Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:44 am, the temperature is 41 degrees.

Today will be mostly sunny with a high temperature around 75 degrees with a low tonight in the middle 40’s. Temperatures will climb this week with no rain predicted. High temperatures will reach about 80 degrees by Saturday.

Little River is flowing at 50.1 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.36 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 78 cfs. The water temperature is 51.1 degrees and falling this morning.

Streams in the Smokies are flowing low. Most are now flowing below median flow or what I call normal. Normal is low in October.

Water temperatures have been chilly in the higher elevations. Yesterday, the water temperature at Cataloochee Creek was recorded at 45.3 degrees at 10:45 am. At that time, the temperature bottomed out and began to warm. That USGS site is at 2,457 feet elevation.

Today, I would fish in the low to middle elevations where the water is warmer. You might want to delay going until later this morning when the water is warmer. Most trout will be holding in broken water, where they are hidden from predators. You may see brown trout or brook trout out in the open. Those are probably preparing to spawn or spawning.

Trout are taking dry flies or nymphs but I think nymphs will work best.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland river is fair. Go later in the day when the water is warmer. Streamers and crayfish imitations will likely work best. Fish in the deeper pools and runs.

Lake fishing will be best early or late when the sun is low. Cast streamers or swimming nymphs to the banks or cover and retrieve slowly. When the sun is higher, find shaded areas to fish or fish deeper.

If you are planning to fish on a tailwater today, you will find some generation schedules you can work with whether you are wading or boating. Visit the TVA website from the links below to see what tailwater fishing options you have today.

The Fall colors are beautiful in the low elevations. Some trees have dropped their leaves. We are beginning to see more of the mountains from our home. Soon, we will enjoy great views of the mountains until next Spring.

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

Byron Begley
October 24, 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