Cumberland River below Cordell Hull (lower)
Tailwater
Cumberland River below Cordell Hull (lower) Conditions
Wade Safe · Low Generation
Flow / Discharge
Unmeasured Reach
Local Hydrology
Water Temp
Pending Telemetry
Thermal Lag Model
Generation State
Generators Idle
TVA Schedule Log
Barometer Trend
—
NWS Station Barometer
What to throw right now
Per-species breakdown & tactics
Pick a fish, then Fly, Spin, or Colors. Your last pick is remembered.
Best window: after dark
From a boat or stable bank perch: 6-7 wt sink-tip line, 4-6 ft fluoro tippet to a weighted streamer or beadhead bugger. Cast quartering downstream, mend hard upstream once, then strip-pause-strip through the seam. The fly needs to track in the bottom third of the column; if it skates near the surface during generation you'll get nothing. Drop a split shot 6" above the fly if the sink-tip isn't getting there.
Flies: Wooly Bugger #6 (weighted), Sculpin Streamer #6
Not a practical fly target most days. Heavy Clouser dredged deep is the novelty play.
In a few hours
Medium-action spinning rod, 8-10 lb braid + 6 lb fluoro leader. Use the heaviest jighead that still lets the lure breathe (1/4 oz minimum during generation; 3/8 oz if the flow is heavy). Cast across-current and slow-roll back with the rod tip down. Fish the slack-water pockets behind boulders + dam piers; trout stack there during high flow waiting for food.
Lures: 3/8 oz inline spinner, 1/4 oz curly tail grub
Cut bait on bottom rigs. Put scent in the current seam and wait.
In a few hours
Clear
- Natural / shad Disappears correctly in clear water. Invisible for the wrong reason once stain cuts visibility.
- Watermelon red The clear-water bass standard. Red flake reads as craw without spooking pressured fish.
Best colors right now: olive, black, white
Good colors for clear water (fall): natural cut bait, nightcrawler, live shad
Catfish hunt by smell first. Color barely matters, contrast and scent do. Dark baits with bloody scent win in stain.
Full color matrix for clear water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
Hatch: 44% (midge) Light activity. Some bugs in the air, but fish aren't committed yet.
- Generation high-water is the most dangerous time on a TN tailwater. Watch the schedule, never wade during a release, and step back from the bank when the siren sounds.
Conditions Match Breakdown
- + water temp in target range+13
- + preferred time of day+10
- + barometric trend+6
- + hatch active+5
- + cloud cover+4
- + solunar major window+4
- + in season+3
- + wind speed+3
- + cloud preference+2
- + dissolved oxygen+2
- + new/full moon amplifier+1
- – dam generation running, capped at 45-21
Best window: last light
From a boat or stable bank perch: 6-7 wt sink-tip line, 4-6 ft fluoro tippet to a weighted streamer or beadhead bugger. Cast quartering downstream, mend hard upstream once, then strip-pause-strip through the seam. The fly needs to track in the bottom third of the column; if it skates near the surface during generation you'll get nothing. Drop a split shot 6" above the fly if the sink-tip isn't getting there.
Flies: Wooly Bugger #6 (weighted), Sculpin Streamer #6
Heavy jig-style streamer bounced on bottom in current seams.
In a few hours
Medium-action spinning rod, 8-10 lb braid + 6 lb fluoro leader. Use the heaviest jighead that still lets the lure breathe (1/4 oz minimum during generation; 3/8 oz if the flow is heavy). Cast across-current and slow-roll back with the rod tip down. Fish the slack-water pockets behind boulders + dam piers; trout stack there during high flow waiting for food.
Lures: 3/8 oz inline spinner, 1/4 oz curly tail grub
Bright contrast jig vertical in tailrace seams. Chartreuse or orange head.
In a few hours
Clear
- Natural / shad Disappears correctly in clear water. Invisible for the wrong reason once stain cuts visibility.
- Watermelon red The clear-water bass standard. Red flake reads as craw without spooking pressured fish.
Best colors right now: olive, black, white
Good colors for clear water (fall): smoke, natural minnow, silver
Light-sensitive like walleye but turn ON in stain while everything else slows. Feed all day in murk that shuts down bass.
