Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:46 am, the temperature is 57 degrees.

Today will be sunny with a high temperature in the low to middle 80’s and a low tonight in the upper 50’s. Tomorrow will be sunny with a high in the low 80’s and a low in the upper 50’s.

It is going to feel like Fall this weekend. The high temperatures Saturday and Sunday will be in the low 60’s dropping to the low 40’s overnight.

At Newfound Gap, we can expect highs in the low 50’s with lows in the 30’s this weekend.

Little River is flowing low at 45.4 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.33 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 75 cfs. The water temperature is 62.6 degrees this morning.

Streams in the mountains are flowing very low. Rainfall since September 1st has amounted to .42 inches at the Knoxville Airport. Normal is 3.70 inches during the period.

Trout are spooky and hiding in the broken choppy water. They will be holding in pockets, runs, plunge pools and eddies. Nymphs will work for sure. Try dry flies or a dry and dropper rig. Stay hidden from the trout. Use light tippet.

Fishing for smallmouth bass or other species in the lowland rivers is fair. The rivers are flowing low. Fish in the deep pools with streamers, crayfish imitations, foam floating flies or popper.

Lake fishing will be best early or late when the sun is low. Cast to the shaded or dimly lit banks or cover. Weighted streamers or swimming nymphs will probably be your best fly options. Gamefish may be in shallower water in the cooler lakes. Try foam floating flies or poppers where the water is cooler.  

If you are planning to wade fish on a tailwater today there are generation schedules at some dams you can work with. If you are boating, there are more options. Check the TVA website to see what tailwater fishing opportunities you have today.

Fall Break has begun. We are seeing more customers at the shop and many are young families with kids. This activity follows our normal slow September.

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

Byron Begley
October 3, 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