New Ballgame

[czkid]

Hit the Elk about 10AM today and was amazed at the difference that a 400 CFS flow makes.  I don't know how long they are going to keep this up... but I like it!!! 

River is MUCH cleaner, but the fish have really moved around.  It took me until about noon to get the combination right... and then it was a 20+ fish day by about 4PM.

Wading is a bit more difficult with the heavier flow, and you do need to be a bit more careful or you could take a cold bath.  Start searching around in spots that never held many fish before to find our little friends.  Many of the previous "hot spots" seem empty.

Our TVA friends are "burping" things a bit as well.  They opened the gates for about 15 minutes at around noon today... not on anyones schedule.

Ralph

[Steve H]

Ralph, thanks for the update. Sounds like the flow is helping and that is good to hear. Hopefully they will keep it up.

[kaisersoze]

Talked 2 some of my buddies that went down there the other day(Mon) and they said it really fished well.  With all the pressure on the Caney, the Elk seems like the logical place 2 go.

[Jack Hise]

The TVA has kicked the flow up to get the lake level down.  Looks like that may take another week.  The are also generating twice a day for one hour, 7 am. & 7 pm.  So far no generation on the weekend.

The fly of the day today was a little olive Red Eyed Wolly Bugger size 14/16.  Probably be back tomorrow afternoon to try it again.  I forgot my thermometer but would guess the water temp to be around 60. 

Quite a midge hatch this afternoon with appeared to be some small Caddis also.  They were flying up stream and spanking the water indicating some egg laying as Caddis are prone to do.  Maybe someone can shed some more light on this.

Anyone thinking of coming down to fish the Elk feel free to contact me.  I'm retired and can fish most any time.

[czkid]

We may be back on Sunday PM.

Ralph

[Jack Hise]

The Titans are playing Sunday so the River may be empty!  It was the last time!

[czkid]

Absolutely Perfect!!!!

[Jack Hise]

Took 12 more today on the same #14 olive Wooly Bugger between 2 pm. and 5 pm.  Most were in the 10 -12 inch range Browns and Bows.  Had to retire the fly (or what's left of it!) to a place of honor over my tying bench. 
Very sparce crowd, 6 of us from the Lynchburg Fly Fishing Club and 2-3 others
The water temp at the bridge was 66 (surface) and 59 at the first bend (2' down).
Take a jacket 'cause it cools down fast as the sun sets!

[czkid]

Sunday was a bit slower day, probably due to the fish being worked over on Sat and Sun AM.  Lots of folks, but not a lot of catching.  I managed a dozen or so, but folks were in the way, and the fish a bit goosie.

I'll hit it again Wed or Thurs depending.

Ralph

[Jack Hise]

Amazing crowd at Tim's Ford!!  Got there about 1 but by 2 it was thinning out.
Caught 12 on the same fly identical to the one I used Friday and most of Thursday.  Missed another dozen though.  A size 14 olive wooly bugger with a red thread head.  Most of the misses were a failure to get the hook set.  My fishing partner was using larger olive buggers and getting hits but only hooked up with 5.  One was his first fish on a fly he had tied
I saw some Alabama plates in the parking lot, one was probably yours.  One of these days we'll hook up and exchange some great lies.....er stories!!

P.S.  My partner was Roberts618.  Great flyfisher and allround good guy.

[ALflygirl]

Hey Ralph....
We are planning on heading up this coming Saturday. I see Jack was using a bugger. What were you using? I am really looking forward to being on the Elk again. It's been a while!

Rachel

[czkid]

Stardard old soft hackle.  They are taking the straight soft hackle in the shallow water (i.e. 18 inches or so) and a bead head soft hackle in the deeper portions.  Stay with a size 16 or so and you'll be fine.

Woolie Buggers are tacky.  ;>)

Ralph

[Yellowhammer]

What is the current cost for an out of state license for an Alabama resident?

[RonS]

Yellowhammer, welcome to the site.

Here's a link that has your info.

http://www.tennessee.gov/twra/fishlicense.html

Scroll down that page a ways. Looks like the annual, all fish is $81.00.  Keep in mind it expires the end of Feb.