TWRA REGION 4 FISHING REPORTS
CHEROKEE TAILWATER
May 7, 2014
Tail water elevation was 921.52 feet as of May 7, 2014 at 10 PM. Next day release schedules and data on Cherokee Dam are available here: http://www.tva.gov/lakes/crh_r.htm
Temperatures taken on the tailrace at the dam on Wednesday, May 7 at 1:00 PM was 52 degrees. Temperatures at 2:00 PM taken at Nance Ferry measured 58 degrees. Again, the six degree difference in temperature exists between the dam and Nance Ferry. TVA has one generator scheduled to operate through May 10. This situation provides optimum fishing conditions.
SUMMARY:
The water is progressively getting warmer and warmer as the air temperatures increase. Soon anglers will be chasing the coolest water temperatures as hard as the trout themselves, as this is where the trout will be. It is recommended to fish shady parts of the tailrace under overhanging tree limbs and even over under-cut boulders and large rocks where fish can hide from the sun. It’s further noted that the insect hatches have slowed considerably. The visible rises have been vacant from the surface. Remember – fish do not have eye lids to close against the sun, therefore, a lot of species will avoid direct sunlight, including trout.
The lack of rain has caused lower flows and some sediment build up. This could cause sediment build up and could affect insect hatches if cold moving water isn’t released from the dam more frequently.
RAINBOW & BROWN TROUT: Good
The best time to fish is when one generator is operational. The fish in the tailrace, it seems, are most active at on generator and that operation is scheduled through the tenth of the month. Lures below have not changed.
Lures to use are (for the fly fisherman) size 22 Griffiths Gnat, size 20 – 22 soft hackle fished just under the surface, size 22 black bead head nymph. The black nymph could be fished allowing the nymph to swing down and across the current. Assure the nymph is weighted to keep it in the water column and not necessarily on the bottom.
Spin casters should not rely upon fly hatches but should fish for trout using spinners or flat fish lures drawn upstream along current seams or fished across currents from outside seam to outside seam. The earth worm or night crawler is a great live bait choice.
A final word about the fishery and a note of caution: Remember to pack out your trash. There is no one assigned to remove trash from Nance Ferry or the Indian Cave parking area. Indian Cave access is very sensitive as it is made available to anglers through the good heartedness of private owners. They can shut that access off in a heartbeat if they desire. Don’t give them a reason. Good fishing!
BLACK BASS: Still No rating as angler data has not been received.
CHILHOWEE LAKE FISHING REPORT
May 8, 2014
WATER CONDITIONS
The predicted water level is approximately 872.6 feet above sea level.
The average surface temperature is in the mid to high 60’s.
SUMMARY
Fishing is starting to pick up and the smallmouth and largemouth are hitting better as the water temperatures start to climb. Bass are moving up to shallower water and chasing baitfish. One technique that is working is the wacky rigged sinko in shad imitating colors. Rocky banks and banks with submerged structure are holding more and more bass, both smallmouth and largemouth. Trolling slim bodied plugs like rapalas and other slim bodied minnow imitators is a good way to catch some nice smallmouth. Live minnows are catching some good numbers in about 17 ft. of water close to the rocky banks. Just a few reports of some Largemouth and Smallmouth bass being caught on shakyhead type lures with black and blue crawfish bodies, and a few being caught on the umbrella rig with minnow bodies such as the Money Minnow. Reports say most fish being caught around some type of structure like submerged timber close to deep water, and where creeks enter the reservoir. Water temperatures seem to be just a couple degrees warmer up in the creeks.
Bass
Improving
3-20 ft.
The bass bite seems to be improving and should continue to improve with the warmer weather and warming water temperatures. The bass seem to be holding close to submerged structure near ledges close to deeper water and near rip rap banks. Wacky rigged sinkos are catching some nice smallmouth and largemouth. Troll a rapala or another slim bodied minnow imitating plug and get down around 20 feet deep and troll about 1-2 mph or work the rocky banks with live minnows between 15 and 20 feet.
