Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:36 am, the temperature is 70 degrees.

Today will be mostly sunny and hot, with a high in the low 90’s. There is a chance for thunderstorms overnight. Some storms could produce heavy rainfall.

It will be mostly sunny tomorrow with a high in the upper 80’s. There is a chance for afternoon thunderstorms.

Little River is flowing at 134 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.77 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 134 cfs. That is not a typo. The river is flowing at exactly median flow right now. The water temperature is a warm 70.9 degrees this morning at the low elevation gauge site. Yesterday, the water temperature peaked at 72.5 degrees at 5:30 pm.

Most streams in the Smokies are flowing close to normal for this date. Normal is low in late July. Rain fell in the Tellico River watershed overnight and the river is rising this morning. Oconaluftee River rose briefly overnight but the water has receded.

The streams are warm in the low elevations. We should all be fishing in the higher elevations where the water is cooler. Trout that are caught and released in 70 degree plus water may die. Look for water temperatures in the middle 60’s or cooler.

Nymphs and dry flies are working. Try a dry and dropper rig. Fish the choppy water where the trout are hiding. Dress to blend with the forest to help avoid being seen by the trout.   

Fishing for stocked trout may be good in some cooler rivers. Nymphs, emergers and midge pupa are good fly choices.

Most lowland rivers are flowing low, which is expected in late July. Smallmouth bass and warmwater species will be holding in the deeper pools and runs. Streamers and crayfish patterns are good fly choices. If you are fishing on a shaded river or early and late, try poppers or foam floating flies.

I would go lake fishing early, at daybreak. Cast to the banks and cover with streamers, swimming nymphs, foam floating flies and poppers. When the sun is high, find shaded areas to fish. Or, use weighted streamers and swimming nymphs fished deep.

Check the TVA website from the links below to see what tailwater fishing options you have today. There are many but you will need to plan carefully.

It appears to me that there are less visitors in Townsend this week. Schools will be back in session soon, some as early as next week. When that happens, we see a lot less younger families in town. We have less people visiting the shop too. We are still very busy helping customers prepare for fishing trips and re-stocking for local fishing.

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

Byron Begley
July 29, 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