We update our fishing reports frequently and show you “What’s Up” at EFO.

East TN fly fishing report

The weather has been nice for the last few days.  We’ve had temperatures in the mid 60s.  Both South Holston and Watauga have been high water for the last month.  Currently the TVA is sluicing South Holston dam at 1700cfs.  They are spilling Wilbur dam at 1800cfs.  Both are excellent flows for floating the rivers.  We are seeing blue winged olives on both rivers in the afternoon.  Both are fishing great.  Nymphing on high water has been awesome.  The dry fly fishing has been great during the hatch times.  We are really enjoying the warmer weather.  Don’t let the high water stop you from going fishing.  Give us a call and let our guides do the work while you fish. 423-538-3007

East TN fly fishing report

Hello everyone, we hope you had a great 4th of July.  As the weather heats up, so does the fishing!  Our tailwaters have returned to normal flows.  The South Holston is low in the morning, pulsing mid-day, and running in the evening.  The Watauga is low in the morning and running a recreation flow from 1pm-6pm Monday through Friday, and noon to 6pm on Saturdays.  This time of year we offer a best of the day trip to beat the heat.  The best of the day trip is a 5-6 hour trip including a lite lunch for $375 dollars.  Of course we always offer half day and full day guide trips as well.  I will leave you with a few photo’s of last weeks guide trips.

South Holston river fishing report

The South Holston river is slucing 1100cfs and the fishing is outstanding!  This flow is simply amazing.  The fish and the insects really respond well to the additional water.  Nymphs and midges are working well in the morning.  Switching to sulphurs in the afternoon.  Size 16 puff daddy’s are the fly of choice during the hatch.  Be sure to stop be the shop to stock up on flies before you head to the river.  Give us a call if you would like book a guide trip. 423-538-3007

May 22 2019

Fly fishing in northeast TN has been great!  We are seeing sulphurs on both the South Holston and Watauga rivers.  Sizes 16 and 18 puff daddies and sparkle duns are working well.  Outside of the hatch size 16 splitcase nymphs and size 20 zebra midges are working on nymph rigs.  Stripers are moving up in the river right now.  If you’ve never hooked one of these on a fly rod, you are in for a fight.  We offer guided trips for samllmouth and stripers as well as trout. Give us a call if you would like to get out on the water.  Let our guides take all of the work out of it while you fish.  (423)-538-3007

May 14 2019

Low water today!!  The TVA backed the flows down on both the South Holston and Watauga rivers.  This has been an answered prayer for many wade anglers.

The South Holston has been fishing great.  The guides are catching good numbers and quality fish.  Sulphurs are hatching in the afternoon and there are lots of fish up eating.

The Watauga is fishing good as well.  Lots of fish coming to the net and several quality fish.  Sulphurs are hatching in the afternoon’s.  Size 16 & 18 puff daddy’s have been irresistible to rising fish.

Call us today to book a guide trip (423)538-3007

April 3rd 2019

The rains have stopped here in east Tennessee and we have low water!  The fishing has been great!  Lots of wade fishing opportunities.  Blue winged olives are hatching in the afternoons.  A size 20 cdc sparkle dun or a size 20 puff daddy have been working great.  Size 20 purple zebra midges, sizes 18 & 20 split case nymphs and size 16 flashback pheasant tails are working under the water.

I’ll leave you with a few client photos from the the last couple of trips.  Hope to see you on the water!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

December 5th 2018

We have made it to December.  The weather is crazy, 60 degrees one day and 30 the next.  We are experiencing a lot of high water flows and that does limit the wading opportunities. The good news is, that the fish are chewing on both the South Holston and Watauga rivers!  Blue winged olive nymphs size 18 & 20, olive zebra midges size 20, purple zebra midges size twenty, and of course egg patterns are all working well.  There hasn’t been any big hatches to speak of, but if you see a rising fish a well presented bwo puff daddy will catch it.  Here are a few fish from our recent guide trips.

November 3rd 2018

High water fishing has been great on both the South Holston and Watauga rivers.  We are starting to see spawning behavior in the brown trout on both rivers.  The nymph fishing has been great.  There hasn’t been a lot of opportunity for dry fly fishing.  If you are patient, when you see a rising fish, you can catch it.  Please respect the redds (spawning beds).  Be careful when you are fishing not to wade through one of the redds.  Don’t forget that the 2 spawning areas of the South Holston river are now closed, and will be until February 1st.  Don’t forget to come by the fly shop for all of your fishing and tying needs.  We have been bulking up our tying supplies for winter and have a great selection. Here are a few fish from this week.  Hope to see you on the water.

South Holston River Closed Sections

Hey everyone!  We’ve had a lot of questions about the closed spawning areas on the South Holston river.  You cannot fish these 2 sections of river from November 1st through January 31st.  Meaning the last day you can fish in these areas is October 31st, and the first day you can fish in these ares is February 1st. The first section is from Bottom’s creek which is right below the cul-de-sac to hickory tree bridge.  The second section begins just above the house on the island on big springs road to the bottom of Boy’s island.  You can still float through these sections, but you cannot fish while you are floating through them.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us here at the shop (423-538-3007)

October 23 2018

Cooler weather, high water, and great fishing!

We’ve had a lot of high water lately.  The TVA is trying to pull the lakes down to winter pool.  Any way, the good news is that the high water fly fishing has been outstanding.  Big fish are moving around right now, feeding up for the spawn.  Don’t forget that the 2 spawning areas on the South Holston river will close from November 1 until February 1.

October 10 2018

It’s starting to feel like fall!  The leaves are starting to turn, the TVA is currently drawing down the lakes to winter pool, and the fish are feeding in preparation of the spawning season.  The high water nymph fishing has been some of the best that we have ever seen.  Blue winged olives are showing up, giving some opportunity for dry fly fishing, but the nymphing is where it’s at.  They say that the sluice flow on South Holston will end soon and that we will be back on a regular schedule.  I honestly hate to see it end.  The additional flow has kept the fish happy and healthy all year long.

