The Elk River- Some fish are looking up but most of the residents of this river are munching subsurface. Some of the recent stocker browns are eating on top and a small dry will get their attention. Even a little drag on the dry is OK when they can't make up their mind.
The release from Toms Ford Dam, as this is written, is the normal summertime schedule of 240 CFS. This release is real nice for wading or floating. Due to the recent releases of 2000ish CFS the bottom is relatively clean so anglers can see what they are stepping on.
The water temps on the Elk are running in the low to mid 50's depending on where the temp is taken. So there is plenty of cold water as we roll through July. Those temps are helping the fish to active on their hunt for food. The good flow and cool temps make a trip on the Elk a good place to spend the day.
The Caney Fork: The best releases have been on the weekends. Fishing terrestrials on high water can be fun although that action isn't as good as terrestrials on the lower flows. Lower water means other watercraft. For those who don't like crowds there are ways to get around the number of canoes and yaks that are in the upper part of the river.
Most of the parking lots are full by 9:00 am and stay pretty much full until around 6:00 pm. We have been going early and fishing late to get around the crowds. We have been able to get on less crowded waters on most days. There are a couple other ways to get around the crowds too.
It seems there has been more bug activity this year. There are more mayflies and certainly more caddis, along with more birds for those bugs that get off the water without being consumed by a trout. The terrestrials, as usual, don't show themselves too much, but they sure must taste good because the fish eat hard when they decide to take one down.
Finding a fish eating subsurface (i.e down in the water column) is a lot of fun. Fish eating along the bottom seem to be oblivious to a drift boat, well sometimes anyway. Anglers who have been able to get the fly in the right spot do not have to depend on the indicator. Nope, when the fish are eating like this and we can get the boat in the right spot it is all tight-line nymphing. When we find a fish eating this way it gets the guy in the rowers seat pretty dang excited.
To see the latest fishing report and for more booking information click here. If you are a seasoned angler or have never picked up a fly rod and want to set up a day on the river just email or call/text 615-796-5143 to book a day on the water.
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