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

It will be cooler today with a high temperature around 81 degrees, dropping to the low 60’s tonight. There is a slight chance for a thunderstorm this afternoon.

Showers are likely tomorrow, mainly in the afternoon. The high temperature will be near 81 degrees with a low in the low 60’s.

There is a chance for thunderstorms and showers Sunday. The high will be in the upper 70’s with a low in the low 60’s.

Little River is flowing at 109 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.67 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 85 cfs. The water temperature is 69.3 degrees this morning.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing close to or slightly higher than normal. Normal in early September is low. Water temperatures are still warm though that will change later next week.

Fish in the middle to higher elevations where the water is cooler. Look for water temperatures in the middle 60’s or cooler. Trout will be active and taking dry flies or nymphs. The water is low so stealth is paramount to your success. Dress to blend with the forest. Avoid casting your fly line over the trout you are pursuing. Get a good drift.

Fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish is good in the lowland rivers. The rivers are flowing low but very close to normal. Fish in the deeper pools and runs using streamers, crayfish imitations, foam floating flies or poppers.

Today will be mostly sunny, not ideal conditions for lake fishing. I would go early, at daybreak and fish for a few hours. Cast to the banks and cover with weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. You may find fish near the surface, especially in the cooler lakes. Try foam floating flies or poppers when the sun is low to see what happens.

TVA and the Corps will be generating from long periods today at many dams. There are some generation schedules you can work with for at least part of the day. Visit the TVA website from the links below to plan your tailwater fishing day.

The long term weather forecast has not changed. We are still anticipating Fall-like temperatures beginning next Wednesday, with highs in the 70’s and lows in the 50’s.

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

Byron Begley
September 8, 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