Fishing Season: Year Round

Little River - TN

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

66

Smoky Mountain Gillies's Tip of the Week

Water conditions are moderate based on afternoon pop-up thunderstorms in the mountains, but will keep water temps low and better for trout fishing. With the higher water conditions, try a stone fly with a pheasant tail dropper.

Directions open in app

Map of Little River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 8/1/22

Monday: Scattered showers and Thunderstorms. High 83F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 MPH. Chance of rain 60%. Monday Night: Variably clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Tuesday: Mixed clouds and sun with a few spotty thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 MPH. Chance of rain 40%. Tuesday Night: Variably cloudy with limited thunderstorms. Low near 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 20%. Wednesday: Partly cloudy with a few random thunderstorms. High 91F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 20%. Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy skies. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Thursday: Partly cloudy with a few showers and storms. High 89F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30% Thursday Night: Partly cloudy skies. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Friday: Isolated thunderstorms. High 85F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Friday Night: Few spotty thunderstorms. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Saturday: Mixed clouds and sun with isolated thunderstorms. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Saturday Night: Isolated thunderstorms in the evening. Partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 20%. Sunday: Partly cloudy with a stray thunderstorm. Chance of rain 20%. High around 88F. Winds light and variable. Sunday Night: Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.

Techniques & Tips as of 8/1/22

Try ant dry fly with a pheasant tail dropper

Local Species Available Year Round

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Smoky Mountain Gillies's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Adam's Purple Parachute N/A 12-14
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig N/A 14-16
Adams N/A 14-18
Stimulator Yellow 10-16
Pats Rubber legs Brown 10-14
Chubby Chernobyl Yellow 10--14
Yellow Sally N/A 14-16
CDC Caddis N/A 14-16

Adam's Purple Parachute

Tie on this deadly purple parachute dry fly to show trout something unique.

2.49

Item #7R6K

Buy Now

Smoky Mountain Gillies's Recommended Gear

Description: About Little River

The Little River system is among the largest and most varied watersheds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within its bounds one can find everything from roadside fishing for some of the Park’s largest brown trout, to tiny backcountry streams choked with rhododendrons and native brookies. Wild rainbow trout are also abundant throughout. The Little River system can be broken down into its component branches or “Prongs”. Little River Rd. (Hwy 73) follows the East Prong from where it flows out of the Elkmont Campground to where it meets the Middle Prong (Tremont) and West Prong at the “Y” just inside the Townsend entrance to the Park. The roadside section of the East Prong offers smallmouth bass in its lower reaches. The best trout fishing begins near the series of giant plunge pools known as “The Sinks”, with the largest rainbows and browns frequently found between the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area and Elkmont Campground. Above the campground the stream narrows and is more rugged in character. The Middle Prong of the Little (known as Tremont) is similar in nature to the East Prong above Elkmont Campground. Both follow old logging railroad beds up their respective mountain valleys, both are medium-sized streams by Smokies standards, and brook trout are present for those anglers who want to invest the time hiking into the backcountry to reach them. The West Prong of the Little is low-gradient, small stream offering tighter casting conditions for feisty, wild rainbows. The West Prong (and its tributary Laurel Creek) flows along the road leading to Cades Cove.

Nearest Airport:

Knoxville, TN (TYS)

Hatches:

Caddis Stoneflies Yellow sally Ants

Best Time to Fish:

All Day Long!

Best Stretch:

Metcalf Bottoms to Elkmont Campground

Best Access:

Little River Road