No river in Eastern Tennessee has the reputation of the South Holston. This river has produced some monster Brown Trout. Sorry Montana, there just aren't that many rivers where you can catch fifty, 14-20in. trout in one day. But, they don't come easy. The lower stretches are some of the finest Smallmouth Bass waters in the Southeast!

Like the Watauga River, the South Holston River is a tailwater. Water temps vary only a few degrees a year. This promotes epic bug life and year round hatches. The abundance of food is why the fish get so big. The South Holston is a year round fishery.

I've heard this river called "The Dark Lady". I've heard it called a lot of things unfit to repeat. This is not the river for beginners. These fish get challenged by some of the finest fly fisherman in the world. Low water conditions present some of the most technical trout fishing challenges to be found. High water makes things a little easier, usually! Sometimes casts in excess of thirty feet are often required and casts should be clean. People who have consistent sucess on the South Holston, fish tiny flies on long light leaders/tippets. This is the best site fishing river in the east.

During periods of high water, this is a float only river. During periods of low water, this is a wade only river. This is determined by releases from the dam. This is not a wet wade river. Most anglers find a good four weight to be the best choice for the South Holston.

The South Holston River is what I call a "watershed" river. Anglers that possess the skills to be routinely successful on her can catch fish anywhere in the world. Next time you see some guy on TV, out west, grunting and groaning over not wanting to get broken off, and "high sticking for Hollywood" over some dink sixteen incher on 5X tippet with a size 16 fly, know in your heart that big sissy ain't been to the Dark Lady.

For more information or to book a trip, give us a call at (828) 467-3326 or cast us a line at jeff@jeffloftinflyfishing.com South Holston River, fly fishing, guided fly fishing trips, South Holston fishing, trout fishing, the Dark Lady, fishing in TN, fishing in NC