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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:44 am, the temperature outside is 59.2 degrees.

Today will be warm, near 72 degrees, falling to the low 50’s tonight. There is a chance for showers or thunderstorms this afternoon and a greater chance tonight. Rainfall amounts could reach half of an inch.

Tomorrow will be cooler, with a high in the upper 50’s. Rain may linger tomorrow morning. The weekend looks good, with sun Saturday and a high in the 60’s. There is a slight chance for rain Sunday, with a high temperature in the mid-60’s.

Little River is flowing at 382 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.42 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 308 cfs. The water temperature is 54.1 degrees this morning.

Fishing conditions are good in the Smokies right now. Flows are higher than normal, but certainly fishable. Water temperatures are well within the trout’s preferred range.

Aquatic insects are active. Quill gordon and blue quill adults, among other species of mayflies are on the water. You may see blue wing olives hatching. There are caddis and stoneflies. We have Spring-like temperatures again so be prepared for anything.

Nymphs will probably work best in the mornings. It’s hard to beat a Bead Head Pheasant Tail. You will likely see the hatches in the afternoons. They are sporadic. Trout may not be looking up to the surface, so it is a good idea to have some wet flies to mimic emergers. Try a Quill Gordon or Hare’s Ear wet fly. You can use them as a dropper below a dry fly or fish them alone.

Parachute Adams dry flies are producing. They mimic many mayflies we see this time of the year. You may need a variety from sizes #12 down to #18. I’ve always gotten by with sizes #12 through #16.

If you are planning a trip to the Smokies to fish this weekend, watch stream flows tomorrow. If we get heavy rain tonight, the streams could be flowing high again tomorrow. Little River is flowing fairy high right now. An additional shot of heavy rain could cause high water tomorrow, and possibly into the day Saturday. I hope that doesn’t happen. Anglers could use a break right now.

If you are fishing this afternoon, be aware that thunderstorms are in the forecast. It could be windy in these storms, should they occur. Watch for quickly rising water too.

I saw a story on the WBIR website this morning, that I enjoyed. You will too. You can see it by CLICKING HERE. The story centers around a photographer, who hikes up Lynn Camp Prong and takes some amazing photos. He still shoots with film, not digital. Lynn Camp Prong is my favorite stream in the Smokies. There are many miles of fishable brook trout water, around 9 miles. It is a mid-elevation stream.

The scenery is spectacular. The wildflowers are prolific. You can’t walk past the “Cascade” without stopping. I can’t. That old log bench is there for a reason. Sit and enjoy watching the water fall down the cascade to a deep hole below.

Be prepared for an uphill hike going in. It is not a very steep grade. The trail was once a logging road.

I like to hike about two miles before I start fishing. Fishing is better, the further you walk. Start fishing upstream, before you arrive at the Panther Creek Trail. There, the trout habitat is better than down near the Cascade.

The gobblers are gobbling and fanning. There are almost 40 wild turkeys living around our house. There were 36 most of the Winter. They have been joined by at least two more. Among them are three gobblers, two older birds and one that is almost 2-years old. I have watched all three mature.

Turkey hunting season opens Saturday morning. I won’t be hunting but a neighbor and some of his friends will. The turkeys, which are not afraid of humans now, will be different Saturday morning. It happens every year. Those turkeys know, there are hunters in the woods. I’m convinced of that. They become more cautious.

I think they know something different is going on, when the hunters arrive the night before opening day. It is noisy. Truck doors slam. The 4-wheelers are running around, just before dark. I hear voices and the turkeys do too. They know.

I am looking out the windows in my home office right now. A few days ago, I would be looking at a turkey, or several, almost every time I glance out. Not now.

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

Byron Begley
March 29, 2018   

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com