Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:17 am, the temperature is 52 degrees.

We got a little rain yesterday and overnight with .26 inches recorded in Townsend.

Today will be sunny with a high temperature around 61 degrees dropping to the upper 30’s tonight.

Tomorrow will be sunny with a high around 61 and a low in the low 40’s overnight. Monday will be sunny and warmer with a high in the upper 60’s dropping to the middle 40’s overnight.

Little River is flowing slightly higher this morning at 50.1 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.36 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 74 cfs. The water temperature is 62.0 degrees this morning.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing higher than yesterday, some are rising but overall, they are still flowing very low.

Fishing in the Smokies is fair. Most trout are hiding in the broken choppy water, except for some brown and brook trout that are beginning to spawn. You may see them out in the open. Their urge to reproduce is stronger than their fear of being seen and eaten by a predator.

If you go today, cast into the broken water in pockets, plunge pools, runs and eddies. Dry flies, nymphs or a dry and dropper rig should get the trout’s attention. Try a Yellow Stimulator or foam beetle for your dry fly. Green Weenies are still working.

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

Fly fishing on the lakes will be best early or late when the sun is low. If the sun is high when you are fishing, look for shaded banks. Weighted streamers or swimming nymphs will probably work best for you. Allow your flies to slink deep and retrieve slowly. If you are fishing in the cooler lakes or colder areas in lakes, top water flies might work. Try foam floating flies or poppers.

There are generation schedules you can work with today at many dams in the region. Tailwater anglers will find flows allowing for wade or boat fishing. Check the TVA website from the links below to plan your tailwater fishing day.

We are busy at the shop. We will be open every day this weekend and Monday for you. This is a holiday weekend so we are expecting many visitors in Townsend.

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

Byron Begley
October 7, 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