Low Water on the Caney Fork River

There is one thing about living close to the Home of Country Music and that is the opportunity to hear some talented artists. This morning my family and I were invited to attend church with a good friend and his family. It was a bluegrass service and there were a couple young ladies performing, as they do most Sundays. Anna Grace and Sarah make up the duo High Road. Today they were performing with a small bluegrass band, in a small southern church and they did an amazing job.

Saturday, David and Nathan came along for a trip on the Caney Fork. Nathan came up from the Atlanta area and spent the day casting to tailwater trout. It was just us in the drifter, with a hundred canoes and splashing paddles. Today it was combat fishing at it's finest. Stopping to fish a shoal only to have boats come within inches of a good drift. People diving into the water to shake off the heat. The fish in the river also came out to play. The low water was the ticket for us today. Well, the water and finding a place in the line of watercraft were tickets for us today.

One of the First Fish of the Day

We started the day early with dry flies and droppers. Nathan hooked up first and was also the first to catch a fish on the dry and David followed. David brought a new stick that was perfect for casting a small dry/dropper rig and I got a chance to test my reflexes. David rigged up my Hydros and introduced me (by mistake) the world of casting a 12 foot leader. So, I made him cast it a while just for punishment...

Nathan Sight Casting for Cows

One of the Fighting Browns

Another Hatchery Brat

We spent the morning trying some different dry/dropper combos. I tried some midges that have been on my mind as of late and most worked on the hatchery brats. Some of the new creations worked well and I will be working more on some of the patterns as the week goes along.

A Fighting Brown

After lunch we put David in the front of the boat, me behind the oars and Nathan in the back to keep an eye on us. We had the usual life jacket and fishing license conversation with our friends from the TWRA. Then we put my usual single nymph rig in David's hands and started picking spots that looked likely. First we landed a decent rainbow and then the browns came out to play. David hooked a nice brown and that's when Nathan and I went to work. First we began the heckling... "adjust the drag", "Side Pressure!", "that brown is going to kick your tail", and my personal favorite "don't let it get away, I'll get the net and Nathan get the camera". David played the brown into the net just as another couple boats came into the picture. It was a very slow day for most, but ours was just picking up.

David with a Solid Brown

The Balancing Act

Another Product of the Single Nymph Rig

David's brown earned him the opportunity to sit behind the oars and row us a while. Some of the other anglers on the river slowed and let us go ahead and we found a nice place in among the canoes and other watercraft. It was my turn with the nymph stick and when we found some open water Nathan and I boated a few fish. Included in those fish was a nice brown that came when I was turned around having a conversation with a guy, about drift boats. It was a good thing David was watching my indicator, while as usual, I wasn't paying attention to my own rig...

"I didn't get a good look at him officer, he was wearing a mask and kept asking about my big brother."*

After my second brown it was Nathan's turn on the nymph stick. We put him in the front of the boat and with very little coaching he began working on the perfect drift. Soon it was Nathan's turn to pick up his brown and the fish did not disappoint. Nathan came through with a well played fight and with a little heckling he brought the brown to the net.

Nathan With His Nice Brown

The dry dropper worked early in the morning. Color was more critical than style of dropper. Casting to feeding fish was a lot of fun. The highlight of the morning was watching a huge 24"+ brown kill a shad. The fish was so big I discounted it as a beaver for the first minute or so. It was only after we caught a glimpse of some yellow that we backed the drifter up and watched the show. Yes, we will be fishing that area hard from now forward.

Nathan and David were a pleasure to fish with today. We caught a lot of hatchery brats early, caught some nice browns, then finished up the day with more hatchery brats. Low water was the key to locating the fish and the key to concentrating the fish into the smaller pockets and pools. For now I am back on the tying bench to work on some new patterns and to stock up on nymphs for the "hot stick".

*Caption With permission from Mark Smith

Caney Fork Fly Fishing/Rowing/Eagle Report

Our First Customer of the Day

Last year I attended the Nabours and Friends for Project Healing Waters benefit. I met John and Brett while there and we had a good conversation about fishing. John has a drift boat and wanted someone to help him learn how to row it. Brent likes to fish and wanted to fish a different part of the river. I just like to be on the river, so we made a deal to go fishing in the future. The future arrived this week and we made plans to float the river, fish a little and give John some time behind the oars.

There Were Some Others on the Water Too

John Fishing While the Drifter Rests

Although we had plans to fish, we also wanted to enjoy the river. We hooked some on streamers, but not any real big fish. We took time out to rest, wade in the water and cool off while we took time to catch up. It was just a real nice float and a calm day.

