Caney Fork River

LOCATION
The Caney Fork River meanders along the Cumberland Plateau and is the headwater and tailwater for Center Hill Lake. The area described is for the tailwater section of the river. This portion of the river flows from the damn to below I-40 and offers trout and smallmouth bass fishing. Edgar Evins State Park is along the upper portion of the river on the east side and offers day hiking.

DIRECTIONS
• I-40 to Buffalo Valley Rd exit, turn south to fish the upper part of the river.
• The damn is on Wolf Creek Rd. Follow Buffalo Valley Rd to stop sign and take a right. The damn is approximately 100 yards on the right.
• To fish the lower portion of the river turn north on Buffalo Valley Rd. Drive approximately 1 mile and take a right on St Mary’s Rd. Betty Access in on the left.

DESCRIPTION
• Beautiful hardwoods
• Considered a “freestone” tailwater
• Deep holes
• Grassy bottom in some areas

ACTIVITIES
• Fly fishing, spin-cast fishing, bait fishing
• Canoeing and Kayaking
• Day hikes and camping at Edgar Evins State Park

ISSUES
• Wading areas at each access when the damn is not generating
• Slick rock bottom
• Boating is the best option during generation
• Fishing pressure can be high
• Crowded accesses
• Damn generation- Call the TVA to check the generation schedule. The water rises quickly.

POSITIVES
• Quality size brown trout
• During stocking rainbows a plenty
• Nice boating river

SYNOPSIS
I fish this river a lot. I consider it my “home river”. Fly fishing can be challenging; but mayflies, midges, and woolly buggers are your best options. The damn and Happy Hollow are usually the most crowded with Betty’s Access being the least. There are a few other areas to fish, but I don’t want to give them up- sorry.

To canoe/kayak this portion of the river, contact a link below for shuttling.

LINKS
http://www.mapquest.com/
http://www.canoethecaney.com/
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/EdgarEvins/