Tennessee
Hiwassee River above Reliance
Location Snapshot
Hiwassee River above Reliance is a mountain tailwater reach in southeastern Tennessee, where cold water flows through a wide channel bordered by Appalachian ridges and forest. Rainbow and brown trout are central to the fishery, with shoals, runs, and deeper pools creating a varied coldwater river setting.
Current River Rating
Poor · 48
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Flow observation is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
Blocking Factors
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Current Readings
- Flow
- Not available
- Gage Height
- Not available
- Water Temperature
- 68.7 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 21, 2026, 12:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 03556590 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Mostly clear
Temperature
58°F
Feels like
54°F
Wind
1 mph W
Wind gust
2 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 9:15 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Wed 6 AM
Clear
Temp 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Wed 10 AM
Clear
Temp 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Wed 2 PM
Clear
Temp 75°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Wed 6 PM
Clear
Temp 72°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 75°F / Low 47°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Clear
High 73°F / Low 47°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 74°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 4 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
The Hiwassee above Reliance is the trout water from the Appalachian Powerhouse downstream to the L&N Railroad Bridge.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Hiwassee River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Stocking information
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Polk, Tennessee
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Polk
Management Category
Inland trout tailwater
Regulation Scope
Hiwassee River above Reliance.
Regulation Summary
Hiwassee River above Reliance: TWRA inland trout-tailwater rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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