Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:42 am, the temperature is 43 degrees.

Today will be mostly cloudy and warm with a high temperature in the middle 70’s, falling to the low 50’s tonight. We have a slight chance for showers late this afternoon. Showers are likely tonight.

Tomorrow will be warm with a high in the middle 70’s and a low in the middle 50’s overnight. It will be mostly cloudy with showers likely before 11:00 am.

There is a chance for thunderstorms Sunday with a high in the low 80’s and a low in the upper 50’s overnight.

Little River is flowing at 141 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.85 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 276 cfs. The water temperature is 52.7 degrees this morning and falling.

Streams in the mountains are flowing below normal. Water temperatures are chilly, especially in the higher elevations. If you go today, start in the low elevations where the water is warmer. Water temperatures will warm today so you could move to the higher elevations later.

Nymphs will work best early. Later today, aquatic insects will be active and fishing with dry flies will improve. Have some Yellow Sally Stonefly and Light Cahill dry flies in your box.

Bill and Mike hiked above Elkmont one day this week. It was cold that morning. Though the water temperature was in the low 50’s at the Townsend gauge, they found cold water, in the 40’s. Fishing was not good and these guys are excellent fly fishermen. Bill told me he did not catch one trout.

They moved down to the lower elevation on the East Prong of Little River. Eventually, bugs started hatching and they caught plenty of trout on dry flies.

You won’t have to be concerned about cold water in the low to middle elevations in the near future. The streams will be warming today and through May 19th, according to the long term weather forecast.  

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevation rivers will be good today. Fishing will likely be best later today when the water is warmer. It will be overcast at times today, which is a very good condition. Nymphs, midge pupa, emergers, squirmy worms or small streamers are good fly choices.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers will be best later. Streamers and nymphs will produce for sure. Try foam floating flies, later today. With the expected cloud cover, this should be a good day to be fishing for smallies, especially late this afternoon.

This may be an awesome lake fishing day. Winds will be calm. It should be overcast at times and maybe all day. Cloudy days are excellent lake fishing days. Cast to the rocky banks with weighted streamers. Smallmouth bass are in the shallow water. Retrieve slow and allow your fly to sink deep as it approaches your boat. I would also have a rod rigged with foam floating flies in the boat. Switch from sub-surface to top water until you determine what works best.

There are long pauses in the generation, with short times of pulsing planned at most dams today. Some long breaks will be in the morning while at other dams, they will be in the afternoon. Tailwater anglers have many choices today whether you are wading or boating. Visit the TVA website from the links below to see what is going on at your favorite tailwater.

I am going to be off for a few days and I plan to fish almost every day. Daniel will be writing the fishing report while I am off.

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