TVA did not generate more than one hour on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this past week on the South Holston River. The Sulphur hatches were once again huge and lasting for 3-4 hours. As usual the sulphurs came in waves. It would be heavy, then back off for a litlle while. Then come back heavy. Both sizes 16 and 18 were on the water at different times. The dry fly fishing was “Awesome”. I know that is not the correct word to use by a man my age. But it seems to fit the fishing on the South Holston River.
This week , TVA is beginning good schedules for week day fishing during the summer. It is generating from 1-8 p.m. Monday and I expect them same or close to it for a few days. That gives good wade fishing til 4:00 or 5:00 p.m depending on where you are on the river. This schedule is also very good for primetime afternoon floats to dry fly fish the sulphurs on high water. Because they do hatch big time there also.
As Red Skelton would always say” good night and may God bless”.
Rod

Thgat is what the schedule says tonite. Always check ina.m.. But it looks like TVA is going to give a tremendous weekend schedule. Just in time for “you’ to fish a big Sulphur hatch. It came off big time on high water today. It shoulds be the same on low water tomorrow and Saturday and I bet you Sunday.
See you on the river,
Rod Champion

SULPHURS Big Time on the South Holston River in East Tennessee! A huge Hatch of Sulphurs Sunday on low water. And Big Hatches all week on high water. It is a site to behold! Tons of bugs and fish rising everywhere.
I love low water hatches and fishing them. But my real love is watching fish come from the bottom to the top and slowly sip a dun on high water. Matthew Guinn and I floated Saturday afternoon. The ONE that sticks in my mind was a brown of 16″ or so . We were fishing a slick[ if there is anything like that at 2,500 cubic feet per second flow]. We had seen the brown come and sip two sulphur duns of the top. And that is exactly what he did to the comapradun of ours. I can see it in my mind right now. A thing of beauty it is.
Matthew, or Matty as some of you call him, really caught fish extremely well on dries on high water. I think I have finally converted him to the love of dry fly fishing over nymph or streamer fishing. Ask him.. see waht he says.
This river we call the South Holston is one great river. And our Lord has truly blessed us for getting to fish it like we do. And by allowing us to meet such quality people as we do in the shop and on our guide trips. We are truly blessed. We thank each of you for your business. I am very serious about that.
Rod Champion

TVA Backed it’s generation down today on the South Holston River. They began generating at 3:00 today, which means plenty of time to fish the Sulphur Hatch on low water. They are projecting the same type schedule for the next two days also. Tomorrw is the same one.
As always check in evening before fishing and check the morning you are fishing to make sure of schedule.
So now you have 2-3 hours of Dry fly sulphur fishing. That is about all one could ask for in the summer.
Thank you Tennessee Valley Authority for giving us Fly Fisherman a good wading schedule.
Rod Champion

The hatches on high water are even larger than they are on low water. I got to float the South Holston River yesterday and the dry fly fishing was very good. Sometimes the bugs were too thick. You could not even see your bug in the mass of Sulphurs. It is a sight to behold. It is worth the price of admission to see such an event. Once the mass slowed down and fish could actually find our bugs, it was on! There is nothing more beautiful than to watch a wild brown trout come form the bottom of the river and sip you dry fly. And that is exactly what it is like on high water. You are up over the fish and can see everything from a drift boat. It is a sight you will not forget.
Come join us.
Rod Champion
South Holston River Fly Shop
423-878-2822

The bad news first. It is Hot. The good news is the Sulphurs are pouring off in the heat. As big a hatch everyday as you will ever see. More good news; the hatch is beginning around 12:00 and hanging around till about 7:00. More good news: The Sulphurs will be here til around November. The dry fly fishing is fantastic .
Hope to see you,
Rod Champion

The Sulphurs have beeb hot and heavy here on the South Holston River this past week. You have dry fly fishing on low water and high water. This past week , with the weather cooler the sulphurs seem to have come off a little later in the day; 2:00 and continuing on with high water. Both 16 and 18’s are on the water. The fishing has been tremendous.
Matthew Guinn and I were waiting to fish a spinner fall Saturday evening. Matthew spotted a ton of japenese beetles in the grass by the water. So beetle fishing should really be good.
Schedules look like they are going to be good for both wading and afternoon floats . So come join the fun.
Tight Lines,
Rod Champion

And am hoping all week. TVA is running from 4:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. today on the South Holston River.
That gives you guys many hours of sulphur dry fly fishing.
My guess is, that will be the way it is all week. Beautiful, cooler weather is expected all week also.
Tight Lines,
Rod

Got to see some old known faces and meet some new people this past week. The Triangle Fly Fishing Club from Raleigh N.C. came up. These guys always have a blast and fish their hearts out. They were met on the South Holston River by some of the biggest Sulphur hatches you will ever see. Dave Fussell[ hope the spelling is correct] told me last night that there were bugs on everey square foot of water you could see. The hatches were huge. But the fish still took their dry flies. Dave said he caught all the fish he wanted to. And that says a lot. Dave is one trout fishing addict. And dang good at it. The slimmer Ned Jones hammered them too. Ned is another trout addict. All those guys love it. I wish I could remember all the names, but this old brain isn’t what it used to be.
I got to fish across from a father and son from Greenville S.C. It is always good to see such a good relationship. They are X bird dog – bird hunters like Matt and I. The son, Theron is an excellent fly tyer. Can’t wait to see his flies in thje Light of day. We fished a spinner fall across from one another. It was a pretty good spinner fall that night also. I think I have finally settled on my best spinner . I have tied and tried so many different ones this year. I beleive the bigger fish have hit a short cdc wing with a biot body. So if I can make myself not tie any other wild versions, then this one will be it. And you tyers know what I mean by that.
TVA is running a schedule this week that should allow for plenty of wade fishing. Today, they are generating form 1:00-8:00 p.m., which means, if you go down stream when water hits up high , you can get a full day in. It is about time to beetle fish down stream.
Tight Lines All,
Rod Champion

Tennessee Valley Authority is giving a good schedule today and projecting the same for Thurdsay and Friday. Today they are generating from 3:00-7:00 P.M.  on the South Holston River. The hours may change  but the amount of water generated is projected to be the same.   Should be good sulphur dry fly fishing. 

As ALWAYS, Check the schedule in the evening and in the P.M. to make  sure it stays the same.

Tight Lines,

Rod Champion