Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:42 am, the temperature is 31 degrees.

It is warmer than was forecasted yesterday morning. It will remain chilly today with sunny skies and a high temperature in the middle 40’s, dropping to the middle 20’s tonight. Tomorrow will be sunny and warmer with a high in the middle 50’s and a low in the low 30’s. There is no rain in the forecast through the end of the week.

Little River is flowing at 50.1 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.34 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 97 cfs. The water temperature is 50.2 degrees and falling this morning.

All streams in the Smokies are flowing low. Water temperatures are chilly and falling.

Most trout will be holding in the broken choppy water in pockets, plunge pools, runs and eddies. If you are planning to fish in the Smokies today, you may want to wait until later when the water is warmer. And, you should fish in the lower elevations where the water is warmer. Most stream temperatures will be in the 40’s by daybreak this morning. Fishing will be best when the water warms to above 50 degrees.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers will be slow early today due to the colder and falling water temperatures. Go later today when the water is warmer. Streamers and crayfish patterns will likely work best for you.

Yesterday was a good lake fishing day due to the overcast skies. Today will be sunny. Fishing will be best early or late when the sun is low. Streamers or swimming nymphs will probably work best.

There are generation schedules you can work with at some dams today. If you are planning to fish on a tailwater, check the TVA website to see what your options are and plan accordingly.

October was a good month at the shop, despite low water conditions in much of east Tennessee and western North Carolina. Anglers are fishing and traveling. Our store is stocked better than it ever has been. I’m looking forward to printing and reviewing the sales reports when I get to the shop this morning.

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

Byron Begley
November 1, 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