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Fly Fishing
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Current River Information:
South Holston | Watauga
We here at Mountain Sports are fortunate to have two of the Southeast's finest trout fisheries at our doorstep. The South Holston and Watauga rivers, each about 15 miles long, make up the headwaters of the entire TVA chain of rivers, impoundments and lakes down to Guntersville, AL. As headwaters, both lakes claim the cleanest water TVA has to offer. In addition, hydroelectric power generating schedules are friendlier, aquatic insect life is more prolific and, owing to their relatively small size, wadeablity is easier than anywhere along the chain. Both dams are bottom release discharging cold, nutrient rich, highly oxygenated water downstream.
South Holston
The South Holston flows out of its namesake dam for 14 miles just 20 minutes from Mountain Sports' front door. The Holston offers a graduate school fly-fishing experience. The river hosts a 34% wild fish population that will challenge even advanced fly-fishers. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency stocks fingerling and catchable Browns and Rainbows that acclimate quickly and enjoy a high growth rate. These fish serve beginning and intermediate fly-fishers well. Lots of stocked fish hold over annually, conditioning them to a point that makes them virtually indistinguishable from their wild cousins.
Spawning sites are protected from November through February. The wild fish stock is further protected by a strictly enforced slot limit. Anglers must release all fish between 16 and 22 inches. While a total of 7 fish per day may be kept, only 1 over 22 inches may be harvested.
The Holston is noted for its dry fly-fishing opportunities. Gary Borger calls it the Henry's Fork of the East. The river is best known for its prolific year-round Sulphur hatch. Excellent Sulphur emergences are likely to happen on Thanksgiving, New Years and Easter as well as the "normal" times of early to mid-summer. When Sulphurs aren't popping, Blue Winged Olives probably are. Several BWO species emerge year-round, too, in sizes #18 to #24. Mixed in with those are Blue Duns, several caddis, midges and Henricksons in season. We always keep plenty of dries, nymphs and emergers to meet the current insect activity. Call Mountain Sports for current activity; one of us has just come from the river.
The South Holston varies in depth and width, but fully 85% is wadeable at low water. Wading fly-fishers seldom must wade beyond waist deep except when traversing the river. Bank to bank distance varies from 60 to 100 yards or so. The limestone/dolomite bedrock forms shelving ledges that provide prime habitat for bugs and fish while enhancing the slightly alkaline pH value of the nutrient rich water. The ledge rock also breaks up the flow, creating some interesting conflicting currents that challenge even advanced spring creek fly-fishers.
Fly rods for fishing tailwaters, including the South Holston and Watauga, are generally long and light. The most popular rod on the river is a 9 foot 5 wt. Mountain Sports highly recommends the OrvisTrident 905TL Mid-flex rod. The Mid-flex action allows delicate, accurate casts to fussy feeders with more than enough power to punch long casts and turn over lengthy leaders. Some fly-fishers choose shorter, lighter rods for a close-in situation. An 8 — 8 1/2 foot 3 weight is ideal for this kind of fine fishing, and a fight with an upset foot-and-a-half Rainbow is fun.
Veteran South Holston anglers use long leaders terminating in fine tippets. A good leader to start with is a 12 foot 6x leader. Some fly-fishers use braided butt leaders with extra long compound tippets combining to 18 or even 20 feet.
Because the larger fish can be exceedingly selective and fussy feeders, most regulars on the Holston use fluorocarbon tippets. ORVIS Mirage tippet material has consistently proven to be the best in the industry. Mirage tippet virtually disappears in the water and maintains knot strength even when wet.
Because the South Holston emanates from a TVA hydroelectric power generating dam, extreme caution must be used when fishing or planning a trip here. When the turbine starts up, water flow will suddenly increase from a gentle 130 cubic feet per second to a life-threatening 3,300 cfs. The river cannot be waded at high water. Anglers can access the TVA Lake Information Line by calling 1-800-238-2264. The access code for the dam at South Holston is 01.
Mountain Streams
Here at Mountain Sports we are also very fortunate to have some of the areas finest mountain stream fisheries. All streams are gradient freestone streams, which can offer a pleasant days' hike along with a remarkable day of fishing. These waters include Whitetop Laurel, Tennessee Laurel, and Beaver Dam.
Whitetop Laurel Creek is considered to be the largest wild trout fishery in Virginia. Its runs parallel with the scenic Virginia Creeper Trail. John Ross, author of "Trout Unlimited's Top 100 Trout Streams," lists this stream in the top 100 greatest trout streams. It is noted for its prolific early season Green Drake hatch which can range in size from a #8-#12 fly.
Tennessee Laurel is a winding creek that runs parallel with route 91. This stream is a very productive stream filled with large browns and feisty rainbows. Nymph fishing is very popular for this creek, due to its deep holes and swift water. Anglers have a tendency to use large #12-#14 bead head nymphs for extra weight with the indicator running at least three foot above the fly.
Beaver Dam is well renowned for its beautiful rock tunnel, Backbone Rock. This is a very beautiful stream that is flawlessly decorated with vast boulders. This creek has various types of runs. While the lower section of Beaver Dam is slightly larger than the other streams, the upper section has a spring creek atmosphere, with a very similar fishing style. Of the three streams, Beaver Dam is known for holding the larger trout.
With streams such as; Whitetop Laurel, Tennessee Laurel, and Beaver Dam, as well as tailwaters fishing, it is obvious why some consider Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee to be the finest fishing on the east coast. Each stream offers its own array of landscape, wildlife, and gorgeous trout.
