The Watauga tail water has been fishing well top to bottom. The weather of late has kept us on our toes, having to fish different stretches depending on flows. That being said the fishing has been solid. Nymphing has been the primary bite, but there are some oppurtunities for dry fly fishing if you hit it right. The trophy section has been fishing well when the water is low with good numbers of solid fish being caught. There are sporadic sulphurs coming off and some small caddis, with...
Stream Reports
Friday, May 12, 2017 - 1:15pm
The Watauga tailwater has been our go to river of late. With the constant rain and high lake levels they have been consistently releasing water and keeping the river flowing between 1100 cfs and 2500 cfs. The lower the better but it's fishable at all flows. The higher water limits the float to the upper river but the fishing has been solid. The caddis hatch came and went, we were able to fish the beginning of the hatch but rain shut us out of the main event. All is not lost as the...
Friday, May 12, 2017 - 1:04pm
Now is the time to be fishing the areas small streams. With good water levels and active fish it's about as good as it gets. We have been getting alot of rain so some of the lower elevation rivers might be high and off color. To avoid this in all but the biggest rains go up to the headwaters and you can usually find clean water. The bite is still subsurface for the most part but that should be transitioning to a surface bite as we head into May.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 - 6:36pm
The Watauga Tailwater has continued to fish well and it should only get better. The upper section is the place for numbers with some quality fish in the mix. LIght nymph rigs and dry dropper rigs are producing best. The Trophy section can be hot and cold but the fish are solid and worth the effort. The morning and late afternoon bites are best with a after lunch lull. Tan caddis and small baetis are hatching sporadically but can bring some heads up.
Thursday, September 1, 2016 - 7:49pm
The South Holston has been a difficult fishery lately. Low water and random releases have made the bite tricky and the fish ultra spooky. That's not to say it can't produce it's just tough and requires longer casts with lighter setups. For those up for the challenge it's still worth fishing, just keep your expectations in check and be willing to learn from your mistakes. High water has been a little tougher this year than in years past. The number of fish being hooked is down a little,...
Thursday, September 1, 2016 - 7:40pm
Local small streams are fishing suprisingly well for this time of the year. Afternoon showers are keeping water levels reasonably good. Morning is the best time to be on the water before temps peak around 2pm. Dry flies are producing well and trailing an ant or beatle pattern behind a more visable dry is a good tactic, especially near the bank and in the shallow water. Fish are starting to move around a little but headwater streams are still the place to be. Be mindful of water temps...
Thursday, September 1, 2016 - 7:31pm
The Watauga tailwater in Tennessee is the place to be right now. The river is fishing well from top to bottom. The release schedule has been a little random lately but that hasn't affected the fishing. Tiny baetis hatch almost daily in the afternoon, giving diehard dry fly guys an oppurtunity to fish tiny dries. The nymph bite has been very productive and many quality fish are coming to the net. As we move into fall expect the streamer bite to heat up. Call me to book at 828 719-1543...
Monday, April 25, 2016 - 12:44pm
Although I've been spending most of my time recently on the Watauga, I have snuck over to the South Holston occasionally. It's fishing well, with the ocassional big sulphur hatch in the evening. The sulphurs will be a daily occurance somewhere on the river from now on, so it's a great time to be on the water.
Monday, April 25, 2016 - 12:28pm
The Mother's day caddis bite is coming to a close, but it was epic while it lasted. This was one of the heaviest hatches i've seen on the river. Spring time is here and the fishing has been amazing. For those of you that missed the Mother's day caddis, don't fret the sulphurs are on their way.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016 - 9:37pm
The Watauga river trophy section is heating up with many quality fish being landed. The Mother's Day Caddis hatch should be here in a few weeks. Hopefully the weather will hold so anglers can take advantage of this phenominal event. There has been solid BWO activity midday and fish are key up on the nymphs. The TVA has been running a pulse in the morning and falling water has been fishing very well. The next month is the best time to be on the Watauga as the fish have their feed bags on...