Trout
Improving
12-20 ft.
The trout bite is picking up a little and you can catch a few using the same techniques used on the smallmouth, whether it be trolling or using live minnows either tightlining or using a float.
Bluegill
Good
3-10 ft.
Bluegill and other sunfish are biting better. A small piece of nightcrawler or redworm fished with a single split shot or on a float at about 6-8 ft. is catching some nice sized bluegill. A small minnow imitating crankbait is another good choice. A slip float or slip bobber is a good way to find the fish as it allows you to fish shallow or deep with a simple adjustment of the stop.
DOUGLAS LAKE REPORT
May 7, 2014
The elevation behind the dam on May 7, 2014 at 10 PM was 990.84 feet above sea level. Water temperatures averaged out to 68.15 degrees for the week, creeks combined with bay areas.
SUMMARY:
Fishing activity has stabilized or leveled out over the past two weeks and the lake is simply providing good fishing for all species. Crappie have moved to deeper water on the bay areas as well as the creeks during the hot hours of the day. Black bass have taken positions closer to shore on points as well as behind underwater knolls. Largemouth bass could be seen laying on the bottom in ditches and behind humps throughout last week. The intense heat and sun of the day is now a factor in fishing successes. Huge bass tournaments have pounded the lake on weekends turning in high weights at the scales.
CRAPPIE: Good
Crappie are still fishing well although they have gone deep on many areas of the lake.
Swann’s Marina area (behind the marina), the bridge piers on the main lake as well as the shoreline downstream from Swann’s are all fishing good.
Try minnow and bobber, crappie flies, crappie spinners as well as trolling methods with minnows. Traditional methods are effective. Small Rapallas and jerkbaits have been used this week with great success as well.
SAUGER/WALLEYE: Fair
Sauger and Walleye have slowed down a lot but there are anglers who are relentless in walleye chase and turn in good numbers.
Fish the holes and along the seams in fast water. There are no new tricks. Take advantage of the walleye’s habitat with green or red jigs fished deep or allowed to tumble along and across current.
Try shadraps, Rapala Husky Jerks, Redeye Shad, stick jigs and a variety of spinner baits. There isn’t really any secret lures here as most of the baits are traditional and effective for sauger and walleye.
Best fishing should be on the upper river from point 18 upstream to and above the Rankin boat ramp.
BLACK BASS: Good
Largemouth and smallmouth bass have been targeted more and more and bass tournaments are now being held across the lake.
Lures used throughout the week have been varied with the plastic 8” worm, Carolina rig a favorite. Retrieves have been slow, very slow across the bottom. Bass are becoming more active as the water has warmed and are now active at all points across the lake.
Deep diving crank baits as well as spinner baits with gold blades have been effective. Dark colors are recommended and dark green is preferred. Smaller size spinner baits in greens and chartreuse are effective baits.
Fish, for the most part have been in deep water and have been lethargic. This is now changing. Largemouth are hanging on shorelines, especially during late afternoons and early mornings. As the sun rises and heats the surface – the bass go deeper, like they always do.
WHITE BASS: Good
White bass are still being caught in good numbers.
Great fishing can be had from above Swann’s Marina all the way upstream to Rankin boat ramp.
Some great lures to try for white bass are the Rat L Trap crank bait which should work well under trolling conditions. Worden’s Roostertails for shallow fishing has been an old standby. The Road Runner Bucktails work well for deeper fishing.
LITTLE RIVER FISHING REPORT
May 8, 2014
Water Conditions
The river flow is slowly returning to normal.
The water temperature is about 65 degrees.
Water flow is about 167 cfs above Townsend and 258 near Maryville.
Summary
The first few stockings are done and the trout numbers are increasing. Trout are being caught more frequently and in some places you can see more and more schools of them especially in the deeper pools. Corn and Powerbait are two good bait choices, but a small piece of redworm or nightcrawler is also doing very well. The anglers have reported catching a few smallmouth bass along with a few trout, both rainbows and a few browns. The trout will also bite small dry flies, while the smallmouth prefer little inline spinners. Gold blade panther martins and rooster tail type spinners are good choices.
