General
Construction of the TVA Tims Ford Dam on the Elk River in 1965 made possible a good trout
fishery in southern middle Tennessee. The dam releases cold--45deg. to 65deg.--water creating
conditions to support rainbow and brown trout for about twenty miles downstream.
Safety
Careful planning and observance of safety precautions are essential on this river. Tims Ford Dam
is part of the TVA power generation and flood control system of the greater Tennessee River
valley. Periodic releases from the generators and/or the spillway gates create extremely
dangerous conditions downstream of the dam. During power generation the water flow rises
from around 70 cfs--"normal" streamflow--to as much as 3800 cfs. This flow causes the river to
rise quickly. When the generators start, the river depth will increase by about 6 feet in about 12
to 15 minutes. Many fishermen have been trapped or isolated on the river because the water rises
so quickly that they cannot return to their point of entry on the river. The Elk is a much narrower
river than the Hiwassee. Do not be misled by thinking that "one generator" flow will produce
ideal conditions on the river.
Spillway flow often exceeds generator flow. Return to "normal" flow after generation takes 3-5
hours! TVA cannot turn the water off if you make a mistake and leave your vehicle in the river
channel. Note also: flow is controlled from Chattanooga, not Tims Ford Dam; the powerhouse
personnel do not have the authority to change dam flow. There is no warning horn or siren
sounded at the dam when flow begins; users must call for flow schedule and pay attention to the
river.
River Conditions and "Flow"
The flow or volume of discharge from Timsford Dam is given in "cfs" or cubic feet per second.
In a natural river "normal" flow can fluctuate widely depending upon season and weather. On the
Elk, the natural flow has been replaced by a regulated flow. The approximation of an averaged
annual natural flow on the Elk is about 70 cfs--in many places this means water that can be
waded. The range of safely wadable and fishable flow on the Elk is 70 to 300 cfs. On occasion a
flow of 600 to 800 cfs will be discharged, but this is unusual and flows above 300 cfs should be
regarded with great caution. Generator flow is typically 3000 to 3800 cfs. At this flow the river is
extremely dangerous and is not fishable. The use of boats, canoes, and kayaks is NOT
recommended at this flow. See below.
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Boats, Canoes, and Kayaks
The Elk at low flows (70-300 cfs) is a placid Class I river and provides an easy passage
downstream. While some fishermen use power boats on the Elk, these are typically flat-bottomed
jon boats usually powered by an electric trolling motor or a small (5-7 hp) gasoline motor. The
use of larger motors is not satisfactory because of gravel bars, rock formations, and log snags in
the river. Boating/canoeing/kayaking during generator flow or spillage is NOT recommended.
During flow, the river floods many snag-filled and overgrown areas and new currents develop
not present during low flow. These currents can sweep boats into trees and snags and trap/drown
occupants. Follow the advice and practice of the old fishermen on the Elk--when the generators
flow, stay off the river!
Safety Rules for Flyfishermen
1. Call the Information Line. Always leave word where you are fishing and when you will
return.
2. If you cannot see the bottom, do not wade the river!
3. If the water rises, leave the streambed.
4. If you are caught by rising water, take off your fishing vest; be prepared to abandon vest,
rod, net, and waders.
5. Carry the topographic map [folded and sealed in a Ziploc bag] for the section of the river
you are fishing so that you can determine an escape route if you are caught by rising
waters.
6. Remember that you are fishing in cold water. You can experience hypothermia on this
river even in the summertime--especially if you take a tumble and get wet or if it is rainy
and windy. Eat before you fish, take snack food with you, and leave the streambed if you
start to shiver.
7. The banks are slippery, especially after flow; use caution in entering or leaving the river.
A safety line attached to a nearby tree is a handy aid in climbing down or up the bank.
Note carefully: DO NOT "TIE INTO" ANY SAFETY LINE. In heavy flow, this could
cause you to be pulled under the water.
8. Overhanging trees are a natural feature of eastern rivers; during winds and storms these
trees can be dangerous. Always exit the river if high winds or storms develop.
9. Note carefully: TVA recommends the use of an approved flotation device by all river
users.
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Maps
The following maps are useful:
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USGS quads--Lois, Huntland, Mulberry--cover the river from the dam to Rt. 64.
USGS "30x60 Minute Series"--"Tullahoma" is useful for perspective on the larger Elk
River area
TVA map--"Tims Ford Project" shows the lake area and river immediately below the
dam
TVA map--"Elk River Watershed" gives the general context of the river in Tennessee and
Alabama.
