We have four distinct seasons here in East Tennessee and each season offers occasional changing fishing methods. We offer dry fly action when conditions allow, fishing under an indicator with nymphs or midges and streamer fishing can be effective during certain times of the year. Check our FISHING REPORT for up to date information regarding water flows and fishing conditions.
NOVEMBER-FEBRUARY
The South Holston and Watauga rivers both fish excellent during these months. This is your best chance to reel in a fish of a lifetime during this 4 month window. The big Brown Trout are migrating from Boone Reservoir in search of their annual spawning grounds. Egg patterns, black flies, olive nymphs and streamers can produce a fine fish.
JUNE-AUGUST
Our resident Sulphur Mayflies start to make a regular appearance during this time. Consistent hatches of these buttery bugs are found throughout the river. This is the best time for hatches you can set your watch to. The beetle fishing really ramps up as we get closer to June with a combination of Japanese beetles and cicadas. This is also prime time for our smallmouth fishing in our region. You can have some of the best topwater days for smallmouth during this time of year.
MARCH-MAY
These are great months for nymphing under an indicator and having a chance at one of our great blue wing olive hatches as well as our renowned Caddis hatch on the Watauga river. The Olives are in full swing and you will start to see a few Sulphurs as we get closer to May, great fishing on both the South Holston and Watauga rivers.
SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER
The nymph bite is outstanding during this time and we still have some surface activity. As we get closer to October the fall foliage makes this a perfect time to visit the South Holston River Lodge and soak up the remaining days of fall.
South Holston River Lodge offers full and half day guided fly-fishing for Trout year round. Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass and Muskie can be fished during certain times of the year when the conditions allow.