September 19 2018

Most of the rain from hurricane Florence missed us.  The rivers are clear and fishing well.  The TVA is currently drawing down the lakes to winter pool.  There are still some wading opportunities if you watch the release schedule.  We have been floating both the South Holston and Watauga rivers, both have been fishing great.  Sulphurs are still hatching in the afternoon on South Holston with blue winged olives mixed in.  The high water nymph bite on Watauga has been excellent.  Come see us for all of your fly fishing needs.  If you would like a guide trip, just give us a call at 423-538-3007

Hope to see you on the water!

May 15 2018

The fishing is on fire right now!  South Holston dam is still slucing a constant 1,200 cfs flow.  It does limit the wade access, but the fish really seem to like this flow.  Sulphurs are hatching in the afternoon and fish are up eating them.  Size 16 puff daddies and last chance cripple are getting it done.

Watauga river has been having longer periods of low water offering plenty of wading opportunities.  Sulphurs are hatching on the watauga as well.  when the fish arent rising, size 16 split case nymphs, and flash back pheasant tails are working.

Hybrids and stripers are moving up on the lower ends of each river.  If you have never fished for these pelagic fish, they are big, strong, and mean.  Here are a some photos from the last couple of days.

May 9 2018

Both the South Holston and Watauga rivers are fishing great right now.  We have been seeing periods of low water on the Watauga.  South Holston is still sluicing 1,200cfs around the clock.  Sulphurs have been hatching on both rivers.  Size 16 cdc comparaduns and puff daddies have been working good.  Outside of the hatch, size 16 spiltcase nymphs are working.

April 30 2018

1,200cfs sluice from South Holston dam has been fishing great!  1,200 is just a little too much to wade in most spots, but it is perfect for floating.  We have been having afternoon sulphur hatches size 16 and 18 cdc comparaduns, sparkle duns, and puff daddies have been working great.  We also had a huge blue winged olive hatch last Wednesday.  Here are a few photos from last week.  Give us a call if you would like to book a trip. (423)538-3007

April 24 2018

Both rivers are still running high, but the fishing has been great!  There hasn’t been any wade fishing opportunities on either river in over a week.  Float trips have been producing some nice fish.  Here are some fish from the last few days.  Give us a call if you would like to book a trip (423)538-3007

April 20 2018

It doesn’t look like the water is going down anytime soon.  The TVA is sluicing 1,200 cfs from South Holston dam and spilling 2,800 cfs from Watauga dam.

The good news is, high water is fishing good.  Here are a few pictures from this week.

Give us a call if you would like to book a trip. 423-538-3007

January 22 2018

Hey guys,

It’s been awhile since we posted a fishing report.  Sorry about that!

We have had a brutally cold January, but on the days when the weather has broke the fishing has been awesome!

South Holston:

On top:  Size 18, 20 , 22 blue winged olives.  Puff daddy’s, CDC comparaduns, and sparkle duns.

Underneath: size 18 and 20, cream zebra midges, bwo split case, and olive zebra midges,

Watauga:

On top: Size 20 and 22 Morgan’s midges.  BWO puff daddy’s 18 & 20s.

Underneath: Size 18 BWO spilt case nymph, size 20 olive zebra midges, size 20 purple zebra midges.

If you catch a break in the weather, do yourself a favor and hit the water.

October 17 2017

Fall is here and as the weather cools, the fishing keeps getting hotter!

I’m sure that most of you already know about the work that is taking place at South Holston dam.  The sluice flows from South Holston are absolutely perfect fishing.  Weekdays, the TVA has increased the flows making it possible to float the river and the fish love this increased flow.  On the weekends, the TVA sluices approximately 350cfs making wade fishing phenomenal.

The Watauga river is fishing good as well.  We’ve been mostly nymphing.  We’re starting to see a few blue winged olives here and there, not a big hatch yet.  But, this cooler weather should get the BWOs started.

Here are a few fish from the week.

August 16 2017

South Holston dam is sluicing varying flows.  We have had flows from 10cfs – 2300cfs.  Make sure that you check the TVA website for the current flows.  Now that all of that is out of the way, lets talk about fishing!

Both rivers are fishing great!  We have been having evening sulphur hatches on the South Holston.  Size 16 & 18 puff daddies have been wearing them out.  Nymphing has been awesome when the bugs aren’t hatching.  size 16 & 18 split case nymphs, scud patterns, and midges have all been producing well.

We haven’t been seeing the numbers of bugs on Watauga, but it is still fishing like a champ.  We have been fishing terrestrials, nymphs, and midges.  Mike’s beetle, size 18 flashback pheasant tails, and size 20 purple zebra midges are getting it done.

July 19 2017

July is here and the fishing is HOT!

Sulphurs are hatching on the South Holston during low water, good news for all of the wade anglers!  Size 16-18 puff daddy’s and size 16-18 cdc comparaduns are getting them on top.

The terrestrial bite is on, on the Watauga!  Mike’s magic beetle has been crushing fish on top.  Nymphing has been great.  Size 16 and 18 copperhead nymphs, and size 20 purple zebra midges.

Here is 15 year old Braydon with a 22″ brown trout he caught with Huck last week on the Watauga.

June 26 2017

Fishing has been outstanding here in northeast Tennessee!  The water levels have been good and the fish have been happy.

The Watuaga has been nymphing good.  Lots of fish coming to the net.  Zebra midges, split case nymphs, and pheasant tails are good producers.

Sulphurs are really coming off good on the South Holston in the afternoon.  Size 18 puff daddy’s and cdc sparkle duns are working great.

