George,

Make damned sure to check with the TVA for discharge plans for the nearest
dam upstream from where you'll be. You can call this TVA number:
800-238-2264 - and pay attention to the menu of choices. As someone who's
been caught on the wrong side of a rising tailwater, I promise that's
important. Knowing or being able to closely estimate how far you are
downstream from the dam is useful, so that you'll know how much time you
have after the release begins until the water is so high that you can't
cross it. For more info, check this out:
http://www.tva.gov/river/lakeinfo/lake_phone.htm

As far as rising or falling: falling is better unless you have a very good
understanding of exactly how the river will rise, how long it will stay
there, and how you're going to handle it.

--
Bob Patton
(change bgzqsdq to charter to reply)
..


"George Cleveland" wrote in message
...
It still looks as if the early April trip to visit the MIL in
Tennessee is a go. I still plan on fishing one or more of the wadable
tailwater rivers in the general area. But never having fished a trout
tailwater before I'm uncertain as to how to proceed in regards to best
time to be on the water. Is the fishing generally better when the dam
discharge is causing the water to rise or is it better when its
falling? Or, instead, should I look for fishing to be better when the
levels have been stable the longest?

Any help would be appreciated.