Appalachians
Little River
Live Conditions
Little River — Above Townsend
7-Day Flow
→ Stable
24-Hr Pressure
28.48 inHg · → High/stable
Voluntary Catch-and-Release Advisory
Water temperature is at or above 65°F. At these temperatures trout are physiologically stressed and have a higher post-release mortality rate. Consider waiting for cooler conditions — early morning or evening — or choosing a tailwater with regulated temperatures.
Local Weather
Tough conditions — fish deep
Today
☁️Overcast
87° / 70°
Tomorrow
🌤️Partly cloudy
90° / 69°
Fri
☁️Overcast
92° / 74°
Sat
🌧️Rain showers
91° / 68°
0.2"
Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.
Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min
What should I fish today?
⚡ AIAI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.
2
Time of Day
Using: 68.1 CFS · 70.5°F · Fall BWOs
What should I pack?
Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Little River conditions.
🪰 Hatch Calendar
Little River · September · Early Fall
🟡 Approaching — within 5°F of trigger range
Select month
Fall BWOs (size 18-20). Last terrestrials. Cooling water reactivates wild trout — best dry-fly month for selective fish in glass-flat pools.
🟢 Active · 🟡 Approaching · ⚪ Seasonal only
River Map
About Little River
The Little River through Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Townsend is arguably the most iconic trout stream in the Eastern US. Wild rainbow, brown, and native brook trout in a cathedral-like forest — the fly fishing equivalent of a pilgrimage.
Regulations
Great Smoky Mountains National Park regulations apply: artificial lures only, single hook only (no treble hooks), all brook trout must be released, minimum 7-inch size limit on rainbow and brown. National Park Service entrance fee required.
Learn More
Guides to help you fish Little River with more confidence.
Tennessee Fishing Regulations for Fly Anglers
Licenses, the Class L Trout Privilege, Tennessee's tiered water classifications (Put-and-Take, Catch-and-Release, Delayed Harvest, Trophy), TVA…
Trout Species of Tennessee
Tennessee's only native trout — the Southern Appalachian brook trout ("specs") — plus the introduced rainbows and browns that fill out the Watauga,…
How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing (And How to Use It)
That gorgeous bluebird day after a cold front? Worst fishing of the year. Here's the data behind why pressure changes matter more than the weather…