Middle TN Fly Fishing Report

Gill Plates

The Caney Fork River is showing some signs of life. The Army Corp has begun to dial back the generation finally. The best way to catch fish on the Caney is to throw streamers. Fish are responding to bigger flies and as the water in Center Hill Lake continues to fall generation should be less and less. We are booking streamer floats now, for full and half days. These trips are not for the meek. Throwing big flies on sinking lines is a lot of work. When fish respond they are usually bigger and always a fight.

Southeastern Brook Trout

The Elk River is finally back to a more normal flow. Fish have been responding to well drifted nymphs and soft hackles.  The good news about the Elk is TVA has stopped generation. There is rain in the forecast so everyone's fingers are crossed that it is not another gully-washer. 

Just Hangin' Around

Warmwater Streams in Middle Tennessee are getting back to some sort of normal.  We have been chasing musky a little, just to pass the time. The last trip was with Greg and Matt who came from Alabama. It was a good float, one that saw me behind the oars of a Clackacraft, just to try out another brand of boat. The fish for the most part were exactly where they should be. The Musky would follow, investigate, almost nudge, but then refuse. Musky are fun to chase especially when they rise up out of nowhere. They are fun to catch, but are they as clever as we give them credit?  Guess time will tell.

Southeastern Smallies

Late In The Day

4.3-1400

Southeastern Fly Update

Talking about the rain and high water is getting old. Instead of being at the oars, where I prefer, my time has been spent doing boat maintenance, writing articles and working on presentations. By the way it is raining outside right now. 
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Over the past few months in The Angler Magazine there has been a report on fly fishing the Caney Fork. Although there hasn't been a lot to say, hopefully I have been able to write something that is useful. There are some good articles with good information about most fisheries in Middle TN and beyond. If you get a chance stop by Cumberland Transit or any of the other locations and pick one up.
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If you live somewhere around Hendersonville, I will be presenting Observations from the Tailwaters at the Hendersonville Fly Fishing Club on Thursday, February 21st @ The Wharf Restaurant. The Wharf is located at 248 Sanders Ferry Road in Hendersonville. Social hour starts at 6:00 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7:00 p.m.
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Finally, anyone who is waiting on the water to recede a bit before calling to set a date to fish, shoot me an email, call, or text and I will get you on the list for a day on the river.

Fishing Report from Middle TN

Gill Plate

Fishing has been slow for the most part. The weather events have given us time to keep the boat out of the water and do the yearly maintenance. There are still some things that need to be done and all the things I have been putting off until the off-season, well guess what...it's the off-season. 
Caney Fork River- The Army Corps is pushing 6000 + CFS and it doesn't look like they will be letting up anytime soon. The fish are responding to streamers fished from the boat. The numbers have been low and there have been some hits and misses along the way. Wading is not the best idea on the Caney and if there is a choice, I would stay home and stock some fly boxes. 

The Elk River- TVA is pumping one generator worth of water 24/7. The Tims Ford Operating Guide is showing falling water levels so we will see how it goes with the big rain event the Weather Channel Girl is calling for tonight and into tomorrow. 
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The conditions haven't been the best, in Middle Tennessee, but the weather will turn and we will be back on the rivers, hopefully soon! 

Elk River Report

Foggy Angling

Caney Fork- There have been a few hours of no generation and one generator release over the past week. Now there is a lot of water in Center Hill Lake and with Great Falls scheduled to release 30,000+ CFS in the coming days, well, it is going to be a while before we see favorable releases. Today there is sleet and heavy rain again. For anyone planning to fish the Caney in the next few days...stay home and tie flies.

There Are A Lot of These in the River Right Now

Elk River- TVA is only scheduled to release 100 CFS from Tims Ford Dam for the next few days. The water in the river seems to be a little lower than the 100 CFS. I say that because the flow in most places is super slow and the shoals downstream seem to be more exposed. The fishing would be even better with another 20-50 CFS releasing. 

