Elk River TN
The Elk River is a little known tailwater located in Tennessee below Tims Ford Dam and is about 195 miles long. It's relatively small and easy to wade. The cold tailwater 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.
Unlike most tailwaters in Tennessee, wading is the best method of fishing the Elk River.
You can float the river too. If you do, you would be better off with a canoe/kayak 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/kayak.
Access is rather limited but there are access points right below the dam. Downstream there's a TVA access at the Farris Creek Bridge and access at the Old Dam Ford. It’s a 9 mile float to Farris Creek which makes for a long day of paddling. Make sure to start very early.
This river is full of scuds but it also has a few mayflies and caddisflies. There are 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.
The Elk River is a little known tailwater located in Tennessee below Tims Ford Dam and is about 195 miles long. It's relatively small and easy to wade. The cold tailwater 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.
Unlike most tailwaters in Tennessee, wading is the best method of fishing the Elk River.
You can float the river too. If you do, you would be better off with a canoe/kayak 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/kayak.
Access is rather limited but there are access points right below the dam. Downstream there's a TVA access at the Farris Creek Bridge and access at the Old Dam Ford. It’s a 9 mile float to Farris Creek which makes for a long day of paddling. Make sure to start very early.
This river is full of scuds but it also has a few mayflies and caddisflies. There are 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.
Fishing Access Type:
Boat with safe conditions
Kayak with safe conditions
Wading with safe conditions
Boat with safe conditions
Kayak with safe conditions
Wading with safe conditions
Fishing Access:
Elk River at the Dam
Map
Farris Bridge
Latitude: 35.19684 Longitude: -86.278551
2201-2299 Farris Creek Bridge Rd, Belvidere, TN 37306
Map
Old Dam Ford
Coordinates: 35.12405700, -86.33227100
Map
Elk River at the Dam
Map
Farris Bridge
Latitude: 35.19684 Longitude: -86.278551
2201-2299 Farris Creek Bridge Rd, Belvidere, TN 37306
Map
Old Dam Ford
Coordinates: 35.12405700, -86.33227100
Map
Fishing Style:
Nymph
Dry Fly
Spinner Fall
Midge Larva
Midge Pupae
Terrestrials
Streamers
Nymph
Dry Fly
Spinner Fall
Midge Larva
Midge Pupae
Terrestrials
Streamers
Equipment:
3wt rod to 6wt rod
3wt rod to 6wt rod
Flies: Hatch Chart
Water Flow: Data
Species: Brooke, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Small Mouth Bass
Misc. Information: Fishing License
