Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. Clouds are blanketing the area this morning. The sun will be back tomorrow but not to be fooled....temperatures are going to drop down to a more seasonable level.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

The Little River Road from the Y to Metcalf Bottoms is still closed. You can access the upper part of the river and Elkmont Campground by going in the Wear Cover Entrance (Lyon's Spring Road). There is a lot of downed trees along the route.

Water levels on the Little River are down to 2.74 feet or 531 c.f.s. The daily normal is 312 c.f.s. This is still high but much more workable. Stay to the edges of the stream and wade carefully. Water temperatures are up to 51 F but that is still very chilly if you were to fall in. (a spare set of clothes in the car is a good idea this time of year)

All of the tailwaters in the area are running a lot of water. It doesn't look promising for getting out on one of them any time soon.

Fishing should be fairly good across the mountains today. Warmer water temperatures will have the trout more active. Smaller streams are easier to navigate but also consider gradient. A high gradient stream, even though it is small, can be harder to fish because the water will be faster. A larger, low gradient stream, like the lower parts of Little River and Middle Prong, can be easier to work with because the water slows in the pools.

Longer fly rods give reach and line control. They allow you to reach across currents and help with getting a good drift. Over the last several years there has been a shift to longer and longer rods. Euro Nymphs, high sticking, or however you want to call it can be very effective. John Chambers loves his Syndicate 10 foot 2 and 3 weight rods. We haven't got them added to our Online Store yet but we have them in the Shop.

Nymphs are going to be your best choice where ever you go today. Prince Nymphs, Tellicos, Hare's Ear, Barbie Bugs and Pat's Rubberlegs are all good. Add enough split shot to get them down in the water.

Streamer fishing is something I really need to do more of. I get fixated on dry flies. I know I miss out on larger trout and don't fully utilize parts of the river by not diversifying how I am fishing. There is miles of Little River that I have not fished...or atleast not fished well. Big pools aren't made for a #14 Parachute Adams. Yes you will get some fish to come up and eat.....but what lurks down in the depths? How many times have we stood, looking down into the dark emerald abyss and thought...a monster has to live down there.

Years ago, I was fishing the Little River with a friend on a day when the water was very high. We were fishing pools from the bank because it wasn't safe to wade. There was this one section of river the current was swift from the right and we stood high on the edge of the road. On the far side a large rock overhang a slower eddy. He made a long cast placing the streamer in the darkness beneath the rock. The fly line lay across the fast current and there was no time for a mend. Out of the shelter of the rock and eddy a golden shape appeared. It approached the fly just as the torrent grabbed the belly of the line. The drag of the line accellerated the streamer away from the trout better than any human strip could have. The timing was perfect, like a minnow fleeing for its life. The predator instinct was triggered and that brown crushed the fly.

You may not catch as many fish streamer fishing. It is definitely more physical work than watching a dry fly effortlessly drift along. When the fish bites it is worth it.

Maybe this year I'll have to streamer fish some more. We think about streamers for smallmouth but trout of all variety will eat them up also.

Ken McClain and Sindy Boyles will be our featured fly tyers this Saturday from 10 am till 2 pm. Stop by!!

If you head out to the river, be careful. Water is still high. Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.

Daniel Drake
January 8, 2019

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