Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:42 am, the temperature is 47 degrees.

It will be cloudy today with a high temperature in the low 70’s and a low tonight in the low to middle 50’s. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny and warmer with a high in the upper 70’s.

Rain showers are likely this weekend.

Little River is flowing at 41.0 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.30 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 79 cfs. The water temperature is 55.4 degrees this morning.

Streams in the mountains are all flowing very low. Most trout are hiding in broken water or near cover. I have talked to a few anglers who have caught trout. If you go, drift flies through the choppy water in pockets, runs, plunge pools or eddies. I think a dry and dropper rig may be your best option. Dress to blend with the forest and downsize to finer tippet.

Fishing for smallmouth bass and other species in the lowland rivers is fair. These rivers are flowing low. You will need to fish in the deeper pools or runs with streamers and crayfish patterns. Try foam floating flies or poppers. They might work.

This will be a good lake fishing day due to the predicted cloud cover. Cast to the banks and cover with weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. Retrieve slowly to keep your flies running deep back to the boat. I would also try foam floating flies and poppers.

If you are planning to fish on a tailwater today, there generation schedules at some dams you can work with. Check the TVA website from the links below to see what your options are today.

Two black bear cubs have died due to a bacterial infection at the Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend. Three other cubs are very ill. ABR staff is working with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine to determine exactly what the infection is and treating the sick cubs. You can read more on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.

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

Byron Begley
October 11, 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