South Holston River Report September 2023

The South Holston has a good schedule for wade and float fisherman. The upper river is fishing great from Osceola to River Bend. Rods BWO #20, Black and Stripper Midge #22 are working. We are seeing some surface activity early morning around the Weir. Midge Cluster, Griffiths and Adams #20-22 are go-to patterns for technical dry fly fishing. Middle river is starting to fish a lot better. Quasimodo and TB Pheasant Tails #18 with Olive or Grey midge #20 is key. We are seeing BWO on the surface early morning Big Springs and in the Gorge midafternoon. The release schedule is providing good dry fly action for float fisherman. The Sulphur hatch is on upper section late afternoon, fish are picky so Sparkle Dunn #22 is a must. We are seeing Black Caddis #20 from River’s Way to Beidleman around 7ish.

Watauga continues a great schedule for wade and float fisherman. We are seeing high numbers of small fish come to the net on upper and middle section. Pheasant Tail and BWO #20 Soft Hackles are catching fish. There is still a good terrestrial bite on all sections. Dry-dropper fishing with midges is consistent throughout the day. Fathead beetle #14 and Purple zebra #18 is top pick.

Our Guides are all over the Tri – Cities. Full day floats are on the Watauga and Holston River. The Smallmouth fishing will be good for the next 4-6 weeks. Most half day trips are on the South Holston River. Everything is fishing really good and we are starting to see more quality fish in the net.

Matt and Doc with a nice Soho Brown

Barstools Built for Dreamers …. GO FISH!!!

 

South Holston River Report July 2023

The South Holston has had a good schedule for wade and afternoon float fisherman. Summer is a great time to dry fly fish all day. The Sulphur hatch starts after the morning pulse around Osceola. The fish are looking up and double Puff Daddy #16-20 are catching fish. Bugs are heavy in the afternoon 3-7:00 on high water. The fish have been very picky so Sparkle Dunn and Simple Cripple #18 are a must. The Beetle bite has been really good on middle and lower river. Mikes Magic #12 and Top Hat Beetle #10 are top picks.

The Watauga River continues the recreation schedule. This schedule is good for morning wade and float fisherman. Watauga is still fishing great and high numbers of fish being caught. Dry dropper fishing has been the most productive on upper and middle sections. Black-Tan Chubby #16 with Hot Belly or Flashback Pheasant Tails are working. English Pheasant tails, midges and soft hackles #18-20 are working for second drop.

Our guides are spread out fishing South Holston, Holston and Watauga Rivers. All of our fisheries are fishing great right now! We are seeing big numbers come to the net. Most of our guides are offering smallmouth trips now. Great way to break up muti-day trips. Call or book online

GO FISH!!!!!

 

South Holston River Report June 2023

The South Holston continues a great schedule for wade fishermen. The upper section is fishing good mid morning with Midges and Split Backs. We are starting to see large Sulphur hatch around 2:00 and strong throughout the afternoon. Fish are not picky #16 Comparadun or Parachute PMD & Puff Daddys work. There are spinners below Osceola at 7:00 till dark. #16 CDC Biot Spinner Rusty & PMD are a must. Middle River is a little more challenging but fishing good. Sporadic Sulphurs, BWOs and small Black Caddis on the water all afternoon. Fish are selective and mainly eating CDC Sulphur patterns and emergers. #16-18 Puff Daddy, Orange and Yellow Soft Hackles are catching fish. Spinners are heavy 8:00 till dark.

The Watauga River has started its Recreation flow. This schedule is usually good for wade and float fisherman. Watauga has been fishing excellent and high numbers of smaller fish being caught. We are seeing Sulphurs on the upper and middle river around 11:00. Dry Dropper has been the most effective on all flows. #16-18 Biot Comparadun Sulphur, #16 Chubby Tan with #16-18 Frenchie variations and Hot Spots. Midges are working as a second drop or shallow runs. #20 Stripper, Sweet thing and Rainbow midge are top picks.

Our Guides are having huge success on both rivers. Full Day trips are getting a good opportunity to Nymph and Dry fly fish! The Lake levels are full and hope to see some high water on Soho in the near future … Call or book online

It’s not a fish until it’s in the net

GO FISH !!!

