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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:54 am, the temperature outside is 31.3 degrees.
Today and tomorrow will be partly cloudy and warm, with a high both days close to the mid-60’s. Temperatures will rise further Tuesday through Thursday, with highs topping out in the upper 60’s Wednesday and climbing to the mid 70’s Thursday. We will get some rain on and off, Wednesday through Friday.
Predicted high temperatures this week in Townsend:
Today – 64 degrees
Monday – 64 degrees
Tuesday – 66 degrees
Wednesday – 69 degrees
Thursday – 75 degrees
Friday – 55 degrees
Saturday – 51 degrees
Predicted low temperatures this week in Townsend:
Tonight – 39 degrees
Monday – 52 degrees
Tuesday – 51 degrees
Wednesday – 60 degrees
Thursday – 53 degrees
Friday – 32 degrees
Saturday – 37 degrees
Little River is flowing at 256 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.15 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 357 cfs. The water temperature is 43 degrees this morning.
Yesterday, the water temperature in Little River reached 44 degrees, at the low elevation gauge site near Townsend.
Rain later this week, when the air is warm, will improve the fishing more, unless we get too much rain, which at this point, does not appear to be likely.
Stream flows are at or below median flow at all gauge sites in the Smokies.
Some snow remains in the high elevations. It will be melting. That can affect water temperatures. Sometimes, we expect water temperatures to rise quickly and they do not, due to the snow melt. I still expect to see higher water temperatures every day this week. Today’s high temperature is predicted to be 45 degrees at Mount Leconte and 53 degrees at Newfound Gap. That snow should be gone soon.
So, why am I writing so much about temperatures today? We are on the edge. This is what we have been waiting for.
Trout activity is water temperature dependent. If the water is 40 degrees or colder, trout are lethargic. When the water temperature rises to around 45 degrees, the fish become more active. At 50 degrees, they are very active and fishing is good. At 58 degrees, fishing is usually very good to excellent.
I would go today and expect fair fishing. It will be overcast at times, hopefully. That is beneficial to the angler.
I would fish the lower elevations where the water is warmer. You will feel warmer too.
The longer you wait to go today, the warmer the water should be, unless snow melt causes a halt to the rise.
I would start with nymphs, weighted with split shot. Try Tellico, Prince, Hare’s Ear or Pheasant Tail patterns. Other nymph patterns may work as well or better.
Be on the lookout for aquatic insects on the water. They may be blue wing olives or some other insects, if you see them. Have some dry flies in your box. You may not need them today, but you will later this week. To be ready, I would have Parachute Adams dry flies in sizes #16 to #12. You should have some blue wing olive dries and emergers in your box.
At some point, and I’m not sure when, we will see hatches of Quill Gordons and Blue Quills. It has occurred in February some years. When that happens, everyone gets excited, including the trout.
It feels better being on the edge, on the cusp of Spring fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains.
The shop is very busy. We had the best January we’ve seen in a long time. The fly tying department has been exceptionally busy. I am working in the shop much more than I did over the past three years. I am enjoying that.
I work 7 days a week, most weeks. Winter is my busy time of the year. I plan to take a week off from work beginning later this week. Paula and I plan to do a lot of bicycling. I got a new bicycle helmet for Christmas. So far, I’ve just worn it around the house. I walk two miles a day, on a treadmill, uphill, at 3 MPH, to stay in shape. Riding a bicycle is a lot more fun than walking on a treadmill, unless you fall off the bike.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
February 3, 2019 (Super Bowl Sunday)
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Fly Tying Classes January, February and March 2019
Taught by Walter Babb and Brian Courtney
Beginner to Advanced
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE |
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Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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