Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:34 am, the temperature is 36 degrees.

It will be sunny today with a high temperature around 70 degrees, dropping to the low to middle 40’s tonight.

We have a 50% chance for showers tomorrow with a high in the low 70’s and a low in the low 50’s overnight. Showers return to the forecast tomorrow night and Saturday. We have a lower chance for thunderstorms Saturday night through Sunday.

Little River is flowing at 151 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.89 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 256 cfs. The water temperature is 51.3 degrees and falling this morning.

Streams in the Smokies are flowing below normal. Water temperatures are falling. The steams are chilly in the higher elevations.

If you go fishing in the mountains today, fish in the lower elevations where the water is warmer. Weighted nymphs or rigs will work best early today. Try dry flies, emergers and wet flies later when the streams begin warming.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevation rivers will be good today, especially later when the water is warmer. Sub-surface flies will likely work best. Weighted nymphs, emergers, squirmy worms, midge pupa and small streamers are good fly choices.

Smallmouth bass may be somewhat sluggish in the lowland rivers this morning. I would go later when the water is warmer. Streamers or nymphs will likely work best for you, especially early today. Try foam floating flies or poppers later.

This may be a good lake fishing day though overcast skies would be preferable. Wind will be fairly calm today. I would go early or late. Smallmouth bass are in the shallows in most lakes, especially those that are warmer. Cast to the rocky banks with heavily weighted streamers and retrieve slow, allowing your fly to sink deeper as it approaches your boat.

You might also try foam floating flies. Cast them to the banks in shallow water. Allow the fly to sit almost motionless on the surface. If you don’t get a strike, re-cast to a different location. I believe, when a big foam fly lands lightly on the water, the bass know they are there. I seldom retrieve these flies at all. Casting to a new location in the direction your boat is moving is easy, because you have your fly line in the water with your fly at the proper distance for the next accurate cast close to the edge of the bank.

Tailwater anglers have many options today whether you are wading or boating. There are long pauses with some pulsing mixed in at most dams in the region. Check the TVA website to plan your tailwater fishing day.

We have had some cold nights and cool days recently. That appears to be over. The long term weather forecast indicates we will enjoy warmer days and nights through May 18th. Waiting for the streams and rivers to warm in the mornings is a thing of the past. Fishing in the higher elevations will improve.

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

Byron Begley
May 4, 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