Gill Plates

The water temps in the Elk are still 48 degrees and the fish are happy. There are some rising fish and there some small midge hatches, but nothing to write home about. It is best to tie on a nymph and hit the river. The fish won't respond to every nymph put in front of them. They will respond to a nymph bouncing along or close to the bottom. Speaking of the bottom it has been scoured by the heavy generation and personally I like that better than all the vegetation that creeps in over the course of the Summer. It is difficult to predict what will happen with the weather and water levels in the lakes and rivers. If the rain continues though we might see additional releases from Tims Ford Dam.

10-6800

Fly Fishing for Southern Musky

A 2012 Musky...But 2013 is a New Year!

For a couple weeks the water levels on the tailwaters were not the best. Christmas was in the forefront in our house and it was a good one. Then I watched some football, celebrated the New Year and tried to do the things a "normal" person would do. It was tough and eventually I was in Cumberland Transit picking up tying materials and listening to fishing stories. Then it back to the tying desk to tie some chicken feathers on the shank of a hook.

Troll Hunter or Musky Hunter...

I met Anthony early in the morning then we met Josh, who drove over from Maryville. Both were on a quest to catch their first musky on the fly. For me, it felt good to be back on the water! We loaded the boat and talked with Greg who was floating solo for the day. Greg it was nice to finally meet in person. Then we pushed the drifter from the ramp and got that feeling that only comes  when the boat first starts to float. 

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High Water Everywhere- This float was on higher water than any we floated last year. The plan was simple, bomb the banks and try to coax a hot fish out of soft water.  Coax the fish off the bank like a cat going after a string. Big flies on sinking line with erratic retrieves.Did it happen like that? Well sort of...

Optimism- There was optimism in the boat as we shoved off and the guys started casting big flies to toothy critters. We tried several different patterns, different strips while fishing to structure and soft water. It didn't take too long for our first fish to show up. I heard recently that musky will generally be in the same spots at the same times of the year. Last year we boated some fish and had follows from several fish all along the float. We floated into a section where last year David had a hot fish follow but not eat. This time Anthony was in the front of the boat and the fish came off the short rock wall. It was a lazy follow and the fish wasn't as hot as we like. The fish came out but didn't want to play. We hung around and kept trying, but it was over as fast as it started. We had a follow after that and then it got a little quiet. Things were about to heat up.

Josh 1 - Musky zero

Josh was tuned in to his casting and even though the water levels were keeping us from sight casting, everyone kept a positive attitude. Then Josh dropped a cast within inches of the bank and a fish was on the fly before Josh finished his first strip. The fish ate and received a strip-set for its troubles. The hook up was a good one. Josh's questions of how a musky fights were being answered. The fish put up a good fight taking and giving as he moved around the boat. The fish even jumped at the boat, answering another question. Josh did a great job playing the fish to the net and then he was holding his first southern musky on the fly. 

5.5-1700

A Non-Fishing Report

Wow we sure have a lot of water! With that being said, the drifter is in the garage and I have been tying flies. A couple trips to Cumberland Transit for marabou, deer hair, beads, hooks, Puglisi fibers, more hooks, eyes and the list goes on and on. As is the case with most anglers there is always something else I "need".

Staying inside can get boring and if it is raining where you are, Fly Image Magazine is worth a look. And if that isn't enough try the video below.

Riding High: A Season on the Fly from Waterline Media on Vimeo.

This is the final season of Spanish Fly. I think most of us have watched the show and enjoyed the stories of both fly fishing, gear and live bait. The first time I remember watching the show I saw this guy guiding a client in a bay. There was a concrete pier and a hot fish. When the fish went under the pier, then out the other side, Jose jumped in with the rod and swam under the pier to the other side. Just to save the angler's fish. That was one of the coolest things on TV at that time...

Toothy Appetizers

Merry Christmas

Anyone following this report for over a year may have seen this last year. It is hands down the best Christmas fly fishing video out there. Enjoy and I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Silver and Gold from Yukon Goes Fishing on Vimeo.

Elk River and Caney Fork River Report

Stopped in the Shallows

Caney Fork River Report: The river is only fishing OK at the moment. The generation schedule keeps water high, in the river, for longer periods of time. The higher water spreads out the fish more and makes us all fish deeper. Fishing nymphs with a beadhead and even a little extra lead is more productive. Fishing streamers with dumbell eyes helps and fishing over the shoals and gravel bars will get some looks and takes.

