Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing South Fork of Holston River
Virginia
Most everyone not familiar with this stream first thinks it is
the South Fork of the Holston River Tailwater with lies in
Northern Tennessee near Virginia. It is not. It is one of
the headwater streams of that tailwater. The river's
beginning is actually a limestone creek more than it is a
freestone stream. Limestone springs and little freestone
creeks and branches feed the headwaters.
Buller Fish Cultural Station is located near the stream
and diverts some of the water to several ponds. They
raise bass, northern pike, trout and muskie. It is one of a
few hatcheries that raise muskellunge.
Above the fish hatchery there is a dam on the river that
created a small pond. As far as I know and according to
the state, the stream is not stocked above the dam.
They do stock it below the dam across from the fish
hatchery and downstream of there. Just above the pond,
the stream flows through a small canyon. In some places
you will have to wade to progress upstream. Now keep in
mind, the South Fork of the Holston River is a small
creek at that point.
There are some large rainbows that are stocked below
the dam. We have caught several rainbows in the creek
where it was not over ten feet wide that went up to 16
inches and over. Catching that size rainbows where you
have to duck to get under tree limbs can be a lot of fun.
The stream splits into two sections below the dam. They
look like small brook trout streams at that point. Above
the dam, the river flows upstream to the top of a
mountain. You can catch trout the entire way to the top.
You will need a map to find this location on the river.
It is not easy to find. You exit off I-81 several miles above
Bristol, Tennessee near Marion, Virginia. The fish
hatchery is on the right side of the interstate headed
north but you will have to exit to the left side and wind
around making several turns to again cross the interstate
to be on your way to the area of the river I described. It is
well worth the trip whether you want to fish the upper part
for wild trout or the stocked section.
Season:
The fishing season is year-round in Southern Virginia
Winter:
You can catch trout during the warm days of winter.
Spring:
Spring brings some big aquatic insect hatches on this
stream and is a great time to fish there.
Summer:
We would suggest you only fish the area above the dam
during the hot part of Summer.
Fall:
Fall is the second best time to fish the South Fork
Fly Fishing Guide to South Fork of the Holston
River
Fly fishing the South Fork of the Holston River is small
stream fishing but the fish you catch are not all small. It
depends on whether you fish the stocked section or the
upper section of the stream.
(Click Here to Continue)
Virginia
Most everyone not familiar with this stream first thinks it is
the South Fork of the Holston River Tailwater with lies in
Northern Tennessee near Virginia. It is not. It is one of
the headwater streams of that tailwater. The river's
beginning is actually a limestone creek more than it is a
freestone stream. Limestone springs and little freestone
creeks and branches feed the headwaters.
Buller Fish Cultural Station is located near the stream
and diverts some of the water to several ponds. They
raise bass, northern pike, trout and muskie. It is one of a
few hatcheries that raise muskellunge.
Above the fish hatchery there is a dam on the river that
created a small pond. As far as I know and according to
the state, the stream is not stocked above the dam.
They do stock it below the dam across from the fish
hatchery and downstream of there. Just above the pond,
the stream flows through a small canyon. In some places
you will have to wade to progress upstream. Now keep in
mind, the South Fork of the Holston River is a small
creek at that point.
There are some large rainbows that are stocked below
the dam. We have caught several rainbows in the creek
where it was not over ten feet wide that went up to 16
inches and over. Catching that size rainbows where you
have to duck to get under tree limbs can be a lot of fun.
The stream splits into two sections below the dam. They
look like small brook trout streams at that point. Above
the dam, the river flows upstream to the top of a
mountain. You can catch trout the entire way to the top.
You will need a map to find this location on the river.
It is not easy to find. You exit off I-81 several miles above
Bristol, Tennessee near Marion, Virginia. The fish
hatchery is on the right side of the interstate headed
north but you will have to exit to the left side and wind
around making several turns to again cross the interstate
to be on your way to the area of the river I described. It is
well worth the trip whether you want to fish the upper part
for wild trout or the stocked section.
Season:
The fishing season is year-round in Southern Virginia
Winter:
You can catch trout during the warm days of winter.
Spring:
Spring brings some big aquatic insect hatches on this
stream and is a great time to fish there.
Summer:
We would suggest you only fish the area above the dam
during the hot part of Summer.
Fall:
Fall is the second best time to fish the South Fork
Fly Fishing Guide to South Fork of the Holston
River
Fly fishing the South Fork of the Holston River is small
stream fishing but the fish you catch are not all small. It
depends on whether you fish the stocked section or the
upper section of the stream.
(Click Here to Continue)
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South Fork Holston
River Virginia
River Virginia
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Photo Courtesy of David Knapp Photography
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| Type of Stream Freestone/Spring Species Rainbow Trout Brown Trout (Wild and Stocked) Size Small Location Southern Virginia Nearest Towns Marion, Virginia Season Year - round Access: Moderate Special Regulations None Non-Resident License State of Virginia Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Coming Soon Fly Fishing: Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear |