If you do not see today’s Fishing Report, please refresh your browser to empty your cache.

Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:44 am, the temperature is 65.0 degrees.

We got a slow soaking rain all night, 1.36” in Townsend and 1.29” at the Knoxville Airport. There is a chance for rain today, with a high temperature in the middle 60’s, falling to the upper 40’s tonight. Sunday will be partly sunny with a high in the upper 60’s, dropping to the middle 40’s at night. Memorial day will be sunny and warmer with a high in the low 80’s.

Little River is flowing at 359 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.43 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 192 cfs. The water temperature is 63.1 degrees and falling.

Little Pigeon River is flowing at 542 cfs, 2.19 feet, and rising. Median flow is 326 cfs for this date.

Oconaluftee River is flowing at 677 cfs, 2.11 feet, compared to median flow of 401 cfs.

Tellico River is flowing at 592 cfs, 2.30 feet, compared to median flow of 197 cfs. The river is receding. Median flow for this date is 197 cfs.

Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 123 cfs, 2.71 feet, compared to median flow of 88 cfs for this date.

As you can see, rain affected water levels in a positive way, without blowing out the streams. Flows are good today in most streams. Some could be stained early but clear later unless we happen to get heavy rain which does not seem likely. Water temperatures are good at all elevations and that should continue all weekend, at least in the lower elevations.

This may be an excellent fishing weekend in the Smokies. Nymphs may work best early today. Try Prince, Tellico, Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail or other nymph patterns. Unless rain is unlikely heavy today, trout may take dry flies. Yellow Sally Stonefly dries are working well. I prefer a #16 Yellow Stimulator. Drop a Green Weenie off your dry fly to increase your chances.

I’m not sure what conditions you will find in the lowland rivers that exit the Smokies. The water will definitely be higher. You will likely find stained water, especially in the lower reaches of these rivers. The only way to find out is go. If you encounter stained water, drive further upstream and hopefully find clearer water. Smallmouth bass are taking poppers, foam floating flies, nymphs and streamers.

The TVA server is not working right now. I don’t know what to expect for tailwater anglers. Maybe they will get the site back up later.

Lake fishing is very good for fly anglers. Both bass species and panfish are actively feeding in shallow water. Poppers, foam floating flies, streamers, swimming nymphs and possibly cicada patterns are working well. It will be overcast today which is a benefit. The lake may be crowded with recreation boaters, or they may not. The lakes will be crowded tomorrow and Monday for sure. Go early or late on those days.

The rain and cooler temperatures are a blessing. This is going to be a nice comfortable weekend.

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

Byron Begley
May 29, 2021

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com