Some maps are available from TVA at the Haney Building in Chattanooga, at Choo Choo Fly
and Tackle, at the Tennessee Aquarium, at the University of the South Supply Store in Sewanee,
and at many bait and tackle stores in the area. Maps are also available at Cumberland Transit and
Davis Kidd Booksellers in Nashville. In Knoxville, the best source is the Map Store.
TVA Information Line
TVA provides a computer telephone service to provide informaton on rivers, dams, and locks in
the Tennessee Valley. ***Always***!!! call the Information Line before going to the river.
Remember that the schedule given can be changed at any time and is not guaranteed by TVA.
Weather, maintenance, emergencies, or other events can cause unscheduled water releases.
Always watch the water while you fish. If the water begins to rise even a little, LEAVE THE
STREAMBED RIGHT THEN. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE WATER WILL DO.
LEAVE THE STREAMBED.
How To Use the Information Line:
This is a long-distance call. Dial 1+423+751-2264. You will be connected to a TVA computer.
Stay on the line. A voice will say, "Welcome to the TVA Information Line...." followed by
instructions on how to use the system. When you hear this greeting, dial the number 4. [This
selects the flow information service.] You will then hear, "If you know the two digit number for
the dam you are interested in...." Now dial 50. This is the code for Elk River, Timsford Dam.
Your entire dial sequence is 1+423+751-2264+4+50.
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What you will hear after you log on:
Warning. Last available eight hours of discharge. This is boring, but listen to it. It will tell you
about the current pattern of discharges on the river and may give you clues about fishing. [Large
rainbows and browns often feed on the falling water at the end of a period of discharge.] Then
you will hear, for example, "On Monday, July 4th, Timsford Dam will operate no generators
from midnight to 6 a.m., one generator from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m., no generators from 2 p.m. until
4 p.m.; one generator from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.; no generators from 8 p.m. until midnight." On
Fridays, the Information Line will usually provide information for the entire weekend. The
computer may announce that there will be no generators in use from midnight to midnight--OR
the announcement may be given in terms of a rate of flow: "Timsford Dam will discharge 270
cfs from noon Friday September 4 to noon Monday September 7."
Downstream Flow Schedule
The effect of generator flow are immediately seen at the dam where the river rises about 6' in 15
minutes. Further downstream the rise is delayed slightly. The following delay-factors are given
for each of the Access Points. Note Carefully: the delay-factors are only approximate and may
vary with the amount of discharge generated as well as by the flow present as discharge begins.
[If the Elk is flowing 70 cfs, the rise at a given Access Point will be slower; if the flow is already
600-800 cfs, the effects of rising flow will be experienced much quicker.] If the generators are
turned on at the top of the hour, the approximate delay factors are: Route 50 Bridge--0 minutes;
Garner's Ford--15 minutes; Van Zant Bend--30 minutes; Farris Creek Bridge--45 minutes; Old
Dam Ford--60 minutes. DO NOT RISK YOUR LIFE ON THESE ESTIMATES. CALL THE
INFORMATION LINE. PLAN YOUR EXIT FOR EVERY POINT ON THE RIVER. NOTE
CAREFULLY: WHEN THE RIVER RISES IT MAY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO
ADVANCE ALONG THE RIVER BOTTOM OR WATER EDGE. IF THE WATER BEGINS
TO RISE, LEAVE THE STREAMBED.
Access Points
Park in designated areas only. Do not park on the gravel bars along the river. Water may rise
rapidly and cover or wash away vehicles. Do not drive across fields or park on private lands.
Most landowners grant fishermen river access by walking, but do not want vehicles of any sort
driven on their roads and fields. Future access to good fishing depends upon respecting land and
property along the Elk. Do not abuse the access points with vehicles or abandoned trash.
Note: River Mile indicates miles upstream from the Tennessee River; Dam Mile indicates
downstream miles below Tims Ford Dam.
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Route 50 Bridge River Mile 133 Dam Mile .025
Paved access and parking lot immediately below Tims Ford Dam. Good entry point for
canoeists and good bankside access to river. Excellent fishing one-half mile downstream
at the "Turn Hole."
Garner's Ford River Mile 130.8 Dam Mile 2.2
Public access via an old lane (gravel road and some bumps and mudholes). Unimproved
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boat access, parking, and limited camping. No facilities. Do not leave vehicles on the
gravel bars here.