A Healthy Rainbow

While we did fish, we also enjoyed the sights. The highlight of the day was when one of the eagles came out from it's perch in a tree down river. It took flight and came up-river toward us, then right over our head while we were drifting downstream. All three of us completely lost focus. A world record brown trout could have been on the line and none of us would have cared much. Well we would have cared, but the eagle was awesome! The eagle flew right over our head and then disappeared into the trees. The camera was in rowers bench and I couldn't think clearly enough to take it out for the shot. But, that's OK because the shot is vivid in my memory.

The day wound down with John at the oars while Brent and I fished a little. The water never did fall out completely and we missed our shots on low water. The company was good, John got some seat time, Brett got some time on some different water and the eagle sighting is burned in my memory...

Another Sight on the Caney Fork River

July 4th Weekend Float

Brent and his brother Todd wanted to float the Caney. Todd came in from West Palm and was visiting. Although it was the 4th of July weekend it was the best time for the brothers to get together and enjoy a half day on the river together. So, we left Murfreesboro and headed for the what we felt would be the least traffic on the river, to search out some of the fish in the Caney Fork.

Brent Hooked-Up on Falling Water

We got to the river and launched the drifter before too many people arrived. We launched on water that was still a little high, but we also used this water to get away from most of the crowds. Todd hooked up early and then we stopped at some of the usual places to work on nymphing techniques.

Brent with One of the Rainbows

Brent spent the morning working on nymphing and quickly got into a groove picking up a few rainbows from the run he was fishing. He continued drifting the nymph rig, while I took time to talk to some local folks who were trying out some new patterns. Everyone on the river was having a nice day and we didn't meet a stranger. We continued downstream stopping at some of the likely holes, runs and riffles.

The Guys Discussing the Fine Points of Polarization

Todd in Action on the Long Rod

The first fish of the day came on Todd's nymph. Then we arrived at a hole that usually produces a fish or two on most days. Both the guys were fishing from the drifter and it was on anchor. Brent hooked up in the hole and into the picture came Todd's fly. Todd drifted the nymph into the hole, from the back of the boat, and the guys had their first double of the day. It was classic brothers in action...stealing the hole and the next fish! We stayed around a while and continued to pick fish from that spot. Then we pushed on downstream toward the takeout.

The Usual Hatchery Brat

We were getting close to the takeout when they got onto the streamer rods. We started down the bank and with a little coaching the brothers picked up on streamer fishing. The big fish didn't come out to play, Brent and Todd did get a small taste of the action that streamer fishing can produce. Both agreed that fishing streamers is quite intense and I added it is also addictive...

Brent Blasting the Six Weight

It was a pleasure spending the day on the river with Brent and Todd. Their attitude and willingness to learn made the day enjoyable. Hopefully they can take the information and become even better anglers in the years to come.

Mid-Week Caney Fork Streamer Float

The Joys of Boat Ownership

We had a blowout on a boat trailer bearing and after the purchase of the new hub, the boat was back and ready for some action. Every hub change needs to be checked, so Dan and I loaded the boat and took the trailer on a test run. As luck would have it we ended up at the river....imagine that, and it just so happened we had the streamer rods....how lucky could we get? And, the Army Corps was cranking one generator. What else could we do but launch the boat and hit the river...

Dan at the Super-Secret Bass Location

We started out at the dam and worked our way down the river (no kidding? floating down river in a drifter...) The streamers we put to the test as we drowned fly after fly. There wasn't much to report on the opening leg of the trip other than Dan's bass that were caught at the location that remains unknown....or take a look at the picture above and figure it out. (insert smiley face here)

The Cave and Waterfall Are Not Supposed to Be Affected in the Dam Repairs

The Biggest Beaver I Have Seen on the Caney

Finally we got into some action with the trout. We were throwing big old nasty streamers made of marabou and deer hair. The plan was to bang the banks and hit the shoals when we would pass them. The fish weren't the most active, but hey it was a good evening to test out the repairs on the boat trailer...

A Unique Brown Trout

Mike & Jim on the Caney Fork River

Foggy and Calm on the Caney Fork

Mike and Jim came up to fish the Caney Fork River via Woodstock GA. I met them at Mike's motor home and we loaded their gear into the truck for the quick ride to the access. Mike has been fly fishing for over twenty years and Jim has been fly fishing a little less than ten years. Both are accomplished anglers and we went searching for bigger fish. The day started out with a little fog, but it was predicted to be sunny and hot.

The Brookies are "Coloring-up" Nicely

We Got Into These Early and Often

Mike took the rear casting brace, while Jim fished from the front deck of the drifter. Jim started the day off with a bluegill and quickly moved onto trout when the water turned off. As the water began to settle down Mike joined in with some bows of his own. We fished nymphs early among the many canoes, boats and pontoons. It was combat fishing at its finest. The guys were troopers though and never complained...but we did have some good discussion.

