• Cherokee Tailwater Fishing Report

    Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
    http://www.tnfish.org/index.html
  • Gary was raised on a farm in Scottdale, Pennsylvania and graduated from East Huntingdon High School in 1964. He is a well rounded outdoorsman in every sense of the word. He attended Penn State University studying Law Enforcement and Correction. Gary has a passion for fly fishing, fly tying, canoes, photography and anything with fur, fins or feathers on it.

  • Cherokee Tailwater Fishing Report

    Tail water elevation was 921.03 feet as of April 23, 2014 at 4 AM. Next day release
    schedules and data on Cherokee Dam are available here:
    http://www.tva.gov/lakes/crh_r.htm


    Temperatures taken on the tailrace at the dam on Tuesday the 22nd was 52 degrees
    measured at 4:00 PM. Temperatures at 05:00 PM taken at Nance Ferry measured 58
    degrees. Again, the six degree difference in temperature exists between the dam and
    Nance Ferry.


    SUMMARY:
    The tailrace has been fishing really well the entire reporting period. Water temperatures have been cold but are steadily climbing and have a long way to go before negatively affecting trout fishing. Rainbow trout of various sizes have been caught throughout the week, the largest measured during the creel survey was 19.25”. It was measured on the upper tailrace close to the dam. That fish as well as many other fine trout, have been caught on night crawlers. The black fly hatch has been prolific across the span of water from Indian Cave to Nance Ferry and beyond. Black as well as tan midges are constantly hatching, especially in the Nance Ferry area. Stone flies have not made their appearance in great numbers, although their nymph form can be found on the bottoms of rocks in faster water. A tiny size 20 tan caddis makes its appearance occasionally but only stays for very short periods of time and disappears. Of course, the fly hatches apply primarily to the fly rod aficionado, but the reality is that spin casting to rising trout is a difficult situation.


    A word needs to be mentioned about anglers policing theirselves. We all know that
    river access is extremely difficult and private property abounds on both side of the
    tailrace. There is a reason for this state of affairs and much of that reason is litter and
    disregard for private property. Plastic bottles, food and plastic bags, half eaten food,
    fishing line, drink cups and a variety of other junk to include beer bottles and baby
    diapers can be found in the parking lot at Nance Ferry. It must be realized that the
    Indian Cave access area is private property and access is permitted to anglers out of
    the kind consideration of the land owner. That access can be turned off instantly at the
    land owner’s whim. Please be considerate of private property. Please, if you carry it in
    – take it back out!

    RAINBOW & BROWN TROUT: Good
    This fishery is really “on” for trout. Many nice rainbows have been caught in the area
    between the boat ramp at the dam and Nance Ferry downstream.


    Fly fishermen use Griffith’s black gnat size 20, tan caddis size 18 or 20 as required and
    sparsely tied. Tiny size 20 to 22 soft hackles in black with a few turns of gray thread for
    the body should work for black and white flies alike. A black size 20 soft hackle with a
    turn or two of orange thread at the head will add just enough oddity to the fly to make it
    selective to trout as the fly floats along in the mass of other flies.


    Spinning lures remain unchanged for the most part. The recommended flat fish in
    rainbow, brown and brook trout patterns is deadly on trout as well as bass if weighted.
    Weighted flatfish can be purchased from the internet. The old, original daredevil is
    highly recommended but, it’s hard to beat the common night crawler or garden worm.

    Fly fishing is fantastic the entire length of the reporting area, Cherokee Dam
    downstream to one mile below Nance Ferry with the only limiting factor being river
    access. If one can get on the river – fly fishing is sensational right now. Wading is
    possible at Nance Ferry and Indian Cave parking lot with some wading access along
    Clarks Road, just off Tampico. NO NEW BASS INFORMATION AT THIS TIME
    SMALLMOUTH BASS: Good - The smallmouth fishing on this tailrace is excellent but
    so far very, very few anglers are targeting this fish.


    The following remains unchanged from last report. The river section downstream from
    the Cherokee Dam around the corner at the stone quarry is a hot area for bass. A boat
    is needed on this section of the river unless permission is gained from property owners.
    Smallmouth action is picking up at Indian Cave and upstream, and again, a boat is
    required to cover that section of water.


    All lures, other than flies, mentioned above for trout will work for smallmouth as well as
    largemouth. As water temperatures warm a bit, low 50s at least, shad raps and jerk
    baits will be very useful.


    This river is covered with underwater rock ledges that are deeply undercut and will hold
    smallmouth of surprising size. Patience and possibly slower than normal retrieve, until
    water temps rise, should illicit strikes.
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