Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:47 am, the temperature is 59 degrees.

This will be the last very warm day, maybe for the year. Today will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature near 80 degrees. The low tonight will be around 60 degrees.

Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a chance for showers and a high temperature in the low 70’s, dropping to the middle 40’s overnight.

Saturday will be sunny with a high around 60 degrees and a low in the upper 30’s. Sunday will be sunny with a high around 60 and a low in the low 40’s.

Columbus Day will be sunny with a high in the upper 60’s.

Little River is flowing at 43.9 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.32 feet on the gauge. Medina flow for this date is 74 cfs. The water temperature is 63.5 degrees this morning.

Streams in the Smokies are flowing very low. Low is normal in early October, but what we have now are flows much below normal in most cases. One exception is Tellico River.

Trout will be concentrated and hiding in choppy broken water or near cover. Cast and drift through pockets, plunge pools, runs or eddies. Dry flies, wet flies or a combination of both are catching trout. Terrestrial imitations are good options right now. Stay hidden from the trout by dressing to blend with the forest. Use light tippet, maybe 6X.

Fishing for smallmouth bass and other species in the lowland rivers is fair. Fishing would be better if rivers were flowing higher. Fish the deeper pools and runs with streamers, crayfish patterns, foam floating flies or poppers.

This may be a good lake fishing day due to the predicted cloud cover. Cast to the banks or cover with weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. Allow your flies to sink deep during the retrieve. You might also try foam floating flies or poppers, especially in the cooler impoundments or cooler areas within the impoundments.

There are generation schedules wade fishing tailwater anglers can work with at some dams. If you are boating there are more options. Check the TVA website to view the generation schedules to plan your tailwater fishing day.

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

Byron Begley
October 5, 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