How To Read The Generation Schedule

Reading the TVA Generation Schedule can be daunting, and generation schedule differ from one tailwater to the next. 

You want wade when no generators are running. At with one generator is running, the water is too high to safely wade, and the fishing for trout slows down significantly as well for anglers in boats. To keep the water cool, TVA often runs a “pulse,” which equates to some extra water running through the dam in hour increments. Typically, a pulse isn’t enough water to impact wading, and only raises the water by 3-6 inches.

Down at the Nances Ferry boat ramp, for reference, it can take about 5-6 hours for the water to reach it, and it takes nearly 10 hours for the water to “fall out” when they stop generating.

Where To Wade

Generally, Nances Ferry is considered to be the terminus of the trout, and you’ll find a lot of smallmouth in the area as well. Otherwise, access is largely private, so floating is the preferred way to fish unless you have access on someone’s property.

Where To Float