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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:51 am, the temperature is 61.5 degrees.

This is going to be another beautiful and comfortable day in the Smokies. Expect a high temperature around 80 degrees, dropping to the upper 50’s tonight, with a slight chance for showers this afternoon and tonight. Tomorrow, through the weekend will be much warmer with no rain predicted. We may hit 90 degrees this weekend.

Little River is flowing at 215 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.06 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 213 cfs. The water temperature is 57.6 degrees this morning.

All streams in the Smokies are flowing at or near normal. Water temperatures will be excellent for trout feeding activity in the low to mid elevations for a few days, then warming to very good temps in the high elevations later this week.

Dry flies and nymphs are working. Yellow Sally imitations are good choices. Light Cahills, Elk Hair Caddis and small Yellow Stimulators are others. Water temperatures are such that trout are actively feeding and that will improve at most elevations later this week. Fishing is very good.

Dress to blend with the forest and don’t spook the trout. You will catch more. Don’t stay in one spot very long. Keep moving. Once the trout know you are there, they will be hard to catch. Fish the choppy water or near cover where the trout are hiding from predators.

Lowland river fishing is also good for trout where they are stocked and for smallmouth bass. Nymphs and streamers will definitely work. Try poppers or foam floating flies in the lower reaches for smallmouth bass. Fish the shaded areas when the sun is high.

There are breaks in the generation schedules at many dams today, giving tailwater anglers lots of options, whether you are wade fishing or boating. Tailwater fishing has been very good below most of the dams tributary.

TVA and the Corps are raising the lake levels for the Summer recreational boating season. Fishing in shallow water is improving and further improvement is expected later this week as the surface temperatures rise. Fish the rocky banks for smallmouth bass. Check the embayments where creeks enter the lakes for panfish that may be spawning. Fish wooded cover for largemouth bass. Nymphs and streamers will certainly work. Foam floating flies and popper may produce as well.

Cloudy days are preferred by me and many other fly fishing anglers. Otherwise, go early or late when the sun is off the water. We may have some cloud cover today.

Fly fishing opportunities are plentiful in the Tennessee Valley. We can expect very good weather conditions this week. The shop is busy. I am seeing many visitors in town.

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

Byron Begley
May 19, 2021  

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com