The Elk River: TVA is currently releasing 4100 + CFS and tomorrow the release will be 5100 CFS. They are releasing down the spillway, which is quite a sight. The generation release is 0 but don't be fooled 5100 CFS down the spillway is as high as I can remember. On a positive note the banks will get a good cleaning.
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The Caney Fork: The Army Corps is predicting 2 or more generators and currently releasing 6500 CFS. Tomorrow and the next several days it appears they are going to more the release to the "or more" and get the release up around 10,000 CFS. We will see what happens.
Southeastern Fly
Guided Drift Boat Fishing
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
High Water (Big Bend.... Parliament)
| High Water Browns |
| Barry Putting a Bend in a Rod |
A Wet Spring- It has been a wet couple months here in Middle Tennessee. The rain has been coming down it seems like every other day. The temperature has been mild as well. Right now as I type this report we have cancelled today's trip. This week tailwaters have been pushing but creeks and rivers have provided some short windows of opportunity This opportunity has helped some anglers get their fix.
| Pulled Over for a Break |
| A Gutsy Rainbow |
| Dan Hooked Up. Life is Good |
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Clinch River, Caney Fork and Elk River Fly Fishing
| Healthy Colors on the Rainbow |
| Stopping at a Gravel Bar Near You |
| Why Do They Run to the Boat? |
| Four Great Things That Go Great Together |
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Don't let the water and weather get you down. Summer is on the way. Relief is in sight and all that jazz. This weather pattern will be over and we will be wading and floating, while saying hello to old friends we mostly see on the river.
| It's Not All About the Fishing. |
| "High Water Everywhere"- Joe Bonamassa |
Monday, April 15, 2013
Casting With Either Hand
As I was shutting the door Brent was standing by the boat casting. I commented to Rhonda that Brent had a nice cast and I also noted he's a lefty. With that we set up the shuttle for the next trip and it was time to get on the river. Brent and I skipped fishing the first part of the float while we discussed fishing from the drift boat. We were on the same page until Brent stood up and made his first cast with his right hand. Somewhat confused I waited a few more casts and said "I thought I saw you casting with your left hand earlier?" Brent said I probably did see that, but he could cast with either hand. I commented on how people like that really pi are few and far between and he said it opens up a lot of opportunity. See most people would just be jealous...
Our plan for the day was to fish nymphs deep and then fish streamers where it seemed appropriate. There is a mud bank,early in the float, that has a slight current. There are almost always fish holding there waiting for a slow moving meal. This little nugget is a good place to judge an angler's drift and of course an opportunity to exam mending skills. Brent has both a good mend and clean drift. We sent a nymph down the lane and Brent popped a couple fish that were waiting at the drive-thru.
The morning was fairly consistent. The difference between this day and a "normal" day was the fish were apparently holding in schools on this day. Or possibly they were just a little tighter to current than usual. Where we would pick up one fish we would boat two and sometimes three on this trip. That ran the numbers higher but there were some slower periods to deal with too.
Brent could cast well and was open to recommendations. We made our into some of the better streamer water and pulled out the streamer rod. We tried several different patterns as well as retrieves and finally landed on a Louisiana Toad Fly. That's right a saltwater fly that works on Louisiana red fish can also be effective on Tennessee brown trout. Color is always important and we tried a couple variations of color as well. We boated this brown just as I was reaching into the streamer box to get the next color on the chart. The next color didn't come out until well after lunch.
We stopped for lunch and slowed the day down just a little more. It was a nice to be outside. Although there was just a little more wind than we wanted. The temps more than made up for the wind and we took advantage of an early Tennessee spring like day. We wound down the day with good numbers and a couple nice fish to top things off. When the day was done Brent's left and right hand casting did open up a lot of opportunity.
| We Picked Up a Bunch of These |
The morning was fairly consistent. The difference between this day and a "normal" day was the fish were apparently holding in schools on this day. Or possibly they were just a little tighter to current than usual. Where we would pick up one fish we would boat two and sometimes three on this trip. That ran the numbers higher but there were some slower periods to deal with too.
Brent could cast well and was open to recommendations. We made our into some of the better streamer water and pulled out the streamer rod. We tried several different patterns as well as retrieves and finally landed on a Louisiana Toad Fly. That's right a saltwater fly that works on Louisiana red fish can also be effective on Tennessee brown trout. Color is always important and we tried a couple variations of color as well. We boated this brown just as I was reaching into the streamer box to get the next color on the chart. The next color didn't come out until well after lunch.
