Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:39 am, the temperature is 65 degrees.

Light rain has been falling for days. Yesterday, we got .85 inches of rain in Townsend. In our area, this has been what I would call a slow soaking rain.

Today may be partly sunny, but showers are likely at times, and thunderstorms are possible. The high temperature today will be in the high 70’s.

It will be partly sunny tomorrow, with a chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Sunday will be warmer, with a high in the middle to upper 80’s, and a chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

Little River is flowing at 235 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.12 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 150 cfs. The water temperature is 62.8 degrees this morning.

Streams in the Smokies are flowing higher than median flow. Some are flowing quite a bit higher. Right now, some streams are at good fishable levels. Others are rising.

If you go fishing in the Smokies today, nymphs or weighted nymph rigs are good choices. Depending on where you are fishing, a dry fly or a dry and dropper rig might work for you. Care should be taken when wading. You may find swift water in some streams or areas of streams. Watch for quickly rising water caused by a thunderstorm upstream from where you are fishing. If you see that happening, get out of the water.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevations may be good depending on the river you are fishing. Nymphs will likely work best for you but you might also try streamers.

Some lowland rivers are flowing fairly high. Safe wading may be limited. Fishing for smallmouth bass and warm water species is good. Streamers and crayfish patterns are good options. Nymphs might work. You could also try using foam floating flies or poppers, depending on the condition of the river you are fishing.

This might be a very good lake fishing day. Winds are predicted to be calm. Fishing may be best early or late. If it remains cloudy, you should do well at other times during the day. Cast to the banks with streamers, swimming nymphs, foam floating flies or poppers. There is a chance some lakes may be stained.  

If you are considering fishing on a tailwater today, check the TVA website to see the generation schedules and the options you have. I saw several schedules that you can work with whether you are wading or boating.

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

Byron Begley
June 23, 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