Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:37 am, the temperature is 65 degrees.

It will be hazy again today with a high temperature in the upper 80’s. The chance for thunderstorms will increase overnight. Showers are likely tomorrow, tomorrow night, Thursday and Friday. It will be cooler through the period, with highs in the middle 80’s.

Little River is flowing at 121 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.72 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 117 cfs. The water temperature is 69.3 degrees this morning.

Streams in the mountains are flowing near normal, some higher and others lower. Median flow at this point in July is low. Water temperatures are warm in the low elevations, exceeding 70 degrees. That is also normal in July. This is the time of year when we need to be fishing in the middle to higher elevations where the water is cooler. Look for temperatures in the middle 60’s or cooler.

Trout are hiding in the broken water or near cover. Fishing is good in the cool streams. The trout’s metabolism is in high gear. They are looking for food while hiding from predators. Fish in the choppy water in pockets, plunge pools and deeper runs. Dry flies, nymphs or a combination of both will work for you.

Fishing for stocked trout may be fair in some rivers but better in others that are cooler. Nymphs, egg patterns, Green Weenies and midge pupa are good fly choices.

Right now the lowland rivers are flowing fairly low, though near normal. Fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish is good. Fish in the deeper pools with streamers, crayfish imitations, foam floating flies and poppers. You will probably do best in shaded areas if they are available where you are fishing.

If I were fishing on a lake today, I would launch at daybreak and plan to fish until the sun is higher. Cast to the dimly lit banks with streamers, swimming nymphs, foam floating flies or poppers. When the sun is high, look for shaded banks to fish. Or, cast weighted flies, allowing them to remain deep during your retrieve.

There are generation schedules at several dams you can work with if you plan to fish on a tailwater today. The schedules vary so check the TVA website to see what your options are. In many cases, you will need to go early and position yourself in the right spot to fish for a longer period of time. If you are boating, there are more options.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lower reaches of some tailwaters has been very good. More anglers have taken to the sport of catching smallies in the larger rivers. There are more guides specializing in fly fishing for smallmouth bass than there used to be in our area. Anglers are using power boats, kayaks, canoes and wading to catch smallmouth bass in the tailwaters. Fishing for smallmouth bass is a great sport. Sight fishing is common. There is nothing quite like watching a 20” smallmouth rise up and sip your fly off the surface.

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

Byron Begley
July 18, 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