Mild days with water temperatures in the 40’s are the best for fishing during the winter months
It’s officially the slow season here in the Smokies. It’s nearly 8:00 AM when the sun peaks up over the mountains and it’s dark shortly after 5:00. Overnight temperatures here in Townsend are regularly in the 20’s and 30’s but much colder up on the crest of the Smokies.
Water temperatures have been hovering somewhere around the 40 degree mark down low on the near the park boundary but even cooler up where we fish the most. This means fishing has been pretty slow and the best time is when the sun is on the water; usually between 1:00 – 3:00 PM.
Water temperatures will become mildest after rain, so try to plan your outings the day after a rain. Hopefully those aren’t heavy rains, but that always brings water temperatures up several degrees.
Have a great holiday season and we’ll see you on the water in 2024!
A solid rainbow trout caught on a recent afternoon guide trip in the national park.
Shane Horan says
Winter fishing this year has been tough but also one of the most peaceful times of this year for me. It’s the calm silence that I truly enjoy. I’m up every weekend so it very interesting to what challenges are presented week to week based on all the conditions. This last weekend I saw a very early morning bite due to water temps jump a bit late the previous day due to rain and stay consistent throughout the night. I’m curious to see how this latest high water will affect fishing in the days to come. There always something new to learn. I appreciate all this great info you and your wife provide Ian. Hoping to get a trip setup this year for me and my son with you guys.