Hiwassee River
Below Apalachia Dam · Polk County
SE Tennessee, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Rainbow and Brown.
Stream gauge: 03568000. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
Prime June conditions with caddis and sulphur emergences hitting their stride under warm, stable weather. Southeastern Anglers highlights ongoing small BWO action plus early winter stoneflies, while Cohutte reports strong caddis fishing success on nearby tailwaters. Focus midday emergence windows when air temps push into the 80s — classic Cherokee National Forest summer fishing with easier wading than technical waters upstream.
- Conditions: Stable early June weather with highs in the 80s through Friday. Light rain Saturday shouldn't muddy this stable tailwater system.
- Hatches: Peak sulphur and caddis season — #14-16 Elk Hair Caddis and Parachute Sulphurs during warm afternoon emergence windows.
- Water Temp: Mid-to-upper 50s — ideal for sustained caddis activity and comfortable wading in the river's lower gradient pools.
- Best Window: 1-4pm when air temps peak in the 80s, triggering surface activity. Early mornings productive for subsurface work before emergence.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Tailwater
- Best months: Mar–Nov; peak Apr–May (spring hatches); Mar is excellent early season
The Hiwassee River below Apalachia Dam flows through the heart of the Cherokee National Forest — a beautiful combination of tailwater trout fishing and wilderness scenery rarely found in the Southeast. The 5-mile float from Apalachia Dam to Reliance passes through the Hiwassee River Gorge Scenic Area. The river is wide and easily waded in many sections, or floated in drift boats and rafts. An excellent early-spring fishery when other southern Appalachian rivers are running high and cold.
The Hiwassee River is one of the rare Appalachian tailwaters where the combination of float fishing through a designated scenic gorge and excellent trout fishing are equally spectacular — the 5-mile Hiwassee Gorge float is among the most beautiful in the Southeast.
January Outlook
January on the Hiwassee River tailwater in the Cherokee National Forest — the Southeast's most wade-friendly TVA tailwater. The Apalachia Dam release maintains consistent 46–54°F water year-round. Scud and midge nymphing in a beautiful Tennessee mountain setting.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- Scud
- RS2
- Soft Hackle Midge
Tips
The Hiwassee is excellent in January for those wanting a year-round tailwater with easy access. The river is more stable and wade-friendly than the Clinch or South Holston — TVA flows are more consistent here. The Reliance and Appalachia section provides beautiful winter scenery in the Cherokee National Forest.
Water Notes
Regulated by TVA. Variable 200–1,200 cfs. Water 46–52°F. More stable TVA flows than other nearby tailwaters. Year-round fishing.
February Outlook
February on the Hiwassee. The Cherokee National Forest tailwater continues producing in winter with consistent scud and midge fishing. The river's stable flows and wade-friendly character make it one of the Southeast's best winter wading destinations.
Productive Patterns
- Scud (tan, olive)
- Zebra Midge
- Sowbug
- RS2
Tips
February on the Hiwassee is excellent for year-round tailwater fishing. The river is wide and easy to read — a good choice for anglers who want to wade fish rather than float. The Reliance section holds fish in every pool and riffle year-round. TVA schedules here are more predictable than the Clinch.
Water Notes
150–1,000 cfs. Water 46–52°F. Stable TVA tailwater. Good wade-fishing access throughout the Cherokee NF section.
March Outlook
March on the Hiwassee. Spring begins in the Cherokee National Forest and early Quill Gordon hatches appear on warm afternoons. The transition from winter nymphing to spring dry fly fishing begins at the Southeast's most approachable tailwater.
Productive Patterns
- Quill Gordon
- Blue Winged Olive
- Scud
- Elk Hair Caddis (small)
Tips
March brings the first hatches to the Hiwassee. The river's wide, flat character makes rising fish easier to spot than on more turbulent tailwaters. Early afternoon Quill Gordon hatches begin on warm days. The Hiwassee is an excellent choice for anglers transitioning from nymphing to dry fly fishing.
Water Notes
200–1,000 cfs. Water 46–52°F. Early spring in the Cherokee National Forest. First hatches emerging.
April Outlook
The Hiwassee River below Apalachia Dam in the Cherokee National Forest is the Southeast's most user-friendly tailwater. Excellent Sulphur and Caddis hatches in a beautiful mountain setting.
Productive Patterns
- Sulphur Sparkle Dun
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Blue Winged Olive
- Soft Hackle
Tips
The Hiwassee is more wade-friendly than the South Holston and Clinch. The section from Apalachia Dam to Reliance offers miles of wade-accessible water. One of the Southeast's best beginner-to-intermediate tailwaters.
Water Notes
Regulated by TVA. Variable 200–1,500 cfs. Water 48–56°F. More stable flows than other TVA tailwaters.
May Outlook
Prime season on the Hiwassee. Sulphur hatches are prolific and the Cherokee National Forest setting is spectacular.
Productive Patterns
- Sulphur Dry
- Elk Hair Caddis
- PMD Sparkle Dun
- Yellow Sally
Tips
The Hiwassee's evening Sulphur hatch is excellent from May through June. The river is wide and wade-accessible throughout most of the prime section. Both wade and float approaches are productive.
Water Notes
300–1,200 cfs. Water 52–60°F. Outstanding spring tailwater conditions in a scenic national forest.
