Meanwhile in Tennessee...

While we are locked down with frigid temperatures (-4 degrees fahrenheit this morning), Tennessee is dealing with some epic flooding.  Not record flooding or anything but still scary high.  Little River in the Smokies is high enough to keep even the most hardcore anglers away since 99.9999999% of the fishing right now would simply be an exercise in futility.  Could you still catch a fish?  I suppose it is at least conceivable but only a fool would try.

My buddy Jayson graciously allowed me to use a couple of his pictures on here.  The pictures look more like something from runoff out west after a big snowpack meets a heatwave.  To put these pictures in perspective for my tailwater fishing friends, this is approximately equivalent to the amount of water flowing down the Caney Fork on a two generator release!!!

 Jayson Alexander Photography

 Jayson Alexander Photography 

With more rain forecast, its definitely possible that the streams will rise further.  Let's hope that doesn't happen as a good number of people live quite close to the river and high water will not be good for them.

Right now I'm in the planning and anticipation stage of a spring break trip to the Smokies to fish the early hatches and perhaps even land a trout or two.  I'm not sure how this water situation will affect my fishing, although if history has proved anything it is that high water events on Little River are fairly common and do not seem to have any long term effect on the fishing unless the high flows occur shortly after the spawn.

I'm confident that, barring poor weather conditions during my visit, the fishing will be about as good as usual.  Of course, its the chance of something great happening that keeps me going back.  Every fishing trip is an adventure and this spring break will be no different!