Fly Fishing the Caney Fork River. Jim Mauries

      Caney Fork River (Central Tennessee)

       Location: The Caney Fork River is in Middle Tennessee, approximately 1 hour east of Nashville and 2 hours west of Knoxville on I-40.

      The Caney Fork River is a typical Southern hydroelectric tailwater, situated below the Center Hill Dam, which is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Daily releases of cold, trout-sustaining water from Center Hill Dam meander 26 miles through the gentle Tennessee hills. The river crosses under I-40 five times before joining the Cumberland River near the town of Carthage, Tennessee.

      At first glance, the river is not your classic trout stream environment. The gentle riffles, runs, and deep pools of the Caney Fork lack structure and cover, making it a tricky river to read, and locate trout. The river also lacks the prolific mayfly hatches found in the tailwaters of eastern Tennessee.

      Crustaceans and midges dominate the food base. Do not let the lack of classic hatches fool you—anglers are pleasantly surprised by the numbers of quality rainbows, browns, and brook trout found throughout the river. Recent water quality improvements and trophy trout regulations continue to improve both sizes and numbers of fish.

      A few important things to know about the river: The Caney Fork is a year-round fishery; it runs at approximately 250 cfs when the Corps is not generating power or releasing water through a sluice or floodgate. Water releases can reach volumes upward of 15,000 cfs. Wadable water levels are found during times of no water releases, 300 cfs and lower. The river is also very fishable during higher water with a drift boat, canoe, or other motorboat. Most anglers prefer a water level below 5,000 cfs, as the river can be a dangerous float at higher water levels. Make sure you check the water release schedule for the day—water levels can go from the top of your

      wading boots to over your head in a matter of minutes! Release schedules are always subject to change, so be sure to check in the morning before departure. Water release schedules are online at www.tva.gov/river/lakeinfo/index.htm.

      The upper 8 miles of the river (from the dam to Betty’s Island) supports the majority of fish, anglers, recreational paddlers, and guides. This section of the river can be