Tailwater Trout

[Foxtrot1]

Over the last couple of weeks we have fished a couple of larger tailraces and honestly been getting our butts kicked. We are used to fishing moderate sized rivers with a mix of shoals and pools. These larger rivers have been a tough nut to crack. They have been wide(100 yds), swift with turbines on, and too deep to wade. We use spinning gear and have tried, spinners, spoons, jigs, and live bait with very limited success. We have been drifting in kayaks tossing lures or drifting bait with the current.

Anybody have any tips or tactics that consistently work for them in these conditions?

 

[fargoflyfish]

The only large tailwater that I have fished is the bighorn river. I've fished it a handful of times and using tiny flies seems to be the key most of the time. I've never used bigger than an 18.

On the other hand, I've known several people that caught trout on the tailrace of Sakakawea in ND. They had luck on the exact opposite by using large streamer flies.

Which tailwaters have you been fishing?

 

[Foxtrot1]

The Clinch and Hiawassee in Tennessee.