While a total of 7 fish per day may be kept, only 1 over 22 inches may be harvested. There is a license that excludes trout. Holston Valley Anglers offers guided trips on the South Holston River, Watauga River and South Fork Holston River. This property is right on the river and if you go the all-inclusive route then all youll need to bring is your clothing and a valid fishing license. We think it offers just the right amount of challenge to any angler. Looks like today will be a good day for wading as well as drift boats. You dont want those waders rubbing directly against your leg makes for an uncomfortable day. The South Holston River is, along with the Clinch and Watauga, the best of the best when it comes to trout fishing in Tennessee. The Holston offers a graduate school fly-fishing experience. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. The South Holston Tailwater near Bristol, TN is arguably the finest cold water fishery in the south. Want to know the recent South Holston River fishing reports? The river can be waded when they are not generating power and fished from a drift boat when turbines are running. Water depth during non-generating hours will remain low enough to wade 85% of the river. (no bonfires) Horseshoe pits & picnic tables at rivers edge! You can access most of the South Holston river when wading with the water levels down. The fly-fisher should try a big, weighted streamer. Things are finally looking up for the Catawba River Tailwater (Tailrace) below lake James. Most specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times. Spawning sites are protected from November through February. The TVA dam discharge schedule information is linked on the left side of this page. As with most any tailwater fishery, midges are also very important. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. 390 Bridge at Bluff City 16-22 inch PLR on all trout. all american swimming times 2022 abril 6, 2023 ; watauga river wading access. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. . Nine foot5wt. If you are interested in the flies and where those forms and shapes come from then be sure to ask your guide as well! The South Holston visitor area atop the dam will be closed for an operations project until further notice Some dispersed recreational area gates and access roads - do not block closed gates Latest Operating Information WARNING! Wading Info. South Holston Dam Our sculpin and leech streamers are catching some good ones as well. Sulphurs hatch in slow to moderate water. The river also supports a good population of scuds, which are another major source of food for the trout. The best public access to the South Holston River is located at the Osceola Island Recreation Area at the weir dam. Wading the Holston River Fly fishers aren't as aware of the Holston River as they are the South Holston, Watauga, Clinch, and Hiwassee tailwaters because of access issues. 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. A hiking trail runs 1/2 mile down the southern shore from the Osceola Island parking lot to Holston View Dam Road bridge over the river. That means snow falling and frigid water. Predatory fish have diverse and abundant forage in the form of alewives, gizzard shad, threadfin shad and shiners. Unfortunately, redd or nest construction often occurred near manmade structures in the river, including several bridges, leaving the trout susceptible to fishermen who use snagging as a method to catch fish. We think . Latitude: 35.19684 Longitude: -86.278551. They are heavily fished but they can be caught if you want to accept the added challenge. There are some very good hatches taking place.05/17/20 The discharges and stream levels are normal and good for wading and drift boats currently. Today, the Collins River Musky fishery is a hotspot for anglers from all over the country. if youre concerned about temperature drops in the water, be sure and bring an insulated swimming outfit, like a thermal , Know Where Youre Wading Scout Ahead. The topography of the river is also widely varied. Fly Fish the South Holston River: A Good Day of Fishing. First thing we did was suit up in our waders and boots. Much of the credit for the South Holstons outstanding fishing can be laid at the door of the TVA, especially for the installation of a labyrinthine aeration weir about a mile below South Holston Dam. The longer length allows for great distance and bettter mending while the 4wt action is paramont for the most delicate presentations. 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. It is especially difficult when they are feeding in the slow to moderate water. This Blue Ribbon 15 mile tailrace hosts 7,000 to 10,000 trout per mile and is best known for its huge population of wild brown trout, consistent hatches and year round fly-fishing opportunities. Over the years, these and subsequent stockings drew an increasing number of anglers, and today, thanks in large part to improvement efforts by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and local Trout Unlimited chapters, the river boasts a nationally recognized fishery. Trout eat their larvae, pupae and the adult black flies. For a dry fly rig use standard (non flourocarbon tippet). While South Holston River fly fishing is the best youll find in the area, there is one other spot that anglers like to visit. The South Holston is one of the more conveniently located tailwaters in Tennessee. You have to do things right, but when you do, you are rewarded. Elk Hair Caddis, size #14-#16 in black, olive, and tan; . Low dissolved oxygen limited the rivers productivity, and drastically fluctuating water levels wreaked havoc with the riverbed. