May 2025 UPDATE! South Holston River Fishing Report - What You've Been Missing

May 2025 South Holston River Fly Fishing Report is Here!

Before diving into the report, we want to extend a massive congratulations to David for landing this incredible 28.5-inch monster on 6x tippet! As a valued angler who has been fishing with South Holston Angler guides for the past decade, this remarkable catch undoubtedly deserves a moment in the spotlight. Well done, David!

On this particular day, the bite proved to be somewhat challenging. While a few fish were landed in the morning, the overall pace could be described as slow. However, David persevered, diligently fishing all the water recommended by his guide. Throughout the day, flies were meticulously changed, and depth was constantly adjusted, yet consistent strikes remained elusive. It was during one extended dead drift, as his line drifted through the troughs formed by the limestone structure, that this unexpected beast intercepted his fly.

All hell broke loose the instant David set the hook.

Chaos erupted the instant David set the hook. The water's surface exploded as the hooked brown, now fully aware of its predicament, unleashed a series of powerful runs and violent headshakes. David's angling prowess was immediately put to the test as he skillfully managed the light 6x tippet amidst the fish's frantic attempts to escape the treacherous underwater terrain. For nearly twenty grueling minutes, a tense battle ensued, though the adrenaline surging with each powerful move made time seem to warp. Just as the fish appeared within reach of the net, the large black mesh triggered a new surge of panic. The brown went berserk, tearing off on another series of runs directly into a labyrinth of submerged branches and unforgiving limestone ledges.

The boat maneuvered swiftly, following the powerful runs of the tiring fish to maintain crucial line tension. Approaching a treacherous set of emerging shoals with no clear path, it became a now-or-never situation. With skillful boat handling, they turned sideways and gently beached on a limestone ledge just as the magnificent brown trout slowly slipped into the waiting net. In that instant, the intense battle concluded, and a wave of electric excitement washed over them. An incredible team effort!

South Holston & Watauga: Great Flows & Sulfur Hatch Update!

The recent rain has the South Holston and Watauga flowing strong, making for excellent float fishing. We're also seeing Sulfur hatches on the upper South Holston, bringing fish to the surface! Look for the best action between 3 and 7 PM, especially along the roughly three-mile stretch from the End of the Tailwater Trail to Hickory Tree Bridge.

The nymph fishing on both the South Holston and Watauga Rivers is improving steadily with each passing day! While it took a few days for the trout to acclimate to the recent changes in flow, the latest river reports indicate increasingly positive nymphing success.

Check out this incredible brown trout Mike hooked while nymph fishing on the South Holston during high flows!

Planning Your May Fly Fishing Trip? Here's What to Expect on the South Holston River

The higher flows on the South Holston are here to stay for now! We're anticipating a return to lower flows towards late May or early June if the rain holds off. Get ready for the Sulfur hatch to really take off as summer nears, though we're betting the best action will be during this high water. We are hoping for those afternoon showers to keep the good flows coming!

With these continued higher flows, now is prime time to break out those streamers, especially on overcast days. And if you're planning multiple days of fishing in East Tennessee, be sure not to overlook the Watauga River – these higher flows are setting up for some great nymphing and streamer action there as well! It's an awesome time of year with so much happening on the water. Our guides are eagerly anticipating how the rest of May will unfold, and we'll be sure to share more photos of the action to come!

Last but not least, a big Shout-out to Bryan landing his new personal best!

Interested in getting in on some of this awesome May action?? Call John at 423-946-6665

Also check out our Fly Fish South Holston and Fly Fish Watauga River pages to learn more about the rivers, access points, and top flies.

Check Out Other Fishing Reports!

South Holston Angler: Offering truly exceptional guided fly fishing, widely recognized as among the best in the country.

Check out our guided fly fishing page to learn more about what our trips have to offer!

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.

Find Top AirBnB, Learn More about the Rivers, Meet Our Guides, & Guide Trips

Return to Home to Learn More about What We Offer