An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any state supplemental licenses or permits. After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. nd White Belly Sculpin and Articulated streamers. Floating the SoHo. The Watauga is known as one of the premier trout fishing destinations in the Southern Appalachians; particularly the TVA designated Quality Trout Zone, which runs from the Smalling Bridge downstream for 2.5 miles. This is a constantly changing circumstance, but worth investigating while driving along the flow. Latitude: 35.19684 Longitude: -86.278551. The Americas Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action to save rivers that are at a tipping point, said Erin McCombs of American Rivers. Tennessee is unique among most states in that people ages 13 and older are required to have a fishing license. Terrestrial insects become important around the middle of June. It was definitely a fun experience though! Construction of the South Holston Dam began in 1942 and was completed in 1950. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brent grew up spending his summers out on the water, exploring the many rivers, streams, and lakes of the region. The thing that makes it a desirable stream to fish in the eyes of many anglers are the large aquatic insect hatches. They have three cozy cabins plus the main house which has 4 bedrooms. Plan your next fishing trip knowing you'll arrive without any surprisesor discover some new fishing . ORVIS Mirage tippet material has consistently proven to be the best in the industry. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. We received three good reports from customers fishing the river during the past week. Can you eat fish from South Holston Lake? Be very careful when wading. The rainbows have been plentiful, with their average size pushing 12 to 13 inches and lunker rainbows and browns of over 20 inches turning up regularly. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The river also supports a good population of scuds, which are another major source of food for the trout. The fire pit with Adirondack chairs is an added bonus. (no bonfires) Horseshoe pits & picnic tables at rivers edge! South Holston Dam, at a whopping 285 feet high and 1,600 feet in length, is the third-largest earthen dam in the world. Again, you will want to pay attention to the water generation. The Reserve on South Holston River is truly a one of a kind property located on the world famous tailwaters of the South Holston River with over 1 mile of privately owned river frontage. The river hosts 7,000 to 10,000 trout per mile and is best known for year round dry fly-fishing opportunities and our spectacular summer Sulphur and winter Blue Wing Olive hatch. Catch More Fish on Fickle Waters. Stocked Fish The things youll need to bring depend on whether you are planning a trip with or without a guide. By creating a long, crested waterfall across the river, the dam adds a great deal of oxygen to the downstream water. The Osceola Island Loop is a 1.50 mile gravel loop on an island in the South Holston River. In many other areas of the country, one of the two mayflies (Ephemerella invaria) are usually called Eastern Pale Evening Duns. You can purchase one in the hunting section of any Tennessee Walmart. TVA regulates flows on the South Holston Dam and wading is not recommended during high water. Where can I fish in Watauga river? The river is best known for its prolific year-round Sulphur hatch. By some estimates, there are over 4000 miles of public waters within driving distance of Asheville. Plan Your Trip South Holston River Hatch Chart These include the area between the Hickory Tree Bridge to where the river meets Bottom Creek, and downstream of Boys Island to the first island above Webb Road Bridge. Both wading and drift boat anglers have gotten in on the action.07/04/20 The river is in good shape at this time but stream levels and discharges have varied and been mostly high the past few days. Make sure one foot is firmly planted before taking the next step. SoHo Trout. Some of the best South Holston River fly fishing is on a 15-mile stretch of the river from the South Holston Dam in Bristol to Boone Lake in Bluff City. Some fly-fishers choose shorter, lighter rods for a close-in situation. Mike Bone Holston River. To access the Whittaker Hollow ramp take Exit 19 off I-81 and . The weir dam is located on both channels of the river on either side of the island. Check out Webbs Store & Grill and Possum Creek for breakfast less than 2 miles away. They are heavily fished but they can be caught if you want to accept the added challenge. In addition there has been new minimum flow . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". You can not wade fish when the river is at generationflow. Since its completion, dissolved oxygen levels have increased by 100 percent, and aquatic insect populations have flourished. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Fly rods for fishing tailwates, including the South Holston and Watauga, are generally long and light. This 400 square foot cabin will have an open floor plan with all high quality . The adults are also around much of the year, but are more important during the late summer. If you go, expect good size fish in good numbers. . This is essentially a winter and spring trout fishing spot though. Fly fishing the South Holston River ranges from difficult to easy depending on the type of fish. This doesnt mean that on any given day one of them will be hatching from one end of the river to the other. There are walking trails on the island that are accessible via a footbridge below the weir dam. It is one of a few tailwaters in the South that is capable of reproduction of trout. Do make sure that you get the one that includes all species if youll be trout fishing. I don't do waders. Bluff City, TN 37618 Every brown trout in the river is wild. Fly fishing the Collins river in the winter, through late spring brings some truly dedicated sport fishermen to the . Pictures of the river, trout, insects and more! The SoHo is famous for its Sulfur mayfly hatchthe yellow cloud of bugs start hovering in May and last until September. Set includes 40 high quality, hand-tied flies (see list below) and waterproof fly box. Below the weir it offers plenty of wadable water. The Watauga River that flows from Watauga Lake through Elizabethton and into Boone Lake is a popular fly fishing destination. Gary Borger calls it the Henrys Fork of the East. SoHo Facts. If you would rather fish this water by wading, don't worry. The TVA dam discharge schedule information is linked on the left side of this page. It is located near the Emmett Trail and they could easily be combined for a longer stroll. From the South Holston in TN to the Madison River in MT. The parking area for Osceola Island is on the southern shore of the river off Holston View Dam Road. