Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:46 am, the temperature is 19 degrees.
Today will be sunny with a high temperature in the low 50’s, falling to the upper 20’s tonight. Warmer air will move into the Smoky Mountains tomorrow with a high in the low 60’s and a low overnight in the low 40’s.
Spring-like temperatures will finish the week with highs in the 60’s to 70’s and lows in the 40’s and 50’s beginning Tuesday.
Little River is flowing at 346 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.41 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 374 cfs. The water temperature is 39.6 degrees this morning and falling quickly.
Streams in the mountains have receded to near normal. The water is cold. We will see some warming today but fishing will probably remain slow. Fishing will improve each day this week as the streams warm.
If you go fishing in the Smokies today, wait until later to give the streams a chance to warm. Fish in the lower elevations where the water is warmer. Cast weighted nymphs or nymph rigs, presenting your flies deep and hugging the streambed. Trout will be lethargic until the water warms. Fishing will likely be slow today.
Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevations will be slow early today. Go later when the water is somewhat warmer. Again, fishing will improve each day through the week as the rivers warm. Try weighted nymphs or nymph rigs, egg patterns, squirmy worms or midge pupa.
Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers will be slow due to the cold water conditions.
TVA and the Corps will be generating all day at some dams, with pauses planned later today at others. Check the schedules at Center Hill, Cherokee, Wilbur, Dale Hollow, South Holston and Chatuge dams to see if the predicted flows will work for you today.
After today, we can expect Spring-like temperatures each day through April 3rd, according to the long term forecast. We should get rain off and on through the period. Fishing will improve. Fly fishing for trout in the free flowing rivers will be good again soon. Fly fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers will improve.
We are busy at the shop. This has been a good year so far. The store is stocked extremely well. I think we will have a great Spring.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
March 20, 2023
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Parking Tags are now required to park your vehicle inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes. Tags may be purchased at Visitors Centers, including the center in Townsend. Or, they may be purchased online. You can buy a daily, weekly or annual tag. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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