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!

 

 

 

South Holston River Report March 2022

The South Holston has had a great schedule for float trips. The nice weather and steady flows have created really good fishing!  Upper section is fishing great with nymphs. Eggs, worms, scuds, Hot spot #18 and midges are working. Small BWO hatch near Beidleman Creek at 2:00 but fish are very selective. Middle section is producing fish on streamers and sculpin patterns. Original Sculpzilla #4 and Black #8 are top picks this week.

Wade fisherman are having sucess on Soho when the schedule permits. Flashtail minis #14-16, Tan and Wine San Juan worm, Scooter midge and Sweet Thing are catching fish. *Several storms approaching area so check TVA for updates and schedule changes.

Half of our guides are still fishing the Watauga River. Good flows and low pressure are bringing big numbers to the net. Upper and middle sections are nymphing the best. Eggs, Jig Frenchie & Empty Pockets #16, split case #20 and midges are a must. All sections are streamer fishing good on High Water. Galloup,s Black and Brown/Tan Peanut Envy #2 on sinking line are moving big fish. Classic Patterns are working: Black Flash-A-Bugger and BH Olive Wolley Bugger #8. Stop by the shop for updates! GO FISH

Congrats JP with your new Soho PB Rainbow Trout!

 

 

 

South Holston River Report 1/28/2022

We are approaching the third week of Weir repair on the South Holston River. Despite the watercolor and lower flows (no pulses) the fishing has been good. Big midge hatches on upper section are producing good numbers for advanced anglers. Morgans midge and Black fly variations #22-24 are key. Nymph fishing is good on upper and middle. Non weighted flies PT,  Brassie and Medallion midge are working.

Our guides are still fishing the Watauga River. The consistent schedule and light traffic have kept the bite steady. BWO and midges are coming off on middle and upper. Non bead Split case, English PT, and Baetis patterns are a must. Red and Brown Midges #20 are working on upper section.

Streamer Fishermen willing to fish the afternoon high-water schedule are moving and catching some big fish.

Galloup’s Boogieman, Dungeon and Peanut Envy in stock. Go Fish!

South Holston River Report 12 / 1 / 2021

The South Holston River has had a good schedule for wade fisherman. Low water and good temperatures have created excellent dry fly fishing. The upper section has a nice mix of BWO and Sulphurs starting early afternoon. All CDC variations are working well #18 and 20s. Nymph fishing is good, a combination flashtail minis (all colors) and midges are catching fish.

Our guides are still on the Watauga and fishing is consistent. The water schedule is good for float and wade fisherman. Great BWO and Midge hatches on upper and middle sections. BWO SH and Puff Daddys are key. Hot spot nymphs and eggs are working great as lead.

Congrats Mike! Big brown from Matt Champion”s boat this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Holston & Watauga River Report 11/2021

South Holston continues high water during the week & window for wading on weekends. The high-water bite has been slow and guides have moved to Watauga. Locals are taking advantage of BWO hatch on upper section around 4 o’clock. Low water is fishing good with small midges, it is important to have several different colors on hand.

*SOUTH HOLSTON WILL HAVE 2 SECTIONS CLOSED FOR FISHING NOV – JAN TO PROTECT SPAWNING FISH.

Watauga is constantly making schedule changes. Our guides are doing great despite more boat traffic this Fall. BWO, Jigs and midges are key. Wade fisherman have had great BWO hatches on falling water. Small streamers & eggs are fishing good on the upper sections.

Congratulations Steve and Shop Guide Brody Green! Big fish in the net yesterday!!