Elk River Gift Certificate & Fishing Report

The Stained Water of the Elk

The Elk River- The Elk is fishing good in the upper section. Although the water is stained and the bottom is getting the orange coating on the rocks and gravel, the fish seem to be happy. We didn't try swinging a Bust-a-Brown, but I would be someone else's favorite fly rod an angler could get some big numbers before the TVA turns the water loose again in a couple days. The water temperature is running about 57 degrees, according to my thermometer dropped down to 4 feet.

Another Elk River Hatchery Brat

Wyatt's birthday present from his bride was a trip to the river and a day of floating the Elk. Wyatt has fished some but not as much as he probably likes. We started at the dam and were into fish within seconds of the fly hitting the water. We started on a double nymph rig with a large nymph on the top and a much smaller Dano-Majic on the bottom. The fish responded to both flies, with the bottom fly seeing about 70% of the action. Wyatt picked up on the casting and mending real quick and then surprised me when he started asking questions about reading the water. He was reading the water and putting casts where the fish were supposed to be, well before lunchtime.

Fish On Again

Mother Nature came out to show off on this day. We saw the usual heron, otters, ground hog and squirrels. A hawk flew over a recently cut corn field and deer came to gravel bars on two separate occasions to get a drink. The wildlife was out and about as a storm was rolling into the area. We fished until we couldn't see the indicator anymore and then called it a day. The center section of the river was a little slower than I like, the lower section probably would fish better if we would have rolled in before the sun went down. Still it was a good day on the Elk with good water temps and low flow.

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The generation looks like it will turn on in a day or so and 100 CFS is about as slow as we see on the river at anytime of the year. The grass that plagues the river is getting pushed out so that will free up some additional opportunities to seek out better water while drowning nymphs. Everyone we talked with was having a good day or coming back after recently having a good day. The next few days of heavy rain and storms will probably keep the river quiet,. After the generation ceases again I would expect the action to pick up where it left off. It was a pleasure spending the day with Wyatt watching him get more comfortable casting and mending while reading the water.  I am looking forward to the next trip.

Wyatt Working on His Rig at Just About Dark

The Caney Fork River- The Caney has seen some increased generation from the heavy rains of last week and it looks more rain is in the forecast. The temps are running about the same as last week. The big difference is the big sluice is now turned off. The generation is just that, straight generation. After the runoff from the recent rain events is discharged and pushed downstream the water will hopefully clear. This is the time of year we begin turning to streamer action as the fish begin to listen to those internal clocks and seek out protein. Nymphs and small midge patterns will still get their attention and the optimist in me says all will be right on Middle TN's favorite tailwater.

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There isn't much more to report as we all wait for the rain to come and go across the mid state. If you are looking ahead to streamer season we will have some open dates coming up for those 3/4 day streamer floats. Also, there is an event that I am working on that may help everyone become a better tailwater angler. Stay tuned for that information. For now hope to see you on the river!

David with a Recent Rainbow