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

It will be sunny today with a high temperature in the upper 60’s, dropping to the middle to upper 40’s overnight. Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a high in the upper 60’s.

Showers are likely tomorrow night, Friday and Friday night.

Little River is flowing at 64.3 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.44 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 74 cfs. The water temperature is 52.0 degrees this morning.

Streams in the mountains are flowing low. But, some are flowing near or even higher than normal, including Little Pigeon River and Tellico River. Normal in mid-October is low.

Water temperatures are within the trout’s preferred range in the lower to middle elevations. Streams in the high elevations are cooler than trout prefer, in the 40’s and falling right now. Those streams should bottom out later today and begin to warm

Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. Nymphs will likely work best. My favorite nymphs are Tellico, Prince and Hare’s Ear, traditional patterns. Rubber leg stonefly imitations are working well. Stay hidden from the trout and you will catch more.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers is fair but maybe improved due to slightly higher flows. Water temperatures are OK for now, so the bass are active. Streamers and crayfish patterns will likely work best for you.

Fly fishing on the lakes will be best early or late when the sun is low and less intense. Weighted streamers and swimming nymphs are good fly choices. Cast to the banks and cover then retrieve slowly, keeping your flies deep.

There are breaks in the generation planned at several dams today, offering some wade and boat fishing tailwater options. Check the TVA website to see what flows you can work with.

There are many people driving through the Smokies enjoying the Fall colors. From what I heard yesterday, the colors are brilliant in the middle to high elevations. Trees in the highest elevations are beyond peak and there was snow on the ground in some areas. Trees in the low elevations have not reached peak.

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

Byron Begley
October 18, 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