Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:39 am, the temperature is 55 degrees.

Today will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature in the low to middle 70’s with no rain predicted. Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a high in the low 80’s and a chance for afternoon thunderstorms.

Little River is flowing at 105 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.70 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 195 cfs. The water temperature is 57.0 degrees this morning.

Streams in the mountains are flowing lower than normal. Water temperatures are within the trout’s preferred range at all elevations.

If you go fishing in the Smokies today, you are going to encounter low water. Trout will be hiding in the broken water, in runs, pockets and plunge pools. Stealth is essential to your success. Dress to blend with the forest and stay low if you can. Cloud cover will be your friend today. Dry flies should work well. A dry and dropper rig will increase your chances to catch trout. Try a Yellow Sally Stonefly imitation, an Elk Hair Caddis or a Yellow Stimulator for your dry fly. Other dry fly patterns may work too. Good dropper flies include a small bead head nymph or a Green Weenie.

Stocked trout in the low elevation rivers can be caught on nymphs, squirmy worms, Green Weenies or midge pupa.

This may be a good day to fish for smallmouth bass, rock bass or panfish in the lowland rivers. Streamers, crayfish patterns, hellgrammite imitations or nymphs are good fly choices. You may do best fishing in the deeper pools.

The lakes will likely be crowded with recreation boaters. Go early or late when there is less boating traffic. Cast weighted streamers, swimming nymphs (dragonfly patterns), poppers or foam floating flies to the banks and cover.

There are many tailwater fishing opportunities today. Generation schedules at most dams will provide long periods of no generation with some pulsing mixed in. TVA plans to generate beginning this morning and lasting all day at Norris Dam. You can work with that schedule with good planning. Look at the schedules from the links below to plan your day.

Today we honor the men and women who died in the military serving America. Today we remember our fallen heroes who fought for our freedom. That is what Memorial Day is all about. Take time to reflect today.

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

Byron Begley
May 29, 2023  

NOTICE: We are holding a Beginner Fly Tying Class all day on Saturday June 17th. We had one opening in the class but it may have been filled. Call the shop to find out if you are interested. The cost for the day is $100, which includes the use of tools, materials and lunch. The class will be taught by Brian Courtney. Brian has been teaching our fly tying classes with Walter Babb for many years. This is a great opportunity for you to begin this incredible hobby. You will learn to tie 5 different trout patterns. This class will get you started. Call the shop at 865-448-9459 to book your spot in this class.

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