Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:38 am, the temperature is 59 degrees.

Today will be partly sunny and cooler with a high in the middle 70’s and a chance for showers. Tonight’s low temperature will be in the middle 40’s and there is a chance for showers.

Tomorrow will be sunny and cool with a high around 61 degrees, dropping to the upper 30’s overnight.

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

Little River is flowing at 42.4 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.31 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 72 cfs. The water temperature is 64.2 degrees.

Streams and rivers are flowing very low. I have talked to customers who are catching trout in the Smokies but none say that fishing is good. Trout are hiding in the broken choppy water. They can be caught in pockets, plunge pools, runs and eddies. Try dry flies, nymphs or a dry and dropper rig. Stay hidden from the trout and use light tippet.

Water temperatures will be falling over the next few days. That will improve the fishing some, but what we really need is rain. The US Drought Monitor lists this area as being “abnormally dry”. There are some areas in Tennessee listed as being in a moderate drought. Any rain we get today and tonight will be welcome.

Fishing for smallmouth bass and other species in the lowland rivers is fair. Most rivers are flowing very low. Fish in the deeper pools with streamers, crayfish imitations, foam floating flies or poppers.

This may be a good lake fishing day due to the predicted cloud cover which will be sporadic this morning with increasing cover this afternoon. Cast to the banks and cover with weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. Try foam floating flies and poppers, especially in the cooler lakes or cooler areas in lakes.

Wade or boat fishing on a tailwater may be a good idea today. There are generation schedules at many dams you can work with. Visit the TVA website from the link below to see what tailwater fishing opportunities are available for you.

Everyone I talk to is excited about this Fall-like weather that has finally arrived. I spoke to a lot of customers at the shop yesterday. We are very busy. October is beginning very well.

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

Byron Begley
October 6, 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