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Fishing

Fishing on the Caney Fork

Fishing on the Caney is the best way to spend your day! Whether you’re trout fishing for the first time or on the never-ending search for the big one, you’re in luck. The cool, oxygenated waters of the Caney Fork River are chockfull of brown and rainbow trout, just waiting on you. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) stocks the Caney Fork River with over 100,000 fish every year, making this river tops amongst anglers on a trophy hunt.

The section from Center Hill Dam to Betty’s Island is the best area for trout fishing. It’s completely accessible by water, but only half of this area is accessible by foot. The Caney Fork River varies between 20-30 yards wide, and flows at different speeds and depths depending on water release from Center Hill Dam.

Come spend a day fishing on the Caney Fork River and take home bragging rights for your 7-pounder, or tell the tale of the big one that got away. Either way, it’s fun, relaxing and challenging, and sure to keep you coming back for more.

We have everything you need to make your fishing trip unforgettable, but you’ll also need a license. You can purchase one here.

THE FISH IN OUR RIVER:

The Rainbow Trout

is by far the most encountered form of trout. This fish will typically have glowing rows of black spots on the back, sides and tail and a pinkish (rainbow) band can be found on both sides. Rainbow trout will show off spectacular leaps and hard fighting when hooked.

Rainbow trout thrive in clear, cool streams and rivers. However, they have been known to survive in warm silt bottom streams, though they prefer a temperature range of 55° -60° F. The Caney Fork is a cool 55° year round. A trout haven!

The adult rainbow trout migrates to shallow riffles or small, clear streams to spawn in early spring, as the water temperature begins to rise. Spawning can continue through the month of June. Spawning trout are characterized by generally darker coloration. Rainbow Trout that are spawning prefer a temperature range of 44° -50°

The best time of year to catch Rainbow Trout’s is the spring and fall, before and after spawning. This is when they have an incredible appetite and can be caught on an assortment of spinners, flies, and baits. Many trout fishermen have success with small colorful spinners, spoons, and jigs. Popular flies include mudders, streamers, nymphs, and egg patterns.

The Brown Trout

Distinguished by their brownish-yellow color with dark and red spots on an olive background. The Brown Trout’s square tail has few or no spots. The Caney Fork River is the perfect home for a this particular breed. The Brown Trout prefer a slower flowing water with lots of minnows. However, they have been known to take up residency in small, swift streams and creeks. Brown Trout grow faster and larger than the other species of trout.

The Brown Trout will move into their home streams and tributaries to spawn during October and November. Ideal conditions for spawning are a gravely bottom at the head of a stream, with a temperature range of 44° -48° F.

As a young trout, the Brown feeds mainly on aquatic insects. Once the trout reach maturity their diet turns towards medium minnows and chubs occasionally feasting on large crayfish and even rodents. Large trophy class Browns can feed on smaller trout other game fish (Bass, Perch, etc.).

When fishing on the Caney for Brown Trout, they, like all trout will seize a good opportunity for a meal, or what they think is a good meal (spinner, fly, crank bait). Arguably the hardest trout to catch, often the largest feed only at night and very selectively. Brown trout can be taken with dry flies, streamers and stonefly nymphs for the fly fisherman. Spoons, spinners, plugs, night crawlers, hellgrammites, and crawfish are favorites of the spin fisherman.