May 24 2017

Still experiencing high water on both the South Holston an Watauga rivers.  That’s not what you want to hear if you are a wade fisherman.  The high water fishing has been great.  Nymphing most of the day with some periods of dry fly fishing.  Split case nymphs, zebra midges, some nasty stuff like worm patterns.  Have all been working well.  As for dries, size 16 & 18 sulphur puff daddies.  We have had a few fish take Mike’s beetle pattern on top as well.  Here are a few of our client’s fish from this weekend.  We do have trip availability.  If you would like to book a guided trip, please give us a call (423)538-3007

May 17 2017

Hey guys, sorry that I haven’t updated the fishing report in a couple of weeks.  We have had some pretty significant rain falls here in northeast TN.  The TVA is generating most days on both rivers.  Today the South Holston is off until 11am which is good news for wade anglers.  You can get a few hours in just please pay attention to the water levels.

High water fishing has been good.  Deep nymph rigs are working for the most part of the day.  We are getting to fish dries later in the afternoon.  Sulphurs are hatching and fish are starting to look up.

May 1 2017

It looks like more high water is on tap for this week.  Watauga is flowing more water than we like to fish.  It is at 2,900 cfs.  South Holston is at 2,300 and has been nymphing good.  Sulphur nymphs in 16s & 18s, split case has been a good one.  If we don’t get a lot of rain this week, we may see some low water next week.  Sulphurs are starting to hatch and should break loose any day now.  Here are a few photos from South Holston over the weekend.

April 26 2017

Lots and lots of water.  We got slammed with rain over the weekend (which we needed).  Now we have some really high water water conditions.  Both the Watauga and South Holston are generating meaning no wade fishing these rivers.  It’s not the end of the world though.  If you have a boat high water still fishes good.  Mostly deep nymph rigs.  If you’re a streamer fisherman your probably excited about the dirty water on the lower ends of the river.

I would say after all of the rain and high water that the caddis hatch is finished.  There will be some smaller caddis all summer, but the clouds of huge black caddis is pretty much over till next year.

Here are a few pictures from last week.

April 11 2017

Fishing has been great.  Both rivers have been good.  We are starting to see caddis on the Watauga on sulphurs on the South Holston.  Everybody is asking about the big black caddis hatch on the Watauga, just be patient a few more days..It’s about to break loose.  The TVA has been good to us the last couple of days, they have been releasing in the afternoon giving us plenty of low water opportunities.

April 1 2017

It’s been pretty busy here in northeast TN.  Last weekend was the Tailwater Roundup and Fly Fishing film tour.  Which were a huge success.  A good time was had by all at the F3T.  We got tons of trash out of the South Holston and Watauga rivers.  And, to top it all off..Ben won the South Holston two man fly fishing tournament.

South Holston- The TVA has been good wade flows.  Sulpurs have been hatching, and fish have been rising.  Not huge hatches, but good enough to make this fish look up.  size 16 puff daddy’s and CDC sparkle duns are working well.  Midges and split case nymphs on the bottom.

Watauga- We have had some different flows on Watauga.  It’s been a strange release schedule.   They will run water for a couple of hours, then drop it for an hour… Please, please check the generation schedule closely.  Remember, to check the Watauga river, you have to check Wilbur Dam

March 10 2017

March has been good to us so far.  We have been fishing the Watauga and the South Holston rivers this week.

We’ve been floating the Watauga on low water this week.  The early morning pulse from Wilbur dam has slowed the fishing down during the high water periods. But, when the water starts to drop the fish get really active.  I’m still not seeing a lot of dry fly activity but the nymph fishing has been great.  The fish seem to change their diet daily.  One day they are full of scuds and the next it’s all midges and bwo nymphs.  Size 16 orange scuds, size 18 black zebra midges, and 18 & 20 bwo spilt case nymphs all have been working well.

We waded the South Holston yesterday after the water dropped out.  We walked down to the power lines below the grates (probably the highest traffic area on the entire river).  As quick as we got settled into a run, a few sulphurs started to hatch.  We caught a some fish on a size 18 sulphur puff daddy pretty quick.  After the short lived hatch we switched to a light nymph rig and caught fish the rest of the afternoon.  Size 22 stripper midge worked great.

It looks like winter is going to make a showing this weekend, but if you get the chance to get and fish take it.

March 4 2017

Crazy weather and awesome fishing is happening in northeast TN.  One day it’s sunny and 70 degrees.  The next day it’s 32 and windy.  The good news is the fish seem to like it.  We’ve had good flows on the rivers.

South Holston has been more difficult for most anglers.  Some folks that we are talking too are having extremely slow days and others are wearing fish out.  If you are heading to South Holston you already know that it is one of the most technical rivers in the country.  Long leaders, light tippet, small natural looking flies.  Right now it’s not a numbers game for most anglers.  They’re out there looking for the bigger fish.  A lot of sight fishing.  Dry dropper’s or light nymph rigs with small yarn indicators is going to be the best bet.  Size 16 & 18 sulphur sparkle duns, size 18 sulphur nymphs (a spiltcase is working good), and always, always small midge patterns.  Size 20-24 stripper midges with a copper bead.

Over on Watauga the fish haven’t been nearly as picky.  Still small flies, but good numbers of fish, and some good sized fish.  BWO nymphs(18-22 splitcases and Mayhem nymphs), zebra midges size 20-24, attractor patterns sucker spawn, eggs, worm patterns, and depending on the day BWO dries 18-22 cdc sparkle duns.

Caddis are just around the corner.  Be patient, just a little longer.

February 22 2017

We’ve spent most of our time floating the Watauga river this month.  The nymph fishing has been good.  Plenty of fish coming to hand on size 20 brown/olive zebra midges, size 20 BWO split case nymphs, and some egg patterns.  Rising fish have been few and far between, but the nymphing has more than made up for it.  When I have had rising fish, size 20 and 22 BWO CDC Sparkleduns have worked well.

February 4 2017

2017 is off to great start.  If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute it will change.  It’s been cold and windy one day and warm and sunny the next.  The flows have been good and the fish have been happy.  Jon and I floated the Watauga Thursday and had a great day.  Fish were eating bwo nymphs and midges most of the day and bwo dries came off around 2 o’clock.

