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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:46 am, the temperature is 39.6 degrees.
Today will be sunny and warm again with a high temperature in the middle 70’s falling to the upper 40’s tonight. Tomorrow will be sunny and slightly warmer during the day with a high in the middle 70’s. Tomorrow night is predicted to be very warm, falling only to the middle 50’s. Sunday will be sunny and warmer with a high in the upper 70’s and a low in the upper 50’s.
Little River is flowing at 496 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.59 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 344 cfs. The water temperature is 49.0 degrees this morning.
Streams in the mountains are receding and warming slowly. For instance, Little River has receded almost to the point we consider “on the high side of good” at 2.5 feet. However, the streams are still flowing higher than median flow for now. They are flowing higher than some anglers prefer.
Additionally, the water temperature at the low elevation Townsend gauge rose to about 51 degrees yesterday and is at 49 degrees early this morning. So, at least in the low elevations, the water temps are within the trout’s active temperature range during the day and very close at night. And, it will be warmer at night through the weekend.
I have heard reports of aquatic insect activity. The insects could be quill gordons, blue quills, blue wing olives and other species.
I have no doubt that fishing will improve over the weekend. Stream levels will fall further and the water will be warmer between now and Sunday. The warm nights are the key. It will be warmer tonight and much warmer tomorrow night.
If you go fishing today, plan to fish the low elevations where the water is warmer. Be prepared to fish nymphs. Fishing will be better later in the day. Over time, trout will become accustomed to the warmer water and will eventually take dry flies and emergers.
Nymph choices are not critical, but I would start with pheasant tail or hare’s ear nymphs. I could not help but try some of the Euro nymphs I have tied. I would be fishing a weighted rig. If you see surface feeding activity, switch to a dry fly with a wet fly trailing behind. Choose a dark mayfly pattern in various sizes, depending on what you see on the surface. You may not see this happen today but the chance for for dry fly fishing will increase over time, hopefully this weekend.
Fishing for stocked trout is improving in the lowland low elevation rivers. Try nymphs, egg flies, squirmy worms or mop flies. Small black or olive wooly buggers may work too.
It appears TVA and the Corps will be generating around the clock, full bore at nearby dams today. Hopefully that will change this weekend, giving tailwater anglers more options.
There has been much activity in the shop as people are out enjoying the Spring-like temperatures and sunshine. Customers are preparing for fishing this weekend. Anglers from other states have arrived in Townsend, not in huge numbers, but there are a few.
We had a run on Renzetti vises last week and the week before. I placed an order Tuesday morning that arrived at the shop yesterday. Renzetti quickly reacts to their fly shop customers needs. We are now back to full stock.
I know for sure, we will be busy this weekend and we will be here to help you.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
March 4, 2022
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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