BASS
Improving
Smallmouth bass are getting more and more active and chasing after shiny flashy spinners like panther martins with gold blades in number 2 or 3 size. Rooster tails are another good lure choice with gold or silver blades.
TROUT
Improving
Trout fishing is improving now. The stocking schedule is well under way now and trout fishing is improving daily. There are a few stacking up in the deeper pools and around other structure like bridges and rocks. Bright colored power bait is a good choice, but just about anything brightly colored will get their attention. Live worms are always a great choice, a plain #3 or smaller hook with a small piece of redworm or nightcrawler is very hard for a trout or bass to pass up.
MELTON HILL FISHING REPORT
7 May 2014
WATER CONDITIONS
On May 7th the water level was 793.46-ft and was predicted to remain fairly steady through Friday, May 9th. Surface temperatures in the channel may vary through the day according to the discharges from Norris Dam and the discharge through Melton Hill Dam. The outflow from Norris Dam was low this week, allowing the water to warm to 75 degrees (surface temperature). Discharge water from the Bull Run plant was 77 degrees. The water in the main channel was 73 to 75 degrees, and clear or with a light stain in most areas. Some hollows saw temperatures as high as 78 degrees.
SPECIES DETAILS
CRAPPIE
Fair.
Crappie are spawning in many of the coves at 3- to 10-feet deep.
Crappie catches were slow at Clark Center Park. Some catches came from the Solway access vicinity, Bull Run Creek, Beaver Creek, Bearden Creek, and a few in the Bull Run plant discharge canal. Mid-section to lower end creeks and larger hollows with downed trees and brush.
Tuffy minnows, 1-inch tube jigs, popeye flies tipped with minnows, trout magnets.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
Good.
Surface to 10-feet deep. Some are spawning or are post-spawn.
Largemouth are hitting on the main channel bluffs, shallow, where wood structure is nearby. Others have been caught in the back of the coves, on secondary points, within inches of wood structure (downed trees in most cases).
Shad or crawfish color crankbaits and watermelon color soft swimbaits, Brush Hogs, and rubber skirted jigs were taking some on the main channel, rocky banks, very close to the shoreline. The edges of the sandbar humps in mid-channel produced a few on deep running crankbaits where milfoil was present.
3/8 oz spinners, soft swim baits, Zoom grubs, or slider worms on shaky head jigs, ½-oz hair or rubber skirted jigs. A variety of watermelon colors have been the favorite colors.
SMALLMOUTH
Slow.
Some have been caught from the surface to 10 feet on points leading into the main channel, near wood structure, close to the shoreline.
Brush Hogs, ¼ oz rubber skirted watermelon colored jigs.
STRIPED BASS
Fair
Surface to 20-feet. Some surface action is being seen in the mornings and late afternoons where baitfish schools are located.
The Bull Run discharge fish have dispersed. The water in the channel is the same as in the discharge, resulting in lower baitfish numbers in the discharge area.
Live shad/skipjack, umbrella rigs (see hook rule). Good surface action has been seen in mid-channel in this section.
WALLEYE
Slow
5 to 10-feet
Channel near Hwy 61 Bridge and shoals above.
Doll flies tipped with plastic grubs (Twisters), Rapalas, Shad Raps.
On the bottom in mid-channel and in the shoals above Hwy 61 Bridge.
WHITE BASS
Moderate. Same pattern as last week.
Surface to 10-feet. On sunny days, on the bottom in creek mouths and the Bull Run discharge canal. White bass catches were lower than in previous weeks, but catches are still being made where creeks flow into the reservoir.
Main channel shorelines and off shallow bars in mid-channel, mainly on the portion from Bull Run Creek and above. Clear days saw these fish as deep as 15-feet, but hitting well on the surface on cloudy days.
