Spring is upon us in Eastern Tennessee. Along with the nice weather TVA has stopped running water most days, allowing for plenty of low water oppurtunities. The river is fishing well from top to bottom. Baetis is the main menu item but midges and sulphur nymphs are also productive. There has been a late day hatch of sulphurs lower on the river and some sporadic activity mid river. Spring is the best time to be on the river and the quality of fish being caught has been solid. Give us a...
Stream Reports
Sunday, March 27, 2016 - 2:00pm
The nice weather we've been having in the high country has the fish fired up. The Watauga delayed harvest has been fishing well, with fish starting to push up into faster water. They've been eating a variety of flies, but a hare's ear soft hackle has been my goto. There is a evening caddis hatch as well a bunch of bug activity throughout the day. Get out and take advantage of the last few good months to be on the DH. The local Wild rivers have also been on fire as fish are on the feed...
Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - 2:41pm
The South Holston River has been fishing well over the last few weeks. The flows have been a little sporadic, but the TVA seems to be getting ready to run it wide open. When they get it on a consistent schedule it will really turn on. The brown trout are starting to move onto their redds, but like last year they're taking their time about it. Be sure to tread lighlty this time of year and mind the closed sections. Nymphing has been the ticket lately and getting your flies down in the...
Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - 2:22pm
The Watauga river has been fishing very well of late. TVA has been spilling water most days and the nymph bite has been very good, especially in the upper river. The brown trout are starting to move onto their redds so tread lightly. At these heavier flows the BWO activity has been sporadic but there are occational heads poking up. As the mild weather continues we'll have plenty of opportunities to be on the water through the end of the year.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 1:55pm
The rain has finally arrived and we've needed it. Even though it's been a big change from the blue bird days we've been having, the fishing has been great. The big browns are on the move and if you can find them the rewards are great. We are in the transitional period between Sulphurs and Baetis, but there has been enough hatch activity to get the fish moving. The TVA has cut back on the release schedule, giving good opportunities for low water fishing. Dry fly fishing is still a...
Monday, September 14, 2015 - 9:33pm
The fall is approaching rapidly and the brown trout are on the move. With dam releases tapering off, low water is the norm and this is one of the best times to target big browns. The sulphur hatches are still relatively strong during generation and sporadic during low water. The fish are transitioning over to a primarily midge diet. Dry fly fishing has slowed down for all but the most die hard, but the nymph fishing has been solid. The fish are eager to feed, are fat and healthy, and...
Tuesday, August 25, 2015 - 2:20am
Well we've almost made it through the dog days of summer. Hot temperatures and low water levels have made it difficult to fish the high country streams. Thankfully that is not our only option. The South Holston and Watauga tail waters are fishable all summer and provide some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. There are daily Sulphur hatches during generation on the upper South Holston. The fish will be eating on top most afternoons, and the nymph fishing has been good to excellent when...
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 - 9:28pm
The South Holston river has been fishing great over the last couple of weeks. The Sulphurs have showed up most days, no blanket hatches, but enough to get the fish going. I haven't seen any big fish rising, but they have been eating nymphs well. I've been fortunate to have some capable anglers in the boat lately. That has opened up the oppurtunity to target some larger fish. It's a great time to target large browns, if you have a little skill. Congratulations to my clients that have...
Monday, June 1, 2015 - 1:24pm
Spent the weekend guiding the South Holston, with a little fun fishing mixed in. Plenty of action, especially in the early afternoon. Sulphurs made a daily appearance with varying intensity. Recent Miami of Ohio graduate Josh started his life journey off right with a great brown (and few other fish too.). We've been getting connected to some outstanding fish lately, proof postive that the South Holston deserves it's reputation.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 5:26pm
The Watauga is still fishing great. The hatches are slowing down a bit, but the nymph bite has been solid. The river is still producing good numbers of quality fish. The afternoon and evening bite is still the best, especially when the weather cooperates. Sulphurs are still on the menu,as well as tan caddis and baetis.