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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:37 am, the temperature is 27.1 degrees.

This was the last cold night. The weather is changing. Spring-like temperatures will begin today. It will be sunny today with a high in the low to middle 60’s, falling to the middle to upper 30’s tonight. It will be warmer tomorrow. Expect a high in the upper 60’s and a low in the high 30’s.

Wednesday will be sunny again and even warmer, with high in the low 70’s and a low around 50 degrees. Thursday will be warmer, with a high in the low 70’s falling to the low to middle 50’s at night. It will be warm this weekend with a chance for rain.

Little River is flowing at 354 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.35 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 392 cfs. The water temperature is 41.9 degrees this morning.

Streams in the Smokies are flowing at pretty much normal today. Rain is not expected until this weekend. Water temperatures will rise and fishing will improve every day. When the water temperature reaches 50 degrees, fishing for rainbow, brown and brook trout will be good in the lower elevations.

Aquatic insects are active and they will become more active as the week progresses. You will find sporadic hatches of Quill Gordons, Blue Quills and other species. Dry fly fishing will improve as the streams warm.

We have three very essential conditions that will be favorable this week. The stream levels are normal. Water temperatures will rise to the trout’s preferred range. Trout will be seeking food, aquatic insects, and they will be available. Spring fishing will begin this week in the Smokies.

Go later in the day when the water is warmer. Fish the lower elevations where the water is warmer. Be prepared with nymphs, wet flies (emergers) and dry flies. Watch the water temperatures on the USGS web pages. The USGS Little River in Townsend, Oconaluftee River at Birdtown and Cataloochee Creek sites display water temperatures.

Fishing in the lowland rivers that exit the mountains will improve this week. Smallmouth bass fishing may not be good yet. Fishing for trout, where they are stocked, will be good. Some lowland rivers have been stocked with rainbow trout. Many others will be stocked this week, including Little River. Little River is scheduled to be stocked every other week through the end of June. You can view the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency trout stocking schedule by CLICKING HERE.

TVA and the Corps plan to generate at most dams today. I did not see any wade fishing opportunities on the tailwaters, but I did not check each one. Click on the links below to see what opportunities you have for tailwater fishing in the area.

We were busy at the shop this weekend. Fly fishing customers are getting out and enjoying this beautiful weather. Most customers know what is coming this week. They are preparing and some are fishing. The best fishing is yet to come.

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

Byron Begley
March 8, 2021   

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com