Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:50 am, the temperature is 70 degrees.

It will be sunny and hot today with a high temperature in the low 90’s and a slight chance for thunderstorms this afternoon. This heat wave will last through Sunday. We will have to endure high temperatures in the low 90’s each day. There is a low chance for thunderstorms each day with a higher chance on Sunday.

Little River is flowing at 184 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.96 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 127 cfs. The water temperature is 68.5 degrees this morning. Yesterday, the water temperatures peaked at 70.2 degrees at 7:15 pm.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing very close to normal. The streams will be very warm over the next few days in the low elevations. Fish in the middle to high elevations where the water is cooler. Look for water temperatures in the middle 60’s or cooler.

I would plan to go early when it is cooler. Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. Fish in the choppy water where the trout are hiding. Dress to blend with the forest to help you avoid being seen by the trout. A dry and dropper rig is a good tactical choice.

Fishing for stocked trout will be fair in the lower elevation rivers. Water levels are normal for the most part, but many of these streams will be warm. Weighted nymphs will likely be your best option.

The lowland rivers are flowing fairly low which is normal in late July. Fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish is fair to good. Fish in the deeper pools with poppers, foam floating flies, streamers and crayfish patterns.

It is going to be hot on the lakes today. I would be launching right now and plan to fish until the sun is high. Cast to the banks and cover with streamers, swimming nymphs, foam floating flies or poppers. You might do best with the streamers and swimming nymphs fished deep and slow.

There are generation schedules you can work with on many of the area tailwaters. Check the TVA website to find a suitable tailwater to fish and plan around the generation schedules.

I returned yesterday from a fishing trip with five of my close friends. We rented a house on the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam in Kentucky. We floated the river in kayaks and drift boats. Fishing was fair. We all caught trout but fishing not what we hoped for. The best excuse I can come up with is, “It was sunny and hot”.

Of course we had a great time. I’ve been best friends with these guys for a long time. I’ve been friends with Jack and Ronnie for almost 30 years. Frank and I started the first grade together in 1957. I’ve been friends with Mouse and Wayne since the 60’s.

It is always good to be home and I’m looking forward to going back to work.

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

Byron Begley
July 27, 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