The Elk River near Winchester, TN, is an important Middle Tennessee trout river. Below Tims Ford Dam on Rt. 50 about 10 miles west of Winchester, the cold tail waters support rainbow and brown trout for more than 15 miles downstream of the dam. A good map of Tims Ford Lake which shows much of the cold water section is available in some Walmart stores and at Tucker's Market on Rt. 50 west of Winchester. Those visiting the river for the first time should take Rt. 50 from either Lynchburg or Winchester. Secondary access points (use a map) can be made from Rt. 121 which connects Routes 50 and 64.
In the last year, TVA has marked several "River Access" points for the Elk. These are places where there is limited parking and where it is possible to launch canoes or small jon boats. Note that these access points are usually old river fords and can be fairly rough with little space to maneuver a boat trailer. Single canoes can be launched at any access point, but trailer access is best at Farris Creek Bridge (east side). A very good half day trip is from Garners Ford to Farris Creek Bridge; a good day trip is from Garners Ford to Old Dam Ford in Moore County. Those interested in seeing more of the river can continue to Shiloh Bridge or to the River Access point near highway 64 bridge east of Fayetteville. Below Shiloh bridge, the water is often too warm for trout, but other species such as bass can be taken. Non-fishermen can enjoy many species of wildflowers in bloom along the banks, observes dozens of species birds, and may even see a mink, beaver, or otter. Great Blue Herons are common and an occasional osprey will visit the river.
The river is stocked annually with thousands of 8-14" rainbow and brown trout from both the Dale Hollow and Shiloh fish hatcheries. Some fingerling trout are also stocked. Annual stocked fish disappear from the stream fairly quickly, but a few of them and many of the fingerlings carry over from year to year. These carry-over fish exhibit near-wild behavior and can be very difficult to catch and exciting to play. Any fisherman on the Elk ought to be prepared to be surprised! Very large trout--4# or better--can show up in places you never expected. Rainbows of 10# and Browns of 12# have been taken in recent years on this river. The typical fish, however, is much smaller: usually 9-14 inches. On any day a 16" or 18" fish is a trophy. Anglers sometimes take both large and smallmouth bass, crappie, and an occasional walleye! Although this river has the potential to be a premier trout stream, recent floods and some water quality problems have affected the food supply, and the stream is not supporting the widely distributed trout population seen in the late 1980's. TVA has recently introduced new water quality control measures, including oxygenation equipment, and we may soon see excellent fishing return to this beautiful river.
The Elk is a meandering river with long shallow stretches and deep turn holes. Trout can be found in a variety of cover all along the river. Bait fishermen often have better luck in the deep turn holes, while fly fishermen enjoy success in the shallow pools and around the many snags found along the Elk. At Garners Ford, bait fishermen often fish worms, corn, crickets, or grubs into the downstream turn hole; at the same access point, fly fishermen often have good success upstream. Below Farris Creek there is easy fly fishing down to the turn hole at Smith Island (about one-half mile downstream). Both fly and bait fishermen can enjoy the long mid-stream gravel bar at Old Dam Ford. Many flies will work on the Elk, but Wooly Buggers and Hare's Ear (particularly the "flashback" versions) nymphs are usually successful. For dry fly anglers, the several varieties of Elk Hair Caddis, particularly in grey, blue, and tan, are very successful. Muddler Minnows are a good back-up when nothing else seems to work. Recently I have taken out of my vest all of my very large and very small flies and work from a single flybox of sizes ranging from #10s to #16s. Most of the fish I have taken on the Elk have come to sizes #12 or #14.
Keep in mind that this portion of the Elk River is--despite nearby farms--fairly remote. There are no facilities at the River Access points, and the nearest public telephones are 5 to 10 miles away. River users should go prepared by taking adequate food and drink. Phones, supplies, and tackle are available at Tucker's Lakeside Market and Broadview Market on Rt. 50, and at Frank's Gen. Merchandise on Rt. 121. Note that summer water temperatures can be under 50°ree; F and on cloudy or windy days, prolonged wading can lead to mild hypothermia. If you are cold and shaking, get out of the water to warm up.
The Elk is a beautiful river and will remain so if anglers will take care of it. Please remember to pack out all of your trash, respect landowners' property along the way, and practice catch-and-release as often as you can. Since all of the river corridor land is privately owned, continuing access requires that anglers be good neighbors as they use the river banks. The TWRA special trout license (Type 22) is required if you fish for trout on the Elk. Licenses are available at both markets on Rt. 50 and at Frank's Gen. Merchandise on Rt. 121.
Be sure to call the TVA lake information line before you fish. This number is: 423-751-2264, then 4 for the water release schedules and 50 for the Elk River. Listen to the entire message. If a water release has occurred (3000 cfs--cubic feet per second--or more), it takes approximately 4 hours for the flow to return to normal and for the river to be safe for wading. [Note carefully whether the message says "Tims Ford is spilling." This means that water is being released through the spillway gates. Spillway water can be many thousands of cubic feet per second.] Wading fishermen should not attempt to fish any flows greater than the 70-90 cfs ("normal" or "minimum" stream flow) on the Elk. Normally, this means that when you hear the TVA message, "Tims Ford will operate no generators from midnight to midnight," it is safe to wade--provided they are not spilling! TVA recommends an approved flotation device for anyone using the streambed under any flow conditions. Do not park vehicles on the streambed. TVA cannot guarantee waterflow schedules and may release water at any time. The water releases on the Elk average about 3800 cfs in a narrow channel--water rise is rapid and the current is strong. "One" generator flow on the Elk is very different from "one wheel" on the Hiwassee and other wide rivers. On the Hiwassee "one wheel" is ideal; on the Elk it is dangerous--adjust your thinking if you are used to fishing other tail waters. If the water begins to rise, leave the streambed immediately, particularly if you are in a section with steep banks and cliffs. Unmanageable water may develop in less than 10 minutes. When Tims Ford power house is generating, I do not recommend boating, and wading is impossible. During generator flow some bank fishing is possible from the rocks near the dam. Tail waters are inherently dangerous. Heed the posted warnings and pay attention to stream conditions.