Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:04 am, the temperature is 51 degrees.

Today will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature in the middle to upper 50’s, dropping to the low 40’s tonight. There is a slight chance for showers this morning and tonight. In fact, it is raining here at our house right now.

Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy with a high in the upper 40’s and a low in the low 40’s. There is a chance for rain tomorrow afternoon.

There is also a chance for light snow and sleet in the higher elevations tonight and tomorrow morning.

Little River is flowing at 39.6 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.29 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 89 cfs. The lowest recorded flow on this date was 16.7 cfs in 2008. The water temperature is 58.8 degrees this morning.

Most streams in the Smokies are flowing low though some did rise briefly yesterday. Water temperatures are within the trout’s preferred range at most elevations. Most trout are hiding in the broken choppy water near cover though some may be out in the open prior to spawning.

Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs though nymphs may work best. Stay hidden from the trout and downsize to light tippet and you will catch more.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers is still fair. The rivers are flowing low. Water temperatures are fine today, though colder water tomorrow may slow the fishing down. Fish in the deep pools and runs. Streamers and crayfish imitations will likely work best for you.

Today will be mostly cloudy which is an excellent lake fishing condition. It may be breezy at times today. Cast to the banks and cover with weighted streamers and swimming nymphs. Retrieve slowly to keep your flies deep as they are stripped back to the boat. I don’t know if foam floating flies or poppers will work but you might give them a try.

There are generation schedules you can work with on many tailwaters today. You have a lot of choices for wade or boat fishing if you plan carefully. It will be overcast which is always a good condition in my opinion. Check the TVA website and see what you think.

It is going to feel like Fall over the next few days. It’ about time! We are busy at the shop and we will be open today from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm so come on by.

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

Byron Begley
October 15, 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