• Cherokee Tailwater Fishing Report - TN

    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 - TN

    Tailwater elevation was 921.09 feet on June 19 at 8 AM, reflecting no change since last report. As usual, average daily discharges have remained minimal for this report period. 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 over the past four days averaged out to 61 degrees.

    SUMMARY:
    Angler success remains a mixed bag on the tailrace this report period with good fishing coming and going without consistency. This may be reflective of the minimal release activity from the dam. But, the fish are there and they are healthy and have to eat. It is necessary to note that the Indian Cave Access to the tailrace is closed entirely, with no access permitted to the public. This action is due to private property issues and concerns.

    THE FOLLOWING PORTION OF THIS REPORT IS UNCHANGED AN REMAINS ACCURATE
    RAINBOW AND BROWN TROUT: Good
    As usual, more rainbows have been caught the past week than browns. They are certainly in the tailrace in great numbers. The best times to fly-fish for trout on this tailrace is early morning and late afternoon when the sun is diminished on the water. Some really nice hatches have been noted at sunup and just prior to sundown.
    The following does not change for trout. Fly fishermen: fish the hatch or use nymphs or suitable subsurface lure if rises are absent. Use flies and lures in accordance with insect hatches and rises and focus on nymphs and try a weighted soft hackle in dark gray. Spin casters: use flat fish, daredevils and spinners in appropriate colors as indicated by water conditions. Try night crawlers in deeper sections with slower water.

    BLACK BASS:
    Smallmouth have become active and some nice fish are being caught.
    Best way to fish is from kayak, drift boat or other small floating device. This allows the angler to reach areas where fish are located.
    Spinner baits, as well as deep diving crank baits and green swim baits are recommended for spin fishermen. Shades of green or green and shad are preferred colors. Streamers and woolybuggers weighted with bead eyes in various colors will work for fly fishermen as well as wet flies and poppers in bright. Try a size 12 soft hackle tied light brown with blood red thread. A simple size 12 hares nymph greased and floated will catch bass also.
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