TWRA is now publishing fishing forecast for area lakes: The TWRA wants to build a comprehensive report each week of the state’s lakes. If you do not see a report for your favorite lake and you are someone who can provide a report please contact us at Ask.TWRA@tn.gov and provide us with your contact information
Hiwassee River TN Fishing Report: 31 May 2023
Hiwassee River below Appalachia Powerhouse
Forecast Contributor- Tic Smith/Southeastern Anglers Guide Service
River Conditions 5/31/23
Water temp – 58 to 65 degrees F depending on the flow schedule
Water clarity – clear
Water level – flows vary from 0 to 2 generators (Go to TVA.com to check flow schedules) This tailwater schedule is posted after 6pm the previous day. Click on Lake Levels then Appalachia to view info.
Flyfishing is excellent right now. Pheasant tail, prince and stonefly nymphs are producing very well in between the hatches. Sizes vary, but a #14 with a bead works very well during all flow schedules.
Hatches – Sulphurs #14 and#16, #16 tan or olive caddis, Light Cahill #14, Golden Stonefly #8, and Blue Wing Olives #18 on the cloudy days.
Wooly buggers in sizes 6 to 10 are always productive. Olive on sunny days and black on cloudy ones are a good rule to go by. Larger streamers are productive when 2 generators are running
Spin fishing is productive with 1/8 and 1/16th gold bladed spinners. Small Rapalas are productive during the higher flows.
18 May 2023
Forecast Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region 3 Trout Biologist.
5-18-23
River Conditions- Dry conditions across the valley have led to reduced flows at almost every reservoir as they try to fill up for the summer. There have been several days where water temperatures have approached or exceeded 70 °F. These periods of warmer water tend to be in the late afternoon and will make for a slow bite. TVA has been providing a longer pulse with 2 generators in the middle of the day which has helped a lot to keep temperatures cooler. Overall, the low water conditions make for great wading, but be sure to keep an eye on the rocks for rising water because releases are always subject to change.
Trout are stocked from the Powerhouse down to 411 on a rotational basis at least twice per month.
Trout- Despite the warmer water, fishing has been good. We are seeing folks with 30-50 fish days and hear about even better. Trout are being caught consistently as far down as 411. If you are not having luck at a spot, don’t hesitate to hop in the truck and try a new spot. We are stocking around 11 miles of tailwater and there are dozens of access areas. The dry fly bite has been very strong with Isonychias and Sulphurs in size 12 or 14. You’ll know when it’s time to be fishing a dry. Otherwise, you will need streamers and nymphs. Powerbait and worms are effective as ever for those that can keep them in the strike zone. Black and yellow spinners have been doing the trick. In between pulses, seek out deep or flowing water.
27 April 2023
Forecast Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region 3 Trout Biologist.
4-27-23
River Conditions- Dry and cool conditions in the valley continue which make for good wading and comfortable weather. Anglers wanting to float can time the pulse of generation that has been typical every four hours. There were a few days of spilling that made wading and floating a dream.
Water temperatures have been hovering in the high 50s with these cool nights. Conditions look cool for several more days. Regularly scheduled trout stockings are in full swing. Trout are stocked from the Powerhouse down to 411 on a rotational basis at least twice per month.
Trout- Fishing remains great and just about everyone is catching fish. With these cool cloudy days, the hatches will be more dependent on those periods when the sun pops out and warms things up a few degrees. Olive and pink colored flies and artificials have been working with fish feeding in the water column. Be ready with several sizes and colors of dries. Powerbait and worms are effective as ever for those that can keep them in the strike zone.
In between pulses, seek out deep or flowing water.
21 April 2023
Forecast Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region 3 Trout Biologist.
4-21-23
River Conditions- Dry conditions in the valley continue which make for good wading conditions due to reduced generations. Anglers wanting to float can time the pulse of generation that has been typical every four hours.
Water temperature at Reliance fluctuates between 54-66 degrees. Once water temperatures creep up to near 70 degrees, the trout activity will start slowing down. Regularly scheduled trout stockings are in full swing. Additionally, several hundred large “bonus” fish were stocked recently. Trout are stocked from the Powerhouse down to 411 on a rotational basis at least twice per month.
Trout- Fishing remains excellent. Folks are catching mostly Rainbows, but if you several Browns and Brooks are showing up. Fly anglers are utilizing wooly buggers or streamers when the fish are deep; however there have been some substantial caddis hatches where a size 12 light Hendrickson has been the ticket. Spin anglers have been using spoons and spinners. Bait anglers have had their best days fishing deep and bouncing the bottom. When the water is off, all anglers need to seek out deep or flowing water.
13 April 2023
Forecast Contributor – Justin Spaulding, Region 3 Trout Biologist.
4-13-23
Reservoir Conditions– Dry conditions in the valley this spring have led to less pool control generation over the last few weeks. We are still several weeks away from recreation flows so there should be lots of time for wading throughout the day. Anglers wanting to float a boat can still make a day out of it but may be restricted by rocks. Water temperature at Reliance fluctuates between 54-64 degrees. Once water temperatures creep up to near 70 degrees, the trout activity will start slowing down. Trout stocking is in full swing and are planted from the Powerhouse down to 411 on a rotational basis at least twice per month.
Trout- Fishing is excellent. We have talked to multiple anglers with 15 fish days. Fly anglers will need a few different tools in the belt. San Juan worms and extra small nymphs are good starting points to work seams and areas with moving water. There have already been some huge hatches this year, so once you start seeing fish rising switch over to a size 20 blue winged olive or an 18 Sulphur. Anglers using spinning tackle are doing great with fishing low and slow. However, if the inverts decide to hatch, the bottom technique has been slow, and you’ll need to switch to something high in the water column. The upper section of the river has seen better luck, but that might just be a product of more people targeting that area.
