Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:41 am, the temperature is 35 degrees.

Today will be sunny with a high temperature in the low 60’s, falling to the low 30’s tonight. We will likely see areas of frost this morning and tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow will be partly cloudy and warmer with a high in the upper 60’s and a low in the low to middle 40’s overnight.

Rain returns to the forecast Wednesday. There is a chance for rain every day and night Wednesday through Sunday.

Little River is flowing at 162 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.93 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 242 cfs. The water temperature is 50.2 degrees and falling this morning.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing lower than normal for this time of the year. Water temperatures are chilly at all elevations this morning. Though the temperature in the low elevations is currently within the trout’s preferred range in the lowest elevations, the numbers are in the 40’s in the higher elevations.

If you go fishing in the Smokies today, wait a while before going to allow the water temperature to bottom out and begin to warm. Fish in the low elevations where the water is warmer. Look for water temperatures in the 50’s or warmer. Trout will be taking nymphs and wet flies. They may be interested in dry flies later today. There are many aquatic insects on the water. My choice would be a Light Cahill or Yellow Sally Stonefly dry. More important than fly selection is stealth and presentation. Stay hidden from the trout, don’t spook them with your cast and get a good drift.

Fishing for stocked trout will be best later today when the water is warmer. Sub-surface flies will probably work best in most cases. Nymphs, emergers, squirmy worms, midge pupa or small streamers are good fly choices.

Smallmouth bass are probably not very active in the lowland rivers due to the cooling water conditions. If you go today, wait a while until the water warms somewhat. Try nymphs or streamers.

If you go lake fishing today, make it early or late when the sun is low. Fish the shaded areas when the sun is higher. Winds will be light today which is helpful. I would be hitting the rocky banks with weighted streamers hoping to catch smallmouth bass.

If you enjoy fishing on our tailwaters like many of us do, we have a lot of choices today. TVA and the Corps will be pausing the generation at many dams with short periods of pulsing at some. Check out the generation schedules on the TVA website from the links below to plan your tailwater fishing day.

This cold snap, especially the cold nights, will end tomorrow according to the long term forecast. Temperatures at night are predicted to be in the 40’s and 50’s through May 8th. Rain is predicted most days and nights through the period. It has been dry lately and the anticipated rain will be welcome.

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

Byron Begley
April 24, 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