Charlie has been on Boone lake catching hybrids and stripers daily.

The closed sections on South Holston are open to fishing as of Feb 1.

It’s a good time to be fishing here in Northeast TN.  Hope to see you on the water.

September 17 2016

The lakes are really low right now.  We have experienced some periods of extremely low water.  This week the flows have been much, much better and the fishing has been spectacular!  Hopefully these flows will last.

Sulphurs are still coming off on the South Holston.  Not huge clouds that last for hours, but good hatches that get the fish looking up.  Size 18 and 20 puff daddies have been deadly this week.  When the sulphurs aren’t coming off, size 20 and 22 midges are working good.  A purple zebra midge with a silver wire and silver bead is hard to beat right now.

Blue winged olives are coming off in the late afternoons on the Watauga.  Size 20 and 22 blue winged olive cdc sparkle duns are working well.  The nymphing on Watauga has been awesome.  Size 16 bead head pheasant tails in the fast runs.  Smaller flies like a size 18 stripper baetis and size 20 brown and copper zebra midges in the slower water.  Fish are still eating beetles as well!  You’re probably not gonna catch a ton of fish on the beetle, but good fish are still rising to them.  Mike’s MB2 beetle or Ben’s cameltoe beetle are the way to go.

Charlie says that the striper and hybrid fishing on Boone lake is heating up.  He reports this week of having busting fish lasting for 2-3 hours.  The cooler the temps get, the better the fishing will be.

Anyway, thanks for reading our report.  We will try to keep the reports updated weekly.  Stop by the shop if for all of your fly fishing needs.

Go Fish!

September 3 2016

Larbor day is almost here, and that means we will start to see an end to the rec flow on Watauga.  That’s good news to most wade fisherman.   We’re seeing a good blue wing hatch on the Watauga in the afternoons.  The problem has been that the bugs are hatching during generation and only a few areas have had rising fish.  The spots where they have been rising have been great.

I was on the Watauga Friday-Monday of last week and we had great dry fly fishing everyday but Saturday, the bugs were there but so was 2600cfs of water..  Monday was phenomenal.  We had low water in the morning, about a 2 hour pulse mid morning, falling water around lunch, and a high water flow of 1700cfs in the afternoon.   Fish were eating size 16 and 18 stripper baetis nymphs and size 20 purple zebra midges well under an indicator as well as under a caddis pattern dry dropper fishing.  High water in the afternoon is when we got to throw size 22 bwo cdc comparaduns to rising fish.   We could have probably caught them on a size 20, but the 22 was working so good that we had no reason to change.

We are also having a Labor day sale here in the shop.  Come in and save on many brands for our big Labor Day Sale running till 9/15.

Have a great holiday weekend,

August 12 2016

We’ve had a busy week here at EFO!  The shop has been busy, the guides have been busy, the fishing has been great!  What more could you ask for?  The TVA is cranking more water this week, and that cuts way down on the wading opportunities.  Which is good news if you have a boat.

The Watauga river is fishing great on both low and high water.  We’ve been fishing size 16 stripper baetis, size 20 zebra midges, and size 16 pmd split case nymphs.  On top we’ve been doing well with Mike’s MB2 beetle, Ben’s camel toe beetle, and when sulphurs are hatching size 16-18 cdc sparkle duns.

South Holston dam is running more water as well.  Sulphur hatches have been a little underwhelming on high water.  One day they come off strong, the next not so good.  But, that’s fishing.. If you’re heading to the South Holston, make sure that you have some size 20 olive midges, size 20 black zebra midges, size 16-18 pmd split cases, size 16 scuds, size 16-18 puff daddies, size 16-18 mole fly’s, and size 16-18 cdc sparkle duns.

August 5 2016

We apologize for not updating the report sooner, but the fishing has been spectacular and we have been on the water almost every day this month. The TVA is pushing a little more water on the South Holston River, starting the generation earlier in the day than usual. If you have a boat, head over to the South Holston. The earlier generation start has made it difficult for wade anglers unless you can get there early. The Watauga River is still operating the summer recreational flow so if you are wanting to wade and fish, the Watauga has been more favorable for that. The bugs have slowed down a little on both rivers. There are still some sulphurs coming off on high water on the South Holston, and the large concentration of them have been  hatching on the upper portion of the river. Size 18 or 20 puff daddies and a variety of zebra midges have been the best. The Watauga has been very good with a decent BWO hatch coming off in the afternoons and we are getting the majority of fish with Morgan Midges and really any good BWO dry fly. Don’t forget streamers and beetles on both high and low water!!! Damion had a banner day (and night) on streamers the other day!!

July 2 2016

We are still seeing low water in the mornings and high water after noon on both the South Holston and Watauga rivers.

On the South Holston river the sulphurs are coming off good on high water.  Last week the TVA released water just about every day from 1pm.  The wade fishing has been good as well. Size 20 stripper midges have been working well on a dry dropper rig.

Watauga has been fishing good too.  Low water mornings and high water in the afternoon. The low water flow is extremely low. A lot of grass beds are no longer under water during non-generation. The low water levels have made fish spookier (if that’s a word). It’s still fishing good just be prepared to use a stealthy approach. Size 20 purple zebra midges have been working good on a dry dropper rig.

June 17 2016

Low water in the mornings, high water in the afternoon. That gives plenty of wading and floating opportunities.

We’ve had a lot of mixed reports on the South Holston river. One thing is for sure, the sulphurs ARE coming off. The high water dry fly fishing was awesome on Thursday of last week.  The hatch got started between 2:30 and 3:00. It lasted into the evening. Saturday and Sunday the sulphurs still came off. The fish seamed to be pickier on the fly pattern. A sulphur comparadun with a dun colored wing was the best.

