It’s been a long winter. If the water has been in good shape it’s also been bitterly cold. If the weather is negotiable like today, the water levels are marginal.
A dusting of snow along the Little River at Elkmont
There is snow above 2500′ in the Smokies and water levels have been falling steadily for the last few days.
Stream levels in the Smokies are fishable with caution right now, but more rain forecast to come in tomorrow will probably get the river chugging hard for a couple more days.
None of the tailwaters are really optimal for fishing right now. The Watauga has some windows of opportunity, but you have to keep a close eye on the schedule. The Tuckaseegee at Dillsboro currently has a workable schedule, but you can’t just wade anywhere you want. The river is actually more ideal for floating right now.
