Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:42 am, the temperature is 67.1 degrees.

Scattered showers moved through yesterday and last night. Rainfall amounts varied greatly at different weather stations. For instance, one personal weather station in Townsend reported a rainfall amount of 1.39 inches while one near our home, approximately 2 miles away reported .64 inches during the past 24 hours.

It will be cool today, with a high temperature in the low 70’s. We have a low chance for showers or thunderstorms early today, but clearing this afternoon. The low temperature tonight will be in the low 50’s.

Tomorrow will be sunny with a high in the upper 70’s and a low in the middle 50’s.

It is going to feel like Fall.

Little River is flowing at 129 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.73 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 84 cfs. The river is currently rising. The water temperature is 67.1 degrees this morning.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing slightly higher than normal. Tellico River is rising quickly. It is possible you may find some streams stained early today. Most will be clear.

Water temperatures will be cooling over the next few days, giving anglers the opportunity to fish in the low elevation streams.

Fishing for trout in the mountains is good and improving. Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. Try a dry and dropper combination or a weighted nymph rig.

Most lowland rivers are flowing somewhat higher than normal. Most rivers are likely running clear but there is a chance some will be temporarily stained. Fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass or panfish is fair to good. Streamers, nymphs or crayfish patterns will work. Poppers or foam floating flies may produce as well.

This may be a good lake fishing day, especially early. Winds will be light. It should be overcast through about noon, when the clouds are predicted to move out. Cast weighted streamers or swimming nymphs to the banks or cover. Allow the flies to sink deeper and retrieve slowly. You may want to try poppers or foam floating flies early when it is cloudy.

TVA and the Corps generation schedules are offering tailwater anglers some options today. At most dams, they will begin generating later this morning or early afternoon with some pulsing. They will be generating all day at a few dams. Visit the TVA website from the links below to see what tailwater fishing options you have and plan accordingly.

I was off from work yesterday and decided to wash our vehicles early in the morning. It was overcast and cool, the perfect day. Paula and I were sitting and relaxing inside, looking out in the forest. A fairly large bear walked by the large class doors behind our house. He or she was ambling slowly but soon vanished in the trees. I waited a few minutes to make sure the bear was gone, then went out to wash the cars.

I was busy and soon forgot about the bear. We live on a very secluded, densely forested and quiet tract of land far from other homes and roads. I heard a noise that sounded like a limb breaking. Either the bear had returned or a deer was nearby. I walked around, looking in all directions in the forest and saw nothing other than trees. I went back to work then heard something in the woods again.

I never saw the animal but I did unlock the vehicles just in case I needed to make a quick escape. There are times when we find ourselves very close to bears, when we are outside, by accident. We don’t see them coming until they are close. I suppose they don’t see us either.

After living here many years, close encounters with wildlife are just something we are used to. We have never felt threatened by a bear and we have been extremely close to them. They have always walked away.   

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

Byron Begley
September 12, 2022   

Note: We have a very large and well stocked fly tying department located on the second floor of our shop. Our fly tying materials and tools can also be found and bought on our online store with Free Shipping.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com