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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:41 am, the temperature is 49.3 degrees.
The high temperature in Townsend yesterday was 69.3 degrees. It will be cooler today, with the high temperature predicted to be what it is now. We have a slight chance for rain early this morning. Otherwise, it will be overcast with winds out of the west at 5 to 10 miles per hour. The low tonight will dip to around 30 degrees. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny and a little warmer.
Little River is flowing at 598 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.81 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 361 cfs. The water temperature is an incredible 49.3 degrees, and rose to about 52.5 degrees yesterday at the low elevation USGS gauge site near Townsend. The river is receding and the temperature is steady.
Little Pigeon River has receded quickly and continues to do so. Flow is currently 953 cfs, 2.75 feet, which compares to median flow of 586 cfs for this date.
Oconaluftee River is flowing at 875 cfs, 2.39 feet, compared to median flow of 553 cfs. The river is receding. The water temperature is 48.4 degrees this morning. Yesterday, the water temperature reached slightly over 50 degrees.
Tellico River is receding with current flow being 362 cfs, 1.82 feet, compared to median flow of 279 cfs.
Cataloochee Creek is cooler with the current temperature being 46.0 degrees. Flow is 199 cfs, 2.89 feet, compared to median flow of 127 cfs for this date.
Water levels are still higher than normal but many streams can be safely waded. My advice is to stand in safe water and “high stick” or Euro nymph heavy flies. Fishing should be fair to maybe better than that, though wading in many rivers is still limited. You might have a shot at trout rising to emergers or possibly adult aquatic insects. Blue wing olives or tiny black stoneflies may be present. Anything is possible, with the water being this warm. Today may be your last chance for warm water temperatures for a while.
Lowland river fishing where trout are stocked will be good. Wading will be limited in most of these larger rivers. Nymphs or streamers will work best. Try egg patterns too.
TVA and the Corps of Engineers will be generating at most dams in the area today. I did notice a break in the generation schedule at Center Hill Dam in middle Tennessee. There may be wade fishing or boating opportunities on some tailwaters. I did not check every one. Click the links below to see what your options are.
Yesterday was the busiest day at the shop we have had all year. Of course, yesterday was the only day we have been open this year so far. We were still very busy. I suspect today will be another busy day as anglers will take advantage of the warmer than usual days we are enjoying for now.
The fly tying department is “cranking”. Our selection of materials is good considering how busy we have been. Our selection of Renzetti fly tying vises is low, lower than I can remember. I do have 8 vises ordered and they will hopefully arrive tomorrow. I will place another order tomorrow that should be delivered to us by Thursday.
Renzetti has been very busy. They are literally assembling and packing some models as they are ordered by dealers. I am really happy they had a great year in 2020. It could not happen to a nicer group of people. They make unbelievable tools at their small plant in Titusville, Florida. All of our fly tying suppliers are slammed. They are all doing a great job getting materials and tools to us. This is the height of the fly tying season which will last until March here, and later in the north.
Well, get out there today and enjoy this Spring-like weather one more day.
Have a great one and thank you for supporting all of us at Little River Outfitters.
Byron Begley
January 3, 2021
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |
