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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:49 am, the temperature outside is 35.4 degrees.

Today will be partly sunny with a high temperature in the mid-60’s. Rain is likely tonight. We should expect high temperatures in the upper 50’s to the mid-60’s through next Tuesday. Lows at night will dip to the upper 30’s to the mid-40’s through the period. Rain is in the forecast again next Tuesday.

We may have some fairly good early December fishing, which is unusual. Everything depends on the water temperature, which has been moving upward over the last two days.

Little River is flowing at 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.66 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 243 cfs. The water temperature is 42.8 degrees this morning.

We should see the water temperature slowly climb over the next few days. Fishing in the Smoky Mountains will improve. If it rains tonight, as predicted, we may see higher flows, which will be helpful.

I would use nymphs, weighted. You may see some aquatic insect activity on the surface at times. The bugs could be blue wing olives or small black stoneflies. Have some dry flies in your box, just in case you do. Otherwise, nymphs are what I would use.

Brown trout that have spawned are hungry. The cold water does not discourage them. I would avoid fishing for a brown on a redd. But, those that have spawned, are eager to eat, and fair game.

Stealth is essential right now. The water levels are low. The trout are spooky. Dress to blend in with the forest.

Watch for angler friendly flows on the Clinch River. It is fishing well. Nymphs are working there. You could use midge patterns or larger nymphs. Both are working.

We have many fly tying classes scheduled this Winter. You can see the schedule by CLICKING HERE. Some are free, 2-hour introduction classes. Others are all-day classes. If you want to learn to tie flies, start with us. We have been teaching fly tying classes for around 20 years, every year.

The Legacy Parks Foundation, and other partners, continue to plan the 14-mile greenway, to connect Maryville and Townsend. The estimated cost is around $24 million. This would be a transportation corridor, which qualifies the project for Federal and State funding. Walkers, runners and bicycle riders would enjoy the greenway. The long term plan is to also connect this greenway to Knoxville.

A public meeting on the subject was held at Little River Trading Company in Maryville. You can read the story and watch the video on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.

Personally, I would love it and use it.

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

Byron Begley
November 30, 2017

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com