Fishing the Harpeth River In Middle Tennessee

Don’t head to the Caney Fork just yet.

Believe it or not, there are rainbow trout right here in Brentwood’s back yard…

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) stocks winter waters ordinarily too warm for native trout.

For the first time ever, TWRA is stocking the Harpeth River in Williamson County. A TWRA fishery truck dumps hundreds of trout into the Harpeth on the third Friday of each winter month (from December through March).

Check the TWRA trout stocking schedule here.

Next to the falls, fishermen stand shoulder to shoulder. You’ll find spinning reels baited with corn and fly rods gracefully casting woolybuggers. Wade downstream for more elbow room. Parking is available at a gravel TWRA canoe launch across from the Franklin Country Club.

Here’s a map to the Harpeth River trout stocking area.

Would you eat something that’s swum in the Harpeth?  We spotted fat farm-fed trout up to 18 inches long, but we’ll stick to catch-and-release, thankyouverymuch!  The Harpeth River Watershed Association would likely agree, given recent reports of effluence.

TIP: Make sure your trout stamp is current, because TWRA has checked ours every time!

Here are all our articles on fly fishing rivers near Brentwood and Middle Tennessee, along with information about local fly shops, two Nashville fly fishing clubs, and our pick for the best Tennessee trout water guidebook.