A Fresh Hatchery Brat

One part of the dam repairs consists of drilling over 1100 holes in the limestone and filling the holes with grout. The water level in the lake needs to remain approximately 630 feet (above mean sea level). The Army Corps is charged with keeping the lake level at about 630, therefore the releases, from the dam, will track pretty close to the rainfall. The easy way to remember the water release process while the repairs are underway is....Water In Water Out.

Jim Working on the Slam

So the guys continued fishing nymphs, we added streamers, then went with dries and other topwater patterns. They caught their share of the usual fish and Jim completed a slam, but we didn't hook up with the big one, this time. It certainly wasn't from their lack of effort. These two were troopers and fished hard up until the end. Jim threw the streamer all the way to the ramp as the sun disappeared and the thunderstorms moved into the area.

It was a pleasure to fish with a couple of fine anglers and genuinely nice guys for the day.

The Day Ended as the Day Began....Foggy and Clear

Caney Fork Fishing Report

A Rainbow Caught & Released

We have been back on the water this week and specifically the Caney Fork. The dam has been the talk of all us river rats since last year. The repairs are supposed to cost upwards of $300,000,000.00 and take seven years. While the Army Corps fixes the seep water and cracks, I decided to go find the fish, cause they are there....somewhere.

Dan Working in a Run

We hooked up early, well Dan, hooked up early and we boated some hatchery brats. But, on this day we gravitated back to throwing streamers for larger fish. It was hot, real hot and I must admit the heat won. The next thing we knew the boat was parked on a gravel bar and we were wet wading. I ended up on nymphs pretty early while Dan and Mark stayed on streamers a bit longer.

Caught on a Single Nymph Rig

The water continued to fall out. We saw some folks who thought the water was still a little high. The water level was keeping the fish from playing. We agreed and continued to pick apart the holes, runs and riffles. Anglers are some of the most optimistic folks around. Knowing that water level was high, but also that it was continually dropping. The meaning? The fish are going to really turn-on at any minute, because the water level is steady falling. It just makes sense. It makes sense in my head anyway.

Persistence. The challenge to stay focused when it is hot and the fish aren't keeping us as busy as we want to be. Oh yeah the fish were coming to the streamers and then braking at the last minute. We started picking up some trends and beginning to bring some fish to the net. Some fish came on the nymph rigs and pretty soon the browns were coming along with the rainbows.

A Calm Day on the River, Life's Good Today

I never get tired of the view from behind the oars, or heck from the casting brace for that matter. Somebody said one time "when you push the boat away from the ramp and it picks up the drift there isn't a feeling like it". Leave the day to day stuff behind and just look at the view, watch the big nasty streamers work or just get focused on the dry fly or the indicator... There is always just floating fown the river and having a good discussion that solves pretty much nothing.

Came to Dan's Articulated Streamer

Dan has been fishing with me for a couple years now. He's an accomplished watercolor artist and he enjoys the streamers as much as anybody. Not only does he stay with them as long as anyone, but he enjoys watching the fly "swim" too. One of the tricks to "catching" on a streamer, especially the bigger articulated stuff is to stick with it when everyone else and almost everything inside you says give it up. Dan stays with it and on this day a brown (yes that brown right up there in the picture) came up over a log chasing the marabou and deer hair, then nailed it right in front of our eyes. Dan received his opportunity to row shortly thereafter...

This Brown Slammed a...

We fished everything under the surface and didn't really try any dries. One of the reasons was that we were stuck on streamers until the sun came out. Then it was so hot that watching the indicator seemed like the right thing to do. The rainbows were the first to come to the nymphs. I have been just fishing a single nymph rig a lot lately. Who knows why, other than the single nymph seems to bring some of the better fish than a nymph and midge or even a couple midges. Later in the Summer we will create our own midge hatch with the triple midge rigs. Right now in the heat of the Summer the single offering seems to work about as good as anything else on the river, for me anyway.

Nothing But Net

We ended the day in a thunderstorm after wrapping up the day chasing some real big stripers. The stripers were in the mood to do 'drive-bys' only and wouldn't hook up like we wanted. You can bet I have the best ambush locations noted though. Mark and I have fished together for about ten years now. There is one thing that really gets him excited and that is a big striper! He had a couple close inspections but they were just a teaser for what is surely to come. We will go back again and check out those spots again before too long...

Caught & Released

Video from Sunday Fly Fishing the Caney Fork

Like I said in the last report Dan got on the video camera to get some footage of fly fishing on the Caney and the fish did not disappoint. We were stopped at a run on low water and it was my turn on the 5 weight. The footage won't make the Drake Film Tour, not only because the guy fishing lost most of his hair, but probably for other reasons we hadn't even considered.

I am going to pack the boat for another trip while this thing uploads. Anyway for everyone stuck in a cubical, office or just workin for a livin, hope you enjoy.



