Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:44 am, the temperature is 39 degrees.

It is cold this morning but we’ll see a warmup later. Today will be sunny with a high in the low 70’s, dropping to the middle 40’s tonight. Tomorrow will be sunny and warmer with a high in the middle to upper 70’s.

It is going to be sunny and warm every day this week with daytime temperatures reaching as high as 80 degrees. The chance for rain is very low.

Little River is flowing at 55.3 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.39 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 78 cfs. The water temperature is 51.4 degrees and falling this morning at the low elevation USGS gauge site near Townsend.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing close to normal with some flowing slightly below normal. The streams are chilly and water temperatures are falling quickly.

If you go fishing in the mountains today start fishing in the lowest elevations where the water is warmer. You can move up higher later as the water warms in the higher elevations. The steams are flowing low. Trout are spooky. Most are holding in the broken choppy water. The trout will be feeding, especially later when the water is warmer. Try nymphs, dry flies or a dry and dropper rig. Stealth and presentation is more important that fly selection.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers may be slow early but improve later when the water is warmer. Cast streamers and crayfish imitations in the deeper pools and runs.

Fishing on the lakes will be best early or late when the sun is low. Weighted streamers or swimming nymphs will probably work best.  Topwater flies could produce for you especially when the banks are dimly lit early and late.

There are generation schedules you can work with at some dams, whether you are wade or boat fishing on the tailwaters below. You will need to be flexible and plan carefully. Visit the TVA website from the links below to see what tailwater fishing options you have today.

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

Byron Begley
October 23, 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