Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:44 am, the temperature is 58 degrees.

It is going to be sunny and warm today and each day through the weekend and beyond with no rain predicted. Today’s high temperature will be around 79 degrees. Expect highs in the low 80’s tomorrow and Sunday.

Little River is flowing at 57.2 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.40 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 89 cfs. The lowest recorded flow on this date was 18.4 cfs in 2007. Now that was low! The water temperature is 64.0 degrees this morning.

Streams in the mountains are flowing low. Low is the norm in September. Little Pigeon River and Tellico River are actually flowing higher than median flow for this date.

Water temperatures are fairly warm in the lowest elevations especially later in the day. You might want to fish a little higher where the water is cooler.

A dry and dropper rig is still a good choice. Two good dry flies to use now are foam beetles or yellow Stimulators. A good dropper to use is a Green Weenie.

Trout are hiding in the broken choppy water, in pockets, plunge pools, runs and eddies. Stay hidden from the trout and you will catch more. Dress to blend with the forest.

The lowland rivers are flowing low and unfortunately that trend will continue for at least a few days. Fishing for smallmouth bass and other species is fair to good. Fish in the deep pools with streamers, crayfish patterns, foam floating flies or poppers.

Lake fishing will be best early and late due to the lack of cloud cover. Cast to the banks and cover with weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. Retrieve slow to keep your fly deep. Gamefish may be near the surface in the colder lakes, so foam floating flies or poppers should work for you there.

If you are hoping to fish on a tailwater today you will find several generation schedules you can work with whether you are wading or boating. Check the TVA website from the links below to see what tailwater fishing options you have today.

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

Byron Begley
September 29, 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