Thanks to the J.R. Perry Band for the music...

Caney Fork Report

Oyster Boats on Apalachicola Bay

We went down to St George Island last week and got out on Apalachicola Bay for some red fishing. We didn't go down just for the fishing, we also went down for the great seafood and just to relax. Before we knew it the week and a couple days had past and we were back in Middle Tenneessee. And then, we were back on the Caney Fork for an afternoon float.

The Hatchery Brats Were Out Again

Fish Heads, Fish Heads

Dan and I started off the afternoon throwing nymphs and we picked up some of the hatchery brats. The fish we caught were eager to play, but nothing of any real size came after the drowned bugs we were presenting. Dan was quick to get on the streamers and threw those monsters of marabou for a long stretch. We had some flashes, but none of the fish committed. The best was yet to come...

Dan Throwing a Nymph

Dan continued to fish the streamer and began to pick up consistant flashes. We stopped at a shoal and he offered room to throw a nymph. We settled into a nice drift and began to pick up fish. We probably wouldn't have stopped if Dan's streamer had not brought some fish up from the bottom. But, the streamer brought out the fish and the nymph cleaned up. We spent the majority of the afternoon at that run, which was in the shade. Dan got on the video camera and caught some footage of some takes and fights with the Caney Fork rainbows and browns.

This Brown Took a While But Finally Came to the Net

We ended our float on the river by fishing the streamer and the occasional nymph. My intent was to throw some top water stuff, but sticking to the plan on my day off was, well, really out of the question and we ended up just doing whatever we wanted.

The bugs that are a little more delicate seem to live further downstream. By that I mean the mayflies, caddis and other "softer" bugs. We imagine these bugs just taste better than the scuds and sow bugs that tend to live in the water closer to the dam. I enjoy fishing some of the lower stretches of the river. We did spot some mayflies that looked to be about a size #12 or size #10. There were not as many of the better tasting bugs right now, but we'll start seeing them later in the Summer.

Combat Fishing on the Caney

Believe it or not everyone doesn't come to the Caney Fork for the fishing. Anyone who has fished the Caney on a hot weekend knows the canoe hatch can be mindboggling. It is a slow moving river when the generation is off, which is perfect for drifting nymphs and very good for canoes.

We have spent many a days on the river waiting for canoes to pass or speeding up to beat them to the next hole, just in time to catch a fish or two, then rowing like crazy to the next hole. The Caney is public water, so after a while canoe hatches become part of the challenge.

Gaddling.com has put together a piece on lazy rivers and yep, the Caney is right in the mix for best floats. You can read the short article here.

Caney Fork Fishing Report

After the US Army Corps meeting on Thursday, it was time to reflect on the number of fish, the amount of water release this year vs. last year and all the other information they gave the fisherman, guides and other folks at the meeting. There is no better place to reflect river information than on the river.

During our ride to the river we discussed the new ramp that will be built at Stonewall Bridge. I have mixed emotions about the ramp, because of the additional traffic that will be on the river. But additional access isn't all bad, because it opens up more options for floats.

Anthony Hooks Up Early

The TWRA has been stocking the hatchery brats in the river at a good rate this year. So far they have stocked just under 40,000 fish in the river including 26,000 rainbows. The hope is these fish will keep us entertained between the holdovers that make for good photo ops.

Anthony's First Nice Brown of the Day

We fished streamers early on, but the day would belong to the laziest of nymphing technique. A couple nymphs dropped under the indicator. It was certainly Anthony's day as he began picking up the larger fish more often. We fished the usual nymph and midge patterns while concentrating on the best water. This technique really paid off for Anthony...

This Brookie Completed the Earliest of Our Slams

TWRA has stocked 6,000 brook trout in the river so far this year. Each trip we have taken lately has produced at least one of these little gems. These trout grow at a good rate and some say they grow about 1" per month. If that growth rate is true we should have some nice brookies in the fall and if the conditions will at least remain stable they will be very nice fish this time next year.

One of the Best Anglers on the River

We rowed the drifter down the river to meet our deadline. We had to be back at the ramp early and continued to hit the best water as we floated along discussing many topics. Anthony hooked up with more of the bigger fish and I took care of the smaller fish throughout the trip.

Another Brown for Anthony on a Nymph Rig

The First Hatchery Brat of the Day

A Bass Which is Common After Large Amounts of Generation

The big spills produce a wide variety of fish in the Caney Fork. The TN Tarpon were not playing the fly rod game on this day. But, the different species keep the day interesting and occasionally the reward will be a good looking bass. We threw streamers at them off and on just to keep the more aggresive fish honest, but the best trout still came to the boat on nymphs.

Caught & Released. There is a Fish in This Picture