Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:40 am, the temperature is 60 degrees.

Today will be sunny with a high temperature in the middle 80’s. Winds are predicted to be calm. It will be sunny tomorrow with a high in the upper 80’s. Rain returns to the forecast Thursday with thunderstorms likely each day through Saturday.

Little River is flowing at 149 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.83 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 131 cfs. The water temperature is 66.2 degrees this morning. Yesterday, the water temperature peaked at 69.8 degrees at 5:15 pm.

Streams in the mountains are flowing near normal, some slightly higher and others a little lower. Water temperatures will be warm in the lowest elevations later today. It is a good idea to fish in the middle to higher elevations where the water is cooler. Look for temperatures in the middle 60’s.

Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. Flies that mimic terrestrial insects are good choices. Try a foam beetle with a Green Weenie dropper. Yellow Sally Stonefly imitations are also good dry fly choices. More important than your fly choice is, stealth and presentation. Dress to blend with the forest and get a good drift. Fish in the broken water or near cover where the trout are hiding.

Fishing for stocked trout is fair to good in some rivers. Nymphs will work for sure. If trout are not taking your offering, downsize your fly and tippet.

Most lowland rivers are flowing at normal and at good fishing levels for this time of the year. Fishing for smallmouth bass and other lowland species is good. Cast streamers, crayfish patterns, foam floating flies and poppers to the shaded areas of the river you are fishing.

Lake fishing will be best early or late when the sun is low. When the sun is high, find shaded banks to fish. If that is not possible where you are, use flies that sink deep and retrieve slowly, allowing them to remain in deeper water.

If fishing on a tailwater is your preference today, you have lots of choices. There are many generation schedules you can work with whether you are boating or wading. Check the TVA website from the links below to see what is going on at your favorite tailwater. Make your plans and enjoy a tailwater fishing day.

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

Byron Begley
July 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