Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:49 am, the temperature is 52 degrees.
It rained yesterday and overnight. Rainfall totals so far have amounted to .76 inches in Townsend and .93 inches at the Knoxville Airport.
Showers are likely this morning before gradually clearing this afternoon. The high temperature today will be in the low to middle 50’s, falling to the low 30’s tonight. Friday and Saturday will be mostly sunny with highs in the low to middle 40’s and lows in the 20’s. Sunday will be sunny with a high temperature in the upper 30’s.
Little River is flowing at 396 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.48 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 255 cfs. The river is currently rising slowly. The water temperature is 52.0 degrees this morning.
Some streams in the Smokies are rising quickly. Oconaluftee River is flowing at 3.30 feet or 1,830 cfs which compares to median flow of 438 cfs. Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 199 cfs or 2.99 feet, compared to median flow of 84 cfs. Other streams are rising slowly, similar to Little River.
Before you go fishing in the Smokies today, check the USGS gauge sites in the area where you plan to fish. Some streams may be flowing high.
Water temperatures are well within the trout’s preferred range. Trout will be actively feeding. Weighted nymph rigs or streamers are good fly choices.
Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevations may be good today, depending on the water level where you intend to fish. Nymphs and streamers will work best for you.
Fishing for smallmouth bass may be fair due to the warmer water, but some steams are flowing high. It is possible some lowland rivers will be stained where tributaries merge. If you decide to go, nymphs and streamers will probably work best for you.
TVA and the Corps will be generating all day at many dams. There are some exceptions. Check the generation schedule at Norris Dam. There may be other tailwater fishing opportunities today so visit the TVA website to see where they are.
Cold air will move into the region this weekend. Water temperatures will plunge. Fishing in the free flowing rivers will slow. Tailwater fishing may be a good option this weekend.
Using the Knoxville Airport as a reference, we have had double the normal rainfall this month compared to normal. The US Drought Monitor will be updated today. I think we will see much improvement in this area and others.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
December 15, 2022
THE LITTLE RIVER CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED FUNDRAISER ONLINE AUCTION ENDS AT MIDNIGHT DECEMBER 15TH.
You still have time to browse through the auction items and bid. All proceeds go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department. CLICK HERE and help raise money for fisheries in the Smokies.
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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