Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:42 am, the temperature is 68 degrees.

It will be very warm today with a high temperature in the upper 80’s. Cooler air will move into the region tomorrow. The high temperature will be in the low 80’s. Friday will be cooler with a high in the low 80’s.

Little River is flowing at 129 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.75 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 95 cfs. The water temperature is 68.5 degrees this morning at the low elevation USGS gauge site near Townsend. The temperature peaked at 70 degrees yesterday at 4:15 pm.

Some streams in the mountains are flowing very close to normal. Normal in early September is low. Tellico River is flowing higher and Cataloochee Creek is flowing lower. Water temperatures are very warm in the low elevations. We should all be fishing in middle to high elevations where the water is cooler. Look for temperatures in the middle 60’s or cooler.

If you are fishing where the water temperature is within the trout’s preferred range, fishing will be good. Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. A dry and dropper rig is a good tactical option right now.

Though the lowland rivers are flowing low, most are flowing near normal. Fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish is good. Fish will be holding or cruising in the deeper pools and runs. Streamers, crayfish patterns, foam floating flies or poppers are good fly choices.

It will be sunny today so fly fishing on lakes or ponds will be best early or late. Weighted streamers or swimming nymphs will probably work best but you might try foam floating flies or poppers when the sun is low and the banks are dim. When the sun is higher, try to find shaded areas to fish.

TVA and the Corps of Engineers plan to generate for long periods today at many of their dams. There are some exceptions so check the TVA website if you are hoping to fish on a tailwater today.

It looks like we are going to slowly transition to Fall-like temperatures soon and that is going to begin tomorrow. By next Wednesday, we should begin enjoying highs in the 70’s with low in the 50’s. That will make a significant difference for fly anglers.

The streams, rivers and lakes will be cooler. Fishing for trout will be better in the low elevations, including fishing for stocked trout. Gamefish in the lakes will eventually move into shallower water, which benefits those of us who use fly fishing gear. Fall is a great time of the year for fly anglers and it is fast approaching.

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

Byron Begley
September 6, 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