The Best Guide to Fly Fishing the Watauga River in Elizabethton, TN
The Watauga River in Tennessee begins its journey below Wilbur Dam. Before planning your wade fishing adventure, it’s crucial to check the generation flows. We’ve included a link to the TVA website for your convenience, but we also recommend downloading the TVA app for easier access to real-time flow updates.
This page is designed to provide DIY anglers with essential information for fly fishing the Watauga River. You'll find details on how to fish the river, the best times to plan your trip, hatch charts, fly selection tips, and public access points. We’ll also include the estimated times it takes for generation water to reach key access points. Monitoring flow increases is especially important, as rising water can make this river extremely dangerous.
What Gear Do I need to Bring To Fly Fish the Watauga River?
Before diving into the details, it’s important to understand the Watauga River’s topography. Compared to the South Holston, the Watauga features a steeper gradient, creating a mix of fast runs and deeper pools in its narrower stretches, as well as slow pools and shallow riffles in the wider sections.
With that in mind, a 9-foot, 5-weight fly rod is the ideal choice for effectively fishing the Watauga River. This size offers the versatility needed to cast the weight of a nymph rig with ease while remaining nimble enough to fish dry flies when the conditions are right.
Although wet wading is an option on the Watauga River during the summer, the South Holston Angler always recommends using breathable waders and a wading staff for comfort and safety.
Essential gear includes a net and a fly fishing pack for your daily necessities. You’ll want 7 1/2 to 9-foot, 2x–4x monofilament leaders, 3x–6x fluorocarbon tippet, split shot in sizes #6–BB, strike indicator yarn, bobber-style indicators, and a wide variety of flies to cover different conditions.
When is the Best Time To Fish the Watauga River.
The Watauga River is a year-round fishery, However through years of experience the South Holston Angler has found the best months to fly fish the Watauga are January-June, and late September-December.
The Watauga River is nationally known for its annual Brachycentrus hatch, commonly referred to as the black caddis hatch. This highly anticipated event typically occurs between April 3 and April 24, although timing can vary slightly year to year.
During this period, the river comes alive, with trout eagerly feeding on the abundant caddisflies. At times, the water appears to boil with activity, creating a true feeding frenzy. Check out this video from the 2023 caddis hatch to see the action for yourself!
After the chaos of spring, summer offers prime opportunities to catch a sulfur hatch. You may also find large brown trout sipping terrestrials along the riverbanks. Similar to streamer fishing, targeting these trout often means focusing on quality over quantity.
Winter on the Watauga River is ideal for nymphing, as wild brown and rainbow trout remain active and feed aggressively in the cooler temperatures. The river's consistent flow and temperature regulation make it a reliable destination for year-round fly fishing. Additionally, the winter months often bring excellent streamer fishing opportunities, allowing you to target larger trout that are more concentrated and responsive to well-presented streamers.
How Do You Catch Trout On the Watauga River
When scanning the vast landscape and spotting no rising fish, it’s time to switch to a nymph rig. Focus on the faster-moving riffles and runs, as these areas increase your chances of enticing a fish to strike.
Pay special attention to the seam edges of the runs, as they can be particularly productive on the Watauga River. Don’t forget to bring split shot so you can adjust the weight of your rig based on the river’s depth and flow.
Certain stretches of the Watauga River are ideal for fishing a dry-dropper rig, but we also recommend trying a two-fly nymph rig for added versatility.
A great example of a Watauga nymph rig could be a #12 Pat's Rubber Legs paired with a #20 Purple Midge, or a #14 Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail matched with a #20 Olive Perdigon.
Check out this stomach sample from a trout during the springtime feeding frenzy! A stomach pump, available at most local fly shops, can provide valuable insight into what the fish are actively feeding on.
The Watauga River has incredibly diverse entomology. It is made up of midges, mayfly nymphs, scuds, stoneflies, caddis fly larva & more! We have created a Hatch Chart for the Watauga River to lead you in the right direction when getting started.
Midges in a variety of sizes and colors are essential for fishing the Watauga River. Colors like black, purple, brown, and olive tend to produce the best results. The South Holston Angler guides all swear by tungsten beads, with copper, silver, and gold being the trout's favorite choices.
Walt’s Worms and soft hackles are also great options for the lead fly on a nymph rig. For optimal performance, use 14 to 16 inches of 5x or 6x tippet between the flies—this setup tends to hit the sweet spot for effectiveness.
Choosing the right flies is essential for success on the Watauga River. Key patterns include:
#20 Purple & Black Midges
#14 Elk Hair Caddis Dry Flies
#16 Sulfur Comparadun
#16 Red Butt Nymph
A deadly Dry Dropper combination is the Elk Hair Caddis with a Red Butt nymph trailing behind.
Last but not least, during the spring, larger attractors can effectively draw attention to the smaller nymph or midge trailing below. Flies like Pat’s Rubber Legs or worm imitations can significantly increase your chances of a strike. Plus, it’s not uncommon for a larger brown trout to take the attractor itself!
