Bait Fishing
The other method for catching a limit of trout is the time-honored technique of bait-fishing. I personally release the fish I catch, so I am not a bait-fisherman -- but if you hold a license and follow the rules, more power to you. The standard worms or corn are always big producers and if you visit the dam on a nice weekend, you will see the bait-fishermen lined up along the bank. I have seen others use salmon eggs and the numerous flavors of PowerBait or Power Worms with great success.

The most popular method is bottom-fishing by placing a small sinker about a foot above the bait and letting it drift along right on the riverbed. If you choose this method, do not leave the bail on your spinning reel open so the fish can run. This allows them to swallow the bait and you could kill a fish that’s not legal to keep.

Lastly in the bait department is simply a can of corn. If you’re looking to catch some trout for the table, these baits will surely get it done throughout the year.

ACCESS POINTS
Deciding what to throw at the fish and figuring out how to throw it effectively is trickier than finding a place to access the Caney Fork, luckily. The river itself is rather easily found and the entire river is open to the public.

The fly in the proverbial buttermilk, though, is that most of the land bordering the river is private. Nevertheless, this river has public access a plenty.

The access to the dam is reached from Interstate 40 by taking Exit 268 and turning south. You will travel a little less than four miles and then come to a stop sign. Turn right here and go another one-third of a mile until you see the “resource manager” sign. That’s the turn to the dam access point. At this point, you have the option to fish at the resource manager’s area or you can travel across the dam and turn right at the stop sign. This is Highway 141 and there are several pull-offs on this road that allow you to access the river for several miles.

Happy Hollow is another good access point. Once you exit the interstate and travel south for 1.5 miles, you will see the sign for Happy Hollow on your right. Happy Hollow has a gravel boat ramp and parking lot.

Betty’s Island is now a great access point. From the interstate, travel north for about two miles and then turn left on St. Mary’s Road. Travel four more miles and you will see the Betty’s Island access point on your right. As of this year, Betty’s has a concrete boat ramp. Now, boat ramps on a tailwater fishery are generally only useful during periods of generation or high water. It’s entirely possible, though, to put a trailered johnboat in on the gravel bars at both Happy and Betty’s and as a matter of fact, it is done on a daily basis.