Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:35 am, the temperature is 57 degrees.

There is a high chance for showers today and tonight. We could get one half to three quarter of an inch today. Rainfall amounts of up to a half of an inch are possible tonight. The high temperature today will be in the upper 50’s, dropping to the middle 40’s tonight.

Showers are likely tomorrow, with a high around 60 degrees and a low in the low 40’s overnight.

Sunday will be mostly sunny with a high in the middle to upper 60’s.

Little River is flowing at 190 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.03 feet at the Townsend gauge. Median flow for this date is 368 cfs. The water temperature is 58.8 degrees this morning.

All streams in the Smokies that have USGS gauge sites are flowing lower than normal for this date. That may change over the next two days due to predicted rain. Water temperatures are well within the trout’s preferred range.

It will be overcast today which is a good fishing condition. It may also be a little breezy. With water temperatures where they are, and the overcast skies, today should be a good fishing day in the mountains. Trout will be actively feeding. Many species of aquatic insects will be active. Nymphs, wet flies, emergers and dry flies are all good choices. More important than fly selection is fly presentation. Get a good drift and you should catch trout today.

The only possible negative will be rising or stained water.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevation rivers is good. These trout have been fished for a lot and may be selective. Try nymphs, egg patterns, squirmy worms or streamers. If those flies are not working, downsize to light tippet and midge pupa.

Smallmouth bass should be active. The lowland rivers are warmer. Nymphs or streamers will likely work best. Try foam floating flies and popper. They might work for you.

Cloudy days are good lake fishing days. It may be breezy at times. You will have to deal with rain too. I would hit the rocky banks with weighted streamers and allow them to sink deep as you retrieve.

There are some interesting generation schedules at a few dams. Tailwater anglers have a few choices for wade and boat fishing. Check the predicted flows for South Holston, Norris, Douglas and Cherokee dams. There are other options if you are boating.

It is Easter Weekend and I expect many people will be visiting the Smokies and the gateway towns. We will be closed Easter Sunday, one of only four days per year we close.

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

Byron Begley
April 7, 2023

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Parking Tags are now required to park your vehicle inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes. Tags may be purchased at Visitors Centers, including the center in Townsend. Or, they may be purchased online. You can buy a daily, weekly or annual tag. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com