The Watauga river has been flowing about the same. Low water in the morning and high water in the afternoon. The nymph fishing has been great! Size 16 split case nymphs and size 20 brown/copper zebra midges. The streamer fishing is good right now as well.

Hope that everyone gets a chance to get out and fish.

June 1 2016

The TVA has been all over the place in terms of generation on the Watauga river.  Everything from unscheduled releases to dropping the water to alarmingly low levels.  They seem to have started following the schedule somewhat, but please use caution while wading.

Outside of unpredictable releases, the fishing has been great.  One day we will have a good afternoon sulphur hatch and the next day there won’t be any bugs.  The nymph fishing has been good regardless.  Size 20 stripper midges have been working well, also size 16 split case nymphs.  When we do have sulphurs, size 16 and 18 puff daddies and cdc sparkle duns have been great.

The TVA has started releasing water on the South Holston as of today, finally!! So we will be able to start floating high water soon.

Charlie is still hammering away at the hybrids on Boone lake.

The short of it is; fishing is good here in northeast Tennessee.  Just be careful when wadding.

May 21 2016

First let me apologize for not posting a fishing report before now.  We have been slammed!  We’re not complaining though.  The fishing has been great!

We have been floating the Watauga river daily.  Sulphurs have been coming off mid day through the evening.  Some days more bugs than others.  Size 16 & 18 puff daddies and cdc sparkle duns have been great.  Underneath size 16 & 18 split cases and size 20 zebra midges have been good.

We’ve been wading the South Holston river.  It has been fishing great as well.  Sulphurs have been coming off in the afternoon.  A size 18 cdc sparkle dun has been the way to go.  When fish aren’t rising.  Size 18 split cases and size 20 zebra midges are what you need.

Be careful if you are wading.  Pay attention to the water level.  Especially on the Watauga.  The TVA has been releasing water unscheduled!  Be aware of your surroundings.

In closing.  The fishing is great here in northeast Tennessee.  Get out and enjoy the great fishing that this area has to offer.

May 2 2016

The rain and thunderstorms have probably kept some of you off of the water.  If you stay above the main feeder creeks you can still find clear water and hungry fish.

If you like throwing streamers, then the stained water is where you want to be.  The fish aren’t quite so spooky and your chances of getting a big fish are better.

We are seeing some sulphurs on both the Watauga and South Holston.  Puff daddies in a size 16 have been working good on top.  Size 20 zebra midges and size 16 split cases have been working underneath.

April 22 2016

First let me apologize for not posting a fishing report before now.  We have been absolutely slammed for the last two weeks.  The Watauga caddis hatch has been in full swing.  I can’t even begin to tell you how awesome it is.  We’ve landed lots of nice fish and lost even more.  The fish are mean during this time.  They eat, and they run!  You can expect to have to chase a 16″ fish because he is running you into your backing.  The pattern depends on the day.  One day you will hammer fish on a size 10 black elk hair caddis.  The next day you may be fishing a size 14 brown elk hair caddis.  All sorts of pupa and emergers have been working.  A size 14 red butt is a great dropper.  Anyway, I hope that everyone gets a chance to get out and experience this.

April 5 2016

Spring weather and low water.

Over the last week we have had low water on both the South Holston and Watauga rivers.

Everyone is anxious about the black caddis hatch on the Watauga.  We are seeing a few tan caddis and even some black caddis.  It could be any day now.

Size 20 and 22 black zebra midges along with size 18 stripper baetis and pheasant tails have been good on the Watauga river.  We have been seeing an afternoon blue winged olive hatch.  The naturals have been 18s and 20s.

On the South Holston river, Mike King reports that blue wings have been coming off in the afternoon and he is catching them on a size 18 cdc sparkle dun.  Outside of fishing the hatch, size 20-22 olive zebra midges and size 18-20 bwo split case nymphs have been the go to.

Out at Boone lake, Charlie Parker says that the hybrids and stripers are still eating like crazy!  He is still catching the occasional brown trout as well.

I’ll leave you with a few photos from last week.  Hope to see everyone on the river.

March 28 2016

We’ve had a busy week here in Northeast Tennessee.

We have had low water for the most part, which means great opportunities for wade fishing.  Both the Watauga and South Holston rivers have been fishing good.

South Holston on low water has been on great.  I didn’t see as many dries coming off, but the nymph fishing was phenomenal.  Size 16 stripper baetis and size 20 gray and silver zebra midges were spot on.  We have been fishing at the cul-de-sac.  We didn’t have to big of a crowd down there, at least not like the grates or rockhold.

We participated in a river clean up on the Watauga river sponsored by Trout Unlimited and the Watauga River Lodge.  We were able to fill a huge dumpster to the brim.  It is unbelievable how much trash that people throw into the river.

Low water on the Watauga has been on fire!  We’ve been floating over there a lot in the past week.  I haven’t saw that many bugs coming off.  A few blue wings, some small caddis, and several midges.  There have been enough midges to get some fish up.  If you can see to fish a size 22 midge dry, you can catch fish on top.  The low water nymph fishing has been off the charts!  They are eating a variety of nymphs and midges.  Size 16 pheasant  tails, size 16 stripper baetis, size 20 black and silver zebra midges.

Boone lake is still producing big stripers and hybrids.  The fish are moving around a little bit more, but Charlie is out there everyday staying right with them.

This Spring has been awesome, and it’s only going to get better.  Take advantage of these low flows, get out and fish.  Hope to see you on the water.

March 22 2016

Low water!!

The TVA has backed the flows down on both the South Holston and Watauga rivers.  The low water fishing has been great.

Yesterday there was a blue winged olive hatch on the South Holston that lasted about 2 hours.  The bugs where size 18 and 20.  They ate bwo cdc sparkle duns in an 18 and size 20 and 22 morgan’s midges very well.  Underneath, a size 20 olive zebra midge and size 18 stripper baetis worked well.

