TAILWATER TECHNIQUES FOR TENNESSEE WATERS
By nature, tailwaters have multiple personalities. They are placid sleeping giants when the turbines upstream are closed, boisterous but still wadeable when partial releases occur, and intimidating torrents when all gates are open. Fishermen must adjust their techniques, often quite dramatically, according to the “mood” of the tailwater at any given time.

For flyfishermen, the periods of dramatically reduced flow are the times to be astream. Low water concentrates trout and makes for safe, easy wading. However, fish become particularly wary in such conditions and even a small wake can put down feeding trout at distances of 50 yards. Clear water and slow flows over long stretches also present difficulties. The answer to these and related problems lies in special tactics and techniques.

Long, delicate casts and light tippets increase the likelihood of takes. Also, when the current moves so slowly as to be barely discernible, go against the dry-fly canon and fish downstream. The trout sees the fly first, as opposed to leader and tippet, and is less likely to be spooked.

If fish seem particularly finicky or even the most delicate of casts puts them down, you can feed line out until the fly drifts into the fish’s feeding zone.

Alternatively, seek out stretches of the tailwaters where the flow is faster. Ripples, drops or a bit of chop on the surface let the fisherman get away with larger tippets and shorter casts. On breezy days, the wind creates just enough chop on still water to make trout comfortable. The same holds true for a soft, steady rain, and brown trout in particular are more active in the dark, cloudy conditions accompanying such rainfall.

Probing techniques using multiple-fly rigs can also be quite effective, especially when the angler has trouble identifying the insect on which trout are feeding during a heavy hatch. Try, for example, a high-floating attractor pattern, such as a Parachute Adams or any one of the hair-wing flies carrying the late Lee Wulff’s name, with a nymph dropper beneath it. Attach the nymph by tying an 18- to 24-inch piece of tippet to the bend in the dry-fly hook with an improved clinch knot. In still water, give the rig an occasional twitch to make the dry fly resemble a living insect.

A variation on the multiple-fly approach involves use of a dry fly trailed by either an emerger or a pupal pattern in place of a nymph. With this rig, imparting movement gives both flies the appearance of struggling, and that can trigger takes. Similarly, you might want to consider using a readily visible dry fly in combination with a midge or other tiny pattern. As is the case with droppers, the dry fly does double duty as a strike indicator.

For those who wish to fish with the water “on,” the commonly used strategy for Tennessee tailwaters is to cast from drifting boats or canoes. One often sees float tubes as well, although they can be dangerous when streams are in full spate. On the Hiwassee in particular, and to a lesser degree on the South Holston and Watauga, there are scattered locations where the cautious, experienced angler can wade even when the water is “on.” This should only be done with the aid of a wading staff and with great care.