We stopped for lunch and slowed the day down just a little more. It was a nice to be outside. Although there was just a little more wind than we wanted. The temps more than made up for the wind and we took advantage of an early Tennessee spring like day. We wound down the day with good numbers and a couple nice fish to top things off. When the day was done Brent's left and right hand casting did open up a lot of opportunity.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Mark Throwing Streamers on the River
| Crappie on the Fly |
| High Water Everywhere |
| Large Pockets of Soft Water |
The fish were still rising in the middle of the river on gravel bars. A fish rose off to our right. I told Mark we needed to go catch that one because the fish looked very similar to the "big one" we had been chasing all day. I back the drifter over in the area, Mark hauled the big streamer and dropped into the zone. The fish responded immediately and the fight was on. Mark played the fish perfectly as we chased it around the river. Finally we gained control and fish came to the net. We ended the day on that fish and another entry in the 20+ Club. Mark was accurate before he stepped in the drifter and he came a long way in his hauling skills. Mark put in the work and grabbed the reward.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Fly Fishing Tennessee
| Not Looking Down? |
| Fly Fishing in the Snow, These Guys Are Crazy |
Starting Monday it appears TVA is turning off the generator. The usual flies should work in the usual places. The water quality appears to be good right now. The clarity is good so fish can see your flies from a longer distance which is good. The fish can also see anglers from a longer distance and that is not so good. When wading try to position yourself and then stay put. Don't move your feet too much and when entering and exiting the water do so at a 90 degree angle from the bank (think 90 degree rule in golf). That will help a little when moving from pool to pool or run to run.
| The End of a Good Day |
| Brent Putting a Bend in the Rod |
Donnie and Brent joined me on a float the other day. The weather was Prego, everything was "in there". We started out on a cold thermometer, even the mercury was wearing fleece. Donnie has spent most of his time in the South and he, like me, isn't too fond of cold weather. But he, like me, wants to fish. Brent never really complains because well, who knows, he probably can't get a word in with Donnie and me complaining about the cold. There was some discomfort. But then the sun would come out and warm the air only to be snowing 10 minutes later. Like I said the weather was Prego, everything was "in there".
| Some Slowly Retrieved Floating Shad Results |
| Donnie, The Bearded Guy |
| A Face Only A Mother Could Love |
| Full Bellies |
| This Fish Has Been in a Scrap With Something (Notice the Wound in Front of the Dorsal) |
Monday, March 25, 2013
Tennessee Fly Fishing
The Caney Fork River: The river is receiving a bit of reduction in flow now....finally. Still anglers can throw big meaty flies for that fish of a lifetime. The smaller fish, you know the fish that keep us entertained between the holdovers, were hanging on and just trying not to drown. Now those stockers are getting out and hoping for a morsel or two. When the flow is on the holdovers are in the soft water and edges. Drop offs that run parallel to the bank with slower current are also a good place to pick up nice fish.
7
It has been several weeks since we have seen low water on the Caney and that's a long time in dog years. The forecast for the river looks promising. Keep tying those flies the chance to use them is just around the corner.
The Elk River: We spent some time on the Elk over the past several weeks. While some anglers are complaining of slow days, we have been fortunate. The fish are responding to a well placed nymph. We have even been lucky and caught fish after several drifts. If the fish aren't taking after a few passes, wait a minute or two and lengthen the distance between the indicator and the fly. Let the water settle and don't move your feet or walk around in the boat. Dropping the fly in the zone one more time, even several more times, has produced another fish for the net.
9
The Tennessee Valley Authority is turning up the release this week. The forecast for Tims Ford is showing a heavier release this week. It looks like TVA is going to release water in the morning hours for at least a few days. Be sure to check the release schedule and Tims Ford Dam before heading to the river.
Smallies in East Tennessee: The smallmouth season is fast approaching and East TN will be firing pretty soon. The water temps should start to climb in the next few weeks and the smallmouth will be fattening up after a long and cold couple months. If you want to get into some smallie action on the fly, shoot us an email and we can hook you up with the folks who specialize in warmwater fly fishing.
7
It has been several weeks since we have seen low water on the Caney and that's a long time in dog years. The forecast for the river looks promising. Keep tying those flies the chance to use them is just around the corner.
The Elk River: We spent some time on the Elk over the past several weeks. While some anglers are complaining of slow days, we have been fortunate. The fish are responding to a well placed nymph. We have even been lucky and caught fish after several drifts. If the fish aren't taking after a few passes, wait a minute or two and lengthen the distance between the indicator and the fly. Let the water settle and don't move your feet or walk around in the boat. Dropping the fly in the zone one more time, even several more times, has produced another fish for the net.
9
The Tennessee Valley Authority is turning up the release this week. The forecast for Tims Ford is showing a heavier release this week. It looks like TVA is going to release water in the morning hours for at least a few days. Be sure to check the release schedule and Tims Ford Dam before heading to the river.
