Going to be doing a BRIEF trip into/through TN the first full week of May. Going to be staying at Rock Island State Park, visiting others (waterfall hunting for the girls). Any insights regarding tackle, this particular fishery,…limited space available for tackle. Would prefer to pack a fly rod and leave the spincast gear at home. What should I/we expect? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Mike K.
Live each day as if it were your last, some day you’ll be right!
I haven’t fished there in 30<mumble> years, so thing might have changed. The river that runs through there was a warm water stream and was wadable, at least in areas. I’ll poke around and see what I can find out. WarrenP, have you fished around Rock Island lately? There are several folks that visit this site who are probably better able to speak than I am. Think limestone riverbed with drop-offs weedbeds. Bass, rock bass, and sunfish were the order of the day, IIRC.
Ed
Like EdD, I have not fished there in a long time. When I did, it was warm water fishing for bass. The part I fished was by boat and not wadable. I hope someone can respond that knows the area better than I. It is a beautiful area.
Warren
“Patience is a virtue” - especially when vulnerable without adequate info. Am sure that southern bass fish like yankee bass, crappie, etc. Just not sure of what patterns to pack and areas to focus on. From what info I have received, we won’t have enough time to do the area justice. Again, any insights that are available will be greatly appreciated!
Mike
Live each day as if it were your last, some day you’ll be right!
I talked to a co-worker who lives south of there (he has a 90-mile commute, each way). He said that the locals consider it to be walleye water, first and foremeost. He said that some muskies are known to move upstream into the park. There is also some trout water around there, if you have access to the car. Charles Creek is stocked and seems to be in pretty good shape most of the time. Standard flies will probably do well for you. If you stunned most fly fishers in the area (so that they tell the truth) and asked them their absolute go-to fly, the Olive Wooly Bugger in size 6 would probably be what you heard the most. Other colors and vaiations in size are also a good idea. Other flies to think about include PTN, HEN, and Prince nymphs (& BH versions) in sizes down to 18 or 20. The smaller are especially for trout in the Caney Fork River. Copper John, Prince John, and Zebra nymphs are getting a lot of play now. For dries, try old standards again. Adams and Parachute Adams, Royal Wulff, Thunderhead, and assorted mayflies in 12-16. Black, Cream, BWO dry midges in 18 down to whatever you are comfortable with. Caddis flies, size 14 light, size 16 dark, and black in size 18 are popular.
Links:
For the state park: [url=http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/parks/RockIsland/:02de4]http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/parks/RockIsland/[/url:02de4]
For the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (fishing): [url=http://www.state.tn.us/twra/fish/fishmain.html:02de4]http://www.state.tn.us/twra/fish/fishmain.html[/url:02de4]
For trout stocking info (you’ll be in Region 3): [url=http://www.state.tn.us/twra/fish/StreamRiver/stockedtrout/sched06.pdf:02de4]http://www.state.tn.us/twra/fish/StreamRiver/stockedtrout/sched06.pdf[/url:02de4]
For a map: [url=http://www.state.tn.us/twra/gis/troutmap/pdfs/map10.pdf:02de4]http://www.state.tn.us/twra/gis/troutmap/pdfs/map10.pdf[/url:02de4]
Note that Standing Stone State Park is the area shaded in green at the very top and center of the map. The scale of the map is pretty badly out of kilter and should be used only as a rough idea.
We are already getting mayfly hatches. The sunfish will be on their beds in days. Be very alert for changes in water level if you fish any tailwaters. Water release info is NOT graven in stone, but can be linked to from here: [url=http://www.state.tn.us/twra/fish/StreamRiver/fishcond/fishcond.html:02de4]http://www.state.tn.us/twra/fish/StreamRiver/fishcond/fishcond.html[/url:02de4]
Also see this site: [url=http://www.southeastflyfishingforum.com/:02de4]http://www.southeastflyfishingforum.com/[/url:02de4]
Warren, is there anything else that you can think that I should add?
