Elk Floats

[bd]

Hey guys, I don't fish the Elk much.  Hardly any.  However, the Caney generation schedule is starting to hint to me that maybe I ought to try.  The Elk has been running some water, but I think it's likely to get a break before the Caney does.  Thus, I'm wanting to learn the Elk a little better this season.

What are some good "point A to point B" floats for the Elk?  I'm just looking for suggestions on put-ins and take-outs.  Ideally, I like to float about a 3 mile stretch in a day so I can stop and wade for good amounts of time.  The max I like to do in a day is 5 miles.

Also, about how far down from the dam does the "consistent" trout water extend?  I know it's a gradual thing and there's no official cutoff, but at some point on every tailwater, the trout taper off to just a few rare stragglers.  For example, on the Caney, I'd say the South Carthage ballfield is the lower limit of consistent trout water.

Thanks in advance for answers to both questions.

bd

[David L. Darnell]

I'll post later tonight, leaving to meet my wife and visit my parents outside of Lynchburg.

What kind of craft are you planning on using on the Elk, that will be a factor in one take out place.

[David L. Darnell]

if you are using a light craft you can carry a 100 yards, you can put in at the dam and take out at Vanzant Bend, or the next take out is Farris Creek Bridge.

Next float is Farris Creek Bridge to Old Dam Ford.

Next float is Old Dam Ford to Shiloh Bridge, but the trout thin out below Old Dam Ford.

I'm off Monday-Thursday, be glad to show you what little I know.

[MikeA]

Thanks David thats good info.

[David L. Darnell]

Vanzant Bend is the island that has two steel beamed ,wooden covered farm bridges. Also referred to as General Lowes.

I'm located at the downstream end of Dickey Island.

[RonS]

I don't care who you are, that's some good karma right there.

[bd]

Woodsman, thanks so much for the information.  I am very grateful for the invite as well.  I don't have many Mondays-Thursdays free - my work pretty much keeps me tied up Monday through Friday and often one of the weekend days as well.  However, if you ever happen to get a Saturday or Sunday open, please don't hesitate to give me a shout because I'd love to learn from you.

Most of my tailwater fishing is done out of a 17 foot alumacraft canoe.  I also have a smaller, lighter 14 foot Old Town canoe that I use where portages are an issue.  The alumacraft is heavy, but it sure is a lot more stable if I'm fishing in a place where I'm not going to have to carry it very far.

Thanks again,

bd

[Luke Warmwater]

BD shoot me an email. diperry@mindspring.com

[Ideal Lies]

David I shot ya a reply but the email came back mailer demon

[David L. Darnell]

try it again, sometimes I can be going back and forth with a friend and will get one of those replies, during our chit chat.

[frosty]

Has anyone fished the Elk lately?
I would like to go this week.Thanks in advance.

[David L. Darnell]

Floated today from the dam to Farris Creek Bridge. Trout thinned out in the Garners Ford area.

I tied on one of my big gaudy dry Cicada flies I've tied up recently, figured I scare some of the trout that were taking midges, none of them paid it any attention, so I cast it over a deep drop off and Jeff and I watched as a 20"+ Brown rose off the bottom and swam up and inhaled the fly, I then preceded to take it away from him Forgot that wasn't a Smokies Brookie Maybe next time.

Was a good day to be on the water form 9:30am to 6:45pm.

[frosty]

 Woodsman,Thanks for the report.
Do you know how long it takes the generation to reach ferris bridge?

[David L. Darnell]

yesterday TVA started generation at 4pm, I left Farris Creek at 6:50, when I got back from getting the trailer at the dam, it was withing a foot of being all the way up. Jeff, said I didn't get out of sight when it hit, said water was starting to rise when we took out.  So, just a tad shy of 3 hours.

[frosty]

thanks for the help 
Hope to try it soon