Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:43 am, the temperature is 66 degrees.

Thunderstorms moved though the area yesterday morning with heavy rain in the storms. At the Knoxville Airport, 2.35 inches fell which was a record for the date. 1.81 inches of rain fell in Townsend over a short period of time. At one point, it was raining at the rate of 3.97 inches per hour.

Today will be partly sunny with a high temperature in the low 80’s. We have a chance for showers and thunderstorms today. The chance for precipitation is 40%.

Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with a high in the upper 80’s and a slight chance for thunderstorms.

Little River is flowing at 218 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.07 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 125 cfs. The river is receding and is at a good Spring-like fishable level. Yesterday, Little River peaked at 569 cfs or 2.78 feet.

Little Pigeon River is still flowing fairly high at the Sevierville gauge. Flow is currently 820 cfs, 2.69 feet, compared to median flow of 263 cfs for this date.

Oconaluftee River is flowing at 587 cfs or 2.03 feet at the Birdtown gauge, compared to median flow of 340 cfs for this date. The river is receding.

Tellico River is flowing at 403 cfs or 1.82 feet and falling at the Tellico Plains gauge. Median flow for this date is 116 cfs.

Some streams in the mountains are flowing closer to median flow, including Cataloochee Creek.

There are many fishable streams in the Smokies today. These good Spring-like flows are a welcome site in August. Trout will definitely be taking nymphs and possibly streamers. Dry flies may work well too in some streams.

Some lowland rivers are flowing high while others are at good fishing levels. They are all receding this morning but there is a chance for thunderstorms today. I think, fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish will be good today baring high or stained water due to thunderstorms. Wading may be limited in some rivers. Streamers, crayfish patterns, foam floating flies and poppers are all good fly choices.

This may be a good lake fishing day. It will be partly cloudy and winds will be calm. There is a chance for thunderstorms. Cast to the banks and cover with streamers, swimming nymphs, foam floating flies or poppers. If the sun is high and not obscured by clouds, find shaded areas to fish.

There are favorable generation schedules planned today at some dams. And, there are some schedules that are not favorable. Check the TVA website from the links below to see what tailwater fishing options you have today.

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

Byron Begley
August 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