Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:42 am, the temperature is 46 degrees.

It will be sunny, dry and warm today and each day through the weekend. High temperatures will be in the upper 70’s each day and may hit 80 degrees Saturday. Low temperatures at night will be in the 50’s. Next week will be cooler and hopefully wetter.

Little River is flowing at 41.0 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.30 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 85 cfs. The water temperature is 51.8 degrees and falling.

All streams that have USGS gauge sites that can be accessed online are flowing lower than normal. Normal in October is low.

The streams are a little warmer than they have been at this time of the morning during the past few days.  When the water temperatures fall below 50 degrees, fishing will slow some. When the water warms later in the morning or afternoon, fishing improves. That is why we often go fishing later at some times during the  year. You may not need to wait until next week. The mornings are going to be warmer. If you plan to fish in the high elevations where the water is colder, you may have to wait.

Anglers are catching trout in the mountains, despite the very low flows. Most trout are holding in broken water where they are concealed. Some pre-spawn or spawning trout are out in the pools where they can be seen. Nymphs will work for sure and dry flies might work too.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers is fair. The rivers are flowing low and fairly chilly. Neither are good smallmouth fishing conditions. Fish in the deeper pools or runs with streamers or crayfish imitations. Given a choice, I would go later in the day when the water is warmer.

Fly fishing on the lakes will be best early or late when the sun is low. Find shaded banks to fish if you can during the bright hours. Weighted streamers or swimming nymphs will probably work best. Try top water flies too, especially when the light is dim. Winds are predicted to be calm today.

There are generation schedules you can work with at some dams. With careful planning, you have some tailwater fishing opportunities today. Check the TVA website from the links below to see what those options are.

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

Byron Begley
October 26, 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