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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:25 am, the temperature outside is 33.6 degrees.
It did not get nearly as cold in Townsend last night, as was predicted. We are under a Freezing Fog Advisory this morning. Watch for ice on the roads and expect limited visibility until later this morning.
It will be sunny and warmer today and tomorrow. Warmer air and rain will arrive for the weekend. Right now, no snow is expected this week.
The Park Service Road Twitter Page has announced that Laurel Creek Road, Cades Cove, Wears Cove Gap Road and Metcalf Bottoms are now open. Cherokee Orchard Road is open. It appears US Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) and Foothills Parkway West between Walland and Wears Valley Road remain closed due to ice and snow.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY
LOCATION |
HIGH |
LOW |
TOWNSEND |
46 |
26 |
GATLINBURG |
46 |
25 |
ELKMONT |
44 |
24 |
CADES COVE |
44 |
26 |
NEWFOUND GAP |
42 |
25 |
MOUNT LECONTE |
39 |
24 |
CHEROKEE |
45 |
23 |
SMOKEMONT |
42 |
27 |
BRYSON CITY |
46 |
24 |
MAGGIE VALLEY |
42 |
24 |
COSBY |
46 |
26 |
Little River is flowing at 624 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.88 feet on the Townsend gauge. Median flow for this date is 213 cfs. The water temperature is 44.6 degrees this morning.
Little Pigeon River at the Sevierville gauge is flowing at 1,250 cfs or 3.07 feet on the gauge. Median flow is 360 cfs.
Oconaluftee River at the Birdtown gauge is flowing at 772 cfs, 2.26 feet on the gauge, and that compares to median flow of 417 cfs for this date. The water temperature is 42.1 degrees.
Tellico River at the Tellico Plains gauge is flowing at 748 cfs or 2.65 feet. Median flow there is 190 cfs for this date.
And finally, Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 138 cfs, 2.72 feet, which compares to 81 cfs median flow. The water temperature is 37.9 degrees.
We still have strong flows in the Smokies streams. Be careful wading. Water temperatures are cold in the higher elevations, but acceptable temps for fishing in the low elevations. I would not expect fishing to be good for everyone, but you may catch some trout, and possibly a large post spawn brown on the lower elevation rivers.
I would use nymphs or possibly streamers. With this current, and the probable lethargic trout, I would add plenty of weight to get your nymphs or streamers down deeper.
Watch for a blue wing olive hatch. That might happen.
Fishing should improve by the weekend, when most of you go fishing. Warm rain and warm air temperatures may cause the streams to warm to a desirable level. I hope so.
Walter Babb and Jack Gregory will be at the shop Saturday for a Free Event. Just show up. They will be tying flies and talking about fishing, simultaneously at different locations in the store. These guys are experts. You will learn a lot from them. And, it looks like the weather will be favorable.
I noticed many people are buying gift cards. Some are buying them online, at the shop, or calling to order. Learn more about our gift cards by CLICKING HERE. It is certainly not too late!
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
December 11, 2018
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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