New parking access to the Caney Fork

[Carl Guffey]

<div><font face="georgia,palatino"><font size="2">NASHVILLE – Anglers now have new access to the Caney Fork River in Smith County thanks to a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.A new parking area and access trail to the Caney Fork River is now open at the I-40 Welcome Center in Smith County at mile marker 267.The Welcome Center can be reached by both eastbound and westbound traffic on I-40.The new access area was developed to provide safe, legal access to the popular river for fishing.</font></font></div><div><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2" /></div><div><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">“The Caney Fork River is widely known as a great place for trout fishing and the new access area at the I-40 Welcome Center will provide anglers with a safe place to park and fish,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.“This new access area will help reduce illegal parking and trespassing on private property to gain entry to the river.”</font></div><div><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2" /></div><div><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">The Caney Fork River is routinely stocked with rainbow, brown and brook trout.Special trout regulations apply and a fishing license with trout privileges is required. </font></div><div><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2" /></div><div><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">“Thousands of anglers make trips to the Caney Fork River each year to enjoy trout fishing," said Tourist Development Commissioner Susan Whitaker. "We are pleased to partner with the Department of Transportation and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to provide better access to this popular fishing destination.”</font></div><div><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2" /></div><div><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">The angler parking area is connected to a road within the existing Welcome Center and provides parking for 12 vehicles.Signs are posted designating the area as “Angler Parking.”Information on parking area rules, safety information and special trout regulations are also posted in the parking area.The site provides walk-in access to the Caney Fork River.</font></div><div><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2" /></div>

 

[Liveliner]

Thanks for sharing that info. That is by far the best Trout fishing river around. The major draw back was trying to gain access. Parking at the Dam limits you drastically to the great holes miles downstream. I have a spot where I can park on a bluff with access to a great area providing someone is not in it. I may have to get over there now and more often.

 

[churly]

I caught my first fish there. used to be a beautiful, secluded area, you could fish all day and not see a person. Now its Nashville's #1 tourist trap. Been an economic boom for the failies in the area that operate the store and canoe rentals, but its not the river I was raised up fishing...

 

[oggism]

heck yeah thanks for the info caught my first trout there on a fly rod two years ago we usually go to I think its called Betty's bend and walk down the huge ramp into the water this is great news to a beautiful and abundant trout fishery