Howard and Jo on the River

Nice Spring Day

Howard called a few weeks back and we found a date that worked for everyone. This trip we would take his cousin Jo. Howard and Jo have been fishing together since they were 14 or 15 years old and the banter started early. I did my best to stay out of it, but I just couldn't help myself. We had a great day of discussion, jokes and flinging flies to hungry trout. Before the day was over Jo would boat the largest brown he had ever caught, Howard would provide the right pattern for Jo's line and we would all endure the first hail storm of the year on the river.

Jo Hooked-Up

We started on nymphs and as soon as we saw the first rise, Howard was ready to go to dry flies. We put him on the dries and fished shallow water. Jo stayed on the Tutto and hooked up first. It happened kind of that way, but if you were there you might have seen something a bit different. We spotted a rising fish and Howard lined up, then timed the fish. He landed the fly within a foot or so of the fish at just about the right time. The fish was feeding in about a 4 foot zone and that dry was just floating into the zone. Then out of nowhere a big ole nymph came flying into the picture with a plop! The dry floated about another foot, while the nymph settled on the end of the line and turned the indicator. Both offerings inched toward the fish and then the indicator disappeared. Just like that Jo stole Howard's fish had another fish.

Fish-Tails

Howard Gets on the Board With a Nice Rainbow

We picked up a fish here and there along the way, then we entered a good stretch of river. It was still just a fish here and there. Jo sent a nymph right down one of the best runs. The drift was perfect, the depth was perfect, everything seemed perfect. The indicator never moved.  The next cast was in the trees. That Tutto was now out of reach as the line snapped. Howard made a fly suggestion that we had fished together before and he fishes regularly on some other rivers. I dug through the boxes and came up with the pattern, which was soon on Jo's line. He immediately boated a fish. We were in the game before but this bug turned the tide for the trip. 

Another Good Rainbow for the Duo

The weather was another part of the story for the day. The weather during the morning and early afternoon was dead-calm. Blue skies were the call, with very little wind. However, earlier in the week the Weather Channel Girl made it apparent the afternoon would be much, much different. She called for heavy thunderstorms, wind and hail. So, we all brought waders and were glad we did. But we will get to that later...

...and Another Nice Rainbow for Jo

Howard got on nymphs and soon both anglers were mending, drifting and catching. There are times when it becomes obvious it is just one guy's day. Today it would be Jo's Day. Several times Howard would make a great drift through a likely spot and then Jo would drift through and pick up the fish. Howard and I agreed he had several of those days, but today was just Jo's day.  

.....and Another Nice Rainbow for Howard

The Big Fish of the Trip

After Howard suggested we get Jo on a new pattern and he boated a decent rainbow, we kept at the mending and getting that "perfect drift". Jo's fly drifted into a likely place and the indicator took a slow dive. Sometimes a slow dive is an indication of a fly snagging the bottom. This slow dive was different, it was quicker than the current flow. After a quick nudge, Jo was setting the hook. The line came tight and the fish came straight to the boat. We decided the fish was small, but once the indicator dove it didn't come back to the top. The fish started chugging and went under the boat. I started turning the boat and the fish kept turning, making me wonder if I was doing the right thing. Finally after almost a full circle the fish came out from the boat and started upstream. Jo had the rod tip up and in the turn Howard tried to hook Jo's line and make him lose the fish Howard's line got tangled in Jo's line. Jo fought the fish and pulled Howard's line and his line through the guides. Then Howard's fly came to the top guide of Jo's rod and the fly just broke off. The hook-set must have been a good one because, through all this, the brown was still on and jugging upstream. We backed upstream with the fish as it was headed for a blow down.  Jo was on the rod and trying to hold the back back. Finally he turned the fish and the head came up, then the fish came to the net. We got the usual hero shots and revived the fish. After that we watched the bruiser give a big tail kick and it was gone. 

Sever Thunderstorm Warning!