Brookies in Fast Moving Water

The big story on the Caney is the US Army Corps plan to place buoys across the dam pool at the Caney Fork and other Cumberland River system dams. The Army Corps has apparently decided to comply with a regulation and as a result the access to the majority of the dam pool with be off limits to everyone.   I enjoy fishing the pool certain times of the year, but we don't fish it when the sluice gate is wide open or even likely to run. We don't fish it during the late Summer sluicing periods because it is so dangerous. However, some folks apparently don't understand the danger and get themselves into trouble. So we will see what happens in the coming days.

The President/ Founder of Calvary Outfitters

The Elk River: The generation during the week is running too strong for good fishing right now. But TVA is angler friendly on the weekends. The water is stained but the fish are active. There are fish hitting flies from one ramp to the other. The last few trips down to fish the Elk we have had large numbers. The big fish are illusive but there are plenty of hatchery brats to keep anglers occupied between the holdovers. On the weekends fish nymphs in even the least moving water. A good drift is key, as always, and ticking the bottom isn't a bad idea either. 
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We are heading into Christmas and this is a good time to thank everyone. Those of you who stop by and read this report I sure hope it helps with keeping up on the latest fly fishing news in Middle TN. For those who have booked trips this year, I have to say this has been one of our best years. Some days were challenging and some seemed easy as pie. All the trips have been a blast and I appreciate everything. Hopefully everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Fish Tails

Two Friends on the River

These Were on the Bottom

When Steve sent a text to get back on the boat, I knew it would be hard to live up to the expectations. The last time Steve was on the boat, with his son Adam, we had a great time, caught nice fish and in spite of the wind, the weather was good. As the day Steve booked grew closer, reports from the river were worse and worse. And my trips to the river weren't outstanding. The day before Steve and Rick's trip, several people, reported dismal results from the river. So I tied up some flies that "should" work, bought a new fly rod, reel and line and met the guys at the ramp when the Army Corps turned off the generator.

Fall Colors

Rick had not been around a fly rod much before the trip. We spent a while showing him the roll cast and how to cast with some distance. We discussed mending, how the water comes at different angles and of course how to mend in those conditions. The wind also would play a role during the day and it wouldn't always positive. However, we came to the river and the guys expected a good day...So I pulled up the anchor and we started drifting. Steve remembered the things we worked on during his last trip and he hooked up first with a hatchery brat rainbow that came from some structure. We had Rick fishing down the middle and drifting a nymph along the bottom. He hooked up and soon had his first fish, a dark rainbow, in the net. Alright the skunk was off and we were getting results.

Steve Gets the Skunk Off the Boat...

One of Steve's Brown Trout

We brought several hatchery brats to the net and concentrated on the hi-value areas, and they produced. We kept bouncing nymphs, and bouncing nymphs, and bouncing nymphs... Just when anglers think they have snagged the bottom a fish will flash. The guys were bouncing nymphs and both soon had a hook-up. Rick had a nice brookie, but Steve stuck a real good brown. The day was improving and it was still early.

20" of Brown Trout Goodness (The Brown is the one in the Middle of the Photo)

Then we floated into a spot on the river that has been good for everyone this year, except me. I have taken more anglers into this area this year and we have came away empty handed. So with the guide season coming to a close....what the heck. We drifted in, Steve was fishing right down the gut as Rick started picking his way through the blowdowns. Somewhere between a heavy wind gust and trying to keep the boat under control, Rick's indicator took a dive. He set the hook just as I regained control of the drifter. We pulled the brown out of the wood and into the deep pocket. Rick did everything I asked. We made it through several runs and even a jump, then Rick brought the brown to the net. He did everything just right and the rod, I bought the day before, already had good mojo! Not only that, we had two good slams and it wasn't even lunch. The trip was coming around to our way of thinking.

