Caney Fork WOW!

[MNfisher]

I took these pics on July 6th at 6 pm. over 20 hours after the Generators and sluice gate were turned off. so all this is run off! The SmithsFork has backed up past Bettys and there was NO current at all at Bettys. Just very high still water. Once pic is at Bettys Island, the other is as the Gordonsville Ramp.

Happy was all mudded up too, but not as high, and the Dam area was low and clear as can be.

[Travis C.]

That is crazy!

I was looking at some rainfall amounts for a 24hr stretch between July 4th and July 5th (0600-0600)

Sites at:

Great Falls- 2.08"
Mcminnville- 1.29"
Center Hill Dam- 2.80"
Smith Fork- 2.98"
Stonewall- 4.07"

And this was just the 24hr stretch measured on those days.

Today is shows:

Great Falls- 1.33"
Mcminnville- 1.54"
Center Hill Dam- 1.00"
Smith Fork- 0.52"
Stonewall- 0.59"

This period covers 0600-0600 July 6-7

There is a lot of water out there.

[TroutFiend]

That high muddy water surprised me to as we crossed the I-40 bridges and Happy Access last night. But when we got to the Dam around 6 it looked great. Trout jumping out of the water everywhere. Could only get them on corn below TM float.

[browntrout]

Water on the lake side is currently at 640. With the amount of water being released from Great Falls it wouldn't surprise me to see the level at Centerhill end up at 643-645. Should make for awesome high water fishing once they turn the gens on. Getting my chores done now so I can take advantage of it.

[Execute.Method]

I should be getting up there today. No generation is planned for today, so hopefully it'll be good to bank fish from the dam down a little ways.

Can ya'll advise some spots I might want to hit from the bank/wading (where possible)? I figure the dam and Happy should be OK, but I have no idea of other spots to hit.

BTW, the solunar forecast says midday ought to be pretty good today!

[Execute.Method]

Double tap.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by Execute.Method

Can ya'll advise some spots I might want to hit from the bank/wading (where possible)? I figure the dam and Happy should be OK, but I have no idea of other spots to hit.

BTW, the solunar forecast says midday ought to be pretty good today!

http://www.tn.gov/twra/gis/troutpdf/..._CaneyFork.pdf

I thought there used to be a better map but this one will do. At #7 there is a ramp now but everything else is right.

Acccess #1-#2 is at the Dam and you bank or wade downstream.#3-#6 there will be wading available both directions upstream and down on low water just be careful crossing at #4 to go downstream. #7 there is wading downstream or walk up the bank some to the upstream wading areas.

What are you fishing with? Fly or Spin?

[Execute.Method]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

http://www.tn.gov/twra/gis/troutpdf/..._CaneyFork.pdf

I thought there used to be a better map but this one will do. At #7 there is a ramp now but everything else is right.

Acccess #1-#2 is at the Dam and you bank or wade downstream.#3-#6 there will be wading available both directions upstream and down on low water just be careful crossing at #4 to go downstream. #7 there is wading downstream or walk up the bank some to the upstream wading areas.

What are you fishing with? Fly or Spin?

Awesome!

I'll be spin fishing today. I usually do when I am fishing new water, until I know the structure a little better.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by Execute.Method

Awesome!

I'll be spin fishing today. I usually do when I am fishing new water, until I know the structure a little better.

If you have trout mags then you'll do fine as long as its on light line (2lb with a 2lb fluoro leader). The water is typically gin clear. For throwing others a 6lb fluoro line with small stick baits (I like 3-4" trout pattern rebel minnows) jerked bait erratically. But any minnow stick will work. Fish the bank areas where you want to access. Then fish it out to the middle if you can and once there stay in the middle and walk up or down throwing the banks. That is my best pattern catching them on jerkbaits low water daytime.

Small spoons or inlines work too but I like to keep them retrieved in the top 1/3 of the water column on low water or bouncing bottom in the deep holes.

[Execute.Method]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

If you have trout mags then you'll do fine as long as its on light line (2lb with a 2lb fluoro leader). The water is typically gin clear. For throwing others a 6lb fluoro line with small stick baits (I like 3-4" trout pattern rebel minnows) jerked bait erratically. But any minnow stick will work. Fish the bank areas where you want to access. Then fish it out to the middle if you can and once there stay in the middle and walk up or down throwing the banks. That is my best pattern catching them on jerkbaits low water daytime.

Small spoons or inlines work too but I like to keep them retrieved in the top 1/3 of the water column on low water or bouncing bottom in the deep holes.

I've got some spoons, but get a lot more use out of my stick baits.

I've been trying to find some f-5 rainbow trout pattern rapalas locally, but it looks like I may need to order them online. That is my ABSOLUTE favorite.


ETA: Thanks for your advice.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by Execute.Method

I've got some spoons, but get a lot more use out of my stick baits.

I've been trying to find some f-5 rainbow trout pattern rapalas locally, but it looks like I may need to order them online. That is my ABSOLUTE favorite.

A lot like the rainbow patterns in the river but I personally like the brown trout pattern. It may not matter to some but I have fished side by side in a boat ant out fished the same bait that was in rainbow. My assumption is because the TWRA stocks rainbows in the river at 8"-9" and the stock the browns in fingerlings anywhere from 2"-4". There is no natural reproduction in the river.

[Travis C.]

That is a low water #'s technique for me. You'll catch some nice fish too but mainly a lot of stockers -20" fish. Higher water or at night I am throw big stickbaits because whats out there roaming is looking to eat what's caught during the day.

[Execute.Method]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

A lot like the rainbow patterns in the river but I personally like the brown trout pattern. It may not matter to some but I have fished side by side in a boat ant out fished the same bait that was in rainbow. My assumption is because the TWRA stocks rainbows in the river at 8"-9" and the stock the browns in fingerlings anywhere from 2"-4". There is no natural reproduction in the river.

Are there any bait shops near the river to get those patterns. Wally World by me only has silver/black.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by Execute.Method

Are there any bait shops near the river to get those patterns. Wally World by me only has silver/black.

Joel's Big Rock Market has tackle and probably does but I can't say for sure yes or no. He has some items specific to the river too which is nice like some certain flies you can't get elsewhere.

There are minnows and shad in the river so that color will definitely work. I would just say pick up a trout pattern one next time your around them to try.

[Execute.Method]

On my way. In Carthage now. I'll post an aar this evening.