Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:45 am, the temperature is 64 degrees.

The weather forecasters say we are going to have a warm September. I believe it. The high temperature today and tomorrow is predicted to be 88 degrees with lows in the middle 60’s. There is no rain in the forecast until possibly Thursday, and then the chance will be low. It will become much cooler later this week.

The average historical monthly high temperature in Townsend is 78 degrees in September. The average monthly low is 56 degrees.

Little River is flowing at 162 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.88 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 86 cfs. The water temperature is 66.5 degrees this morning at the Townsend gauge. Yesterday, the water temperature peaked at 69.1 degrees at 5:15 pm.

Streams in the mountains are flowing either close to normal or higher than normal. Normal is low in early September. The streams are warm in the lowest elevations. Fish in the middle to high elevations where the water is cooler. Look for temperatures in the middle 60’s or cooler.

Trout in the streams where water temperatures are within their preferred range will be active and taking dry flies or nymphs.

Most lowland rivers are flowing higher than normal and normal is low this time of the year. Fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish is good in the deeper runs and pools. Streamers, crayfish imitations, foam floating flies and poppers are all good fly choices.

The lakes will be crowded today due to the holiday weekend and hot daytime temperatures. If you go, make it early. I would launch at daybreak and fish through mid-morning. Fish the shaded or dimly lit banks and cover. Weighted streamers and swimming nymph will likely work best in most lakes. You might find larger gamefish in the shallows on the cooler lakes. Try foam floating flies or poppers.

I have found that recreation boat traffic falls significantly on the lakes after Labor Day. That is especially true on weekdays. TVA and the Corps will also be lowering the lakes now to create water storage capacity for the Winter and Spring.

There are a few generation schedules you can work with if you a hoping to fish on a tailwater today. Check the schedules from the links below to carefully plan your day.

We will be open today and tomorrow as usual from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm and waiting for you.

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

Byron Begley
September 3, 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