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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:46 am, the temperature is 67.3 degrees.

The heat wave that has gripped the southern states is about to end. It will be very warm and humid today, with a high temperature in the upper 80’s. And, tonight will be warm. We do have a low chance for a stray shower or thunderstorm today and through the evening.

Everything will change tomorrow and through the weekend. We’ll see highs in the 70’s tomorrow with showers and thunderstorms likely all day and through the night. Saturday will be cool, in the upper 60’s, with more rain possible. Sunday will be partly cloudy with a high in the low 70’s, falling to the high 40’s overnight.

Now that is what we have been waiting for.

Little River is flowing at 124 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.73 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 209 cfs. The water temperature is 65.3 degrees this morning, and rose to over 68 degrees at the low elevations gauge site near Townsend.

Streams are flowing lower than normal but that may not be the case after tomorrow. Stealth is paramount to your success when the water is low. Dress to blend with the forest and stay low to avoid being seen by the trout.

Water temperatures are warm in the lower elevations. Fish the middle to upper elevations where the water is cooler today. Again, that won’t be an issue after today as the water will be cooler for the weekend and beyond.

Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. The most popular dry fly pattern right now is the Yellow Sally Stonefly. There are many Yellow Sally imitations. I would pick a pattern I can see on the water. A small #16 Yellow Stimulator is an excellent choice. There are other good dry fly patterns to use successfully. An Elk Hair Caddis or Light Cahill dry comes to mind.

For a sub-surface fly, I would definitely choose a small Bead Head Pheasant Tail or Green Weenie. Fish them alone or drop one off your dry fly.

Lowland river fishing is good for smallmouth bass. The rivers are flowing lower than normal so concentrate on the deeper pools and runs. Water temperatures have risen well into the bass’ preferred range so they will be active. Poppers and foam floating flies will work. Nymphs and streamers will too.

Unless you go early or late, or fish on an overcast day, focus your efforts on the shaded areas in the rivers.

TVA and the Corps will not be generating for long periods at most dams today, at least until late this afternoon. They will be pulsing for short periods at times. Study the generation schedules carefully to make sure you are there when the flows are good, not too low and not too high.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower reaches of the tailwaters is getting much better. Streamers will work for sure. Poppers and foam floating flies may produce as well.

Lake fishing with flies is good. Go early or late on sunny days. It looks like we will have cloud cover at times today, all day tomorrow and partly cloudy conditions Saturday. The lakes will be packed with recreation boaters this holiday weekend. Go early or late to avoid the crowd.

Streamers, swimming nymphs, poppers and foam floating flies will all work for you.

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

Byron Begley
May 27, 2021

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com