Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:41 am, the temperature is 52 degrees.

Showers are likely today with a high temperature in the middle 50’s and a low tonight in the low 40’s. Tomorrow will be cloudy early and clearing later. The high temperature will be in the middle 50’s with a low in the middle to upper 30’s.

Little River is flowing at 567 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.75 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 215 cfs. The water temperature is 52.3 degrees this morning.

Streams in the Smokies are receding. Stream flows are higher than most anglers prefer but they are at fishable levels. You may not be able to wade in areas where you would if the streams were flowing at normal. Be careful wading. The water is swift. There is the chance, though probably low, that the streams will rise somewhat today.

This will be a good fishing day mainly because of the warm water temperatures that are within the trout’s preferred range. Trout will be actively feeding, especially in the lower elevations.

This is a good time to be “high sticking” or “euro nymphing” weighted nymph rigs. The stream conditions are also ideal for fishing with streamers. And, you might see hatches of blue wing olives or other aquatic insects. Be prepared for anything.

Fishing for stocked trout outside the National Park has improved. Use weighted nymph rigs or streamers. Stocked trout will be active due to the warmer water temperatures.

I don’t think fishing for smallmouth bass will be good in the lowland rivers but it has certainly improved. These rivers are flowing high so wading will be limited. Nymphs and streamers are both good fly choices.

Though TVA and the Corps of Engineers are planning to generate for long periods at many dams, there are some exceptions that I would not have predicted. Take a look at the generation schedules at Cherokee, Dale Hollow and Wolf Creek dams. Maybe you can work with those schedules.

We were crazy busy at the shop yesterday. The weather was nice and a lot of people were outside, enjoying a rare dry day with some sunshine at times. Jonathan Yeager was conducting a free fly tying demonstration downstairs and a lot of people showed up for that. I spent the day helping fly tying customers upstairs, sometimes assisting 2 to 3 different customers at the same time. I peeked downstairs at times and all of the guys were helping customers on that level of the store. Yesterday was one of those great days. Maybe this will be another one.

Customers who know me are always asking, “How is business”. Business is very good, especially the second half of this year. The first half of this year was down slightly from the year before. The second half is way up from the year before.

I will be off today. Tomorrow, I will be ordering a lot of fly tying materials and tools from all of our fly tying suppliers. Most of those orders will arrive by next weekend.

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

Byron Begley
December 11, 2022

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com