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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:31 am, the temperature outside is 39.4 degrees.

It is definitely going to rain today, tonight and tomorrow night in the foothills. The forecast calls for between one inch and to one and three quarters of an inch, today through tomorrow evening. Moderate flooding is possible.

We will likely see snow tomorrow night, with light accumulation in the low elevations. The highest elevations in the Smokies may have significant snowfall, with totals up to a foot or more tomorrow and tomorrow night.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

Little River is flowing at 283 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.22 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 220 cfs. The water temperature is 46.0 degrees this morning and stable.

Little Pigeon River is flowing at 538 cfs, 2.22 feet and that compares to median flow of 366 cfs. The Sevierville USGS Gauge does not have a temperature probe, so I never know what the temperature is in the Little Pigeon River.

Oconaluftee River is flowing at 698 cfs or 2.16 feet on the gauge, compared to median flow of 402 cfs. The water temperature is 43.9 degrees and falling.

Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 175 cfs, 2.86 feet, compared to median flow of 80 cfs. The water temperature is 42.3 degrees and falling.

Water temperatures are fair for fishing in the low elevations. Water levels are fine this morning. Fishing is probably fair.

Rain will begin falling very soon. The weather radar indicates a large storm moving from the Gulf of Mexico, up the eastern United States. I think there is a good chance for high stream flows later today, tonight and tomorrow. The snow in the mountains will likely cause road closures tomorrow.

I would plan on fishing in the low elevations where the water is warmer. I think nymphs or streamers will work best unless you happen to encounter a blue wing olive hatch with trout feeding on them. Then, switch to dry flies or emergers, or both.

We’ll see what happens with the water levels. This storm looks “big” and “significant”. Though flooding is not predicted, high water is.

We have been selling the heck out of Renzetti fly tying vises. We just received four, and I ordered more yesterday. I usually order via e-mail, but yesterday I decided to call. My old friend Lily Renzetti answered the phone. She and her husband Andy own the company. Their son is 25 years old now, finished college, and is working in the family business. I remember when he was just a kid.

Their vises are made in Titusville, Florida at their small plant. Andy is a machinist, who invented and patented their rotary vises many years ago. Andy and Lily traveled to Townsend once, to attend one of our first Fly Tyers Weekend events. They love Townsend. I have read, the Renzetti Traveler Vise is the best selling vise in America. I have a Renzetti Master, and love it.

I decided to add a “Fly Tying Tools” category to our online store. Today, I will start photographing the Renzetti lineup. This is going to be a fun project. I took over ordering and organizing the fly tying department six months ago. This has always been my “pet department” and I’m glad I have the time now to work on it further.

Orders come in from our suppliers, they are received and displayed, then I immediately order again. The cycle takes about one week. By doing this, we hardly run out of anything.

The old bridge that spans Little River at the town entrance, near Kinzel Springs was onece used for vehicle traffic. I’ve heard it referred to as Kinzel Spring Bridge, Sunshine Bridge and Wilson’s Bridge. It is a concrete one-lane bridge. I remember waiting for cars to come across from the other direction, before it was my turn to drive over. We don’t see many bridges like that anymore.

The bridge was deemed to be unfit for motorized vehicles. The County considered demolishing the bridge. Citizens in Townsend wanted the bridge to remain. There have been plans for decades, to refurbish and cover the bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use. Grants were obtained and matched to make this project economically feasible.

The bridge is now open to pedestrians and bicycles. It has not been covered, but that may happen next year. The City of Townsend is going to lease the bridge from the County, and maintain it for 99 years.

Read more about this great addition to our town by visiting the Daily Times website. CLICK HERE. There are three photos of the bridge, so click in the upper right hand corner of the displayed photo, to see them all.

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

Byron Begley
December 20, 2018   

Fly Tying Classes January, February and March 2019 Taught by Walter Babb and Brian Courtney Beginner to Advanced CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com