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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:22 am, the temperature outside is 46.4 degrees.

Today and tonight will be very warm in the foothills and mountains. Rain is predicted today, tonight and tomorrow. Rainfall amounts of one tenth to one quarter of an inch are expected in each period, today, tonight and tomorrow. Thunderstorms are possible tonight and tomorrow, with heavy rain in those storms. Many towns and areas in and around the park are under a wind advisory today. The strongest winds are expected in the higher elevations.  

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

Little River is flowing at 368 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.42 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 257 cfs. The water temperature is a very warm 48.2 degrees.

The water temperature at the Birdtown gauge on Oconaluftee River is reporting a water temperature of 44.8 degrees, while the temp this morning at Cataloochee Creek is 40.3 degrees.

Water temperatures are rising and I think they will continue to rise due to the expected warm rain and air temperatures. This may be a very positive factor for better fishing conditions in the Smokies, especially in the lower elevations.

If the rain we get is less than what the forecasters say, we may not see water levels rise much through the weekend. If it is heavier, and the possible thunderstorms do occur, we may see high water is some streams or possibly all of them. We’ll have to wait and see what actually happens.

And then there is the wind expected today. Sometimes we are under a wind advisory that does not occur. But, it may happen. Again, we’ll have to wait and see.

I’m calling for “Fair” fishing because of the threat of thunderstorms and possible high wind today. If rain totals are on the high end of the expected amounts, the streams may rise. This is a tough one to call.

The good news is, the water is warming to the point that fishing will be good at least in the low elevations.

Nymphs and streamers will work. Dry flies could work. You may see blue wing olives, midges or who knows what on the water. The water will be warm enough in some low elevations streams, for surface feeding activity. Look at the forecast temperatures for tonight. If we don’t get much rain, fishing could be very good tomorrow. And, it may be good today.

Jack Gregory and Walter Babb will be participating at a special Free Event tomorrow at the shop. They will be tying flies and talking about fly fishing. This is a wonderful opportunity for you. Try to attend if you can. All you have to do is show up. Mike McConkey will be making and serving free pancakes to you as well. I am really looking forward to this.

The City of Townsend held a “ground breaking ceremony” yesterday, celebrating the beginning construction of the new city hall and community center. After years of discussion, it is finally happening. You can read more on the Daily Times website by CLICKING HERE.

I hope we hear good fishing reports this weekend. I guess it could go either way.

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

Byron Begley
December 14, 2018

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com