Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:55 am, the temperature in Townsend is 42 degrees.

It is Spring! Actually, yesterday was the first day of Spring. We had an early Spring because this is a Leap Year.

Today will be sunny with a high temperature in the upper 60’s, falling to the middle 30’s overnight.

Tomorrow will be sunny with a high in the upper 60’s and a low in the low to middle 40’s.

Showers are likely Friday with a high in the low 60’s followed by a low overnight in the upper 40’s.

Little River is flowing at 387 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.38 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 367 cfs. The water temperature is 44.1 degrees this morning.

Streams in the Smokies are flowing very close to normal and at good fishing levels. The streams are chilly this morning, even in the lowest elevations. Water temperatures will creep up over the next few days. Fishing will improve.

If you go today, start with nymphs. You might try dry flies or wet flies later today. Fish in the low elevations where the water is warmer.   

Fishing for stocked trout will be good today as the water warms. Travis was in the shop yesterday buying fly tying materials. He runs the trout stocking and fishing operation in Gatlinburg. I asked him why stocked trout are less affected by cold water temperatures. When the water is cold, they feed while the wild fish feed less or not at all. He told me he thinks that occurs because the stocked trout are accustomed to being fed daily, year round. Makes sense to me.

The turbines will be shut down today at many dams, especially this afternoon. Check the generation schedules at Apalachia, Cherokee, Norris, Wolf Creek, Dale Hollow, South Holston, Tims Ford and Chatuge dams. Surely you can get in some wade fishing on a tailwater today.

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

Byron Begley
March 20, 2024

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

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com