The weather finally caught us. What started out as a clear day, quickly turned to overcast as the wind picked up. I have been through many of these storms and they usually move quick, but some storms set in and send us to the ramp. This storm was a slow moving system that brought with it lightening. We hunkered down for a while and the skies opened up. The rains came and the wind blew, along with the occasional lightening bolt. When the rain let up we moved on. The rains came back and brought the hail with them. Pea size hail is not too hard to endure, but when you add marble size, it sends everyone rowing for cover. We stopped again and waited out the second cell. Finally it passed too and the guys went back to fishing. We all know that rain can turn the fish on, but this time the feeding stopped. We decided that the hail put the fish down and finally rowed out the rest  of the way to the ramp. 

**

It was good to spend the day with two anglers who have spent most of their lives fishing and hunting together. They were easy to guide and in-spite of some unforeseen circumstances, took everything in stride. Hopefully, next time, Mother Nature and the Weather Channel Girl will give us good weather for an entire trip!

Tennessee Trout Fishing Report

The Caney Fork is generating during the day, with two generators being the norm. There is no generation at night and short windows of opportunities for early morning fishing. Keep a keen eye on the water levels and get out of the water when you first notice an increase in flow. There are reports of fish being caught with both generators pushing. However, that is a lot of work and usually is tough to get consistent results. Streamers and sinking lines will put fish in the boat.

Reflections of the Morning Fog Lifting

Brent and I caught a low water float the other day. Our catching started out slow, real darn slow. When the sun came up the fish turned on. We found some feeding fish late in the day and fished dries as well. This kept us on the river late and made a tough following day. But, all is well and we will return to fish another day.

Fish Tails

The Obey River- Floating the Obey on two generators is possible. Pretty much the same thing goes for this river on two generators as goes with two generators on the Caney. Use streamers and sinking lines. Nymphs fished along the seam and in the back-eddies will also produce. The captain needs to keep a sharp eye on the flow and obstructions close to the bank. Getting a boat in a bad position on this much flow can cause a capsize. We are staying off the rivers with this much release.

Fishy Backwaters

The Elk- this little jewel is producing fish and favorable generation. Fishing is tough, but putting a nymph on the nose of a fish will produce a strike, the rest is up to the angler. Fish nymphs deep! If the nymph isn't ticking the bottom from time to time, it is not down in the water column far enough. We have been fishing multiple nymph rigs against single nymph rigs. The single nymph rig out-fishes the multiple rigs every time.  I am not sure I understand why the fish take the single rig more often, apparently the fish know.

Two Words Plenty-Full

Two Things Keep Us Going...Brown Trout and Diet Dew

Warmwater Fishing Report

Middle Tennessee continues to receive rain and those afternoon thunderstorms. These storms mess with the clarity of the tailwaters, not to mention the added water to the lakes. All this rain starts a chain of events that lead to generation. But, Spring is here and not just in theory! Daytime temperatures in the 70's and 80's, birds singing and snakes! We saw this year's first snake this week. Consider this a public service announcement or a heads-up, or whatever, but Mr. No Shoulders is out and about so watch it...

Fish Tails and Plaid

David K and I decided to hit some warm water fisheries and chase the musky while the tailwaters cleared. The conversation, via text, went something like this..

"Hey Dude we need to get out and chase that musky you have been wanting to get"

"I'm in, same time and same place?"

"Yep see you there" 

So we were off to boat David's musky. We were on the water with some new bullets on the line. David stayed up late tying and brought a cool new/old patterns to try. I decided we would fish out of David's box and went to sleep early. 

Sun-up and the River is Just Over That Hill

The Plan? The plan was for David to catch that musky. I settled into the rowers bench and passed rods to the front of the boat as needed. Although the water was high from the storms the day before, off color, and 60 degrees, David opted for a non-weighted streamer on a floating line. We fished the usual spots and then it happened, just like that and not long into the float. David hooked the musky, fought the fish's attempts to run and brought the fish to the boat. The fight was over quick and before I knew it we had a musky in the boat with us....the fish was mad and hot. Now bringing a hot fish in a boat is one thing when it is a trout, or a bass or even a catfish, a hot musky is a whole other animal. The teeth are sharp and if the fish gets away, a slap to the face with that tail can cause some serious pain.  We got the fish under control pretty quick, snapped the appropriate photos and released it to fight another day.

We sat at anchor for a while and took in the morning. We discussed rowing upstream back to the ramp, against the current and going home. We thought about loading up and going to the nearest tailwater. We could throw nasty streamers to big browns or we could just float the rest of the way and toss meaty flies to mad fish. I pulled up the anchor and backed the boat out into the current, then gave a shove on the oars and we were off again throwing meaty flies...