Lowe's Island (private) River Mile 127.6 Dam Mile 5.4
DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLES ON TO THIS LAND. IT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Access here has recently been curtailed because of abuse of privilege by fishermen and
hunters. Canoes and boats should be brought out by hand to the road or taken out at the
next public access point downstream at Farris Creek Bridge.
Farris Creek Bridge River Mile 124.5 Dam Mile 8.5
Gravel road access on either side of the bridge. Best boat/canoe access is the Franklin
Co.--east side--access. Excellent fishing below here. Waders should avoid the stretch
above the bridge. One quarter mile below the bridge is Smith Island. Waders should be
aware that during generator flow, this island is cut off from the main bank and is not a
complete escape from the river. Plan your trip carefully here.
Old Dam Ford River Mile 119.2 Dam Mile 13.8
Good, but remote, public access from the Moore Co. side. Access from the Franklin Co.
side off Rt. 121 is across restricted private property and should not be used.
Shiloh Bridge River Mile 112.5 Dam Mile 20.5
Limited public access at the bridge on the northwest side. Some good bank fishing above
the bridge on the west side. Limited wading below bridge. Note: Below Shiloh Bridge,
average water temperature is higher and approaches the tolerance limit (about 70deg.)
for trout. Some trout will be found below Shiloh Bridge, but other species such as bass
can be taken.
Dickey Bridge River Mile 105.5 Dam Mile 27.5
Public access on the west side. The section above and below this bridge is poor to fair for
wading; better for canoes and boats.
River Access Picnic Area River Mile 103.6 Dam Mile 29.4
One half mile off Rt. 64 along an improved gravel road. Picnic area and log steps down
to river on right side of road. Turn around here. Beyond this point the road becomes
private and is the gated property of Nutri-turf.
River Courtesy
Respect the rights of other users of the river--other fishermen, boaters, landowners, farmers. The
Elk River is a wonderful public resource, but much of the access to it is along or across private
lands. Fortunately there is a strong tradition along the Elk of granting access to fishermen, but
this tradition must be protected by civility and courteousness, by protection of property such as
roads, gates, buildings, by respect for livestock and wildlife, etc. Fly anglers should respect the
rights of all river users. Small power boats can "put down" some rising fish, but the passage of
the boat can often create momentary surges in fish feeding as trout respond to the food dislodged
by propellers. [If a boat passes you on the river, fish nymphs into its wake!]
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Environmental Concerns
Beyond the general concern for water quality, the main environmental issue along the Elk is the
trash and garbage generated by those who use the river. The disposal of trash in or along the
river is bad for the environment, it is unsightly, and it degrades our relations with farmers and
landowners. Do not disgard trash on the river; pack it out along with fouled line and tippet, bait
cups, etc.
There are no restrooms along the Elk. Toilet needs should be exercised discreetly and away from
public areas.
Trout Ecology of the Elk
The cold tailwaters of Tims Ford Dam make possible the trout fishery. The generator flow along
with local land use practices make it difficult for trout to reproduce in the Elk. While some
reproduction occurs and some groups of anglers have successfully planted imported trout eggs
into selected tributary streams, the quality of the fishery is sustained by hatchery fish stocked in
the river from April to June of each year. The fish stocked in the spring may be from 8" to 14" (5
oz. to 1.5#), while smaller "fingerling" fish are stocked in the fall. Angling pressure is heaviest
immediately after the spring stocking, but diminishes toward the fall and winter. Some stocked
fish "carry over" from one year to the next, and a few of these fish become very large. Rainbows
in excess of 10# have been taken on the Elk and brown trout above 14# have been taken. Typical
fish caught are usually much smaller than these. The water temperature, oxygen levels, available
food supply, pollution, and flow schedules all affect the survival and size of stocked fish. Some
stocked fish will contain roe but spawning is generally not successful on the Elk. With increased
fishing pressure, "catch-and-release" angling can protect the long-term quality of the trout fishery
here.
Fishing the Elk
Flyfishermen can be successful on the Elk using dry flies, nymphs, or streamers. There is no one
style or fly that is "better". More important are observance of the water and careful presentation
of flies. The fish are well-distributed along the Elk in a variety of holding places: pools, riffles,
troughs, and under snags. Best technique is to fish slowly, carefully covering a section of river in
successive sweeps. Be sure to work flies close to any overhanging bank and along the edge of
sunken logs and snags. Since the Elk has many overhanging trees, the angler should expect to
lose some flies and tippet. In many sections it is useful to employ a roll cast for best results.
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Hatches and Trout Food
There is no dominant hatch along the Elk but rather a diversity of thin but steady small hatches.