Full color matrix for clear water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
Hatch: 44% (midge) Light activity. Some bugs in the air, but fish aren't committed yet.
- Generation high-water is the most dangerous time on a TN tailwater. Watch the schedule, never wade during a release, and step back from the bank when the siren sounds.
Conditions Match Breakdown
- + water temp in target range+22
- + preferred time of day+14
- + barometric trend+6
- + hatch active+5
- + cloud cover+4
- + in season+4
- + solunar major window+4
- + wind speed+3
- + cloud preference+2
- + dissolved oxygen+2
- + new/full moon amplifier+1
- – dam generation running, capped at 45-38
Best window: first light
From a boat or stable bank perch: 6-7 wt sink-tip line, 4-6 ft fluoro tippet to a weighted streamer or beadhead bugger. Cast quartering downstream, mend hard upstream once, then strip-pause-strip through the seam. The fly needs to track in the bottom third of the column; if it skates near the surface during generation you'll get nothing. Drop a split shot 6" above the fly if the sink-tip isn't getting there.
Flies: Wooly Bugger #6 (weighted), Sculpin Streamer #6
Olive wooly bugger or black game changer. Dark silhouette first, drop to rust nymph if refusals.
In a few hours
Medium-action spinning rod, 8-10 lb braid + 6 lb fluoro leader. Use the heaviest jighead that still lets the lure breathe (1/4 oz minimum during generation; 3/8 oz if the flow is heavy). Cast across-current and slow-roll back with the rod tip down. Fish the slack-water pockets behind boulders + dam piers; trout stack there during high flow waiting for food.
Lures: 3/8 oz inline spinner, 1/4 oz curly tail grub
Black and blue jig or chartreuse spinnerbait tight to cover. Stained fish hold on wood and rock edges.
In a few hours
Clear
- Natural / shad Disappears correctly in clear water. Invisible for the wrong reason once stain cuts visibility.
- Watermelon red The clear-water bass standard. Red flake reads as craw without spooking pressured fish.
Best colors right now: olive, black, white
Good colors for clear water (fall): watermelon red, natural shad, green pumpkin
Bass see red and green well and chase high-contrast silhouettes in stain. Black and blue reads as a shad or bluegill profile when detail drops out.
Full color matrix for clear water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
Hatch: 44% (midge) Light activity. Some bugs in the air, but fish aren't committed yet.
- Generation high-water is the most dangerous time on a TN tailwater. Watch the schedule, never wade during a release, and step back from the bank when the siren sounds.
Conditions Match Breakdown
- + water temp in target range+22
- + preferred time of day+10
- + barometric trend+6
- + hatch active+5
- + in season+5
- + cloud cover+4
- + solunar major window+4
- + wind speed+3
- + cloud preference+2
- + dissolved oxygen+2
- + new/full moon amplifier+1
- – dam generation running, capped at 45-34
Best window: last light
From a boat or stable bank perch: 6-7 wt sink-tip line, 4-6 ft fluoro tippet to a weighted streamer or beadhead bugger. Cast quartering downstream, mend hard upstream once, then strip-pause-strip through the seam. The fly needs to track in the bottom third of the column; if it skates near the surface during generation you'll get nothing. Drop a split shot 6" above the fly if the sink-tip isn't getting there.
Flies: Wooly Bugger #6 (weighted), Sculpin Streamer #6
Olive wooly bugger or black game changer. Dark silhouette first, drop to rust nymph if refusals.
In a few hours
Medium-action spinning rod, 8-10 lb braid + 6 lb fluoro leader. Use the heaviest jighead that still lets the lure breathe (1/4 oz minimum during generation; 3/8 oz if the flow is heavy). Cast across-current and slow-roll back with the rod tip down. Fish the slack-water pockets behind boulders + dam piers; trout stack there during high flow waiting for food.
Lures: 3/8 oz inline spinner, 1/4 oz curly tail grub
Black and blue jig or chartreuse spinnerbait tight to cover. Stained fish hold on wood and rock edges.
In a few hours
Clear
- Natural / shad Disappears correctly in clear water. Invisible for the wrong reason once stain cuts visibility.
- Watermelon red The clear-water bass standard. Red flake reads as craw without spooking pressured fish.
