Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:52 am, the temperature is 64 degrees.

It will be mostly sunny and warm today with a high temperature in the low 80’s and a chance for thunderstorms this afternoon. Thunderstorms will be present in the area tonight. The low temperature will be in the low 60’s.

Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a high in the middle to upper 70’s and a low in the low to middle 50’s. We are going to enjoy Fall-like temperatures through the end of the week with highs in the 70’s and lows in the 50’s.

Little River is flowing at 121 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.72 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 85 cfs. The water temperature is 66.5 degrees this morning.

Streams in the mountains are flowing at or higher than normal. Normal is low this time of the year. Water temperatures are still warm in the lowest elevations. Fish higher where the water is cooler.

Trout are active and taking dry flies or nymphs.

Terrestrial insects are a very important food source for all fish this time of the year. I fished a tailwater two weeks ago with a guide, for two days, and used foam floating terrestrial insect flies exclusively. I caught some really nice trout. The same is true wherever you fish. In the Smokies, consider using beetle, ant and inchworm patterns. I would use a hi-vis beetle with a Green Weenie dropper.

Fishing is good for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish in the lowland rivers. Most rivers are flowing normal with some flowing higher. Fish in the deeper pools and runs with streamers, crayfish patterns, foam floating flies or poppers.

Lake fishing with fly gear will be best early or late when the sun is low. Cast weighted streamers or swimming nymphs to the banks and cover. Allow your flies to sink deep and retrieve slowly. You might have some luck with foam floating flies or poppers, especially in the cooler lakes.

TVA and the Corps will be actively generating for long periods at many of their dams today. There are a few schedules you can work with by being at the right spot and the right time Visit the TVA website from the links below to see what tailwater options you have today.

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

Byron Begley
September 12, 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