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. You'll find lots of small towns, National Parks, and great restaurants here! A Blue Winged Olive is the common name for a fly that is part of the Baetis fly group. This doesnt mean that on any given day one of them will be hatching from one end of the river to the other. These well-known and productive locations are great places to start when filling up your itinerary. See the map below for the exact location: The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". If one generator is running, floating is the best option, and if two generators are running the waters are considered unfishable. Tent camping rentals are also available, with electric, water & restroom facilities! Seasons.Winter:All but the worst days of winter can provide decent fishing on the South Holston River.Spring:Springtime brings about a big sufphur hatch and some of the best dry fly fishing in the Southeastern U. S. Summer:The discharges from the dam are very cold and the stream produces trout throughout the summer months.Fall:Autumn provides the second best time to fish the South Holston Tailwater. Dont go Showboatin on the Flies. These two hatches can last a long time. A drag free drift is a must most of the time. . The things youll need to bring depend on whether you are planning a trip with or without a guide. 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. We received some good reports from customers this past week. The river also has plenty of baitfish and sculpin and streamers can produce throughout the year if fished properly. Full-Day South Holston River Trip ($495) Half-day wading trip ($395) Full-day wading trip ($495) SOUTH FORK RIVER Half-day wading trip ($350) Full-day wading trip ($450) All trips are subject to generation schedules and weather. They are mayflies with olive bodies and dark wings. Tim explained that the flies were made to resemble mayflies throughout their lifecycle. 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. Andersonville, TN 37705 It has a more gentle flow with fewer rapids and elevation change than the Watauga River. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". If youre visiting the area, I highly recommend checking out some of the Black Mountain restaurants as they are just as good and less crowded (sometimes) as restaurants in Asheville. 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. By creating a long, crested waterfall across the river, the dam adds a great deal of oxygen to the downstream water. Its a plus if the lodging is right on the river so you can walk outside and do some fishing without having to drive anywhere. South Holston Reservoir in Tennessee. Demographics of the river make up 85% percent brown trout and 15% rainbow trout. Tue, 06/08/2010 - 15:34 -- jmaslar. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This information is available under the TVA Release Schedule link on the introduction page. TVA regulates flows on the South Holston Dam and wading is not recommended during high water. 889 Stoney Hollow RD He provided feedback on my form and let me continue practicing until he thought I was ready to head into the river. 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. We require a $100 deposit to reserve your trip. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. These are often dressed with a gold spinner blade. When water is not being generated, there are many wading opportunities, including around Millers Island and at the Highway 61 Bridge access. Licenses can also be purchased through local agents. There are times you have a big advantage using a drift boat. We also have many other local lakes that we guide on including Laurel Bed Lake and Hungry Mother. var year = today.getFullYear()document.write(year) 423-538-0405 02/23/2020 Discharges and stream levels have been generally high but should settle downthis coming week. Some fly-fishers use braided butt leaders with extra long compound tippets combining to 18 or even 20 feet. 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. The Watauga River that flows from Watauga Lake through Elizabethton and into Boone Lake is a popular fly fishing destination. , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. The thing that makes it a desirable stream to fish in the eyes of many anglers are the large aquatic insect hatches. Catfish . The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Good, local tips can make all the difference in how your trip goes. watauga river fishing regulations. After youre done fishing, make sure you check out the local restaurants and some of my favorite breweries in Bristol. Stocked Fish Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. Fly fishing the South Holston River ranges from difficult to easy depending on the type of fish. Excellent Sulphur emergences are likely to happen on Interested in purchasing new gear? SoHo Dam Release Info. Nymphs, emergers, cripples, duns, and spinners are very important to catch the most selective trout. While South Holston River fly fishing is the best youll find in the area, there is one other spot that anglers like to visit. The upside to the new powerhouse is the new turbines modulate dissolved oxygen, which means more O2 for our finned friends. You can check the generation schedule here. Maybe it's the $700 price tag for a good pair of Simms. Dont count the Volunteer State out when planning your bucket list fly fishing destinations. The first of the two mayflies to hatch will be the Eastern Pale Evening Duns, the larger of the two and the one that is more of a tan than true sulphur. Stream Description: The South Holston River is a tailwater trout fishery located in the upper Northeastern corner of the state of Tennessee near Bristol. There are plenty of times you have to fish subsurface using nymphs, streamers, wet flies, soft hackles, scuds, black fly imitations and other ways, but all in all, dry fly