The Watauga river is running a little more water.  The TVA has been generating from 7am until noon at Wilbur dam.  There has been a good blue wing hatch in the afternoon.  Size 18 bwo’s have been coming off.  Nymphing has been good as well.  We’ve been catching fish on several different nymph patters.  Size 16 stripper baetis, 18 flash back pheasant tails, and a variety of zebra midges.

Boone lake is still producing huge stripers, hybrids, and brown trout.  Charlie is on the lake daily and everyday when I ask.  “How was it today?”  I get the same answer.  “Unbelievable!”  These fish are absolutely gorging on baitfish.

Mountain streams are another option that a lot of folks overlook.  Jake and Braydon left the tailwaters in search of Braydon’s first brook trout.  They were not disappointed.  Jake said that they caught several brook trout and a couple of rainbows.  There is just something special about hiking in to some of the most beautiful places on Earth and being able to catch fish as gorgeous as brook trout on a classic dry fly pattern.

To summarize; the fishing is good, real good!  I hope that everyone gets a chance to get out and fish.  I will leave you with a few fish from last week.

March 12 2016

Spring is in the air!

We have enjoyed 70 degree days almost everyday this week.  The TVA has been pushing water on the tail waters, offering amazing high water fly fishing opportunities.  Although this can be frustrating for the wade angler, float fishing has been great.

Early this week the TVA released 1,200-1,500 cfs on the Watauga river.  These flows were perfect for floating.  The nymph fishing was phenomenal.  We fished size 16 stripper baetis, and size 18 black zebra midges.  No hatches to really speak of.  We did see a few blue wings flying around, just not enough to get the fish rising.

The South Holston river has been on most of the week as well.  We have been mostly nymphing on high water.  Some dry fly fishing, and streamer fishing.  The nymph fishing has been great.  Smaller flies than we used on the Watauga.  Size 20 zebra midges in black, olive, and red(when it’s sunny).  Size 18 stripper baetis, and size 16 olive hunchback scuds.  For dry flys we’ve been fishing size 20 bwo cdc sparkle duns and size 22 morgan’s midges.  Mike Adams took his client streamer fishing on Thursday and they boated a huge brown.

Boone lake is still producing big stripers, hybrids, and huge brown trout.  Charlie continues to put his clients on these big boys with streamers on a daily basis.

All in all, the fishing is on fire here in northeast Tennessee and it’s only going to get better.  April will bring our annual black caddis hatch on the Watauga river and right behind them we will start to have sulphurs.  Looks like it’s going to be another great year.  Hope everyone gets a chance to get out and fish.

March 7 2016

Sunny days are here again!

March is really shaping up to be a beautiful month.  I think that we are all ready for some short sleeves and warmer weather.  The TVA is still generating on both the South Holston River and the Watauga River.  That’s not so great news if you are a wade angler.  The good news is, the high water nymph fishing has been great!

Our guides were on the Watauga river both Saturday and Sunday.  Both days, the nymph fishing was great.  Saturday, they weren’t too selective.  They ate the normal fair.  Size 18 pheasant tails, size 20 zebra midges, size 16 stripper baetis and attractor patters pink san juan worms, and egg patterns.  You did need to get a long drag free drift and get the flies down deep.  They caught a lot of fish with the biggest being a 17″ brown.

Sunday was a different story.  The fish were really selective.  They seemed to shy away from attractor patterns.  Size 16 stripper baetis with a long drag free drift and getting your flies down deep were key.  Although the fish were picky, and the only fly that they seemed to want was a stripper baetis, the fishing was great.  They caught lots of fish, a mix between rainbows and browns with the biggest being a brown trout just over 20″.

Mike King reports that the South Holston River is fishing great on high water as well.  Squirmy worms and midges with split shot down deep under an indicator has been his go to.  He said that blue winged olives have been coming off in the afternoon.  Size 18-22 blue wing olive cdc sparkle duns and olive puff daddies during the hatch.

Charlie Parker has been on Boone Lake nearly everyday for weeks.  He really has the striper and big brown trout fishing dialed in.  He had Dr Campbell and his wife out on Sunday.  They wanted to catch stripers and Charlie had no problem putting them on fish.  Boone Lake has been long overlooked as a fly fishery.  Charlie has put in the time and figured out how to consistently put his client on fish.

We hope that everyone gets a chance to get out, enjoy this beautiful weather, and the phenomenal fishing that we are blessed with here in northeast TN.

March 3 2016

Both the South Holston and the Watauga rivers have both been generating nearly non stop, offering little or no wade fishing opportunities.

The Watauga has been a mixed bag depending on who you ask.  Nymph fishing was really good on Sunday.  Fish ate the normal fair, size 20 black zebra midges, 16 and 18 pheasant tails, size 16 stripper baetis, and attractor patters squirmy worms and egg patterns.  We didn’t see many rising fish, but the nymph fishing made up for it.

Charlie has been on Boone lake nearly everyday for the last two weeks.  He has been boating a combination of stripers, hybrids, and big brown trout.  Charlie has developed flies and techniques to be able to consistently catch these fish.

It looks like we are gonna have high water for the next few days on both rivers.  I hope everyone gets the chance to get out and enjoy the water.  I’ll leave y’all with a few photo’s from Charlie this past week.

February 22 2016

We’ve been experiencing all kinds of weather here in northeast TN.  The last two weeks we saw snow, sunshine, rain, high water, low water…  You name it, we’ve had it.

The good news is that the fish didn’t seem to mind.  We fished the Watauga on high water two days last week.  Didn’t have many bugs, we found the fish to be in the deeper pockets and along the edges of grass beds.  We caught fish on a variety of nymphs.  Everything from egg patterns and squirmy worms, to size 18 stripper baetis and black zebra midges 20s and 22s.  When we did have rising fish, Morgan’s midges in size 22 and 24 got the job done.