Incoming!

Kevin and Brady on the River

Brady and Kevin

Kevin called one afternoon and wanted to nymph fish with his son Brady. We found a break in generation and  I picked them up at their motel. We launched the drifter from the gravel bar and rowed downstream to less pressured water.  The guys were rigged up with the "Super Secret Nymph" with droppers tied on below. Kevin's first cast was a thing of beauty, for a couple different reasons. The first reason was simply because Kevin looked behind him then he started his backcast. Such a simple thing can be a big thing. The second was the way he shot the line and got an extra couple rod lengths of distance from the cast. Brady, was up next and took a look behind him, then let the cast rip. Brady hasn't fished quite as much as his Dad, but within a few minutes he was in the groove and gained twice the distance in the first hour, 

First Fish

Kevin struck first on the dropper and then came up with two more fish. We came into a stretch in the river that I found last year. We fished the stretch and Brady came back with two fish of his own. Then when he was stripping in he got a hit, but it was a short-strike. So Brady sent the fly back into the zone and the fish struck again. This time Brady came up with the rod and the line came tight. After a nice fish Brady had a good fish and caught up on the friendly-family competition.

Brady Hooked-Up

Brady With Some Rainbow Goodness

We continued on and we hit some sections of the river with a fish here and there. But, in some sections, it was "get a bucket and hose" cause these guys were on fire. Then things would calm down. As creeks dumped water into the river, the river would gain a little more color. The fishing slowed with every creek, but then the fish would start biting again and we would bring more fish to the net. After lunch Kevin got into a good run and pulled out a decent fish on the super secret nymph.

Kevin With Another Rainbow This Time at Lunch

Kevin's Brown

Results of Recent Rains

So the guys kept casting and fishing and picked up a few more fish. We caught a double and marked that off the list of things to do. We stopped in a section of the river with a lot of structure and fished dries to a feeding fish. The feeding was inconsistent, but we pulled out the year's first hopper anyway. Well, really the pattern is a mix of spent caddis and hopper. It was an interesting experiment even though it is a bit early in the year. So this day wound down and daylight was gone when we came to the take-out. Kevin and Brady were just a lot of fun to fish with and I am hopeful they learned the river well enough to make a trip or two back to fish from their own kayaks.  

***

The river levels are mostly up and a bit down with the generation schedule. Water is still filling the lakes and Spring is on the way. We are hoping the water levels will catch the Summer pool and that is when we will "hopefully" have some windows of fishing opportunity. Trips are scheduling so if anyone is thinking of booking, it might be a good idea to get a date reserved. Until then we are tying that Super Secret Nymph and a few other trick patterns that are already producing for anglers.

Fish Tails .........and Water Lines

Tennessee Tornadoes, Hail, Wind, Bass and Panfish Report

Congrats to Greg - His First Fish on the Fly!

Wednesday in Middle Tennessee was a day of tornadoes and high winds, with heavy rains in the southern part of the state. All plans were put on hold and then delayed as waters cleared.. Friday in Middle and East Tennessee was much worse. Multiple thunderstorms throughout the day and reports of epic storms in Middle Tennessee, in the evening. East TN dealt with early storms and tornadoes and before the day was over there were reports massive hailstorms, tornadoes in the double digits and heavy rains. So Tennessee and most of the southern states saw our share of bad weather, we are all due some sunshine and calm days. Hopper season can't get here fast enough for me!

Panfish

The tailwaters were not really cooperative so Greg and Brent joined me for a day on an area lake. Greg was one of the anglers who I had the opportunity to fish with on the Calvary Outfitters trip in November. Greg's mission that weekend was to learn how to cast and learn the basics of fly fishing. As was the case with all of us there were other reasons to be there. Greg learned to cast that weekend and turns out, he is a pretty darn good caster. So when we unloaded the drifter at the lake he fell back in the groove pretty quick. 

Water Clarity Was......Lacking?

