Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains. Winter is in full force here in the Southern Appalachians but don't despair Spring comes eventually.

Water levels in the Smokies are low again.  The streamflow gauge for Little River is reading 1.76 feet or 134 c.f.s.  This is below the daily normal of 272 c.f,s,  The rivers are very clear so be stealthy.

Water temperatures are cold which makes for slow fishing.  This morning the gauge is reading 33.4 F.  When the temperatures are below 40 fishing dramatically slows down  

The weather forecast for next week isn't bringing much hope for fishing to improve.  Several days are going to be highs in the 20's and lows in the teens.  This is going to keep water temperatures very cold.  Nymphs sunk deep are going to be the best fly choice.  Stocked trout in delayed harvest streams seem to be less affected by cold temperatures while wild trout will hunker down and slow their feeding.  This time of the year you want to be fishing the warmest part of the day.  10 or later will allow the stream to warm some from the previous night.  If you are fishing away from your vehicle have some way to warm up in the event of a fall.  Hypothermia can come on quickly when it is this cold.  Even if you are fishing close to the road it is a good idea to have a spare set of dry clothes in the vehicle.

Cold weather is fly tying weather.  This Saturday our featured Fly Tying Demo tyers are a couple of good guys from the Knoxville Project Healing Waters.  Larry Cummins and Oren Meade will be at the Shop to tie their favorite flies and also let you know about the great work that Project Healing Waters does with local veterans.  One fly I'm excited to see is called a Rainbow Charlie.  It looks like it has all the ingredients of a winner.
David Knapp of Trout Zone Anglers will be here Sunday.  David is a wealth of knowledge about the mountains, the tailwaters, and places further abroad.  David will be sharing some streamer patterns and techniques for the Smokies as well as for the shad kill on the Caney Fork.  

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

Daniel Drake
January 16, 2025

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Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com