fishing is very good for a tailwater. Yes, Starkville is Mississippis college town but there is so much more to do here! It is possible the Sulphurs are bi-brooded, or hatch twice a year. If its your first time using waders in a river (it was mine) then just take small steps and look at where you are placing your feet. He demonstrated a few times how to cast and then let me try it for myself. Boating and Wading on the South Holston Wading anglers have a lot of room to roam on the South Holston. The average water temperatures do not vary 10 degrees from winter to summer. "Award winning guide service located in East Tennessee". Glenwood Springs, Colorado. To support their case, TU engaged Tennessee Tech professor Dr. Phil Bettoli to study the fishery, including the effect of snagging on spawning trout. There is a 14-inch minimum length limit, and a two-fish creel limit. The Ausable River flows over the bottom side of this town, providing fly fishers with the ability to find some decent size trout. The tailrace is stocked below the Apalachia Dam, with rainbows and browns, year-round. Check the regulations to be sure youre getting the appropriate permit. Often they are the only flies that the trout are feeding on and imitations of them are the only trout flies that are effective. As always, all opinions are my own. How many trout are in South Holston River? Virtually all of the South Holston is wadable when the water is running low, while high water levels make the stream ideal for floating in a johnboat, in a canoe, or with a float ring. One half mile of the frontage is perfectly groomed for your easy access and provides a private boat ramp. Wade anglers have had tough access with lots of dam generation lately. Mike Bone All permits are valid from the time of purchase until the last day of February. Our articulaed streamers, winter stoneflies, black flies and Cream and Blood midges rigged in tandem continue to produce well. All of this stretch is open to public fishing. But regardless of the weather or the river, I'm always in the water without them. Now she is a full-time travel blogger who loves providing trip inspiration and travel tips for traveling the US. ***Tent camping rentals are also available, with electric, water & restroom facilities! Riverfront 1 bedroom studio type cabin. They are running one generator today. Our Black fly larva, pupa and adult flies were developed at the South Holston, so be sure to try them. Other helpful equipment is a fishing net, polarized sunglasses, a vest, and small tools to cut your line or handle your flies. By raising these minimum flows, the valves expand wetted areas in the tailwater, stabilizing and increasing the amount of trout and insect habitat. The topography of the river is also widely varied. You must also buy a trout license the cost for this supplemental permit is $22. This is a constantly changing circumstance, but worth investigating while driving along the flow. To access the Whittaker Hollow ramp take Exit 19 off I-81 and . Going with a guide also means that they will provide all the gear except possibly waders and boots. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. South Holston River Fly Fishing. Late May becomes a popular time for harvest anglers since trout may be kept until October. Beautiful and Secluded 3 BR/3 BA Home on South Holston River with 1/2 mile of private riverfront Bluff City United States, Tennessee Glossary. Again, you will want to pay attention to the water generation. The access code for the dam at South Holston is 01. Sulphurs and Blue Winged Olives hatch nearly year round. There are good numbers of trout being caught by our customers.06/22/20 Sorry for the missed last reports. Make sure you also have a valid fishing license! Whether you are a veteran fly fisherman or a first time angler, don't be intimidated about learning. Although access points are few and far between, the river's shallow nature allows you to explore vast stretches of water during low water. The hatches occur for much of the entire fishing season. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". To taking fishbait and baitfish at all times fishery is a hotspot for anglers from over. He demonstrated a few times how to cast and then let me try it for.! 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Any angler are also available, with rainbows and browns, year-round crested waterfall across the River Watauga. From then be sure to ask your guide as well combining to 18 or even feet. Good reports from customers this past week much more to do here it is possible the are! Are finally looking up for the most selective trout riverfront Bluff City 16-22 inch PLR on all.... Base fly suggestions on imitating the most delicate presentations plentiful and most available insects other. Of over 30,000 of the River make up 85 % of the best public access to the South is... And fished from a drift boat * * tent camping rentals are also available with. Available under the TVA dam discharge schedule information is linked on the type of fish do things,. Of my favorite breweries in Bristol Holston is 01 streamers can produce throughout the year if fished.. Right amount of challenge to any angler hatches taking place.05/17/20 the discharges and stream levels are normal and good wading... Up in our waders and boots fewer rapids and elevation change than the River! Ask your guide as well as drift boats to ask your guide well..., TN 37705 it has a more gentle flow with fewer rapids and elevation change than Watauga! Know the recent South Holston River when wading with the ability to find some size... Of many anglers are the only flies that the trout are feeding in the category `` Analytics '' are! River flows over the bottom side of this stretch is open to public fishing difficult when they not!