It is real tough to go fishing this time of year and not take the streamer rod. Soon Greg was banging the banks with a Galloup pattern and the sinking line was helping Greg feel the rod load. Brent was in the back of the boat putting the fly within inches of the bank. It was all good. The fishing was a bit slow, so we took a break and made some big changes. We made a move to more shallow water and soon we were back to work.  Greg was first to hook up with a nice bass. Then before we knew it he was hooked up with another bass and then a panfish. He was in a groove. We spent the rest of the afternoon bringing bass and panfish and introducing them to the boat net. The sun went down behind the treeline and soon it was a bit on the cool side. We headed back to the ramp, spooked a couple geese that were too noisy anyway and loaded up the drifter. Not a bad day of warmwater fishing for March. 

Spooked!

Brent Fishing as the Sun Went Down

Fishtails

Wintertime Tailwater Report

The Drifter at Rest

The Caney Fork- There were some windows of no generation this week, but the sluice was open. Now the US Army Corps is running two on for several hours and then one on for several hours. The lake level is falling and then leveling out. The river doesn't fall completely to a one generator level, which leaves some different pockets and back eddy opportunities. Streamers are working pretty good with all three species of trout coming to the meaty stuff. 

Healthy Tailwater Holdovers

This week Anthony and Dan joined me for a float. The fishing was good when the wind was low and we found a fish here and there as the wind howled. We found low water and fished the shoals, drifted through the pools as we discussed the happenings of the Winter. Sometimes the trip to the river is almost as adventurous as the day of fishing. This morning started out like many other mornings. It was cold with frost as I pulled the drifter out of the garage. I stopped by Anthony's and we hooked the boat to his truck then took off to meet Dan. We picked up Dan and sped off to the river. Sped to the river, those seem like a harmless words. Dan was telling of his 10 Day Southern Most Amish Furniture Tarpon Islamorada Trip to the Keys, when the words Sped to the River were added to passing an officer who was driving too darn slow in the fast lane. The words Sped to the River then took on a new life jut a few minutes later. Those words would also delay our trip to the river. Soon we were discussing the finer points of small town traffic court with the officer, while all I could think about was being late to the river. I didn't mention that to the officer as he explained how much Anthony's ticket "would have cost, $290 something" if he decided to write a ticket vs. just a warning. Thank you's from all of us and we were gone, leaving the officer in the rear view mirror, probably wondering 'what the hell kind of boat is that?'. 

Low, Clear Water

The Obey- This river had some nice windows of zero generation this week and continues as I type this report. If you make the trip to Celina, the flow on no generation will be low and slow after the water falls out. Use the small stuff as the fish get a good look at whatever food they are deciding to eat and matching the food they eat daily is no secret to catching nice fish. Dark colors, although color on nymphs seems to be secondary to size and shape, which really seems to make color third in line, anyway dark colors this time of year seem to turn a fish's a bit quicker than a light color. Slow painful, eat a sandwich while it floats, are the type of drifts you will find on this tailwater. ***
The Elk River- this river is fishing very good right now and if someone is thinking about booking a wintertime trip to dust off those early season cobwebs, this would be the float I would recommend. The action is good and there are many different types of water to help re-engage those angling skills. There are shots at nice fish and the hatchery brats keep anglers entertained as well. Presentation is a key to this river right now. The water is that early-year clear so the fish get some inspection time before making their decision. The wintertime float is discounted so give me a call if you want to get out.

Fish Tails

Musky in Tennessee?

..the answer- Yep

Tennessee Musky from Bend Pool Media on Vimeo.

Tennessee Musky Fishing

These Fish Can Be Anywhere

Brent and Mark joined me for a day on the river. This was supposed to be my last day before getting back on the tailwaters for a while, or at least until the next big rain event comes. This trip started with almost immediate action. Mark was first up and still within site of the ramp when a large toothy musky took his fly. The fish came from structure, took the fly, turned hard and bit right through Mark's bite tippet. It was over before it stated but left Mark shaking and saying the same thing over and over... "that was the biggest fresh water fish I have ever had on the line". That is a pretty common response.

