Are you using a reel mower?

Are your mower blades sharp? Fescue seems to be especially prone to damage from dull blades. I think it is more likely to show up as shredding at the tips than what you're describing, but I thought I'd bring it up as a possibility.

A related problem can be if the engine is running slowly. I had a mower that got slower over the years, but did so gradually and I didn't realize how much it had slowed until I replaced it.

The third thing that comes to mind (not that this ever happened to me) is if you've ever changed the blades (or had them changed by an idiot lawn repair shop; ok so it did happen to me) did you verify that the blades were put back on right side up? If they're put on upside down, it doesn't matter how sharp the blades are, because the back of the blade is always dull. And that can push the blades down and not do a very good job of cutting. I took the blade off, carefully put the new one on in the same direction, then looked at the old blade and saw that it was pretty much as sharp as the new blade, so I tilted the mower and had my wife SLOWLY pull the starter cord to watch the blade turn and could plainly see it was going the wrong way.

Where in NC are you?

I dont know what your growing conditions or climate is like, but my experience with my fescue lawn has shown me that cutting it at my mowers highest setting (as advised by most people on the GW lawns forum) did not benefit my lawn. My fescue has light blades too and leaving it grow long tends to make it lay over on its side. For two years I worried about and 'over maintained' my lawn, frequent cutting (X2 times more than I do now), watered, applied lots more fertiliser, and still after all that, thought my lawn was still sick. By accident I realised I was not cutting it low enough.
My FIL came over to cut my lawn while I was on extended vacation one year and he cut it down way lower than I would have normally done. It was awesome when I came home to an improved lush lawn.
I used to cut it at +3". Now I cut at a little under 2" and the lawn looks a whole lot better and tends to keep its consistency a lot more even between cuts.
My fescue does not like to grow to 4-5 inches before it gets its 'haircut', maybe yours is the same?

Just thought of another thing, You may want to consider overseeding your fescue? it would bulk up your grass sward.

I think the height is most likely it. I used to cut my lawn a little lower then what is recomended (2-2 1/2")at my old home. It was a mixed fescue lawn. My blades (not reel, deck mower) should be sharp, but I guess it's worth a check. The grass blades don't seem to be overly shredded. I am sure I put it on correctly when I changed it. Before I moved, I changed the blade. I used to only use the mower for cutting around trees and tight places, but that was a much larger lawn. It is also possible it slowed down some. I kind of thought it sounded like it was only at half speed. I guess I'll check the blade and speed issues first. If they check out OK then I'll lower the blade for a few cuts. I figured that I have more time now ( and a much more maintainable sized lawn) I would keep the height at the 3" level. Come to think about it, I would vary the height. Like Quincy said, after it was cut "short" a few times it seemd to be more "springy" when it did grow higher. I did overseed it mid-fall. I think a powerseeder would be best here in NC ( I am a transplanted Yankee, like most of the population seems to be). I am in Union County to the person who asked. fortunately we where able to water twice a week until the end of the fall, then it rained just enough after the no water restriction. The restriction was lifted just recently to Sunday only for us. With the recent rains and the rain barrels I made I have been able to keep the lawn pretty green and healthy. I was able to even install some sod in the backyard and it rooted well. Thanks for the suggestions.

I've been sitting on this comment for a while because it's off color. However, I can't resist.

What, they don't make a Viagra for lawns so they stand up proudly?

Morpheus, for the lawns, I think you're thinking of Vigoro.

Are you discharging, bagging or mulching? My TTTF looks better bagged, but I mulch cut at 3 1/2 to 4 depending on moisture content. I've noticed that mulching tends to make the grass lay down more than bagging.

Hello everyone, I have been browsing for forums that discuss an issue I am having with my TTTF lawn. Newly seeded in early April and came up very nicely to 3-4 inches. I am now getting ready for the first mow, but I have noticed that areas are looking very similar to what is described above - limp and tangled in areas, crisp and straight in others. Decklap - did you every figure out what happened? Did things turn out all right in the end. I am going to back off of the watering a bit (currently once per day in late afternoon) in case that is too much.