Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Fly Fishing the Elk River Tailwater
Tennessee
The Elk River is a little known tailwater in Tennessee,
much less anywhere else. It's relatively small and easy
to wade. It hold trout for about fifteen miles below the
dam. The trout all were stocked at one time. There
aren't any stream-bred trout known to exist in the river
but there are plenty of holdovers. Catching a good size
brown trout is very possible.
This river flows through what most of the state of
Tennessee is know for - hills. It winds and meanders its
way around moderately with fairly smooth flows. The
country around the river is all farming country although
there are some cattle along the river in some areas.
Unlike most tailwaters in Tennessee, wading is the best
method of fishing the Elk River. Of course, as with any
tailwater, the flows have to be suitable. There's a link on
your left that will provide the scheduled TVA discharge
times of the Tims Ford Dam on the Elk River.
You can float the river. If you do, you would be better off
with a canoe or small personal pontoon type boat. Be
very cautious about the discharges. When water is
being released the stream is dangerous to be wading or
in a small boat or canoe.
Access is rather limited but there's access points right
below the dam. Downstream there's a TVA access at
Garner's Ford, access at the Farris Creek Bridge and
access at the Old Dam Ford.
This river is full of scuds but it also has a few mayflies
and caddisflies. There's plenty of midge larvae in the
river and imitations of their larva, pupae and the adults
will work year round. Fly fishing the Elk River tailwater
with streamers is a good way to catch the brown trout.
We cannot provide a lot of information on this stream
because we have only fished in on one occasion;
however, it isn't the first time I have fished the Elk River.
I had fished it many times for smallmouth bass in the
state of Alabama. I won a bass tournament on the river
too many years ago to reveal.
Seasons:
Year-round
Spring:
Spring is a good time except after heavy rains when
water is being let through the dam.
Summer:
Summertime flows will vary with the electricity load.
Fall:
Fall is normally a very good time with good flows
Winter:
Most warm days are very good days to fish
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
Tennessee
The Elk River is a little known tailwater in Tennessee,
much less anywhere else. It's relatively small and easy
to wade. It hold trout for about fifteen miles below the
dam. The trout all were stocked at one time. There
aren't any stream-bred trout known to exist in the river
but there are plenty of holdovers. Catching a good size
brown trout is very possible.
This river flows through what most of the state of
Tennessee is know for - hills. It winds and meanders its
way around moderately with fairly smooth flows. The
country around the river is all farming country although
there are some cattle along the river in some areas.
Unlike most tailwaters in Tennessee, wading is the best
method of fishing the Elk River. Of course, as with any
tailwater, the flows have to be suitable. There's a link on
your left that will provide the scheduled TVA discharge
times of the Tims Ford Dam on the Elk River.
You can float the river. If you do, you would be better off
with a canoe or small personal pontoon type boat. Be
very cautious about the discharges. When water is
being released the stream is dangerous to be wading or
in a small boat or canoe.
Access is rather limited but there's access points right
below the dam. Downstream there's a TVA access at
Garner's Ford, access at the Farris Creek Bridge and
access at the Old Dam Ford.
This river is full of scuds but it also has a few mayflies
and caddisflies. There's plenty of midge larvae in the
river and imitations of their larva, pupae and the adults
will work year round. Fly fishing the Elk River tailwater
with streamers is a good way to catch the brown trout.
We cannot provide a lot of information on this stream
because we have only fished in on one occasion;
however, it isn't the first time I have fished the Elk River.
I had fished it many times for smallmouth bass in the
state of Alabama. I won a bass tournament on the river
too many years ago to reveal.
Seasons:
Year-round
Spring:
Spring is a good time except after heavy rains when
water is being let through the dam.
Summer:
Summertime flows will vary with the electricity load.
Fall:
Fall is normally a very good time with good flows
Winter:
Most warm days are very good days to fish
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Brown Trout (stocked with holdovers) Rainbow Trout (stocked with holdovers) Size Small Location South Central Tennessee Nearest Towns Lynchburg Season Year-round Access: Fair to Good Tims Ford Dam: Discharge Schedule Non-Resident License State of Tennessee Weather National Weather Service Link Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies |
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Elk River
Tailwater
Tennessee
Tailwater
Tennessee
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Photo Courtesy of David Knapp Photography
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |