Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:35 am, the temperature is 64 degrees.

Today will be mostly sunny with a high temperature in the low 80’s and a low tonight in the low 60’s. Saturday will be sunny with a high in the low 80’s. Sunday will be sunny and warmer with a high in the middle 80’s. Labor day will be hot with a high in the upper 80’s.

Little River is flowing at 225 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.09 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 93 cfs. The water temperature is 66.0 degrees this morning.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing higher than normal. Normal is very low this time of the year. The streams are warm in the lowest elevations and they will warm further later today. Fish in the middle to higher elevations today where the water is cooler. Look for water temperatures below 65 degrees. Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. Dry and dropper rigs are a good choice. Try a yellow Stimulator, Yellow Sally Stonefly pattern or a foam beetle for your dry fly. A Green Weenie is an excellent dropper right now.

The lowland rivers are flowing higher than we normally see on September 1st. Fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish is good. Fish in the deeper pools and runs with streamers, crayfish imitations, foam floating flies or poppers.

The lakes will be crowded this holiday weekend. I would go early, at daybreak and fish the early morning hours before pulling out and going home. Cast to the banks and cover with weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. Foam floating flies and poppers might work too. Give them a try. I think the larger gamefish will be deeper except for maybe in the cooler lakes.

There are some generation schedules you can work with if you plan to fish on a tailwater today. If you are boating, you have more options. Check the TVA website to see what tailwater fishing opportunities you have today.

TVA and the Corps are lowering the lakes now that the official recreation boating season comes to an end after this weekend.

We will be open all weekend, including Labor Day. Our hours will be 9:00 am until 6:00 pm today and tomorrow. We will be open 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Sunday and Monday.

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

Byron Begley
September 1, 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