Completing a Grand Slam

Rick Happily Hooked-up

Steve was happy to see his friend catch a nice fish and make the 20 + Club. We bounced some nymphs and just drifted. The guys picked up fish along the way and we had some stretches where it seemed the fish just didn't want to cooperate. Then, Steve's indicator dove as he fished some structure...(see a theme here). He set the hook and started backing the fish out of the blowdown. Rick wasn't content and a short time later had a fish on too. Another double. Rick waited patiently as  Steve brought his fish to the net, Rick brought his fish around and into the net as well. Steve scored his nice brown just before the lunch bell rang...We really don't have a lunch bell.

Steve With Some Brown Trout Goodness

After lunch the guys said it would be great if they could catch a couple more fish before it was too dark to see. We picked up a few more than a couple as we kept the boat off the banks and battled the wind. We fished a lot of the same spots that were fished on Steve's last trip. Some of those spots produced and some did not produce. The guys kept at it and seemingly never getting tired of casting and mending.

Phisch Tails

The guys were obviously two friends who go way back. These long floats give folks plenty of time to talk about all kinds of stuff, while they catch up. As they talked and I told my same two jokes, we were now three guys having a nice day floating down the river.
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Rick was fishing a ledge when he set the hook. The fish began a run around the front of the boat. "Someone" in the boat commented on the way Rick was fighting such a small fish. Since we hadn't caught a glimpse of the fish it seemed OK to give Rick a hard time. Then the rod tip started bouncing as the fish started head shaking. The fish continued around the boat. Rick kept the leader out of the anchor arm, anchor rope, anchor and Steve's hat. The fish made a lap around the boat as we backed over to a gravel bar. Rick gained control of the feisty rainbow and got the fish's head up. Then the fish came to the net and Rick had another entry into the 20 + Club.  We took a couple photos, then made sure the fish was ready and released the rainbow back to the ledge.

Rainbow Goodness

We kept floating as other boats made their way to the takeout. Then we fell in behind them and continued to fish. Finally the darkness was catching us. By the time we made it to the takeout and got the boat on the trailer, it was dark. We had good discussion on the way back to the top of the ramp. Steve and Rick caught their share of fish and then some The thing about these two is they ask questions until they seemingly completely understand. They weren't afraid to ask a question more than once if I wasn't explaining things clearly. I believe this is one of the keys to their success. Well that and a little fly rod mojo never hurts.

Nashville Area Fly Fishing

It must have been a Caney Fork week. It seemed like every time we took the boat out of the garage we were heading toward Center Hill Dam. So I had opportunities to get some good info on the river. The one thing I forgot to do was get the water temperature. I can tell you the water is cold, but that's "all I got" on the temps. There is more to the story on the river though... 

queues de poisson

Let's talk about the water. The clarity of the water release from Center Hill Dam is crystal clear, or pretty close. The sluice has been turned off and now there are many theories out there about lake turn over and such when discussing the previous couple months. Whatever the change is, since turning off the sluice, it had a definite clearing effect on the water. That brings us back to the reason we go to the river in the first place...

Donnie Hooked Up Again...

 ...the fish. With this clear water the fish have plenty of inspection time to make up their minds concerning what they want to taste and what they do not want to taste. Even when the water is being released through the generators the water is clear. However, when the water is released the fish don't have quite as much inspection time and that is good for fishing streamers. That's right we love deer hair and marabou and right now the fish only like them. The fish will love them later. This year I am going to try some additional streamer techniques and hopefully positive reports will follow. 

Duck Dynasty Material

On low water it makes more sense to fish the high value areas. Lately the sluice has been turned off completely the flow has been slower with no generation. The dirty water that was coming from the sluice, even the 250 CFS release, is not in the river. Again clearer water and even more inspection time. Right now a slight wind in these situations isn't terrible. Whitecaps on the water are a different story. A slight breeze and small ripples on the water have helped us this week for sure. (Never thought I would say that).  

Upriver Views

That's the report this week. So, as this guide season comes to a close and we get ready for next year there are some other things on the horizon. There are some additional rods that need to be purchased, new lines that need to be put on reels as we head into the Winter streamer season. Also, in the near future I hope to do a product review or two. There are musky that need chasing and a trip or two to the the Park to check on those native fish. For now thanks for stopping by and taking a look at the report from Middle Tennessee.