Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Watauga River
Tennessee
The Watauga River is a tailwater trout fishery located in
the upper Northeastern corner of the state of
Tennessee near the little town of Elizabethton. It's cold
water flows through the Wilburn Dam from Wilburn and
Watauga Lakes. The tailwater is stocked with rainbow,
brook and brown trout by the (TWRA) Tennessee
Wildlife resources Agency. There is a small population
of wild trout. Both the rainbow and brown trout holdover
from year to year because the stream stays cold even
during the summer months. There are some very large
brown trout in this river.
The Watauga can be waded when they are not
generating power and fished from a small boat anytime.
It is best if one generator is running if you intend to use
a drift boat. There is a lot of shallow water and canoes
and small rafts are popular. There is not a great deal of
access for the wading angler but a few locations exit.
The main attraction is the opportunity to catch a big
brown trout.
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.
Seasons:
The fly-fishing season is year-round on the Watauga
River.
Winter:
The Watauga River fishes good throughout the winter
months. Midges represent the bulk of the aquatic insect
food supply.
Spring:
Springtime brings about a nice sulphur hatch and some
good dry fly fishing.
Summer:
The stream produces trout throughout the summer
months. Terrestrials imitations become the main dry flies
used during the Summer.
Fall:
Autumn provides the next best time to fish the Watauga
Tailwater. The weather and discharges are usually very
stable and dependable.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Watauga River
Fly fishing the Watauga RiverTailwater is considered to
be a little on the difficult side by many anglers. The trout
can become selective on certain insects and other foods.
As you will see in our "Hatches" section, other than the
Sulphurs, there are some very good Blue-winged Olive
hatches that occur. Black flies are another source of
food for the trout. The river also supports scuds and a
few other sparse hatches of mayflies. Caddisflies are a
major source of food. Several species hatch throughout
the year.
At times when there are no large aquatic insect hatches
taking place, the midge is king. Imitations of the larvae,
pupae and adults will catch trout throughout the season.
The river also has a lot of different types of baitfish and
sculpin.
(Click Here For More Fishing Information)
Tennessee
The Watauga River is a tailwater trout fishery located in
the upper Northeastern corner of the state of
Tennessee near the little town of Elizabethton. It's cold
water flows through the Wilburn Dam from Wilburn and
Watauga Lakes. The tailwater is stocked with rainbow,
brook and brown trout by the (TWRA) Tennessee
Wildlife resources Agency. There is a small population
of wild trout. Both the rainbow and brown trout holdover
from year to year because the stream stays cold even
during the summer months. There are some very large
brown trout in this river.
The Watauga can be waded when they are not
generating power and fished from a small boat anytime.
It is best if one generator is running if you intend to use
a drift boat. There is a lot of shallow water and canoes
and small rafts are popular. There is not a great deal of
access for the wading angler but a few locations exit.
The main attraction is the opportunity to catch a big
brown trout.
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.
Seasons:
The fly-fishing season is year-round on the Watauga
River.
Winter:
The Watauga River fishes good throughout the winter
months. Midges represent the bulk of the aquatic insect
food supply.
Spring:
Springtime brings about a nice sulphur hatch and some
good dry fly fishing.
Summer:
The stream produces trout throughout the summer
months. Terrestrials imitations become the main dry flies
used during the Summer.
Fall:
Autumn provides the next best time to fish the Watauga
Tailwater. The weather and discharges are usually very
stable and dependable.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Watauga River
Fly fishing the Watauga RiverTailwater is considered to
be a little on the difficult side by many anglers. The trout
can become selective on certain insects and other foods.
As you will see in our "Hatches" section, other than the
Sulphurs, there are some very good Blue-winged Olive
hatches that occur. Black flies are another source of
food for the trout. The river also supports scuds and a
few other sparse hatches of mayflies. Caddisflies are a
major source of food. Several species hatch throughout
the year.
At times when there are no large aquatic insect hatches
taking place, the midge is king. Imitations of the larvae,
pupae and adults will catch trout throughout the season.
The river also has a lot of different types of baitfish and
sculpin.
(Click Here For More Fishing Information)
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Brook Trout (Stocked with holdovers) (Some Wild brown trout) Size Small Location Northeast Tennessee Nearest Towns Elizabethton, Tennessee Season Year-round Access: Good 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 Coming soon Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear |
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Watauga River
Tennessee
Tennessee
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Photo Courtesy of David Knapp Photography
| 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. |