 

South Holston River Report April 2023

South Holston continues a great schedule for wade fisherman. The upper section is fishing good with dry-dropper #18 Parachute Adams / Bwo with #20-22 Stripper or Scooter Midge. We are seeing a small Sulphur hatch around Osceola from 10 – Noon. Fish are not picky, Comparadun or Parachute PMD #16 will do. Middle river has a good Bwo hatch from 6 till dark. All CDC variations working well #18-22 Bwo Puff Daddy or  Comparadun works. Lower river is fishing good, a lot of small Rainbows being caught from Weaver Pike to lake.  #16-18 Copperhead, Hot Spot Orange and Split Back as point with a mix of #18-20 Purple, Red and Olive midges.

Watauga has a great schedule for wade or float fisherman. Our annual Black Caddis hatch is almost over. Still have some bug activity mid river in the morning and late evening #12-14 Peacock, Red Butt and #16-20 Elk Hair All Black will catch fish. We are having a great transition into our Sulphur Mayfly season. The upper and middle sections have bugs starting at noon and continue throughout the afternoon #16 CDC Sulphur, PMD and Puff Daddy are a must. The entire river is fishing good with #14-16 Egans, Hotspots, Split case and #16-18 SH emergers.

Our guides are primarily fishing Watauga due to low flows on South Holston. The river is fishing exceptionally well despite high traffic. It is a great time for the opportunity to nymph in the morning and dry fly all afternoon!

Great fish this morning From Matt Champions boat

Book Online or call for updates !

GO FISH !!!     <*))))><

 

 

 

South Holston River Report February 2023

The South Holston has had a great schedule for float fishing and afternoon wading. The entire river is fishing good with large eggs, midges and PT variations. The Micro Spawn #12 Yellow & Orange are working great as point flies. Black & Purple Midges #18 and English PT #20 are catching fish. We are seeing a good BWO hatch at Jacks around noon and in the Gorge till three. Fish are not picky, CDC Comparadun #20 works. Low water is fishing good on upper river from two till dark. BWO and Grey Mayhem #20, Scooter Midge #20 and Sweet Thing #20 are a must. Fish are eating midges off the surface late afternoon around the Weir. Use Adams #20-24 and Griffiths #20-22 for these rising fish. Trout Hunter 8X, 9X and 10X in stock!

Watauga River is fishing good. Post spawn streamer fishing is excellent. All Galloup patterns are fishing good. Dungeons and Peanut Envy #2 Natural and Olive are moving fish. Boogieman #2 Rootbeer, and Yellow are top pick.

Nice Brown from Matt Champion’s boat this weekend. Great work Connor!

Book a trip online or call the shop for more information

GO FISH ! ! !

 

 

 

 

South Holston River Report Fall 2022

The South Holston has started a great schedule for wade and float fishing. The upper river is fishing good with midges and Bwo. Stripper Midge, Scooter Midge and Rods Tube Bwo #20 are working. Good early morning surface activity from Osceola to TVA South. Puff Daddy Bwo, SH emerger grey #18 and Quigley Midge Cluster #20 are top pics. We are still seeing Sulphurs at River Bend from 11-2. Rods Cripple and Puff Daddy #18 are go-to patterns late season. This new schedule makes the middle and lower sections tougher to fish. Sight fish with dry dropper and deep nymph as the day progresses. Try Chubby Black/Tan #16-18, Mikes Magic #12, Flashback PT, Quasimodo #18 and Stripper #22

Watauga River has ended the Recreation Schedule and has low flows during the week. We are seeing a mix of BWO, Caddis and Midge on upper and middle river. The terrestrial bite is slowing down but not over. Pre-Spawn patterns are starting to come into play. Pats #14-16, Red Butt #12, UV PT Frenchie #16-18 and midges #18-20. Olive and Black Bugger #12 has been fishing great on drift.

Our guides are primarily fishing the South Holston. The high-water bite is the best we have seen all year. Bwo, Scuds, Midges #18-22 are working. We are having a good Sulphur hatch from TVA South to Riverbend from around 2-5:00ish. Small Sulphur / Pmd Dries are a must. The streamer bite is picking up and medium flies are the ticket. The Original Sculpzilla and Kreelex  #4 are catching fish.

 

GO FISH !

 

 

South Holston River Report July 2022

The South Holston continues a great schedule for wade fishermen. Early morning midge bite is good around Osceola. Sulphur hatch starts around 11:00 on upper river and lasts several hours. CDC Comparadun, Puffy Daddy, and SH emerger orange #18 are working. There is a great mix of bugs on the water throughout the day. Black Caddis, BWO and Black Fly patterns are working. Elk Hair Caddis All Black, BWO Puff Daddy, and Mercury Black Beauty #20 are top picks. We are seeing a good Sulphur hatch on middle river this week around 2:30. Steady hatch from Big Springs to Weaver Pike. Small bugs are working, and fish are not picky. Sulphur Mayflies #18-20 will work.

