Tail water elevation was 921.52 feet as of May 7, 2014 at 10 PM. 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 Wednesday, May 7 at 1:00 PM was 52 degrees. Temperatures at 2:00 PM taken at Nance Ferry measured 58 degrees. Again, the six degree difference in temperature exists between the dam and Nance Ferry. TVA has one generator scheduled to operate through May 10. This situation provides optimum fishing conditions.

SUMMARY:
The water is progressively getting warmer and warmer as the air temperatures increase. Soon anglers will be chasing the coolest water temperatures as hard as the trout themselves, as this is where the trout will be. It is recommended to fish shady parts of the tailrace under overhanging tree limbs and even over under-cut boulders and large rocks where fish can hide from the sun. It’s further noted that the insect hatches have slowed considerably. The visible rises have been vacant from the surface. Remember - fish do not have eye lids to close against the sun, therefore, a lot of species will avoid direct sunlight, including trout.
The lack of rain has caused lower flows and some sediment build up. This could cause sediment build up and could affect insect hatches if cold moving water isn’t released from the dam more frequently.

RAINBOW & BROWN TROUT: Good

The best time to fish is when one generator is operational. The fish in the tailrace, it seems, are most active at on generator and that operation is scheduled through the tenth of the month. Lures below have not changed.

Lures to use are (for the fly fisherman) size 22 Griffiths Gnat, size 20 - 22 soft hackle fished just under the surface, size 22 black bead head nymph. The black nymph could be fished allowing the nymph to swing down and across the current. Assure the nymph is weighted to keep it in the water column and not necessarily on the bottom.
Spin casters should not rely upon fly hatches but should fish for trout using spinners or flat fish lures drawn upstream along current seams or fished across currents from outside seam to outside seam. The earth worm or night crawler is a great live bait choice.

A final word about the fishery and a note of caution: Remember to pack out your trash. There is no one assigned to remove trash from Nance Ferry or the Indian Cave parking area. Indian Cave access is very sensitive as it is made available to anglers through the good heartedness of private owners. They can shut that access off in a heartbeat if they desire. Don’t give them a reason. Good fishing!

BLACK BASS: Still No rating as angler data has not been received.