Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The South Holston River
Tennessee
The South Holston River is a tailwater trout fishery
located in the upper Northeastern corner of the state of
Tennessee near Bristol. It is stocked with rainbow trout
by the (TWRA) Tennessee Wildlife Agency. This is one
southern tailwater that has a substantial population of
wild brown trout. They are all wild. In addition, the
stocked rainbows holdover from year to year because
the stream stays cool even during the summer months. It
is probably the best tailwater in the Southeastern United
States.
The river can be waded when they are not generating
power and fished from a drift boat when turbines are
running. You can access the river in only a few places
where wading is possible. The main attraction is the wild
trout and extensive sulphur hatches.
Caution should be used anytime you are fishing a
tailwater, so be sure to check on the discharge schedule
and keep an eye out for changes in the depth. The TVA
dam discharge schedule information is linked on the left
side of this page. The schedule will tell when the best
times to fish the river are, depending on whether you
are wading or fishing from a drift boat.
Seasons:
The fly-fishing season is year-round on the South
Holston River.
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. The weather is normally excellent and
the lack of discharges are normally great for the wading
angler..
Fly Fishing Guide to the Holston River:
Fly fishing the South Holston Tailwater is considered to
be technical fishing by many anglers.
(Click Here For More Fishing Information)
Tennessee
The South Holston River is a tailwater trout fishery
located in the upper Northeastern corner of the state of
Tennessee near Bristol. It is stocked with rainbow trout
by the (TWRA) Tennessee Wildlife Agency. This is one
southern tailwater that has a substantial population of
wild brown trout. They are all wild. In addition, the
stocked rainbows holdover from year to year because
the stream stays cool even during the summer months. It
is probably the best tailwater in the Southeastern United
States.
The river can be waded when they are not generating
power and fished from a drift boat when turbines are
running. You can access the river in only a few places
where wading is possible. The main attraction is the wild
trout and extensive sulphur hatches.
Caution should be used anytime you are fishing a
tailwater, so be sure to check on the discharge schedule
and keep an eye out for changes in the depth. The TVA
dam discharge schedule information is linked on the left
side of this page. The schedule will tell when the best
times to fish the river are, depending on whether you
are wading or fishing from a drift boat.
Seasons:
The fly-fishing season is year-round on the South
Holston River.
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. The weather is normally excellent and
the lack of discharges are normally great for the wading
angler..
Fly Fishing Guide to the Holston River:
Fly fishing the South Holston Tailwater is considered to
be technical fishing by many anglers.
(Click Here For More Fishing Information)
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Brown Trout (Wild) Rainbow Trout (Stocked with holdovers) Size Medium Location Extreme Northeast Tennessee Nearest Towns Bristol, Tennessee Johnson City, Tennessee Season Year-round Access: Fair for wading, Fine for drift boats Special Regulations None Non-Resident License Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Weather National Weather Service Link TVA Release Schedule Click for information Hatch Chart South Holston Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear |
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South Holston
River Tennessee
River Tennessee
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Photo Courtesy of David Knapp Photography
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Thumbnails: Click on image to enlarge
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |