Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:46 am, the temperature is 42 degrees.

We finally had a warm night. Today will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature in the low to middle 60’s dropping to only the low 50’s tonight. There is a slight chance for rain tonight. Tomorrow will be breezy and wet with a high in the middle 60’s. There is an 80% chance for rain but it won’t likely be heavy. Tomorrow night’s low will be in the low 40’s with a chance for showers.

Little River is flowing at 295 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.28 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 308 cfs. The water temperature is 45.3 degrees this morning and steady.

Streams in the mountains are flowing at or slightly below normal at good fishing levels. The streams are gradually warming and that will continue today and tomorrow. The closer the temperatures get to 50 degrees, the better the fishing will be.

If you go fishing in the Smokies today, weighted nymphs or tandem nymph rigs will likely work best for you. You might also try streamers. There is a chance for aquatic insect activity. You may see blue wing olives or other Winter insects on the water.

Fishing for stocked trout in the lower elevations is improving due to the warming water conditions. Weighted nymphs, nymph rigs or streamers will work best.

As usual, I searched the TVA website this morning looking for breaks in the generation schedules at most of the dams. I found a few with most breaks occurring later today. Check the TVA website yourself to see if you can work out a plan to fish on your favorite tailwater or another nearby.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited in the US has released preliminary visitation numbers for last year. They are subject to change over the next month or so. Right now, the number is 12,968,950 visits. That compares to about 14 million in 2021. If I remember correctly, 2021 set a record for attendance. You can read a story about the visitation last year on the WATE website by CLICKING HERE.

Cody Fischer will be conducting a Free Fly Tying Demonstration at the shop Saturday between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Cody owns Tellico Outfitters, a fly shop and guide service in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. I have heard he is an excellent fly tyer. You can also learn about his favorite streams in the Cherokee National Forest.

Bob Stephan will be tying Sunday from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. Bob is an excellent fly tyer, who loves to fish on the area tailwaters. He has been heavily involved in fly tying classes for years, held by the Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Project Healing Waters.

You do not need a reservation to attend our free fly tying demonstrations. Just show up at the shop.

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

Byron Begley
February 8, 2023

Private Instruction Fly Fishing Classes will be offered by us again this year.  If you know someone that has been thinking about getting started and you don't want to be the one untangling their lines while they learn have them give the Shop a call.  Classes are small, limited to two people per instructor.  Our Beginner day consists of half day instruction at the Shop where they will learn casting, knot tying, theory....then in the afternoon the class moves to the stream for practical application of skills learned.  The investment is just $300 for one angler or $400 for two.  We have all the equipment needed.  All the student needs is a fishing license and to dress for the weather.  It is the perfect way to get started.  Call for more info! 865-448-9459.

We also have some more advanced learning options too.  Classes can focus on general nymphing tactics or even a more specific Euro style nymphing class.  Casting instruction for learning new skills like Double Haul or improving distance can also be done.

We are holding a Beginner Fly Tying Class Saturday February 18th starting at 9:00 am. Tools and materials will be furnished for you. The class is limited to 4 students. It will be taught by Brian Courtney, who has been teaching this class for many years. The cost of the class is $100. It will last all day. We will provide lunch for you. You will learn to tie 5 different flies and acquire the skills to tie many more similar patterns. Call the shop at 865-448-9459 to reserve your spot. If the class is full when you call, ask to be put on a waiting list in case there is a cancellation.


FREE FLY TYING DEMONSTRATIONS EACH WEEKEND THROUGH EARLY MARCH

We will be holding many free fly tying demonstrations on the weekends over the next two months, some on Saturdays and others on Sunday afternoons. CLICK HERE to see the list of fly tyers who will be demonstrating, including the dates and times. These demonstrations are free. No reservation is necessary. All you have to do is show up at the shop. This schedule could change due to unforeseeable circumstances, including weather conditions, sickness or other causes. Check this fishing report where any cancellations or changes will be posted.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com