June 2025: South Holston and Watauga Fishing Report
Your middle of the month fly fishing report is here! Check out the action you've been missing! Big browns, streamers, dry flies, hot flies! We've got you covered.
6/12/20253 min read
Wow, we can't believe it's already June 2025 and we're deep into fly fishing season!
This has been a record year for South Holston Angler, and it's hard to believe it's already halfway over. East Tennessee has been a blast so far, and we're convinced it's only going to get better as the year progresses.
We've been incredibly fortunate this year, as steady rain has kept both the South Holston and Watauga rivers flowingat optimal levels for floating and fishing. These consistent, colder flows have allowed both the trout and bug life to thrive, making for some fantastic action up to this point.
June has brought a dynamic mix of higher and lower flows to the South Holston River. The prevailing trend has been lower water conditions during the mornings, transitioning to increased flows throughout the afternoons.
Later afternoons have consistently proven most productive for topwater activities. The most active stretch of the South Holston River has been approximately mile two, extending from the beginning of the spawning section to the island located just above Hickory Tree Bridge. This prime area encompasses roughly one mile of river.
Sulfur hatches are also continuing on the Watauga River. We've observed the best activity concentrated from Hunter Bridge down to High Country Boat Shop. This hatch currently provides just enough insect density to keep the trout actively engaged, though don't expect them to move more than a few inches for your fly. Based on our observations last week, this hatch typically began around 9 AM and persisted until 2 PM, with insect activity notably diminishing during the hottest parts of the day.
Ben and Kayla joined us again for another fantastic trip this year, and just look at these Awesome browns! Both of these beauties were caught while nymphing, during a hot midge bite.
What a stroke of luck! A last-minute cancellation unexpectedly gave guides John Stunkard and Joe Kostura a rare day off to fish together. These two are among the best technical nymphing guides on the South Holston River, and this incredible fish is a direct result of their expertise! The 27-inch brute certainly put a serious bend in the rod, but their 6x tippet held strong. Way to go, guys!
For nymphing this month, the South Holston's low flows have been fishing really well! In the mornings, you'll want to toss a mix of midges and BWO nymphs. We've found that size #20 flies in black, olive, and grey are the ticket. Then, as the afternoon Sulfurs start popping, it's game on for dry-dropper fishing! Try a #18 Comparadun with an #18 split case nymph dropper – it's a combo that's been bringing brown trout to hand consistently.
We're still seeing those afternoon high water releases from the South Holston Dam. Good news, the nymphing bite has actually improved since last month! However, many of our guides are making the strategic call to stick to the low water areas, or they're heading out to the Watauga River in Elizabethton where conditions are proving more consistent.
Interested in a guided trip? Call John at 423-946-6665.
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