Best colors right now: olive, black, white
Good colors for clear water (fall): watermelon red, natural shad, green pumpkin
Bass see red and green well and chase high-contrast silhouettes in stain. Black and blue reads as a shad or bluegill profile when detail drops out.
Full color matrix for clear water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
Hatch: 44% (midge) Light activity. Some bugs in the air, but fish aren't committed yet.
- Generation high-water is the most dangerous time on a TN tailwater. Watch the schedule, never wade during a release, and step back from the bank when the siren sounds.
Conditions Match Breakdown
- + water temp in target range+22
- + preferred time of day+14
- + barometric trend+6
- + hatch active+5
- + in season+5
- + cloud cover+4
- + solunar major window+4
- + wind speed+3
- + cloud preference+2
- + dissolved oxygen+2
- + new/full moon amplifier+1
- – dam generation running, capped at 45-39
Dam generation & flow schedule
Gen off, wadeable
Gen on, high flow
Now marker
24h release schedule (table)
| Time | Flow (cfs) | State | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 1:00 PM | 7,880 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 1:00 PM | 6,600 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 2:00 PM | 7,890 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 2:00 PM | 6,600 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 3:00 PM | 7,900 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 3:00 PM | 6,600 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 4:00 PM | 13,200 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 5:00 PM | 13,200 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 6:00 PM | 13,200 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 7:00 PM | 13,200 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 8:00 PM | 6,600 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 9:00 PM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 10:00 PM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sat 11:00 PM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 12:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 1:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 2:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 3:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 4:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 5:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 6:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 7:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 8:00 AM | 6,600 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 9:00 AM | 6,600 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 10:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 11:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 12:00 PM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 1:00 PM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 2:00 PM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 3:00 PM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 4:00 PM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 5:00 PM | 6,600 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 6:00 PM | 13,200 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 7:00 PM | 13,200 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 8:00 PM | 13,200 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 9:00 PM | 6,600 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 10:00 PM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Sun 11:00 PM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Mon 12:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Mon 1:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Mon 2:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Mon 3:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Mon 4:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Mon 5:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off |
Next 24 hours · weather forecast
Scroll for hourly temperature, wind, and precipitation.
7PM
68°
0
N
6% rain
8PM
66°
0
N
7% rain
9PM
63°
0
N
8% rain
10PM
62°
0
N
11PM
61°
0
N
12AM
60°
0
N
1AM
59°
0
N
1AM
59°
0
N
7% rain
2AM
58°
0
N
17% rain
3AM
57°
0
N
20% rain
4AM
56°
0
N
26% rain
5AM
54°
0
N
30% rain
6AM
54°
5
E
49% rain
7AM
52°
5
E
57% rain
8AM
55°
5
E
59% rain
9AM
57°
5
SE
64% rain
10AM
61°
5
SE
68% rain
11AM
63°
5
SE
68% rain
12PM
63°
5
SE
61% rain
1PM
63°
5
SE
52% rain
2PM
64°
5
SE
49% rain
3PM
63°
5
SE
56% rain
4PM
64°
5
SE
44% rain
5PM
62°
5
SE
38% rain
Latest readings
Live telemetry| Air temp (°F) | 72.0°F |
|---|---|
| Cloud cover (%) | 93% |
| Dew point (°C) | 8.9°C |
| Relative humidity (%) | 43% |
| Chance of precipitation (%) | 4% |
| Barometric pressure (mb) | 1,025.2 mb |
| Rain past 6h (in) | 0.00 in |
| Wind direction | ESE (113°) |
| Wind (mph) | 5.0 mph |
Reading freshness
Source update lag| Barometric pressure (mb) | 6 min ago openmeteo |
|---|---|
| Wind (mph) | 6 min ago nws |
| Cloud cover (%) | 6 min ago nws |
| Air temp (°F) | 6 min ago nws |
| Rain past 24h (in) | 3864.1 h ago openmeteo stale |
| Rain past 6h (in) | 5.1 h ago nws |
Hatch matcher · this month
Active aquatic insect emergences & suggested imitations.
Midge
Sizes 18–24
Recommended patterns:
Zebra Midge #20
Year-round on tailwaters/lakes
Next few hours · best species
Prime windows for active feeding over the next 12 hours (CDT).
7-day forecast
Composite spot scores over the coming week.
