70’s.

Little River is flowing at 363 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.33 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 339 cfs. The water temperature is 43.2 degrees this morning.

Some streams in the Smokies are flowing higher than normal while others are flowing lower. Water temperatures are chilly. The streams may warm some today. We will see significant warming this weekend due to the sunny warm days and fairly warm nights.

At some point over the next few days, we may see the Spring hatches begin. I think that will occur around the middle of next week. That may or may not happen next week but fishing will definitely improve.

If you go today start with weighted nymphs. Fish in the lower elevations where the water is warmer.

Fishing for stocked trout is fair to good. The delayed harvest trout are wary. Many of them have been caught and released several times. You may need to downsize tippet and flies. Try egg patterns, nymphs, squirmy worms, midge pupa or streamers.

There are breaks in the generation planned at several dams today, offering tailwater wading anglers some options. Unfortunately, Norris Dam is not one of them. Click on the TVA website from the links below to see what is going on a your favorite tailwater today.

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

Tomorrow we 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
March 1, 2024

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

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com