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A nice brown trout from a way down the river.
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A typical rainbow trout from the Elk River.
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Elk River
June 2007
Lynchburg , TN
posted by Buster
I floated the Elk River on Saturday from the Dam to way, way down stream. I looked at the topographic map this morning and my guess is that I paddled somewhere between 3 and 3 ½ miles down stream. For all those who fish or float the Elk River, you know if you go downstream, you eventually have to find your way back upstream. I will admit even though it took a couple hours to get back to the truck, I had a great time.
Every year when I float the Caney for the first time, usually during the spring, I like to take notice of all the changes to the river bottom and bank edges from the previous year. The last time I remember fishing this far down stream on the Elk, I was with Scott and Laura. We fished a few runs up stream where we all have had success before. I also remember some sweet runs down stream. My favorite was this section where the river becomes narrow and the bottom of the river has large rocks on the bottom which creates some swift bumpy water. There was a tree fallen over on the bank from which you could stand on and cast up stream and swing a fly through. Since you were able to stand on the tree, you could try to spot fish and you were really able to see all the action take place. Well, since this was a couple of years ago, things have definitely changed since my last trip.
I got on the river about 7:15 around the dam. Before I fail to mention, this was the maiden voyage of the new kayak. I purchased an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 about 2 weeks ago and I still hadn’t put it in the water. This was going to change. I floated the area between the dam and the first bend fairly fast. If I wanted to fish this, I wouldn’t have brought the kayak. The area between the Dam and first bend is good for wading trips. I stopped at the large bend to fish it. I have never had any luck here, but today was going to be different. I fished the bend in the river from the opposite side of the river in water that was too deep to wade. I caught a couple of fish from here on pheasant tails and zebra midges. There were a couple of other fisherman in canoes at the “bend” when I got there and decided I would wait for them to leave and let them get a good distance down river before I headed on. Lucky for me the wait wasn’t long. They left the “bend” about 10 minutes after I arrived.
I headed down stream and fished the flat still water past the bend and before the next set of small rapids. I did really well in the flat water. In fact, I paddled back up stream several times in the flat, still water area. Overall, the fish were not big; however, they were numerous. In fact, most of the fish I did catch were between 8 and 10 inches. There were a few 10 to 12 inch fish, but they were mainly down river. The fish of the day was a nice brown trout between 13 or 14 inches.
After the second set of rapids, the water gets flat and slow. If you are able figure out a good way to fish the slow flat water, you will be in for a good day. I had my set-up and it was catching fish. All I am going to say is if you go to the Elk anytime soon, make sure to have plenty of pheasant tails and zebra midges. After the slow stretch, the river makes another turn to the right and then a quick turn to the left. At the right turn, the river narrows again and there are some deep holes along the far bank. Be sure to watch out for the underwater log, it eats flies.
When the water turns back to the left, the river is still narrow, but the bottom gets bumpy with large rocks. From this point on and for about another 100 yards, the river is swift and bumpy; try to find a place to stop and fish. I did…twice as a matter of fact; once going downstream and once coming back. Some of my best hook ups came from this section. Beware! It was hard to land a fish here if it was of any size. I had a few nice ones on, but the fish would dart in and out of the swift water, the fish would shake its head, or jump out of the water and walk across the water. It was hard to land a fish.
After the series of swift water areas, the river remains flat and slow for a long time. I still managed to catch fish, but the fish were fewer and further apart. But as I mentioned earlier, this is where I caught my fish of the day, a nice 13/14 inch brown trout. After landing this fish, I noticed I was coming up to the bend that I have never been passed.
This was my usual stopping point. I usually get out here, get a drink or two to stay hydrated, fish the bend along its far bank, and I turn the kayak around and head back up stream. But today was going to be different, I had all day and know where to be but on the river. Instead of stopping at the bend, I just kept on paddling. Again, the river is flat and still with not a lot of flow. I caught two fish in this long stretch of water. I guess that is when I decided to turn around.
I for got my watch and I wasn’t sure what time it was. The time just seems to fly by when I’m fishing. It was either going to be late in the day or it was going to be very early. I started paddling back. I figured it would take a few hours to get back to the dam. Plus, I want to fish some of the same runs again. As I headed back up stream, I was just about to the bend where I usually turn around, when I saw two canoes with fathers and sons in them. We talked briefly about fishing. I asked if they had the time. It was 12:55. This was good. I had plenty of time and day light to get back to the dam with some time to stop and fish some areas. Plus I would get back home before dark.
After paddling upstream and some walking and pulling the kayak behind me, I made it back to the truck. It was about 3:45. Remember, I stopped and fished several areas again. I loaded up the truck and headed home. It was a good day.
After looking on the topographic map and reviewing my trip, I think I want to take on the 8 ½ mile float from the dam to Farris Creek. I think there is enough time in the day to float and fish that length of river. Just start out early (sunrise), skip the first section of river up to the first bend, take plenty of food and water, and take a head lamp….just in case. Are there any takers?
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