Some 3,500 rainbow trout from the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery were released in the Sipsey Branch below Lewis Smith Dam in mid-November according to Doug Darr, Aquatic Education Coordinator for the state, and these fish have now spread out over several miles of the upper river to provide good action. The hatchery fish are small, about 8 to 10 inches long for the most part, but very tasty in the frying pan. They take an assortment of small flies and spinners as well as worms and other natural baits. Aluminum fishing piers provide easy access from the Smith Lake Dam road beside the river at the Highway 69 bridge, and the Riverside Fly Shop has trout fishing lures, bait and rental drift boats; www.riversideflyshop.com.
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