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River guide · Tennessee

Fly Fishing the Watauga River

Tennessee's other great tailwater, the Watauga flows cold and clear out of Wilbur Dam into Carter County with an estimated 2,000–4,000 trout per mile in its Trophy section. Sulphurs and blue-winged olives are the headliners, but the river rewards all year long if you stay on top of TVA release schedules.

  • 14 shops nearby
  • tailwater
  • Year-round
  • Tennessee
  • 5 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Watauga River is Year-round. Key hatches include Sulphurs, Blue, Little Black Caddis, Cinnamon Caddis. 14 fly shops near the Watauga River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Watauga River

Shops and guides that fish the Watauga River. See all 23 Tennessee shops →

East Tennessee Fly FishingRiverstone Fly FishingThe South Holston River Company Fly Shop & OutfitterHigh Flying Flies Guide ServiceSouth Holston River Fly ShopThe Fly Box on the South Holston RiverHigh Country Angler Fly FishingMountainBound Fly GuidesWest Fork Anglers -Fly Fishing Guide ServiceSouthern Drifters Outfitters
10 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassMuskyPanfishStriperTrout

Nearby towns

CarterPogaJohnson City

Rivers nearby

South Holston RiverTuckasegee RiverNantahala RiverSmith River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Watauga River

River typetailwater
Best seasonYear-round; best in spring (hatch season) and fall (brown trout)
AccessThe Trophy Trout section runs roughly 4 miles from Wilbur Dam downstream to Smalling Bridge. TVA manages generation schedules: check flows before wading. Multiple TWRA access points give waders entry to gravel bars and shallow runs; float trips are possible from Wilbur Dam to Persinger Bridge.
Key hatches
  • Sulphurs (May–September)
  • Blue-winged Olive (November–June)
  • Little Black Caddis (April, 'Mother's Day hatch')
  • Cinnamon Caddis (May)
  • Midges (year-round, dominant in winter)
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Watauga River

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Gear up

Gear up on the Watauga River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

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The flies that work on the Watauga River

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Updated June 2026