Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:46 am, the temperature is 40 degrees.

Today will be partly sunny and windy with a high temperature in the low 60’s, falling to the low 40’s tonight. Winds will increase to 15 to 20 miles per hour, gusting to as high as 30 miles per hour.

Tomorrow will be sunny and breezy with a high in the low 60’s and a low around 40 degrees.

Little River if flowing at 181 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.00 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 239 cfs. The water temperature is 54.0 degrees this morning.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing below normal. Water temperatures are falling this morning. Right now, the water temperature is within the trout’s preferred range in the low elevations, but dipping below what they prefer in the higher elevations.

If you go fishing in the Smokies today, fish in the lower elevations where the water is warmer. Trout will be taking nymphs for sure. Dry flies may work better later today.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevation rivers should be good today, especially later this morning when the water begins to warm. Nymphs, caddis emergers, midge pupa, squirmy worms and small streamers are good fly choices.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers will be best later today when the water is warmer. Try streamers or nymphs. Depending on how warm the water becomes, foam floating flies and poppers may get the bass’ attention.

This is going to be a windy day, so lake fishing may be difficult. I usually do not go when winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour are predicted. If you decide to go, cast to the rocky banks with weighted streamers. Retrieve slow to allow your fly to sink deep as it is retrieved back to your boat. Foam floating flies might work so give them a try. Cast to the banks and cover. Let your fly remain mostly motionless. If you don’t get a take, pick up and re-cast a few feet further along the bank. I would go early today, at daybreak.

Long periods of no generation with occasional pulsing are planned at many dams today. There are a lot of tailwater fishing opportunities available for you. Visit the TVA website from the links below to plan your tailwater fishing day.

May is one of the best fishing months of the year in our area and to the south. After a couple of cool nights, a warming trend is predicted in the long term forecast through the middle of the month. Customers are actively preparing for what they know is a great month to fish in the mountains, lowland rivers, tailwaters and lakes.

We had a very busy April at the shop, up considerably from the same month last year. May is usually our best month of the year. We are prepared. The shop is stocked well. We are well staffed.

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

Byron Begley
May 1, 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