Ed
BTW, make sure that “The Girls” see Fall Creek Falls. There are trout in that creek (Cane Creek).
[This message has been edited by EdD (edited 18 May 2006).]
empeekay,
EdD has covered all very well. The only thing I would mention again is to watch for rising water when fishing any tailwaters. The gereration schedule is subject to change without warning. This is especially true on the Caney Fork River. If you think you may be traveling towards the Elk River or the Duck River, give me an e-mail. I would be glad to show you these 2 rivers. They are only about 1 1/2 hours away from Rock Island.
Warren
Thanks bunches! Fall Creek Falls was already on our “to-do” list, will be sure to pack accordingly. Reckon wet wading would be in order? Wondering if 3wt a/o 5wt? Never mind, I’ll take both. Thanks for the links, will give them a whirl. Hopefully I’ll have something positive to post as to the results.
Tight lines,
Mike K.
Live each day as if it were your last, some day you’ll be right!
empeekay,
You will love Fall Creek Falls! They have rental cabins right on the water and some very good bluegill fishing. They will rent flatbottom boats if you want. Keep us posted on how all went. Have fun and be careful.
Warren
The Caney is a trout stream in the tailwaters of the dam. Early in the day, the best time to take your wee nymphs out for a swim, not only is the water chilly, but the mist that can rise will make the air near the river chilly as well. A light windbreaker is common for a lot of folks. Upstream of the dam, the water is still likely to be cool. Be careful of your footing, and all of those sorts of things. Again, if you fish below the dam, be very alert to rising water. We have already had two tailwater drownings in Tennessee this year. When the water starts to come up, you have only a limited amount of time to get clear and be on the side of the river that you want to be on. Set mental landmarks near the water level and if they go under, start heading out. Some guys but a $10 bill between 2 rocks. When the bill is in danger of being washed away, they have to go get it. It’s time to be out of the water. Me, I’m too cheap for that. Leaves work too… 
EdD, Warren, and whoever else:
Still recovering from the miles driven on recent “vacation”. Central TN was absolutely gorgeous! Falls Creek Falls, Rock Island Falls, Burgess Falls, just to name a few. Scenery was nice in between rain storms (not fun). Our fly fishing desires were totally blown out by storms, high winds, or high water. Did catch some smallies below the dam at Burgess Falls. You didn’t hear this from me, but we had to use spinning gear - wind was atrocious(bad). The son caught two in the two lb. range. Had a blast on ultralight gear. Our flyrods got a nice ride though to and from Maryland - oh well. But I do want to thank you again for your help and thoughts. Hopefully next trip will be more in our favor. Take care, Mike K.
Live each day as if it were your last, some day you’ll be right!
empeekay,
So sorry to hear about your fishing being rained out. The area you traveled through is really beautiful. In Tennessee there are 5 seasons: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring & Monsoon then comes Summer again! 
On your next trip try and come through Nashville and down to Lynchburg and tour and visit the Jack Daniel’s Distillery and the George Dickle Distillery. They are really interesting and we have some beautiful country here and good fishing. Once again, sorry about all the rain.
Warren
I’m sorry for the weather as well. There just doesn’t seem to be anything that we can do about it. I keep calling the weather man and explaining when my free days are and would he be so kind as to give a calm, warm day. It never happens. If we get two days of storms in a week, they will occur when I am off. Oh well. I’m glad that the scenery was good for y’all and I wish you better luck on your next trip. We’re gonna have to get us a new weather man…
Ed
[This message has been edited by EdD (edited 18 May 2006).]
Thnx again guys! That weather guy must be moonlighting here in Maryland. Only rains when I have time off… Wifey was talking this evening about another trip down that way. Always willing to give it a whirl. Gonna try a “local” trout stream tomorrow. Local for me is two hours minimum one way. Take care amigos! MK
Live each day as if it were your last, some day you’ll be right!