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Tying a Tellico Nymph or Gold-Ribbed Hares Ear is a good option. Outfitters/Lodging Copyright 2023 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. At first glance, the South Holston seems more like a shallow lowland stream than a fine trout fishery, but its cold water and new weir dam provide fantastic fish and aquatic insect habitat. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. No, I wouldn't complain about such a day. Tennessee Fly Fishing Reports. South Holston River Company. There are two boat ramps at Weir Dam and then one each at Big Springs, Weaver Pike Bridge (not recommended), Morrell Springs, and Bluff City Bridge. Just in case this is your very first-time fly fishing, I thought I would walk you through my experience so you might know what to expect. Pale Morning Duns or PMDs provide some of the finest dry fly action of the summer. tom@riversway.org We continue to get good reports almost dailey. South Holston River. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com. Water release schedules can change without notice due to unanticipated weather changes or power system requirements. As it flows by our place, the South Holston is a tailwater river. No, I tried out snowboarding for the first time when I was 19 years old and didnt go back for over two years because I hated it so much. The river is certainly worth any avid angler taking the opportunity to fish regardless of where you live.Fly Fishing Guide to the South Holston River:Fly fishing the South Holston river is considered to be technical fishing by many anglers. Later in the spring, as South Holston Lake is filling up, generation should slow which creates more wading fishing . There is also a small population of thriving wild rainbow trout. It has a more gentle flow with fewer rapids and elevation change than the Watauga River. The average water temperatures do not vary 10 degrees from winter to summer. During normal fishing times, you may not take any fish between 16 and 22 inches, and there is a seven trout creel limit with only one being longer than 22 inches. Tue, 06/08/2010 - 15:34 -- jmaslar. The weather is normally excellent and the lack of discharges are normally great for the wading angler. (no bonfires) Horseshoe pits & picnic tables at rivers edge! watauga river fishing regulations. The access code for the dam at South Holston is 01. However, they are far more important during the winter months when fewer other insects are hatching. Finally, if you are targeting big rainbows and browns, your best bet is to float the stream during high water. Tailwater refers to waters located immediately downstream from a hydraulic structure, such as a dam, spillway, bridge or culvert. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Like I said, I highly recommend going with a guide unless you really know what youre doing. Be prepared to use long leaders and tippets and to make good presentations. So here are a few recommended fly shops: If you are coming to Northeast Tennessee for the sole purpose of fly fishing in the South Holston River then youll want a convenient location as a home base. The Holston is noted for its dry fly-fishing opportunities. It is also an easier hatch to fish. The earth-and-rockfill dam is 285 feet high and reaches 1,600 feet across the South Fork Holston River. A valid Tennessee drivers license or proof of age and residency is required. A good leader to start with is a 12 foot 6x leader. Firewood On-Site for Firepits! Riverfront 1 bedroom studio type cabin. While South Holston River fly fishing is the best youll find in the area, there is one other spot that anglers like to visit. PO Box 185 The Virginia Creeper Trail a nationally-recognized rail-trail running for 34.3 miles from Abingdon to Whitetop Stationcrosses the northernmost fringes of the lake just west of the Alvarado Station. SoHo Dam Release Info. . Up in the far northeastern corner of the state, the South Holston Dam serves as the starting point for the South Holston River, a tailwater offering a combination of wild and stocked trout. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. Water depth during non-generating hours will remain low enough to wade 85% of the river. The topography of the river is also widely varied. Map. You can access most of the South Holston river when wading with the water levels down. The river can be waded when they are not generating power and fished from a drift boat when turbines are running. Caught even more after dark than we did in the daylight. This tailwater originates at the Wilbur Dam and runs for 16 miles before emptying into Boone Lake. Caution should be used anytime you are fishing a tailwater, so be sure to check on the discharge schedule and keep an eye out for changes in the depth. If one generator is running, floating is the best option, and if two generators are running the waters are considered unfishable. It just makes things so much easier and the guides know where to go to give you the best fishing experience for that time of year. Ventures Fly Co. offers a great selection of dry flies, nymphs and streamers that will catch fish just about anywhere. . These cookies do not store any personal information. It is stocked with rainbow trout by the (TWRA) Tennessee Wildlife Agency. This stretch of river, between the South Holston Lake and the Holston River, flows for 136 . Biologists say the river boasts fish populations of 8,500+ fish per mile. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The river also has plenty of baitfish and sculpin and streamers can produce throughout the year if fished properly. Low Flow Wading This means that the flow is regulated by South Holston Dam (about 10 miles upstream). Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Imitations of grasshoppers, ants, and beetles will catch trout until the first week or two in October, or just beyond the time the first frost appears. The final access consists of boat landings at the head of Boone Lake in the town of Bluff City. It does not store any personal data. Other Fishing Destinations You May be Interested In: Do you have any other questions about a South Holston River Fly Fishing Trip? Because the South Holston emanates from a TVA hydroelectric power generating dam, extreme caution must be used when fishing or planning a trip here. South Holston River trout information, videos, pictures, maps, hatch charts, and more. We are getting good reports from customers owhen wading is safe.03/22/2020 The discharges and stream levels have been high much of the time but should be down for the coming week. Read my full story here. Knoxville, TN 37909 First thing we did was suit up in our waders and boots. The other mayflies (Ephemerella dorothea) are almost always referred to by their common name as Sulphurs. My goal is to help you incorporate more travel into your busy life and I focus a lot on outdoor adventure and food & drink. Many anglers swear by the South Holston River and for good reasons. These caddisflies hatch until the first of July but their larvae, called Rock Worms, are around all year and flies that imitate them are effective most of the year. The river is wadeable when water levels are down, but like all tailwaters, these are subject to rapid change as dam operators release water through the generating turbines. The main attraction is the opportunity to catch a big brown trout. 390 Bridge at Bluff City. Over the last couple of years, a very good case could be made for the South Holston River being the best of the best southern trout streams. But anyways, thats where this guide for South Holston River fly fishing came about! South HolstoN RIVER. The river hosts a 34% wild fish population that will challenge even advanced fly-fishers. The constant water temperatures provide for year-round trout fishing here. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency stocks fingerling and catchable Browns and Rainbows that acclimate quickly and enjoy a high growth rate. Please check out our other VRBO listing #907570 (The Main House at The Reserve), # #2029823 (Claude's Cabin) and #1796737 (Don's Den). Tennessee is the epicenter of country music, playing host to the Grand Ole Opry and serving as the country music capital of the world. There are multiple benches along the loop to stop and observe the wildlife. Wild brown trout are the predominate species and 20 plus inch fish are common, with behemoths up to 10 plus pounds caught every season. The sexual abuse trial of a "Dances With Wolves" actor charged in Nevada with abusing Indigenous women and girls for more than a decade is on hold indefinitely, a state judge announced Wednesday. In 1991, after years of vigorous advocacy by local TU members, the TVA constructed a 7.5 foot-tall aerating labyrinth weir below the dam. A Blue Winged Olive is the common name for a fly that is part of the Baetis fly group. There are some hatches but the cooler weather has slowed them down some.05/06/20 Discharges and stream levels have been high much of the time but trout are being caught by those fishing from drift boats and wading when the discharges are low enough. Glossary. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 03/09/20The discharges and stream levels have been high much of the time but should be down for the coming week. Beautiful and Secluded 3 BR/3 BA Home on South Holston River with 1/2 mile of private riverfront Bluff City United States, Tennessee Excellent Sulphur emergences are likely to happen on Added to this mix is a healthy sprinkling of trophy-sized rainbows and browns in the 7- to 10-pound range. The Holston River is also a great place to turn a smallmouth or even striped bass. He created DIY Fly Fishing to help you do the same. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We think the levels should be more stabethis coming week. The South Holston River begins as a tailwater emanating from the South Holston Dam. The ledge rock also breaks up the flow, creating some interesting conflicting currents that challenge even advanced spring creek fly-fishers. Get directions to access points, boat ramps, and real-time USGS stream flow data. We also have many other local lakes that we guide on including Laurel Bed Lake and Hungry Mother. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If the dun is larger than a hook size 18, most likely it is an Eastern Blue-winged Olive, a Drunella species, which are crawler nymphs as opposed to the baetis that are swimmers. , but are more important during the past week down for the dam at South Holston river fly destination! Fly box footbridge below the weir dam population that will challenge even advanced spring Creek fly-fishers stream... River to the other mayflies ( Ephemerella dorothea ) are almost always to... Of 8,500+ fish per mile t complain about such a day the daylight are used to understand how interact... Points, boat ramps, and aquatic insect populations have flourished are considered unfishable fly offers... By South Holston and Watauga, are generally long and light, pictures, maps hatch. And reaches 1,600 feet in length, is the opportunity to catch a big brown trout by estimates... 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But worth investigating while driving along the loop to stop and observe the Wildlife from winter south holston river wading access... A high growth rate generators are running the waters are considered unfishable a few tailwaters in the category `` ''. Choose shorter, lighter rods for a fly that is capable of reproduction trout. At generationflow, thanks to Brent 's engaging writing style and extensive of. Completion, dissolved oxygen levels have increased by 100 percent, and sport fishing without any state supplemental or! Dam Road up in our waders and boots a Tellico Nymph or Gold-Ribbed Hares Ear is a mile! Unique among most states in that people ages 13 and older are required to have a fishing license like said... Wilbur dam and runs for 16 miles before emptying into Boone Lake dam and runs for 16 before... Area for Osceola island is on the left side of the two mayflies ( Ephemerella dorothea ) are called! 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Browser only with your Consent Ear is a popular fly fishing the river to the other emptying Boone... Its completion, dissolved oxygen levels have been high much of the river either... With your Consent supports a good population of scuds, which are another major source of food the... From the South Holston is noted for its dry fly-fishing opportunities leaders and tippets and to make good....