I also was out on the South Holston two days last week as well.  We did have quite a few more bugs on the South Holston.  There was about an hour long hatch around the cul-de-sac.  Lots of size 18, 20, and 22 blue winged olives and a few sulphurs came off.  A size 20 bwo cdc sparkle dun did really well.  You had to get a long drag free drift and mend well ahead of your targeted fish. The nymph fishing was good, they ate a size 18 stripper baetis and a size 20 black zebra midge well.  The nymph bite was a painfully soft take.  We really had to watch the indicators close and be ready to set.

Charlie is still hammering stripers on Boone lake.  He said they are averaging 15-20 fish on a half day trip.

The TVA is predicting high water for the next couple of days.  Hopefully everyone can get out and enjoy all of the fishing that this area has to offer.

February 6 2016

We have gone from having periods of low water to 24 hour generation on both the South Holston and Watauga rivers.  The TVA is predicting high flows through the first of the week.

Mike King reported that he did really well on the South Holston this week.  Fishing size 20 and 22 olive zebra midges and small streamers before the blue wing hatch.  During the hatch, it was small blue wing cdc sparkle duns.  Sizes 18 and 20.  As well as size 20 and 22 Morgan’s Midges.

Mike Adams had a float trip on the Watauga on Thursday.  He said that they mostly fished streamers, except for when they had rising fish.  Mike said that it was an awesome day.  They boated “a bunch of 16-18″ fish”, with the biggest measuring 19″.

On Monday, Dickie Lyons and I floated the Watauga.  We had planned to float the trophy section on low water, but the schedule had changed.  So we headed to the upper part of the river.  When the water came up it was really dirty.  We fished streamers most of the day.  A white beef curtain boated us several nice fish, with the biggest brown measuring 20″.  We did have about a 45 minute window of Blue Winged Olives and rising fish.  We both caught fish during the hatch on a size 18 bwo cdc sparkle dun.

January 29 2016

Over the last week the wade fishing on the South Holston River has been on fire.  Blue winged olives have been hatching like crazy.  BWO CDC comparaduns, bwo CDC sparkle duns, bwo puff daddies are all working well in sizes 18 and 20.  When the fish get picky (and they will) throw emerger patterns like the mole fly sizes 18 and 20 and Morgan’s midge size 20.  Don’t forget about nymphs.  It’s difficult for most of us to fish a nymph during a hatch.  Or to be nymphing when you know that there are dries on another part of the river.  Sometimes that is exactly what you need to do.  Jake Walker was in the shop yesterday and said that he wore fish out on a size 18 stripper baetis nymph.  Nymphing can be much more than starring at an indicator.  Rather than focusing on the indicator, think about how your fly is actually being presented to the fish.  Different techniques such as the leisenring lift, or simply a greased leader can be really effective on these fish.

January 16 2016

The South Holston and the Watauga rivers are both backing down on generation.  This is great news for the wade angler.  Please, please watch your step while you are wading.  Don’t wade through the redds.

There has been a good blue winged olive hatch on the South Holston below the power lines, downstream of the grates.  Size 18 and 20 bwo cdc sparkle duns worked great on them.  Underneath, size 18 stripper baetis, size 20 stripper midges, size 20 olive zebra midges, size 16 tan and olive scuds, and of course egg patterns have been working.

On the Watauga, there has been a good blue wing hatch in Siam.  The bugs have been size 18 and 20.  The fish haven’t been as picky about the pattern as they are about the drift.  On the bottom, size 18 stripper baetis, 18 frenchie’s, 18 bwo split case nymphs, and egg patterns.

Charlie is into big browns on Boone lake.  These fish come up shallow this time of year and you can actually target them on the surface.  Aaron Fleenor with a Boone lake brown trout he caught with Charlie this week.

January 7 2016

It’s been a long time since we have posted a fishing report.  For that, we apologize!  That is one of our “New Year resolutions”, to post more frequently.

Both the South Holston and the Watauga rivers are generating nearly everyday.  I say nearly every day because this past Friday a few of us, myself included found that they changed the release schedule and dropped the water out on us earlier than expected.  With all of that being said, the high water nymph fishing has been spectacular on both rivers!  Scuds 14s & 16s, blue wing nymphs 18s & 20s, olive zebra midges 20s, and of course egg patterns have been producing well on the South Holston.  I did get into an awesome blue wing hatch (size 18) near Big Springs as the water dropped out on Friday.  The Watauga has been fishing great as well.  Size 18 stripper baetis, purple zebra midges 20s, and again eggs. I did get a small blue wing hatch near Hunter Bridge.  Not a lot of bugs, but enough to get to spend about 15-20 minutes catching rising fish.  They ate a size 20 olive cdc sparkle dun really well during the hatch.  Also, don’t forget about Boone lake.  Charlie is still catching Stripers, Hybrids, and Trout in the lake.

Stripers and Hybrids June 29 2015

The Striper and Hybrid bass action is starting to heat up!! The condition of Boone Lake has made the fishing a little of a challenge this year as the lake has never been in the shape its in ever before. Despite that, we have managed to put some pieces of the puzzle together and figure out where they are and how to catch the stripers and hybrids. Give us a call if you want to get in on the action!! 423-538-3007

Watauga River June 22 2015

Float trips are producing some really nice fish.  Give us a call if we can help with your next trip.

Brown Trout of a Lifetime caught 5/12/15

Angler Doug Cole probably didn’t know his trip with EFO Guide Charlie Parker would result in a brown trout of a lifetime. The fishing was pretty good until he hooked and landed this monster which made the trip a once in a lifetime experience! Congratulations Doug!!

Watauga Dry Fly Fishing 5/7/15

The Black Caddis have come and gone, leaving plenty of hungry fish behind.  Don’t worry…The afternoon sulphur hatches have more than made up for the lack of caddis!  Here are a few fish that ate a dry fly this week.  Give us a call to book your next trip!

