🎣 Hiwassee River Delayed Harvest Rules and Fly Picks in Reliance, Tennessee

🌄 Fall and winter bring a steady stream of anglers to Southeast Tennessee’s trout waters, and many of them ask the same question: where can they keep fishing in the cold months? This Hiwassee River update from Southeast Tennessee Tourism lays out the rules, the river stretch, and current fly recommendations for the Reliance area.

📜 What “Delayed Harvest” Means

🐟 Delayed Harvest, often shortened to “DH,” runs from October 1 through February 28. Every trout caught in the designated water goes back into the river, and anglers may fish only with artificial lures and flies. Bait is not allowed, even in the truck, according to the post.

🎯 The post notes that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) keeps the river stocked during the fall and winter. Rainbow and brown trout were stocked on Oct. 16 and Oct. 21, with more expected as the water cools.

📍 Where the Delayed Harvest Water Runs

🗺️ According to the poster shared with the post, the DH water stretches from the Apalachia Powerhouse downstream to the old L&N railroad trestle in Reliance, covering about 5.5 river miles. The poster’s map also references the Cherokee National Forest, Hiwassee River Road (FR 108), the Towee Creek launch, and the Childers Creek area.

🏪 Reliance Fly & Tackle says it sits right on the DH water, on the north bank near Childers Creek. Below the L&N trestle, statewide rules apply: anglers may keep 7 trout a day, and bait is allowed.

🌡️ What’s Working Right Now

❄️ The post’s Nov. 11 update noted that water temperature at the powerhouse was 61°F, and that trout were responding to the cooler conditions. Anglers are advised to check TVA flows before wading, since the river can rise quickly when the turbines come on. The TVA flow check number listed on the poster is 1-800-238-2264.

🪰 The Hiwassee Fly Box

🧵 The flyer, titled “The Hiwassee Fly Box: What’s Working,” groups its recommendations by category:

• Nymphs: Pheasant Tail (#16-18), Hare’s Ear (#14-16), and Zebra Midge (#18-22)
• Streamers: Woolly Bugger (#6-10) in olive or white, fished along deeper banks and slower pockets, where the poster says big brown trout may be found
• Dries and dry dropper: Blue Winged Olive (#18-22), Griffith’s Gnat (#18-20), and Elk Hair Caddis (#14-18), with anglers advised to watch for rising fish during the warmer afternoon hours

🌊 For river tips, the flyer advises anglers to try deeper runs, current seams, and the softer water behind large rocks, since fish are spread out. It also says a dry dropper is a good bet when conditions allow. The fly picks were credited to the newest Hiwassee report from Bowlings Outdoors.

💡 Before You Go

📣 Reliance Fly & Tackle invites anglers to stop by for updated flies and to ask what is hatching that week. The business is described in the poster as an Orvis dealer. Anglers planning a trip should confirm the current TVA schedule and review the DH boundaries on the poster before heading out, since the rules change once fish pass below the L&N trestle.

🎣 Whether you are a seasoned fly angler or planning your first winter trip, the post encourages readers to save the information and share it with friends who ask where to fish this season.