Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:37 am, the temperature is 59 degrees.

We have a 70% chance for rain today, beginning later this morning. Thunderstorms will develop this afternoon. Some storms may be severe. The high temperature will be in the low 80’s. Rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch are possible with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Winds will be out of the South at 10 to 15 miles per hour gusting to as high as 20 miles per hour.

There is an 90% chance for showers and thunderstorms tonight. Some storms may be severe. It will be windy. New rainfall amounts between a half of an inch to three quarters of an inch are possible.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely tomorrow. Heavy rain is not predicted except in possible thunderstorms.

Little River is flowing at 50.1 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.41 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 155 cfs. The lowest flow recorded on this date was 52.8 cfs in 2007. It appears we have set a new record low for this date. The water temperature is 62.8 degrees this morning.

Streams in the mountains are flowing very low, at least for now. If you go fishing in the Smokies, cast your flies into the broken choppy water where the trout are hiding. A dry fly with a nymph or unweighted Green Weenie is a good tactic. Paula and I were sitting in the garden late yesterday afternoon. I felt something crawling on my neck. It was an inchworm, also called a sourwood worm. It is Green Weenie time.

Watch for quickly rising water in the mountains caused by rain from thunderstorms upstream from where you are fishing. Be aware that some thunderstorms may be severe with high winds and large hail.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevations is fair is some rivers and maybe good in others. These rivers are flowing low at this time. Use small nymphs and light tippet.

You might do well fishing for smallmouth bass and other species in the lowland rivers. Fish in the pools using streamers, crayfish patterns, foam floating flies or poppers.

With the chance for thunderstorms and the predicted windy conditions, this is not a day I would be fishing on the lakes. If you go, stay close to the ramp for a quick retreat from approaching thunderstorms.

There will be long periods of no generation with short pulsing at some dams today. At others, the generators will be running starting later this morning or afternoon. Check the TVA website to plan your tailwater fishing day. Me mindful that there is a chance for thunderstorms and windy conditions today.

We will be open today, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. This may be a good day to go shopping at your favorite fly shop.

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

Byron Begley
June 11, 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