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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:46 am, the temperature outside is 43.7 degrees.

Today will be sunny and warm after the dense fog burns off. Tonight will be colder than last night. There is no rain in the forecast until Thursday.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

Little River is flowing at 363 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.41 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 269 cfs. The water temperature is 48.6 degrees this morning.

Little Pigeon River is flowing at 761 cfs, 2.54 feet, and that compares to median flow of 301 cfs.

Oconaluftee River is flowing at 917 cfs or 2.44 feet on the gauge. Median flow for the date is 409 cfs. The water temperature is 45.3 degrees and falling.

Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 243 cfs, 3.08 feet, compared to median flow of 80 cfs. The water temperature is 42.6 degrees this morning.

Fishing was fair to good this weekend, both days. That should continue today. Little River is the warmest river this morning, among the three that have temperature probes at their USGS gauge sites. We should see water temperatures rise some today, making for better fishing at least in the low elevations. It will be cold tonight, but temps at night will be warmer beginning Wednesday for two days.

All streams are still flowing above normal. They will recede over the next three days.

I would use weighted nymphs and streamers today and fish in the lower elevations where the water is warmer. You may see some aquatic insects on the water. Watch for blue wing olives. If they are on the water where you are fishing, and trout are feeding on them, switch to a dry fly or a dry/nymph combination.

Our fly tying department is very busy, much busier than it has been in the past few years. Yesterday, I ordered four Renzetti fly tying vises to replace those we sold this weekend. Renzetti will ship them to us today.

On Thursday and Friday, I ordered from all of our major fly tying suppliers, to re-stock the department. Through the Winter, I am ordering every week to re-stock.

For some reason, Hungarian Partridge skins have been impossible to buy from our suppliers. Now, they seem to be available again on a limited basis. Partridge feathers make great soft hackle flies. I ordered several skins last week. Hopefully we will get them, and the supply will continue to flow slowly. I ordered a bunch of starling skins too. I hope we get them.

Whiting 100-packs of pre-measured saddle hackle have been scarce too. I have been talking to Phil, the sales manager at Whiting Farms on a regular basis. That keeps me informed about upcoming availability. Evidently, more pelts and 100-packs will be available in January.

The fly tying department has always been my favorite department. It’s a lot of work to maintain, by everyone in the shop. It is a team effort. Our department is probably the largest you have seen. It’s the largest one I have seen, in my life, and I have visited many.

We have fly tying classes scheduled for early next year, from beginner to advanced. You can see our schedule by CLICKING HERE. Fly tying classes make great Christmas gifts. You can call the shop or stop by to purchase a gift card for a class or several classes. Or, you can buy them online by CLICKING HERE.

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

Byron Begley
December 17, 2018

Fly Tying Classes January, February and March 2019 Taught by Walter Babb and Brian Courtney Beginner to Advanced CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com