Watauga River will continue a recreation flow throughout Summer. Great time to fish all sections with Dry- Dropper rigs. Tan Chubby #16 & Rods Tube BWO #18 are catching fish. We are still seeing small Sulphurs on falling water in the evening. The afternoon highwater bite has been fishing great.  All your standard Taug nymphs are working well. Jig Frenchies , Hot Spots and Soft Hackles. The fishing pressure has slowed down and our guide are seeing more quality fish in the net!

Watauga Rainbow from Matt Champion’s Boat

GO FISH!

 

 

South Holston River Report June 2022

South Holston continues a great wade schedule with afternoon float option. Early morning bite is good with Sulphur nymphs.  Copper Head, non-bead Split case and S/H Yellow #16-18 are top picks. The Sulphur hatch is starting at 10:30 on upper river and heavy until 2:00. Puff Daddy #14-16 and Comparadun #16 are catching fish. It continues throughout the day for float fisherman. Hatch is strong from Osceola Island to Beidleman Creek and tapering off around 6. Double dries are having the most success. Comparadun with Puffs and Cripples are a must have. WE HAVE 10 SULPHUR CDC PATTERNS IN STOCK!

Watauga has started its recreation flow. This schedule is good for wade and float fisherman. Dry dropper fishing has been very successful on upper and middle sections. Chubbys with small Frenchie or Pheasant Tail variations are having great success. Chernobyl tan #16 with Egans or Quasimodo #18 are top pick. Sulphur hatch is good on high water below Hunter bridge late afternoon. Bugs are small and fish are selective. CDC Biot Comparadun #18 is the fly. The Beetle bite has started on the lower section. Top Hat #10 and Kiwi Copper #12 are our go to patterns.

” ITS NOT HOW MANY YOU CATCH, ITS HOW YOU CATCH THEM ”

 

South Holston River Report May 2022

The South Holston continues a great schedule for wade fishermen. The upper section is fishing good in the morning with midges. Griffiths and Midge Cluster #20 are working on the surface. Scooter Midge, Sweet Thing, and Midge Emergers are catching fish subsurface. Middle and lower sections are fishing good late afternoon and evening. We are seeing large Sulphur hatches and feeding fish. Puff Daddy #14-16, Rods Cripple #16 and SH Orange/yellow are a must.

Watauga has had some spill gate testing this week with variable flows. Fishing has remained steady for wade and float fisherman. Upper River is fishing good with Dry Dropper rig. #14 Sulphur or Caddis with Brown/Olive midges are working well. We are seeing good afternoon Sulphur hatches on middle river. CDC Comparadun, Puff Daddy #16 and Splitcase are top choice.

Our Guides are all float fishing the Watauga. The river is busy due to lack of generation on the South Holston River. Fishing has been good and continues to get better. Our clients are getting the opportunity to nymph and dry fly fish everyday.

Picture from Soho Guide Mathew Quinn’s boat. GO FISH!

 

South Holston River Report April 2022

South Holston River continues to sluice 215 CFS due to outage. Flows are great and fish are looking up. Midge and small BWO hatch daily on upper river. BWO Puff Diddie, Morgans and Sparkle Dun #20-22 are catching fish. We are seeing some early Sulphurs on middle and lower. Rods Partridge and Sulphur, Split Back and Egans nymphs are working great as point flies. Midges are fishing good on all sections with Soho Purple/Silver & Stripper #22 top flies. Sulphur Puff Daddy #14-18 in stock!

Watauga River is still spilling 240 CFS. Great opportunity for wade and float fishing. The river is fishing really good despite the high traffic. BWO and midges are coming off on upper section. BWO Puff daddy, Black/silver Midge #18 and Black Mayhem are working. We are seeing a mix of BWO, Sulphur and Caddis on middle and lower late afternoon. Hot Belly PT Orange, Red Butt and SH Pheasant Tail #12-16 are top picks.

Our guides are primarily fishing the Watauga River. They are constantly changing their float schedules to avoid the crowds and pressured fish. We are seeing Trophy Browns in the net this week and anticipating an epic Caddis Hatch. Stop in or call for hatch updates and availability for Float Trips.

Picture from Soho Guide Joe Kostura’s boat. GO FISH!