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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:45 am, the temperature outside is 46.9 degrees.
It was warm last night in the Smoky Mountains. The current temperature will probably be the high for today. There is a slight chance for rain this morning in the foothills, with a chance for a wintery mix and snow showers in the high elevations. Otherwise, it will be mostly cloudy today. It will be cold tonight.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY
| LOCATION |
HIGH |
LOW |
| TOWNSEND |
46 |
31 |
| GATLINBURG |
45 |
30 |
| ELKMONT |
42 |
27 |
| CADES COVE |
43 |
30 |
| NEWFOUND GAP |
39 |
27 |
| MOUNT LECONTE |
35 |
27 |
| CHEROKEE |
49 |
27 |
| SMOKEMONT |
43 |
29 |
| BRYSON CITY |
50 |
28 |
| MAGGIE VALLEY |
45 |
28 |
| COSBY |
46 |
30 |
Little River is flowing at 421 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.53 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 170 cfs. The water temperature is 52.5 degrees.
At Sevierville, Little Pigeon River is flowing at 730 cfs or 2.50 feet on the gauge. Median flow there for this date is 261 cfs.
Oconoluftee River at Birdtown is flowing at 757 cfs, compared to median flow of 317 cfs. The water temperature there is 49.5 degrees.
The water is colder at Cataloochee Creek, which is normal. Right now the temperature is 47.5 degrees and falling. Flow is 178 cfs, compared to median flow of 58 cfs.
Water temperatures look good in the low elevation streams this morning. They may be stable or even fall during the day, and certainly dip tonight. Flows are on the high side of good in Little River. Other streams have receded. Don’t expect low flows, anywhere.
Fishing should be fair today, and possibly good. Overcast conditions will be beneficial, along with warmer water.
I would plan on using nymphs or streamers. Add plenty of weight to get your flies down. Choose any reasonable nymph. A Pheasant Tail, Tellico, Hare’s Ear or Prince should work. My streamer choice would be a Muddler Minnow or other sculpin pattern.
Watch for surface aquatic insect activity, specifically, blue wing olives. If you see the insects on the water, and trout rising to them, switch to a BWO dry fly, emerger or both. This may be a good BWO day. You may see midges or other aquatic insects on the water too.
I would choose a low elevation stream today, where the water is warmer. You may find active trout at Abrams Creek, or all three prongs of Little River if you are visiting Townsend, or live nearby. You might do well, hiking to Lynn Camp Prong, to fish for brook trout.
Wherever you go, dress warm and watch your step. The streams are choked with leaves. The current is strong. Leaves on the banks are slippery.
On the streams, trails and roads, you probably won’t be alone. Visitors are here for the Thanksgiving holiday. You may find heavy traffic at Cades Cove and possibly on the Foothills Parkway. Traffic may be fairly heavy on other roads too. I saw a lot of visitors in Townsend yesterday.
Bears are active. There is not much natural food available in the forest. Black bears had a tough Fall, trying to find food to fatten them through the Winter. Don’t leave food in your unlocked car or truck. They are smart. They can open doors. If they see or smell food, they can damage your vehicle, trying to get in. I found bear paw prints on my truck a few weeks ago. The bear stood and placed its filthy paws on the door, to look in. It was parked in our carport.
I’m still afraid to put our bird feeders out.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
November 20, 2018
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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