If you do not see today’s Fishing Report, please refresh your browser to empty your cache.

Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:53 am, the temperature is 56.5 degrees.

This will be another beautiful day with sunny skies, a high temperature in the mid to upper 70’s and a low tonight in the low to mid-50’s. Tomorrow and Thursday will be almost identical. Rain is a possibility Friday and Saturday. We could probably use some rain by then.

Little River is flowing at 132 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.78 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 79 cfs. The water temperature is 54.9 degrees this morning.

All streams in the mountains are flowing well above normal. Normal in October is very low. Water temperatures are warmer than normal, well within the trout’s preferred range in the low to mid elevations.

Fishing is good. We could not ask for better conditions this time of the year. Trout are taking nymphs and dry flies. I would pick a yellow or orange Stimulator for my dry. An Elk Hair Caddis is another good option. My nymph choices would include Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail, Tellico and Prince patterns. Show the trout something that looks like food. They are actively feeding.

The streams are clear so stealth and presentation are very important to your success. Dress to blend with the forest, don’t cast a shadow on the water you are fishing and you will catch more trout.

Lowland river fishing for smallmouth bass and other lowland species is improving as the water warms. Poppers, hair bugs or foam floating flies would be my first choice, because I love fly fishing with top water flies. They may not work but I would try. Streamers and nymphs will work for sure. Trout fishing in the lowland rivers where they are stock is excellent.

There are some angler friendly generation schedules in east and middle Tennessee. Tailwater fishing opportunities are limited. You have more options if you are boating. Refer to the TVA website from the links below to plan your day.

Lake fishing is fair to good. The bright sun will be your limiting factor today. Go early and cast to the banks until the sun is high. I would try top water flies first. That may not work so be prepared to switch to streamers or swimming nymphs. Winds will be calm today topping out at 5 mph or less.

Warming surface water temperatures will improve fishing this week on the lakes.

Jack and I are progressing well on the remodel project at the shop. The reason for that is, he knows what he is doing. Most of you who know Jack, understand he is one of the best fly anglers anywhere. I know that for a fact because we have fly fished together for over 25 years. He always catches more than I do. He is also an incredible home builder who has retired.

He tells me what to do on this remodel of the fly tying department, and I try to do what he says.

I ordered the lighting for the expansion yesterday. There will be 18 LED bright lights in the new area. We will both be proud of the new fly tying department when it is finished.

You are going to love it too.

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

Byron Begley
October 20, 2020

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com