Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:55 am, the temperature is 69 degrees.

Brief showers yesterday morning amounted to .22 inches in Townsend.

Today will be partly sunny with a high temperature in the middle to upper 80’s and a chance for showers and thunderstorms. The chance for thunderstorms will continue overnight.

It will be partly sunny tomorrow with a higher chance for thunderstorm and a high temperature in the middle to upper 80’s. A chance for thunderstorms remains in the forecast each day through the weekend.

Little River is flowing at 139 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.79 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 119 cfs. The water temperature is 67.8 degrees this morning. Yesterday, the water temperature topped out at 69.8 degrees at 5:30 pm.

Most streams in the Smokies are flowing very close to normal with some flowing slightly higher and others slightly lower. Water temperatures are warm in the low elevations. Fish in the higher elevations where the water is cooler. Trout are actively feeding. They are taking dry flies and nymphs. I would show them a dry and dropper rig. My dry fly would be a hi-vis foam beetle or a Yellow Sally Stonefly imitation. My dropper would be a Green Weenie or an ant pattern. Fish in the broken choppy water where the trout are hiding. Dress to blend with the forest so you are less likely to be seen by the trout.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevation rivers has been good, from what I have heard. Stocked trout are being caught in Little River through Townsend. That is something I didn’t expect to hear at this point during the Summer. Small nymphs will work for you.

Fishing for smallmouth bass and panfish is good in the lowland rivers. The rivers are flowing at about normal for this time of the year. Water temperatures are good. Streamers, crayfish patterns, foam floating flies and poppers are all good choices.

The lakes will be crowded today with recreation boaters. Go early. I would launch at daybreak. Hit the banks or cover with streamers, swimming nymphs, foam floating flies or poppers. If it is overcast this morning, you may do well longer. If the sun is bright when it rises, find shaded banks to fish. The wind is predicted to be calm today. Allow for extra time at the ramps which will be crowded today. You will have to wait for your turn to pull out.

There are generation schedules you can work with to fish on several area tailwaters. TVA and the Corps plan to generate for long periods later today at some dams. With careful planning, you have tailwater fishing opportunities. Visit the TVA website to see what options you have.

As we celebrate Independence Day you can be assured we will be open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm today. We are seeing visitors from other areas and local customers as well. We are busy.

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

Byron Begley
July 4, 2023

BIG CLINCH RIVER CLEANUP TO BE HELD SATURDAY JULY 8TH

The Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is asking for help from the public, to join in and participate in this year’s annual river cleanup. During the past 25 years, volunteers have removed more than 6,000 tires and more than 10 tons of trash from the Clinch River Tailwater at this event. You can read more about the cleanup on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.

You can register as a volunteer on the Clinch River Chapter website by CLICKING HERE.

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