Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:38 am, the temperature is 47 degrees.

Today will begin cloudy before becoming sunny later. The high temperature will be in the low 60’s, dropping to around 40 degrees tonight.

Wednesday will be sunny and warmer with a high in the upper 60’s and a low in the middle 40’s.

Rain returns to the forecast Thursday night through Friday night. Three inches of snow fell at Mount Leconte Sunday night through yesterday morning. About a quarter of an inch of rain fell in Townsend yesterday.

Little River is flowing at 72.7 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.49 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 80 cfs. The water temperature is 52.9 degrees and falling this morning.

Some streams in the Smokies are now flowing near or above normal. Some streams are rising, including Little River, Little Pigeon River, Oconaluftee River and Tellico River. None of the streams that have USGS gauges are flowing high. Normal in mid-October is low. But, the streams are in much better shape than they have been lately and there is more rain in the forecast this week.

If you go fishing in the mountains today, you will find better conditions due to higher flows. Water temperatures are within the trout’s preferred range in the low to middle elevations. Trout will still be holding in the choppy broken water, except for those that are preparing to spawn or are spawning. Nymphs should work best though trout may rise to dry flies too. Stealth and presentation are more important that fly selection right now.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers is fair and improving. The water could be a little chilly early today, so fishing may be best later. Streamers and crayfish patterns will likely work best though top water flies may produce as well.

Fishing on the lakes will be best early today due to the expected cloud cover. Hit the banks or cover with weighted streamers or swimming nymphs retrieved slowly. Don’t give up on foam floating flies or poppers yet. They might work.

Like yesterday, there are not many generation schedules that are easy to work with for wading anglers on the tailwaters. There are some. If you are boating, you have more options. I saw where the water will be off this afternoon at some dams. Check the TVA website from the links below to see what tailwater opportunities are available for you today.

Less customers came through the store yesterday. Fall break appears to be over. The Fall leaf colors seem to be running late this year. I saw one article on a local news website that described the views at Cades Cove being at the peak.

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

Byron Begley
October 17, 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