I don't think it is as reliable these days because they don't generate as often as the did in past years. Most of the power is purchased now then marked up for the consumers. In the past though guys used to get permission to walk in there and would catch them from the bank. Shad was always in there when the water was cold. Could get bait easily and the fish were always there. Past several years it hasn't been that way because the generation is inconsistent. A fun one to try in the summer months though is the dam way up river at Laurel River where it joins the Cumberland River. During the hottest months, they will release that cold water from Laurel Lake, and the stripers go crazy for a brief period while they are releasing water. It can be fun as heck up there!!! Typically catch a lot of shorts and barely keepers but have limited on good ones a couple times.