SoHo & Watauga April Fishing Report: Epic Dry Fly & Big Browns!

April is ON FIRE in East Tennessee! 🔥 Get our latest fishing report for the South Holston and Watauga Rivers, featuring epic dry fly action (Caddis & Sulfurs) and chances at trophy wild brown trout!

4/13/20253 min read

Big Brown Trout on Dry Flies
Big Brown Trout on Dry Flies

April Fly Fishing in Tennessee has been Phenomenal!

What a week in Bristol, Tennessee! We saw action on dry flies, streamers, and nymphs! The rain created perfect conditions to chase those big brown trout in the stained waters of the South Holston and Watauga. And once things cleared? Epic dry fly fishing! Black Caddis and Sulfurs had the trout rising like crazy for South Holston Angler guides and their clients. Want to know more? Keep reading!

Boom! Check out this 25-inch wild brown trout that ate a streamer this week! South Holston is continuing to produce huge fish!

Proof that you shouldn't skip those rainy spring days – the stained water can produce unbelievable fly fishing! And that's not all – see the other incredible browns we landed nymphing and throwing streamers on the same outing!

Mid April East Tennessee Fishing Report
Mid April East Tennessee Fishing Report

Spring is in Full Swing – Black Caddis Have the Watauga Thriving!

Get ready, the annual Black Caddis hatch is ON on the Watauga! Watch for those big browns feeding shallow – perfect for dry flies and nymphs. It's Caddis and Pupae time! Our guides are crushing it on sizes 16-14 caddis imitations. Check out these stunning trout taken on dries this week!

Fly Fish the Watauga River Caddis Hatch
Fly Fish the Watauga River Caddis Hatch
Black Caddis Hatch on the Watauga river
Black Caddis Hatch on the Watauga river
Spring Fly Fishing on the Watauga river
Spring Fly Fishing on the Watauga river
Trophy Section on the Watauga river
Trophy Section on the Watauga river
Sulfur Hatch in Tennessee
Sulfur Hatch in Tennessee

Sulfur's have also been making an Appearance.

EPIC! is the only way to describe the Sulfur Hatch that started on the Watauga river this week.

Sulfur Hatch on the Watauga river
Sulfur Hatch on the Watauga river
Dry Fly Fishing in Tennessee
Dry Fly Fishing in Tennessee
Spring fly fishing on the Watauga
Spring fly fishing on the Watauga
Dry Fly fishing the Watauga river
Dry Fly fishing the Watauga river

Caddis have been emerging sporadically throughout the day, but we anticipate the peak of the hatch to begin this week. Remember, this hatch moves swiftly upstream, so take advantage of the excellent dry fly fishing opportunities on the lower Watauga River while it lasts!

The Sulfur hatches are currently emerging around 2 PM and continuing into the evening. As afternoon temperatures begin to rise earlier in the season, anticipate these hatches to commence sooner. In fact, we've observed significant Sulfur hatches starting as early as 8 AM in early June!

Sulfur Hatch is coming off on the Watauga river
Sulfur Hatch is coming off on the Watauga river

What you can expect to see this week on the South Holston and Watauga river.

Expect fantastic dry fly fishing! The Caddis hatch should be reaching its peak, and Sulfur hatches will continue to be present. While a light rain is in the forecast, it's not anticipated to significantly impact flows. However, if rain does occur, consider switching to streamers for a potentially productive period.

The TVA is predicting low flows on both the South Holston and Watauga Rivers this week, creating ideal conditions for both wade and float fishing! Click our 'Fly Fish Watauga' and 'Fly Fish South Holston' pages for more hot tips on making the most of fly fishing in East Tennessee.

Call John at 423-946-6665 to line-up a personalized fishing adventure for you!

brown trout art

Check Out Other Fishing Reports!

October Brown Trout Fly Fishing on the South Holston River

Learn More about the South Holston & Watauga River!!

This page showcases the rivers, describes why East Tennessee is the best trout fishing in the South East.

The upper South Holston River in the summer.

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