Tuffy minnows or shiners were working best, either cast to the breaks or fished deep. Small chrome/white spinners, minnows, white hair jigs, 2 to 4-inch plastic swimbaits or grubs on leadheads.
NORRIS FISHING REPORT
7 May 2014
WATER CONDITIONS
The water elevation on May 7th was 1010.4-feet, which is 9-inches higher than last Wednesday’s elevation. The water level is predicted to remain steady through Friday, May 9th. The inflow is 1,923 cfs.
Other than some locations having color caused by wind and wave action, the lake is clear.
Surface temperature readings show 70-71 degrees, lake wide. Shallow, protected coves and creeks were as high as 75 degrees.
Moon phase: First quarter moon. The full moon will be May 14th.
To view photos and Google maps of all access areas on the reservoir, go to http://www.tnfish.org/ReservoirLakeMapsTennessee_TWRA/TennesseeReservoirBoatRampsMarinasLakeMaps_TWRA.htm or http://tinyurl.com/chm2ts9.
For the Norris lake elevation, inflow rates, and generation times, go to http://www.tva.gov/lakes/noh_r.htm.
SUMMARY
Warmer water temperatures, a steady water elevation, and the spawning season have produced good catches on many species. Smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass are shallow, on the shorelines. Smallmouth catches have been very good. Shellcracker catches improved considerably. Crappie are in the shallows near brush. Bluegill catches are improving.
Striped bass catches have come from Crooked Creek at Island F, to Black Fox Creek at Point 29. The Powell arm has seen striped bass similarly scattered across a long stretch of the channel from Point 10 to Point 12, and limited catches above Point 15.
SPECIES DETAILS
BLUEGILL/REDEAR
Bluegill: Fair. Shellcracker: Moderate, improving.
Shellcracker catches have been good in locations where there is flooded timber, mainly in the rear of coves. They’re hitting wax worms, nightcrawlers, and small tuffy minnows at 5- to10-feet deep, just off the bottom. Bluegill catches improved. Some have begun to spawn. Most of the bluegill spawn will occur over the next week, in shallows adjacent to creek channels or in coves near brush or stumps. Catch them with crickets dragged across the spawning locations. Some large bluegill have been caught on small crankbaits. Popping bug action is improving.
CRAPPIE
Moderate, in brushy coves in the creeks and coves.
5- to 10-feet deep. Near flooded brush in the back of larger creek hollows and in brushy pockets on the upper half of the reservoir.
Crappie have been observed nesting in coves near brush at depths of 3- to 8-feet.
Plastic grubs in blue ice, green, pearl, or yellow, as well as tuffy minnows, are taking crappie when fished in the middle of brush where spawning is occurring. Popeye hair jigs, 1-inch tube jigs, or grubs tipped with minnows along the bottom, or fish trout magnets, popeye flies, and small tube jigs tight to brush early in the morning. Sycamore Creek, Davis Creek, Lost Creek, Straight Creek are some of the locations producing crappie. Locations between the Dam and Point 9 typically produce no crappie.
Good standard lures: Tuffy minnows, small doll flies, mini tube jigs (red/white, blue/white) and 1/32 ounce hair or feather jigs tipped with minnows, Trout Magnets, or Slider grubs in a variety of colors. Historically good locations to try: Powell River arm channel from Point 15 vicinity to Earl’s Hollow. Davis Creek from its headwaters to a half-mile below Powell Valley Marina. Doaks Creek. Big Creek from Indian River Marina to CampbellCountyPark. Cove Creek above Twin Cove Marina. Mill Creek, Big Ridge Hollow, Lost Creek above its junction with White Creek. Poor Land Creek. Bear Creek. Flint Creek. Sycamore Creek. The Clinch channel above Point 31.
LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS
Moderate, improving.
Surface to 10-feet.
These fish have been caught within inches of the shoreline where there is wood structure and on small points along rocky shorelines. Some are in the back of coves, in the middle of floating brush, limbs, and other woody structure.
