Date: Week of February 2, 2026

Welcome to this week's fishing report for the Caney Fork River. We are coming off a sharp cold snap that hit Middle Tennessee, and for trout anglers, that often means one exciting thing: The Shad Kill.

Current Conditions: The "Shad Kill" Watch

The recent freezing temperatures have dropped the water temp in Center Hill Lake, potentially stressing the threadfin shad population. When this happens, stunned or dying shad drift through the dam, providing an effortless high-protein meal for the river's trophy Brown and Rainbow trout. This is often the best time of year to land a personal best.

Generation Schedule

Due to the high demand for heating, TVA has been running generation pulses (typically 1 unit) during peak morning and evening hours.
Angler Alert: If you are wading, please keep a close eye on the water levels. The river can rise rapidly during generation. Always check the official TVA release schedule after 4:00 PM CST the day before you fish.

Recommended Lures & Flies

With the potential shad kill, your tackle box should focus on imitating dying baitfish.

1. The "Shad Kill" Pattern (Top Priority)

• Fly Fishing: White Sparkle Minnows, Pearl Zonkers, and White Wooly Buggers (Sizes #4-#8). If fish are sipping on top, try Foam Shad patterns.
• Spin Fishing: White/Pearl swimbaits (3-inch) on a jig head, or suspending jerkbaits in "Sexy Shad" or Bone colors.

2. Low Water / Non-Shad Windows

If the generation is off and you don't see shad floating, the fish will be holding deeper.

• Fly Fishing: Zebra Midges (Red/Black, #18-#22) and Egg patterns (Y2K, Glow Bugs).
• Spin Fishing: Marabou Jigs (1/8 oz in Olive or White) or the classic Trout Magnet under a float.

Summary: Don't let the cold keep you indoors. Dress in layers, watch the generation schedule closely, and keep those white streamers ready. Good luck and tight lines!