Dirty Water = Feeding Carp

4/13/15

The rains have made the lakes pretty muddy, but that just means the wary carp are a little less spooky and a little easier to catch. Charlie has had a few trips already and has been doing very well getting ol’ rubber lips to take a fly!!

Watauga River 4/6/15

Good morning gentleman,

I just wanted to thank you Jon Faris for the great trip on the Watauga on Monday. My son and I had a great time with Jon. Hell of a nice guy and a damn good guide and fisherman. The wade fishing we did on the soho the 2 days before our trip with you was ok but you made our trip worth the while and the miles traveled. Just wanted to thank you for a great day of fishing. We will be back for sure. I could see this being a annual trip for my son and I.

Thanks again to EFO and Jon Faris

Joe Darden

South Holston River 3/15/15

The TVA have been running South Holston dam.  Float trips have been producing solid fish.  Some days have been better than others, but the quality of fish has been good.  Here are some fish from Jon’s trip on Sunday.

Super Bowl Midges 2/1/15

Jon and I got the rare opportunity to fish together for a little while Sunday morning before the Super Bowl.  The midges were unbelievable!  I tried to photograph the thousands of bugs that were in the air, but they didn’t show up in the pictures.  Although there were midges all over the surface, we did best subsurface with size 20 stripper midges.  Give us a call before you head out and we will make sure that you have what you need.  We do guide trips as well.  Please give us a call, we would love to get you out on the water

The Trophy Section of the Watauga River 1/28/15

The Blue Winged Olives are coming off Every afternoon, and the fish are up and feeding!  Size 22 cdc comparaduns at the beginning of the hatch.  As it continues, the bugs get bigger and a size 18 cdc sparkle dun works best.  In the mornings before the blue wing hatch nymphs and midges are catching fish, as well as streamers.  Give us a call before you head out and we will make sure that you have what you need.  We do guide trips as well.  Please give us a call, we would love to put you on these fish.

Charlie says that the stripers are white hot right now!

The stripers are feeding like crazy, have been all week!  Even though the weather is cold, the fishing is hot.  Charlie is still booking trips.  He has a couple of openings this week, and no openings for next week!  This bite won’t last long!

We would like to introduce the newest member to the EFO team…Mr. Mike Adams!

Mike needs no introduction.  He has been fishing and guiding here on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers for over 15 years.  If you get the chance, stop by and say hello!

South Holston High Water Sulphurs!

Jon says that the dry fly fishing has been unbelievable on the South Holston River!  He said that the bugs are starting to hatch around 1pm and last all afternoon.  It’s been that way for the last 4 days and it shows no signs of stopping.  This has been some of the best and most consistent dry fly fishing of the year.  We’re fishing size 16 sulphurs in late October!  They are taking a wide variety of patterns; Comparaduns, puff daddies, mole flies, last chance cripples, ect…

Watauga River

The Watauga river has been fishing great!  Blue Winged Olives have been pouring off and the fish are looking up!  Some have said that this past Saturday was the best dry fly fishing of the year!  Small BWO dries, size 20 and 22 comparaduns and puffdaddies really lit them up!  Bugs literally hatched all day.

Brook Trout!

Last week we were fortunate to be able to be a part of a study that is taking place on a local brook trout stream.

High Water on the South Holston River!

The South Holston River is producing some good fish on high water.  Here is Jon with one of his clients holding a gorgeous brown from yesterday’s float.

More Stripers!

The Striper action has been non stop all week.  Charlie and the boys have been absolutely  wearing them out on flies!  Give us a call and we will put you on these big boys!

   

Stripers and Trout!

The Stripers have been feeding like crazy for the past week!  Charlie’s clients have been having the time of their lives!  Dave caught this Striper on the fly last week with Charlie.

The South Holston river is running the generators, which means the float trips have been fantastic.  The nymph and streamer fishing has been great.  The dry fly fishing has been slow.  We are not seeing that many bugs on the water.  But, that can change at any time! Here is Matt with one of many fish that they boated with Huck on Saturday’s float.

Jon said that the trophy section of the Watauga river has been fishing great!  Maybe the best that it’s been since the caddis hatch in April.  Lots of Blue Winged Olives, Midges, and Caddis flying around.

Give us a call to book your next trip!

High Water on the South Holston River!

We have waited all summer for the TVA to release water on the South Holston river.  Just as we expected, the fishing is amazing!  The nymph and streamer fishing has been great!  The dry fly fishing is getting better by the day.  We are starting to see more sulphurs and the fish are responding well.  Richard caught this 21″ brown on a float trip down the South Holston river last Saturday.  Give us a call to book your next trip. 

The Watauga is on fire!

Our low water float trips continue to put numbers and quality in the boat!  Give us a call to book your next trip. (423)538-3007

Watauga river low water float trips

The Watauga river has been giving up some nice fish lately.  The sulpurs have been pouring off daily.  Sparkle duns and puff daddies are the dries of choice with splitcase nymph or a yellow softhackle  underneath.  Give us a call for your next trip!

Boone Lake Striped Bass action is heating up!!

Here are a few fish caught on Boone Lake the other night on the fly. It’s time to get in on this explosive action! Call 423-538-3007 to book your striper trip today!! Half day trip for two(2) people is only $250!

The Caddis hatch is in full swing on the Watauga River

Size 12 black caddis have been coming off all week on the Watauga river.  Jd and I were on the trophy section when Jd caught this huge male brown on a size 12 caddis dry.  The fishing has been awesome and just keeps getting better.  Give us a call to book your next trip.

Last week on the South Holston

Here are a few pictures from a trip on the South Holston last week.  It was over cast and rainy…and the guys wanted to throw streamers.  Give us a call if you would like to book a trip.

Spring is just around the corner!! Time to book a guided fishing trip!!

With Spring just around the corner, the guide trips are in full swing!  Here is a beautiful Watauga river brown from yesterdays trip.  Give us a call to reserve your spot for guided trips on the South Holston or Watauga rivers.