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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:51 am, the temperature is 52.7 degrees.

It will be partly cloudy today with a high in the upper 70’s falling to around 60 degrees tonight. The chance for rain is low. Temperatures will rise this week. Expect highs in the low to upper 80’s with only a slight chance for rain each day.

Little River is flowing at 260 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.19 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 206 cfs. The water temperature is 55.4 degrees this morning.

Stream flows are at normal or a little above normal in every stream that has a USGS gauge site. Water temperatures are good. Fishing conditions in the Smokies are about as good as it gets. Trout are taking nymphs and dry flies. Aquatic insects are active and many species of adults can be found on the water.

I would start with nymphs early then switch to dry flies later. Most any reasonable fly pattern will work. Try a Parachute Adams, Light Cahill, Elk Hair Caddis or any Yellow Sally Stonefly pattern for your dry fly. The Yellow Sally stones will be most active late in the evenings. A #16 Yellow Stimulator is an excellent and high floating fly that mimics the Yellow Sally.

Lowland river fishing will be good this week for trout where they are stocked, and for smallmouth bass. Nymphs and streamers will probably work best. Try foam floating flies or poppers too.

If you are a trout tailwater angler, you have many choices today, whether you are wading or boating. The tailwaters are fishing very well. I talked to Tic Smith yesterday, who is an excellent guide who loves fishing the Hiwassee. He told me fishing has been excellent on that river.  

Tic is part of the team of excellent fly fishing guides at Southeastern Anglers. You can visit their website by CLICKING HERE.

Fly fishing for bass will improve this week as the lakes warm further. Hit the banks with large Wooly Buggers to start. I would concentrate on the rocky banks, where you may find smallmouth bass, my favorite species. Nothing fights like a smallmouth bass. Cloudy days are excellent lake fishing days with a fly rod. This may be a good one.

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

Byron Begley
May 17, 2021

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com