Smallies in East Tennessee: The smallmouth season is fast approaching and East TN will be firing pretty soon. The water temps should start to climb in the next few weeks and the smallmouth will be fattening up after a long and cold couple months. If you want to get into some smallie action on the fly, shoot us an email and we can hook you up with the folks who specialize in warmwater fly fishing.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Gary and Scott's Day on the Drift Boat
| Scott on His First Hook-up |
After filling the tank with some lunch we got back to the fish. Scott was doing a good job with the morning's instruction and he "began to fish". What does "began to fish mean"? That means he was able to pick his spots, understands the currents and get a good drift. Oh, and he was catching fish. Gary, who is a regular on the drifter, was in his usual catching mode and I was watching a plan come together. We stopped and fished a couple spots that usually we blow through. The new spots produced some decent numbers of fish and kept us entertained.
The morning bug activity was turning into an afternoon hatch and picking up. We found a pod of rising fish with only a couple trout actually eating adults. Although the fish were small they were active. We fished small adult dries through spinners, but the fish were spooky and were put down after just a couple drifts. We stayed with them for a bit, but none wanted a sore lip. We went back to nymphs and immediately started picking up fish again.
''
The caddis were starting to come off and a large hatch was soon underway. I tried to get a good photo of the hatch (see above) but the photos don't do the hatch justice. As the hatch grew larger we expected the fish to rise. Except for the one pod of risers no other fish were willing to play with the caddis. As Spring continues we keep hoping the fish will begin to respond.
It seemed as though the guys enjoyed their day. As the sun started to fall behind the hills this trip was coming to an end. We slid into the takeout once again with Scott, a new fly angler, ready to pursue trout and Gary with another successful trip under his belt. The Weather Channel Girl? She hit the forecast and that made for another very good trip on a windy day.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Avery and Mark. Tailwater Nymphing Techniques
| Gil Plates |
Avery stopped me after a Calvary Outfitters meeting and booked some time on the drifter. He has been a creek angler for quite some time and recently decided to get some time on the drifter. His goal was to learn some additional fly fishing techniques. He would bring Mark, a long time angler and one who had previously spent time on the drifter. Mark is an accomplished fly fisherman.
*
When we arrived at the river we spent time talking to TWRA. The guys at TWRA are surveying anglers to get an idea of the fishing pressure among other things.
| Avery Hooked Up |
| Breaktime |
| The Guys Caught Their Share of These |
*
We stopped for lunch and after eating, fished a run that will sometimes produce a decent fish. The guys worked hard on their mending in the slower and faster paced water. We continued on and it seemed we continued to catch the same fish over and over.
| Mark and Avery Working a Run |
4
We slid into the gravel bar as the sun set over the hills. It was a pleasure to float with Avery and Mark. Avery came a long way in a short period of time. He had all the basic skills before coming on the boat. He became a better angler because he was able to apply previous fishing technique with new fly fishing skill. Mark has been around for a while and already caught his share of fish. He has one of the best and most subtle mends I have seen and it served him well several times throughout the day. The guys fish all over the southeast and hopefully they will share some of their successes when they return from future adventures.
| Clear Cool Water You're Welcome- Springtime |
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Tennessee River Bass
After fishing in the snow storm on Saturday another member of my family commented that I am as crazy as my Dad, when it comes to fishing. It just so happened my Dad was out on the Tennessee River a couple days later, fishing gear, in the same weather. He is also a catch and release angler who is dialed in when it comes to crappie. Below is a quote from his report and a photo of his largest bass (7 lbs. 6 oz.) to date. The fish below still swims in the Tennessee River somewhere...
1
1
(Report) Got a late start today and put in at the ramp about 8:30 AM and went crappie hunting. The day started out slow and only had 8 small ones and 1 small bass by 10:00 but as I scanned a different place I spotted a really big school of crappie on a ledge going from 10' or water down to 21' of water and these proved to be some hungry fish! I had 19 catches in a row and could have continued the string if I hadn’t had a bad, short cast and didn’t get the jig where the fish were. On the 21st cast continued the string with 5 more straight before missing a fish. That’s a lot of fun when you can get a string like that going! I wasn’t keeping fish today so didn’t even have the net out of the box when this big fish hit which I thought, at first, was a stripper but finally got him to the boat and then the scramble was on to get the net out of the box. Of course the net was under everything in the box and I thought for sure that the fish would get off before I could get the net out but got lucky. Dipped the fish up and brought it in to the boat ...
...I quit fishing at 4 PM with a total of 2 bass and 85 crappie....All in all a great fishing day.
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