AN OVERVIEW

May delivered some of the best fishing we've seen in a while on both of our tailwaters—and it's only getting better. Consistent hatches, improving weather, and varied flows have offered good opportunities for both wade and float anglers.

SOUTH HOLSTON RIVER

As of writing, we've finally had a stretch of full sun and warm temps. Summer’s here. The SoHo has been treating both wade and drift boat anglers well—though early May started off with high water and tough nymphing, especially on cooler days and evenings.

By mid to late May, we began to see solid Sulphur hatches most afternoons after 3 p.m.—rain or shine. The bug activity has been strong, and we've noticed a better class of fish showing up, too. Could it be Hurricane Helene runoff and TVA flushing things out? Hard to say, but we’ll take it.

Wade Fishing Notes:
Mixed results—some windows of solid dry fly eats, followed by periods of nothing. Early mornings or late evenings on low flows are your best bet.
Dry-dropper setups with a Sulphur and #20 PT or midge just a few inches below have worked well. Water is GIN CLEAR, so stealth matters.

“This river will humble you—but it’ll make you a better angler. Stick with it, get creative, and it’ll reward you.”

DRY FLY FISHING

Best Dry Fly Setups:

#18 CDC Sparkle Dun
#16 Cripple Sulphur
Long leaders and light tippet are key—try starting with a 10’ 5X leader and add length with 6X or even 7X if needed.

Still seeing some midges and little black caddis, but most days a single sulphur dry has been all you need.

LOOKING AHEAD

Lake levels are at summer pool, so expect mostly afternoon/evening generation—good for both wade and float anglers. Keep an eye out for cicadas! They've started popping in isolated spots, and we’ve got the patterns ready for when the bite turns on.

Click here for the South Holston Dam generation schedule!

Suggested Patterns

Nymphs

Weiss Dark (Silver Bead) #18–20
Pheasant Tail (non-weighted) #18-20
Stripper Midge #20
Black Midge (River Bead) #18

Dry Flies

Birchell’s Hatch Midge #18–20
Sulphur CDC Comparadun #16–18
Sulphur CDC Sparkle Dun #16
Olive RS2 #18

Streamers

Wooly Buggers
Olive & White Dungeons
White Peanut Envy

WATAUGA RIVER

We’re still seeing some excellent days on the Watauga. Right now, the morning bite is better than the afternoon, so we’re starting there early and shifting over to the South Holston for the evening hatch.

Big Bugs:
Fish have started looking up for big dries in the upper Watauga. It hasn’t fully spread river-wide yet—but it’s coming.

LOOKING AHEAD

Afternoon TVA recreation flows mean wade anglers should stick to mornings or hit the lower river. Boats can fish all day. These higher flows are great for streamer action and also bring solid mayfly hatches—don't sleep on dry fly opportunities in the evenings.

Click here for the Wilbur Dam generation schedule!

Suggested Patterns

Nymphs