Cumberland River below Old Hickory
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
Muddy
- Black / blue Reads as a baitfish silhouette when fish cannot see detail. Bass key on it in stain because it matches shad and bluegill profiles.
- Fire tiger Orange belly plus dark back plus chartreuse side. Built for water where fish hunt by flash and vibration.
Engine pick right now: olive, black, white
Guide pick for muddy water (fall): cut skipjack, stink bait, live bluegill
Catfish hunt by smell first. Color barely matters, contrast and scent do. Dark baits with bloody scent win in stain.
Full color matrix for muddy water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Hatch: 80% (terrestrials) Peak hatch. Surface bite is on now.
- 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.
Why this score
- hatch active+10
- pre frontal surge+8
- barometric trend+8
- in season+4
- wind speed+3
- dam generation running, capped at 45-39
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
Muddy
- Black / blue Reads as a baitfish silhouette when fish cannot see detail. Bass key on it in stain because it matches shad and bluegill profiles.
- Fire tiger Orange belly plus dark back plus chartreuse side. Built for water where fish hunt by flash and vibration.
Engine pick right now: olive, black, white
Guide pick for muddy water (fall): chartreuse, flame red, fire tiger
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 muddy water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Hatch: 80% (terrestrials) Peak hatch. Surface bite is on now.
- 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.
Why this score
- hatch active+10
- pre frontal surge+8
- barometric trend+8
- in season+3
- wind speed+3
- dam generation running, capped at 45-34
Best window: morning
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
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
In a few hours
Muddy
- Black / blue Reads as a baitfish silhouette when fish cannot see detail. Bass key on it in stain because it matches shad and bluegill profiles.
- Fire tiger Orange belly plus dark back plus chartreuse side. Built for water where fish hunt by flash and vibration.
Engine pick right now: olive, black, white
Full color matrix for muddy water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Hatch: 80% (terrestrials) Peak hatch. Surface bite is on now.
- 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.
Why this score
- preferred time of day+14
- hatch active+10
- pre frontal surge+8
- barometric trend+8
- in season+4
- wind speed+3
- dam generation running, capped at 45-45
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
Muddy
- Black / blue Reads as a baitfish silhouette when fish cannot see detail. Bass key on it in stain because it matches shad and bluegill profiles.
- Fire tiger Orange belly plus dark back plus chartreuse side. Built for water where fish hunt by flash and vibration.
Engine pick right now: olive, black, white
Guide pick for muddy water (fall): black / blue, fire tiger, junebug
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 muddy water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Hatch: 80% (terrestrials) Peak hatch. Surface bite is on now.
- 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.
Why this score
- hatch active+10
- pre frontal surge+8
- barometric trend+8
- in season+4
- wind speed+3
- dam generation running, capped at 45-37
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
Muddy
- Black / blue Reads as a baitfish silhouette when fish cannot see detail. Bass key on it in stain because it matches shad and bluegill profiles.
- Fire tiger Orange belly plus dark back plus chartreuse side. Built for water where fish hunt by flash and vibration.
Engine pick right now: olive, black, white
Guide pick for muddy water (fall): black / blue, fire tiger, junebug
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 muddy water
ColorClearStainedMuddy
Black / blueAvoidGoodBest
Fire tigerAvoidGoodBest
ChartreuseAvoidBestGood
Orange / flame redAvoidBestGood
White / shadGoodGoodAvoid
Natural / shadBestAvoidAvoid
Watermelon redBestAvoidAvoid
PurpleGoodGoodAvoid
Hatch: 80% (terrestrials) Peak hatch. Surface bite is on now.
- 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.
Why this score
- hatch active+10
- preferred time of day+10
- pre frontal surge+8
- barometric trend+8
- in season+4
- wind speed+3
- dam generation running, capped at 45-36
Dam generation & flow schedule
Gen off, wadeable
Gen on, high flow
Now marker
24h release schedule (table)
| Time | Flow (cfs) | State | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 6:00 AM | 6,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 6:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 7:00 AM | 6,100 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 7:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 8:00 AM | 6,200 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 8:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 9:00 AM | 6,200 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 9:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 10:00 AM | 6,200 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 10:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 11:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 12:00 PM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 1:00 PM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 2:00 PM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 3:00 PM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 4:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 5:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 6:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 7:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 8:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 9:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 10:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Wed 11:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 12:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 1:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 2:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 3:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 4:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 5:00 AM | 0 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 6:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 7:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 8:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 9:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 10:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 11:00 AM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 12:00 PM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 1:00 PM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 2:00 PM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 3:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 4:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 5:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 6:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 7:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 8:00 PM | 20,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 9:00 PM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 10:00 PM | 10,000 | Spill/Off | |
| Thu 11:00 PM | 10,000 | Spill/Off |
Next 24 hours · weather forecast
Scroll for hourly temperature, wind, and precipitation.
12PM
95°
5
SW
1PM
96°
5
SW
2PM
97°
0
N
6% rain
3PM
99°
0
N
7% rain
4PM
97°
0
N
8% rain
5PM
97°
0
N
10% rain
6PM
94°
0
N
7% rain
7PM
90°
0
N
8PM
87°
0
N
9PM
84°
0
N
10PM
82°
0
N
11PM
81°
0
N
12AM
80°
0
N
1AM
79°
0
N
2AM
79°
0
N
3AM
78°
0
N
4AM
77°
0
N
5AM
76°
0
N
6AM
75°
0
N
7AM
75°
0
N
8AM
79°
0
N
9AM
82°
0
N
10AM
89°
5
W
11AM
93°
5
NW
Latest readings
Live telemetry| Air temp (°F) | 75.2°F |
|---|---|
| Cloud cover (%) | 100% |
| Dew point (°C) | 21.1°C |
| dissolved oxygen mgl | 8.6 mg/L |
| gage height ft | 19.09 in |
| Relative humidity (%) | 40% |
| pH | 7.70 |
| Chance of precipitation (%) | 8% |
| Precipitation (in) | 0.00 in |
| Barometric pressure (mb) | 1,019.9 mb |
| Rain past 24h (in) | 1.20 in |
| Rain past 6h (in) | 0.00 in |
| Water temp (°C) | 15.7°C |
| Wind direction | ENE (68°) |
| Wind (mph) | 4.1 mph |
Reading freshness
Source update lag| Water temp (°C) | 69034.6 h ago usgs stale |
|---|---|
| Barometric pressure (mb) | 0 min ago openmeteo |
| Wind (mph) | 0 min ago openmeteo |
| Cloud cover (%) | 0 min ago openmeteo |
| Air temp (°F) | 0 min ago openmeteo |
| Rain past 24h (in) | 2777.1 h ago openmeteo stale |
| Rain past 6h (in) | 0 min 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
Craneflies
Sizes 10–14
Recommended patterns:
Cranefly Larva #12, Adult Cranefly #12
Weeks 10-39 (Mar-Sep) on Stones River + lower Cumberland; long warmwater season.
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.
TREND SPARKLINE (7-DAY BITE SCORE)
Score Range: 0 - 100
10-day weather & pressure outlook
Extended NWS meteorological outlook.
| Day | High | Low | Wind | Cloud | Rain % | Pressure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99°F | 74°F | Unknown | — | 1% | 1,023.5 mb | nws | |
| 100°F | 75°F | Unknown | — | 2% | 1,023.2 mb | nws | |
| 99°F | 75°F | Unknown | — | 2% | 1,019.4 mb | nws | |
| 99°F | 73°F | Unknown | — | 3% | 1,015.1 mb | nws | |
| 99°F | 74°F | Unknown | — | 4% | 1,013.1 mb | nws | |
| 96°F | 73°F | Unknown | — | 12% | 1,012.5 mb | nws | |
| 91°F | 70°F | Unknown | — | 23% | 1,014.0 mb | nws | |
| 84°F | 66°F | Unknown | — | 20% | 1,016.1 mb | nws | |
| 85°F | 62°F | Unknown | — | 13% | 1,014.3 mb | nws | |
| 90°F | 64°F | Unknown | — | 10% | 1,017.0 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
- Cedar Hill Park 36.2721, -86.7438 phone map Google OSM
- Creekwood Marina 36.2852, -86.6074 phone map Google OSM
- Drakes Creek Marina 36.2607, -86.6086 phone map Google OSM
- Lock 3 Access 36.2768, -86.6316 phone map Google OSM
- Lock Two Park Boat Ramp 36.2439, -86.7035 phone map Google OSM
- Mallard point Park 36.2898, -86.6082 phone map Google OSM
- Metro Beach Boat Ramp 36.2877, -86.6573 phone map Google OSM
- Metro Beach Swim Area 36.2875, -86.6607 phone map Google OSM
- Old Hickory Marina 36.2514, -86.6392 phone map Google OSM
- Sanders Ferry Park 36.2496, -86.6043 phone map Google OSM
- Stark Knob 36.2817, -86.5756 phone map Google OSM
- Unnamed Boat Ramp 36.2968, -86.6134 phone map Google OSM
- Walton Ferry Ramp 36.2585, -86.6290 phone map Google OSM