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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:04 am, the temperature outside is 47.8 degrees.

It rained during the night. We got .29 inches in Townsend. We have a low chance for rain this morning with cloudy skies, becoming mostly sunny later today. It will be warm today and chilly tonight. Tomorrow will be sunny and very warm.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

Little River is flowing at 299 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.26 feet on the flow gauge. The river is still rising right now. Median flow for this date is 184 cfs. The water temperature is 48.6 degrees this morning.

Little Pigeon River at the Sevierville gauge, flow is currently 486 cfs, compared to median flow of 235 cfs. The river is not rising right now.

Oconaluftee river is rising quickly. Flow measured at the Birdtown gauge is 780 cfs or 2.27. Median flow for the date is 312 cfs. The water temperature is 45.3 degrees.

Cataloochee Creek is rising sharply. Flow is currently 264 cfs or 3.14 feet on the gauge, compared to median flow of 61 cfs. The water temperature is 43.9 degrees.

Some streams are rising this morning, and right now they have not peaked. We will know soon how high they will rise. I don’t expect a blowout, especially on Little River. But, don’t be too surprised if you encounter higher water this morning. Some streams could be stained, temporarily. Check the USGS gauges below before going.

Water temperatures are fair in the low elevations. Trout should be active, especially later today as the water warms.

I would start with weighted nymphs. My choices are the same as usual this time of the year, Tellico, Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail and Prince.

I would also be prepared for a blue wing olive hatch. Have some #16 to #20 BWO dry flies in your box and some emergers. You may also see midges and other aquatic insects on the surface at times.

Streamers may also be a good choice. I would use a Muddler Minnow or other sculpin imitation.   

This is going to be a nice fishing day if the streams are not flowing too high. I don’t think they will be but you never know how much rain fell in some of the watersheds. I checked the gauges again just now, and they are all still rising except Little Pigeon.

Tomorrow should be a great fishing day, after the water warms.

Yesterday was Black Friday and many people opted to visit the outdoors, specifically, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I found a story on the WBIR website about the alternative choices some people made. The Park was crowded yesterday. Townsend was busy. You can see the story by CLICKING HERE.

Paula and I still have not driven the new Foothills Parkway. We have been waiting for a clear day, a weekday, after the holiday crowds and leaf lookers have gone home. We will go one day next week or the week after.

This is going to be a perfect weekend to drive the new road. Expect crowds and slow moving traffic. The views from there are worth it. I’ve been up there, before the road was opened.

We did drive on the older part of the road Thanksgiving Day, going to visit Pat and Jim. It was odd seeing a sign at the Walland entrance, directing traffic to Pigeon Forge.

Townsend residents and business owners wonder, what affect this road will have on our tourism business. Will people bypass Townsend on the new Foothills Parkway, when their eventual destination is Pigeon Forge? I think there is a strong possibility they will. On the other hand, this road will provide our visitors with something else to do and see while staying in Townsend. Only time will tell.

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

Byron Begley
November 25, 2018

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com