A wide variety of lures are taking these fish.
Smaller hard slender jerkbaits (Storm BX Minnow type, Lucky Craft, and others); Brush Hogs in watermelon shades; medium to shallow-running orange, chartreuse, or blood red Bandits; Square A Bombers, or Norman-type crankbaits at less than 10-feet deep, fished parallel and very close to the rocky shorelines. 3-inch soft plastic swimbaits (bluegill, glimmer blue, or smoke colors have worked well), and shaky head rubber skirted jigs, and Flukes, close to shoreline rocks on the main channels. Watermelon Zoom worms and 4-inch slider or Whacky worms are working.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Good.
Some post spawn fish have been seen. Many smallmouth are spawning. Good action has come from water less than two feet deep, close to the shoreline on broken rock where there is wood structure, and on rocky points, and along the white pea gravel points.
Better areas are Loyston Sea, Mill Creek, Lost Creek, and the Powell from Point 9 to Point 11. Big Creek and Cove Creek produced good catches this week, on broken rock banks near wood. Windy, cloudy days have seen good catches at 2 to 5-feet deep on rocky shorelines where the wave action has stained the water. Brush Hogs, slider worms on shaky head jigs, and rubber skirted jigs have caught fish. More have come on ¼ oz or smaller hair jigs in crawfish colors, mustard, brown/black. A slow, steady retrieve worked well on the sunny days, with the jig worked along the bottom. Very light, low-vis line (2 to 4 pound) has helped produce the majority of smallmouth.
Medium to deep running crankbaits in blood red and crawfish patterns, close to the rocky, windy shorelines, but crankbaits are not producing as well as small jigs. Spinnerbait catches improved.
*REGULATION FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: June 1st – October 15th, one per day, 20-inch minimum length limit. October 16th – May 31st, five per day (in combination with largemouth), 18-inch minimum length limit.
STRIPED BASS (* See regulation reminder for the April 1st change.)
Moderate in early morning.
Surface on driftlines, or 15 to 20-feet in mid-channel. These fish have dispersed and have been located from Island F/Crooked Creek to Black Fox at Point 29. Palmer Hollow and Straight Creek have seen some catches. The Powell side has had catches from Point 10 to Point 12, and from Point 15 to Point 16.
Trolled umbrella rigs or shad are taking most of these fish. Shad and large shiners are working when driftline fished or on planer boards, 5 to 20-feet deep. Umbrella rigs with trailers in pearl or chartreuse, or live bait (gizzard shad, shiners, or alewife) tightlined, or trolled with downriggers, to the depth of the forage fish schools in mid-channel especially across the points and humps.
Regardless of the location on the reservoir, if there are flocks of feeding gulls, striped bass are likely in the area, feeding on the same forage.
Recent catches came from Cove Creek (middle section near Point 3 and above to Twin Cove dock), and on the Powell above Point 17. Lost Creek is still producing, but more are also coming from the mouth of large coves near 33 Bridge and the channel at Straight Creek. The section between Point 5 and Point 9 saw some good catches.
There is a new, statewide hook regulation in effect. Read it here: http://www.eregulations.com/tennessee/fishing/statewide-limits-regulations/
*REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: From April 1st to October 31st, the regulation allows 2 per day, 15-inch minimum length limit. On November 1st it will return to the 1 per day, 36-inch minimum length limit.
WALLEYE
Moderate.
Surface to 15-20 feet, near the shoreline where there is broken rock or red clay.
Lower end catches improved dramatically over the past week. Night catches have come on topwater plugs, Flukes, Shad Raps, and snagged alewife casted toward the shoreline. Some alewife have been spawing at night, providing good action where walleye have moved in to feed.
Cast Long Billed Rebels, Rapalas, Thundersticks, Model-A’s, or similar lures, or shad/alewife to the rock and red clay shorelines, and where brush may be flooded.
Daytime trolling has produced some fish at less than 20-feet on the above listed plugs.