June Outlook
Caddis and Sulphur season continues on the Hiwassee. The Cherokee National Forest setting makes this a scenic destination as much as a fishing trip.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Sulphur Dry
- Yellow Sally
- PMD
Tips
June on the Hiwassee is excellent. The river's lower gradient and wide character make it easier to fish than the more technical South Holston. Guided wade trips and rafts both work well.
Water Notes
250–1,000 cfs. Water 54–62°F. Good early summer conditions.
July Outlook
July on the Hiwassee tailwater. The cold TVA release maintains excellent fishing conditions in the Cherokee National Forest. Trico and Caddis activity at dawn and evening. The wide, wade-friendly character of this river makes it the most accessible summer tailwater option in east Tennessee.
Productive Patterns
- Trico Spinner (dawn)
- Elk Hair Caddis (evening)
- Scud
- Zebra Midge
Tips
Fish the Hiwassee's morning Trico spinner fall in July. The wide, slower sections from Reliance downstream are perfect for spotting rising fish. TVA flows are more stable here than the Clinch or South Holston — a significant advantage for summer wade fishing. Early morning and evening are most productive.
Water Notes
200–1,000 cfs. Water 48–56°F. More stable TVA summer flows. Dawn and evening fishing most comfortable. Year-round tailwater resource.
August Outlook
August on the Hiwassee. The Cherokee National Forest tailwater continues producing in Tennessee's hottest month. The Hiwassee's stable flows and comfortable wading make it the summer tailwater of choice for anglers who prefer to wade rather than float.
Productive Patterns
- Scud
- Zebra Midge
- Trico Spinner (dawn)
- Sowbug
Tips
The Hiwassee is exceptional in August compared to other Tennessee tailwaters — TVA flows are more stable here and the wide river is comfortable to wade. Fish the mornings for Trico activity, then nymph with scuds through midday. Bring sun protection — the wide river has less shade than canyon tailwaters.
Water Notes
200–1,000 cfs. Water 48–54°F. More stable TVA August flows. Year-round tailwater continues producing.
September Outlook
Excellent fall fishing on the Hiwassee with BWO hatches and autumn color in the Cherokee National Forest.
Productive Patterns
- Blue Winged Olive
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Streamer
- Parachute Adams
Tips
Fall on the Hiwassee is excellent with reliable conditions and beautiful scenery. The river sees fewer anglers in fall and the fish are in top condition. The Cherokee NF adds spectacular color.
Water Notes
200–800 cfs. Cooling 50–58°F. Good fall mountain tailwater conditions.
October Outlook
October is the Hiwassee's finest month. Reliable BWO hatches, pre-spawn brown trout, and spectacular Cherokee National Forest foliage combine for the year's best conditions. The Southeast's most scenic fall tailwater experience.
Productive Patterns
- Blue Winged Olive
- Mahogany Dun
- Streamer
- Elk Hair Caddis
Tips
October on the Hiwassee combines excellent fishing with some of the most beautiful fall scenery in the Southeast. The Cherokee National Forest foliage peaks in mid-October. Pre-spawn brown trout are aggressive. BWO hatches on overcast afternoons produce rising fish throughout the wide, accessible river.
Water Notes
200–900 cfs. Cooling 48–56°F. Outstanding fall conditions. Cherokee NF foliage peaks mid-October.
November Outlook
November on the Hiwassee tailwater. Post-spawn fish feeding aggressively and the year-round midge and scud fishery continues. A quiet, scenic November experience in the Cherokee National Forest.
Productive Patterns
- Midge Nymph
- Scud
- BWO (early month)
- Soft Hackle Wet
Tips
November is excellent and uncrowded on the Hiwassee. The consistent tailwater conditions continue and the Cherokee NF is quiet and beautiful in late fall. The river's wide, stable character makes it easy to read and fish in November. A great month for exploring the upper sections near Apalachia Dam.
Water Notes
150–900 cfs. Cooling 46–54°F. Year-round TVA tailwater. Excellent November conditions.
December Outlook
December returns the Hiwassee to winter midge and scud fishing. The Southeast's most accessible tailwater fishes consistently year-round. The Cherokee National Forest in December is peaceful and uncrowded — a quiet end to the year on this remarkable river.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- Scud
- RS2
- Soft Hackle Midge
Tips
December on the Hiwassee is excellent for year-round tailwater enthusiasts. More stable TVA flows than the Clinch or South Holston make December wade fishing safer and more predictable. The section from Apalachia Dam to Reliance holds fish in every pool year-round. Bundle up — Cherokee NF December mornings are cold.
Water Notes
150–1,000 cfs. Water 46–52°F. Year-round TVA tailwater. Most stable winter flows of the east Tennessee tailwaters.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. |
Mar, Apr, Oct | Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov | #16–20 |
|
| Sulphur Ephemerella invaria |
May, Jun | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–18 |
|
| Caddis Trichoptera spp. |
May, Jun | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–16 |
|
Access & Approach
Polk County, TN (Reliance area). Check TVA generation schedule at TVA.com. The Hiwassee Canoe Trail makes float fishing easy. Excellent wade fishing at Reliance. Multiple guide services operate on the Hiwassee. Tennessee fishing license required.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Southeastern Anglers
- Float North Georgia
- Cohutte Fishing Co
Regulations & License
Fishing in Tennessee requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Tennessee fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Hiwassee River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
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