Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:38 am, the temperature is 69 degrees.

Today will be mostly sunny and hot with a high temperature in the upper 80’s.

Tomorrow will be mostly sunny and hot with a chance for showers and thunderstorms.

Little River is flowing at 181 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.95 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 140 cfs. The water temperature is 67.5 degrees this morning at the low elevation USGS gauge site near Townsend.

Most streams in the mountains have receded to near normal and at good fishing levels. The streams will be warm in the lowest elevations today. Fish in the middle to higher elevations where the water is cooler. Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs.

The lowland rivers are flowing closer to normal and at good fishing levels. Fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish is good. Streamers, crayfish imitations, foam floating flies and poppers are good fly choices.

The lakes will likely be crowded today and it is going to be hot. I would launch our boat at daybreak and fish for a few hours through the morning, then go home. Cast to the dimly lit banks and cover with streamers, swimming nymphs, foam floating flies or poppers. As the sun rises, find shaded areas to fish. Also, when the sun is higher, fish with deeper running flies.

TVA and the Corps will be generating most of the day at a couple of dams but there are other schedules you can work with. Check the TVA website from the links below to plan your tailwater fishing day.

I have been talking to a lot of customers who are planning their Fall fishing trips. I spend most of my time working in the fly tying department, where these plans are developed sometimes months in advance.

Jack is going to Yellowstone. I think he told me he has tied 10 dozen Prince Nymphs and a few dozen Girdle Bugs. He bought hooks this week to tie more prince nymphs. I talked to a man from Indiana yesterday who is planning a fall trip to Michigan to fish for salmon. He is tying lots of eggs and Wooly Buggers.

Planning for fishing trips is almost as much fun as going. If you tie flies, planning is even more fun. Helping supply customers who are planning these trips is very enjoyable for me.

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

Byron Begley
August 12, 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