10-day weather & pressure outlook
NWS forecast where it reaches, Open-Meteo beyond it. Days run midnight to midnight, spot time.
| Day | High | Low | Wind | Cloud | Rain % | Pressure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat Oct 31 | 81°F | 55°F | Calm | 89% | 10% | 1,024.5 mb | nws |
| Sun Nov 1 | 67°F | 49°F | 4 mph E | 97% | 68% | 1,027.1 mb | nws |
| Mon Nov 2 | 73°F | 49°F | 4 mph SE | 84% | 21% | 1,023.5 mb | nws |
| Tue Nov 3 | 77°F | 54°F | 9 mph SSE | 54% | 24% | 1,018.5 mb | nws |
| Wed Nov 4 | 71°F | 60°F | 7 mph SSE | 97% | 75% | 1,012.3 mb | nws |
| Thu Nov 5 | 70°F | 54°F | Calm | 96% | 54% | 1,010.7 mb | nws |
| Fri Nov 6 | 69°F | 49°F | 3 mph NNW | 60% | 21% | 1,008.7 mb | nws |
| Sat Nov 7 | 67°F | 44°F | Calm | 83% | 4% | 1,010.9 mb | nws |
| Sun Nov 8 | 56°F | 48°F | 8 mph WSW | 89% | 9% | 1,009.6 mb | openmeteo |
| Mon Nov 9 | 55°F | 42°F | 4 mph WNW | 55% | 15% | 1,011.3 mb | openmeteo |
Trends · 7 days
Hover chart points for telemetry details. Gold dot represents latest reading.
Barometric pressure (mb)
Water temperature (°F)
Fishing regulations (TWRA)
Statewide creel and length limits. Confirm the current rule on TWRA before you keep a fish.
These are statewide defaults only. Many waters have their own creel, size, or season rules that override this list. Check the water you are fishing on TWRA before you go.
TWRA fishing regulations · Water-specific exceptions
Statewide defaults (19 rules)
| Species | Rule |
|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | No harvest allowed. Must be returned to water immediately. |
| Black Bass (includes Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Alabama And Coosa) | No more than 5 black bass per day in any combination may be taken. | None |
| Catfish | Only one (1) catfish over 34 inches may be harvested per day. No harvest limit on catfish less than 34 inches. |
| Crappie | 15 | 10 inches |
| Lake Trout | Only 2 of your 7 total trout may be lake trout. | None |
| Muskellunge | 1 | 36 inches |
| Paddlefish | Paddlefish may be harvested from April 24 through May 31. Daily creel limit is 2 fish per day with no size limit. Culling is prohibited. Exceptions on Center Hill, Cherokee, and Watts Bar reservoirs. |
| Redear Sunfish (shellcracker) | 20 | None |
| Redear Sunfish Or Shellcracker | 20 | None |
| Region 1 Crappie Exception: Unless Otherwise Noted For Specific Waters. | 30 | None |
| Rock Bass Or Redeye And Shadow Bass | 20 | None |
| Sauger Or Sauger/walleye Hybrids | 10 | 15 inches |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | No harvest allowed. Must be returned to the water immediately. |
| Skipjack Herring | 100 | None |
| Striped Bass Or Hybrid Striped Bass (any Combination) | 2 | 15 inches |
| Trout (all Trout Species Combined) | 7 | None |
| Walleye | 5 | 16 inches |
| White Bass | 15 | None |
| Yellow Bass, Bluegill, Warmouth, Bream, Bullheads, Pickerel, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, And Nongame Species | no limit | None |
Access points & navigation
- Bob Lowery Sr. Boat Ramp 36.2241, -85.9431 phone map Google OSM
- Buffalo Ramp 36.3106, -85.8751 phone map Google OSM
- Carthage Boat Ramp 36.2432, -85.9453 phone map Google OSM
- Defeated Creek Marina 36.3006, -85.9071 phone map Google OSM
- Horseshoe Bend River Ramp 36.2795, -85.9392 phone map Google OSM
- Sullivans Bend 36.2956, -85.8688 phone map Google OSM
- Sullivans Bend Ramp 2 36.2987, -85.8715 phone map Google OSM
- ramp below powerhouse side 36.2824, -85.9369 phone map Google OSM