Fly Fishing is Like a Balancing Act Sometimes

The stick balancing on the end of this blow-down has been there for several weeks. The water, rain and wind have not knocked it off. No one has come along in a boat and taken it off and it has not dried out unevenly, then fallen off. Apparently, the stick was in the right place at the right time, with the right current and seems to be somewhat lucky. Fly fishing can be like that stick on the end of that log just looking for the right current while hoping luck will be there in the end. 
**
We all know about currents, especially on the tailwaters. Center Hill was pushing over 10,000 CFS for over a month (seems like a million months). This week the US Army Corps dialed the generator back to one, with a release of 3600 CFS. Relief is finally here for most floating anglers and the wading folks see the water levels heading down, down ,down as their day also draws near. While I am typing this report it is snowing and it rained some last night as well. The weather forecast calls for rain 3 out of the next 7 days, but it does not appear to include any significant rain events for the Center Hill Lake area. We need to some more cold weather to get a good shad kill and wake those trout up!

Fish Tails

Tims Ford is releasing water during the week, which makes for some interesting floats on falling water. The fish have been taking the usual stuff with little surface activity. Soft hackles swung in the low current on the weekend are still producing and don't be afraid to tie a soft hackle on as a dropper below a nymph. This technique can produce fish from the end of the drift just as the line begins to tighten, which puts the soft hackle into action.

This Fish Bloodied Some Knuckles 

So, back to the musky action. Mark followed up his first fish on the day with a follow from a smaller fish. Brent was next up with action. He hooked up on a section of river that looked good, but has never produced. We saw the fish sitting in the middle of the river, in the current on a shoal and the next thing we knew Brent was saying fish-on. This fish was on long enough to get the net and position the boat, then we stood there as the fish moved upstream and toward the bank. I just knew Brent was going to boat his second musky, but the fish made a turn and then came unbuttoned.  The fire tiger color was working. Next it was my turn and luck was on my side this time. The musky hit and the 10 weight BVK did the rest. The musky came to the boat and even bent the rod in butt section, where all good fish bend a rod. After some bloody knuckles and cut fingers the fish was released back into the hole from which it came. 

***

The day continued with additional sight fishing and some big follows. We found some fish that would follow and then sulk and refuse to follow again. Everyone saw some action and at least had a fish on the line. Musky are not easy to catch, the days are long and action can come at anytime. It's a good way to pass the time when the tailwaters are not at their best. And it is cool to hear someone say  "that was the biggest fresh water fish I have ever had on the line"...

A Day on the River

The Weapons of Choice

"If I can just get a follow". That quote was from fellow angler Steve H. who went to chase some musky with me. Before the day was over he would have his follow and then some with one nipping musky. We would also have the"one that got away story". Here are some of the photos from the day...

Steve Delivering the Groceries

Some Musky Munchies

Musky Tricks

40" of Musky vs. several inches of  Musky Munchies

The Kick of the Tail

Throwing the Fly Right Back at Us - But a Good Action Shot

Is There Relief Around the Corner?

Quite Calming

A check on future generation and future weather is showing a possibility of getting on the water under some semi-regular wintertime conditions. The future generation on the Caney Fork is predicting a shut down of a couple generators, which gets us back to a one generator release and maybe a sluice to go with it. That will be a welcomed change for anglers. Hopefully the fish will realize what is going on and get into the main river channel before the water falls out. The trout may have an IQ of 6 but their instincts make up for other shortcomings. We are hopeful on all counts...

They Never Stop Hunting

The Obey is keeping with the usual release and the predictions are unchanged. Expect the same release this coming week as last week.and possibly in the next few weeks. The initial  Obey stocking is not far away and the shad that come through (during regular years) brings those big trout up the dam. Two events that are worth the trip up there. We will see hat happens in this unusual year.

Fish Tails...

The Elk River- is slowing down the release and this weekend saw a window of no generation. The trout are hitting the usual nymphs and smaller streamers. For the coming weekdays the forecast predicts several hours of zero generation during the middle of the day this week. Beware of the unexpected releases though. 

**

The release guidelines that were put into place a few years back are helping the trout, in my opinion. Several years ago it was tough to catch a trout near the dam during the first few months of the year. Sure there were some fish in the river, but now the fish appear to be holding over with a more healthy look. 

***

Below is the operating guide and the red line reflects the rain we received over the past 48 hours. We really dodged a bullet on this latest rain event, thankfully, and that appears to be opening up some windows of angling opportunity!

The Elk River Operating Guide