Watauga River Tailwater Fishing Report

On the evening of Saturday, April 18, Altamont Anglers guide Teo Whitlock pulled his ship out of the Watauga River and headed home. Seven miles afterward, stopped at the light before the I26 on-ramp, his truck was swarmed by thousands of Caddis flies–an indication of the intensity of the hatch occuring on the Watauga River some 7 miles away. That day’s fishing documented by the photos here seemed a harbinger of great fishing to come–before the buzz-kill called the TVA entered the party with a Springtime deluge! Water releases have held steady at roughly 3000cfs since last Monday, April 20, a severe fact of life that makes the fishing– with a tremendous Caddis hatch–really tough. (altamontanglers.com)

The Watauga Tailwater is having thick BWO hatches starting from 10:30 am and going till 2:30 everyday. We’re using a smaller fly on the Watauga, it’s a size 20 cupped wing parachute emerger dry fly. The bite may be subtle as they softly sip it from the surface, then the next one will attack it like a shark on a feeding frenzy. We’re also seeing good generation schedules allowing us to float and throw streamers on the upper river. Nothing like seeing that big shadow come up behind your streamer, then the white of their mouth as it opens and eats your fly. (3riversangler.com)

Welcome to part at High Country Angler. We like to keep our customers and clients informed of the new trips and results from North Carolina and Tennessee with write ups and photos. Lots of these fly fishing reports are on the South Holston River and Watauga River. Every time of year has it is distinctive characteristics for fly fishing if it be for trout or bass in either NC or TN. So, changing as indicated by the time of year and conditions is important to catching fish. Do not forget if you need gift ideas we also offer gift certificates for all our trips. (flyfishingguidetn.com)

Is protected by a slot a bound on both browns and rainbows between 16 and 22 inches. Two sections of the river are closed to fishing from November through January to protect spawning brown trout. All of the brown trout in the South Holston tailwater are naturally reproducing wild fish, which is strange for a tailwater fishery anywhere. The South Holston River is a tailwater that’s 14 miles long, running from the dam at South Holston Lake to Bluff City, where the river goes into Boone lake. The South Holston Weir Dam was constructed in 1991 on both sides of Osceola Island to add oxygen in the river. (southeasternanglers.com)

. All joking on the side people, I m really excited to join Ryan this year in our new guide venture and look forward to meeting lots of you soon to show you why we think E. TN/WNC is one of the most special places to fish in the complete country. Now down to the fishing! Got out yesterday on the Watauga tailwater outside of Elizabethton TN, and while the fishing wasn t great as far as numbers of fish go, the BIG fish bite was certainly on. Fish were eating usually emergers, both midge and Blue Wing Olive, and they really seemed to want the fly on the swing. We broke off a couple of 18 plus fish at the ship but we got the one that counted, all 21 of hooked jaw yellow bellied goodness. (appflyguides.wordpress.com)

If we are casting Sulpher dry flies to big brown trout on the South Holston Tailwater or going for the 100 fish day on the Trophy Trout part of the Watauga River, it will be float fishing that will competitor most western trout rivers. If it is the rod-ripping smallmouth bass you want to pursue, the French Broad River and Nolichucky River supply world-class opportunities for the drifting flycaster. Both the French Broad and Nolichucky also hold good numbers of the elusive muskie; the Tuckaseegee River gives us great opportunities for winter trout fishing. (ashevilledrifters.com)

The tailwaters of East Tennessee are renowned as some of the best in the southeast.   This repute holds true, and particularly this spring.   Both the Watauga and South Holston River have been fishing great as important hatches bring fish to the surface.   The Dry fly fishing was excellent this spring, however it doesn t stop there.   The Sulfurs on the South Holston River are just to get started, and the big fish come to the table.   The Soho is undertaking more maintenance at the dam so we can expect irregular goes.   If you go wading, don t forget to check the generation schedules and flow arrival times, better safe than sorry. (Get more info)

When we fish for the day I’ll usually 1st check the generation schedule to ensure that we’ll have some wade fishing opportunities. you may be able to get an idea of what TVA was doing over the course of the last couple days by keeping an eye on the generation schedule. Also note that throughout May thru October TVA has an told recreation schedule posted on the generation page, which will give you an idea on the weekend predicted goes. we’ll usually rig our rods with one small display and down to 6X fluorocarbon tippet for the early morning midge bite, then as the day progresses we’ll switch over to the Pheasant rear nymphs. (flyfishtennessee.com)

On one of Springer’s adventures, he hired a fishing guide. The cost was $225 for the day. Matt Champion was the young guide that showed Springer where all the fish were hanging out. In one of the fishing holes, Springer found a big fish and became so excited that he yelled loudly and pulled the rod far too fast, snapping the line. ‘do not worry, I saw everything. It was not your fault, ‘ said Champion. ‘When you were prepared to set the hook, the fish turned away. ‘ Springer jokingly replied, ‘Kid, I am three times your age and I am from New York. I know BS when I hear it. That was all me. (southholstonriverflyshop.com)

Mike was fishing the local waters for over 35 years and steadily shows his clients a great time on the water. He’s an expert in all things trout and smallmouth bass also as the night game for trophy brown and rainbow trout. Mike is recognized to regale his clients with unbelievable tales from his colorful past as he’s not just a talented angler. Mike is a greatly decorated Army veteran that has traveled the world. Mike also holds many world records in sky diving and high diving and is generally planning the next big jump. He’s a great person to be around and generally entertaining on the ship ride down the river. (easternflyoutfitters.com)