There are several mayflies, a few caddisflies, and several midges. In bulk, the midges are the
most important hatch food, but it is difficult to "match" the midge hatch. When the food chain of
the Elk is in healthy form--usually indicated by two things: many rise forms and by numerous
swallows zooming over the water--scuds and other crustaceans are the dominant food,
accounting for 90% or more of the trout diet. When the food chain is poor, trout will feed on
algae and snails. Flyfishermen should observe streamside conditions, turn over a few rocks,
check the grass beds and silt beds of snag, and check bankside spiderwebs. Be prepared to
change flies and to switch from nymphs to drys and back again as you move along or as the day
progresses.
Flies for the Elk
With careful presentation, almost any fly will catch a trout sooner or later, but a few flies are
consistently good on the Elk: the varieties of Hare's Ear nymphs and similar flies, caddis pupa
flies, wooly buggers, and various of the Elk Hair Caddis flies. Also good from time to time are
Tellico Nymphs, Joe's and Dave's Hoppers, Muddler Minnows, Zug Bugs, Prince Nymphs, and
dries such as Wulffs, Adams, and the standard Royal Coachman. A working half dozen flies
might include the Flashback Hare's Ear, Tellico Nymph, the Olive and Black Wooly Bugger, a
Joe's Hopper, the Elk Hair Caddis, and the Royal Wulff. Sizes should range from #16/14 for the
dries; #10/12 for the nymphs.
Techniques
Nymphs can be fished "across and down" and the rod tip should be lifted whenever the line
pauses or delfects even the slightest. Streamers can be fished downstream into pools and then
accelerated by quickly raising the rod. Rapid stripping of line to retrieve streamers is often
successful and will sometimes provoke strikes by large fish. Dry flies can be drifted across
observed or probable lies. Dries can also be cast to the center of still pools and large eddies and
then twitched and jerked like a bass popper. The best technique varies with the river and adapts
to the current situation. There is no single way to fish the Elk.
Other Fish
In addition to trout, anglers will sometimes find smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill,
yellow and green perch, black bass, bottlenose gar, catfish, crappie, walleye, striped bass, and
coarse fish such as carp, redhorse, and buffalo along with a rich assortment of minnows and
other small fish.
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Wildlife and Wildflowers
The Elk River bottom land is a rich habitat. Quiet anglers can expect not only to catch a few fish,
but also to enjoy sightings of many species of wildlife including deer, beaver, otter, mink,
muskrats, raccoons, squirrels, fox, coyote, woodchuck, water snakes, salamanders, hellbenders,
and dozens of species of birds including ducks, geese, herons, hawks, wild turkeys and
occasional eagles. Poisonous snakes are present but seldom encountered by careful walkers.
About three dozen species of trees occur along the Elk and knowledge of some of these trees can
add to angler success. Some flowers can be found along the Elk in every month, but large
growths of phlox, jewel-weed, cone flower, and cardinal flower can be found from April to
October. Do not disturb or "help" wildlife. Do not pick or collect the wildflowers.
Licenses/Seasons
A valid Tennessee Fishing License is required to fish any Tennesee Waters. Fishermen fishing
the tailwaters of Tims Ford must have a trout license whether they are fishing for trout or not.
Types of licenses and fees are given in the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency annual free
pamphlet "Tennessee Fishing Regulations" Pamphlets and licenses are available at many area
businesses, tackle shops, Walmart Stores, K-Mart, Broadview Grocery, etc. The Elk River does
not currently have a closed season, so it can be fished all year long. The limit is 7 trout per day
per person. There is currently no size limit for trout, but size limits may apply to other species.
Wildlife officers may be present in the parking areas, and occasionally by walking the bank or
patrolling the river by boat.
This guide has been prepared by Gerald Smith of Elk River Outfitters. The guide was prepared
for University of the South students but is made public as a courtesy to the many other fishermen
of the Elk River. This guide is only an advisory and contains no promises or warranties. River
conditions change constantly. Your best life saver is caution and common sense.
Support Services
Convenience stores are located along State Route 50 between Winchester and the Broadview
Community, along State Route 64 between Fayetteville and Winchester, and there is one market
along State Route 121 between Route 50 and Lexie Crossroads. These markets have ice,
beverages, food, and tackle. Some of the markets also sell fishing licenses.
Public phones can be found at the markets. Remember to dial 911 in the event of an emergency.
Remember that the water flow from the dam cannot be "turned off."
Copyright 1995 Gerald L. Smith, Sewanee, Tennessee 37375
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