Public Access Points on the Watauga River in Tennessee.
The Watauga River in Tennessee spans 16 miles, beginning in the foothills below Wilbur Dam, flowing through Elizabethton, and eventually draining into Boone Lake near Johnson City. The river offers numerous public access points for both wade fishermen and boaters.
To help make your fishing trip enjoyable and productive, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of access points marked on Google Maps. Each map includes an estimated time for TVA generation flows to reach that location, so you can plan accordingly. Always allow yourself plenty of time to exit the water before the flow begins to rise, as safety is paramount.
This map shows the location of the uppermost boat ramp on the Watauga River. While this area is primarily used by guides and bank fishermen, there is some potential for fly fishing. However, we believe better fishing opportunities can be found further downstream.
Boaters, take caution: Bee Cliff Rapid, located roughly a mile below the dam, can be hazardous at both high and low water levels. Always exercise care when navigating this section of the river.
Map to Wilbur Dam
Aprox Time from Generation: Minutes
Map to Siam Boat Ramp & Wade Access
Siam is a heavily pressured area, but the fishing remains consistently productive. Both guides and wade fishermen frequent this stretch, drawn by the abundance of trout that keep them coming back time and again.
Parking for boat trailers is limited, so if the lot is full, we recommend exploring other fishing spots along the river. For anglers, this is an excellent area to fish a dry-dropper setup with a midge trailing below.
Aprox Time from Generation: 1 HR
Aprox Time from Generation: 1 HR 45 Min
Hunter Bridge features a mix of riffles, runs, and pools, all teeming with wild trout. While this area sees significant fishing pressure—especially on weekends—it’s well worth the visit if you can time it right. Anglers who fish here rarely leave empty-handed.
Make sure to bring leaders suited for both dry-dropper and nymphing setups, as these techniques are highly effective in this stretch.
Map to Hunter Bridge Boat Ramp & Wade Access.
Aprox Time from Generation: 2 HR 15 Min
Lovers Lane is the typical take-out spot for guide boats. In this section, the river’s gradient increases, creating larger runs and deeper pools. Split shot is essential for fishing the faster runs to ensure your flies reach the strike zone.
Keep your line tight—wild rainbows in this stretch are known for being especially feisty!
Boaters Beware! This stretch of the river is notorious for treacherous obstacles, including the Sycamore Shoals Rapid and a 4-foot waterfall. It’s not suitable for novice rowers and should be approached with caution—or avoided altogether.
Map to Lovers Lane Boat Ramp and Wade access.
Aprox Time from Generation: 2 HR 20 Min
Riverside Park features a fantastic trail that runs alongside the river, offering plenty of access points—making it an angler’s paradise.
In this section, larger nymphs and midges often produce good results. However, if you’re not getting strikes, don’t hesitate to size down for a more subtle presentation.
Map to Riverside Park Wade Access
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site is a beautiful spot to wet a line. A scenic trail runs alongside the river for approximately three-quarters of a mile, offering easy access to a variety of fishing water.
This stretch provides diverse opportunities for anglers, making it an excellent place to use dry-dropper setups or heavy nymph rigs to effectively target trout.
Map to Sycamore Shoals State Park Wade Access
Aprox Time from Generation: 2 HR 45 Min
Aprox Time from Generation: 3HR & 30 Min
Blevins Boat Ramp is a popular launch point for guide boats and marks the beginning of the Special Regulations Area on the Watauga River. Downstream from this ramp, the use of live bait is prohibited—only artificial lures are allowed, protecting the integrity of this exceptional fishery.
This stretch of the river is often regarded as the most picturesque section of both the Watauga and South Holston Rivers. It offers not only breathtaking scenery but also world-class fishing opportunities. While intermediate boaters may be able to navigate this section, we strongly recommend hiring a guide for your first trip. The river's challenges are best managed with the expertise of a seasoned professional.
Upstream from the ramp, anglers will find excellent nymphing water, known for producing larger trout. Be sure to pack split shot to adjust your rig for depth and flow, as this stretch can be highly productive when fished correctly!
Map to Blevins Boat Ramp and Wade Access
Aprox Time from Generation: 4HR & 30 Min
This location serves as the final public access point on the Watauga River. For those floating the 4-mile Special Regulations section, this is the designated take-out spot.
Downstream of the ramp, wade anglers can find some fishable nymphing water. However, caution is essential—this area can quickly become dangerous if water levels rise unexpectedly. Always monitor flow changes and generation schedules before venturing out.
Nymphing gear is the recommended setup for this stretch, as it’s ideal for targeting trout in these conditions.
Map to Persinger Bridge Boat Ramp and Wade Access.
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Your Next Adventure to the Watauga River Awaits!
The South Holston Angler has put together this information to help all anglers visiting the area make the most of their trip. If we missed anything or you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to chat fishing with you!
In the meantime, enjoy this highlight reel from 2024. Tight lines, friends!
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