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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:49 am, the temperature is 59.7 degrees.

It will be partly cloudy today with a high temperature in the mid to upper 70’s. We have a fair chance for showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Tomorrow’s forecast is similar though probably warmer. Rain is likely Monday night and Tuesday. An inch of rain is possible.

Little River is flowing at 392 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.46 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 85 cfs. The water temperature is 60.8 degrees this morning.

Little Pigeon River is flowing at 812 cfs, 2.58 feet, compared to median flow of 124 cfs.

Oconaluftee River is flowing at 621 cfs, 2.01 feet, which compares to median flow of 195 cfs.

Tellico River is flowing at 366 cfs or 1.83 feet on the gauge at Tellico Plains. Median flow for this date is 72 cfs.

Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 127 cfs, 2.70 feet, compared to median flow of 40 cfs.

Streams in the Smokies are flowing much higher than usual in late September. Normal flow is very low this time of the year. Many streams can be safely waded and fished while others are swift. Flow on Little River is on the high side of good. Some anglers will consider the water to be high. Others will think it is perfect.

Nymphs will work for sure. Dry flies might work. I would use a weighted nymph rig. Most reasonable flies will produce for you. Try Tellico, Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Hear, Prince or Green Weenie patterns. Trout will be actively feeding in the low to high elevations.

Lowland rivers are flowing higher than normal. Many are fishable and fishing may be very good. Some rivers are swift, so be careful wading. Top water flies may work. Streamers and nymphs will for sure.

I checked the generation schedule at several dams in the area. I did see some opportunities for wade and boat fishing on some area tailwaters. Visit the TVA website from the links below to see what your options are today.

This may be a good lake fishing day due to the predicted partly cloudy conditions. I would still go early and fish when you know the sun will off the water. You might get lucky and extend your day fishing shallow if the skies are overcast.

Cast foam floating flies, hair bugs, poppers, streamers or swimming nymphs to the banks to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass or other species. The wind will be calm today. Thunderstorms are possible this afternoon so keep an eye on the sky if you are fishing later.

If you love camping, you are going to like the weather forecast for this coming weekend. Unless there is a change, it will be cool and dry. Highs are predicted to be in the 60’s. Lows will dip to the low 40’s to low 50’s in the valley and it will be cooler than that in the mountains. The chance for rain is very low.

Fishing will be good. Streams may rise again mid-week, but they should fall to good fishable levels by the weekend unless we get a lot more rain than is currently predicted like we did last week.

You don’t have to be camping to enjoy what is coming our way next weekend. Everyone will love the cool Fall conditions. Trout will too.

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

Byron Begley
September 27, 2020

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com