We refer to our shallow water in-line fly fishing rigs for the South Holston and Watauga quite a bit, and that's a little different than our high water rigs. In this video, Forrest goes over what factors to consider.

LEADER

For the leader set up, typically we are going to use a Scientific Angler Nylon Trout, 9FT 5X or 9FT 6X. There's some people that will fish a 7.5FT leader, especially if it’s windy. We like to get our flies as far from the fly line as possible if there is no wind. 

FLOWS

Our flows, typically when we were fishing this rig on the South Holston, are 0-400 CFS generation. If a generation pulse comes through, we can still fish this shallow water rig. This rig works equally well on the Watauga River on the minimum recreation 240 CFS flow.

RIGGING

1. Tie 18-20 inches of 5.5-6.5X tippet to the end of your leader of choice.

2. Cut that tippet in half and tie a Triple Surgeon’s knot.

3. Leave a tag piece from your Triple Surgeon’s knot and tie a fly on that.

4. Tie a fly on the bottom of your tippet as a point fly. 

In the video, Forrest ties on an unweighted Pheasant Tail and Stripper Midge onto the rig. These are a few of our favorite flies for low-water fishing on both rivers. 

INDICATORS

On this rig we use three different types of indicators.

Yarn: 90% of the time we are using yarn as an indicator. It’s more stealthy and sensitive to strikes.

Oros: Anglers that struggle casting yarn, heavier flies, adding split shot, windy conditions

Airlock: Same use cases as Oros, some folks just like Airlocks better. 

DEPTH

Typically, we run this rig about 35in deep. If you touch your right shoulder with your right hand, then extend your left hand, that should give you a good idea. It's different for all the various water depths that we are fishing, but that's a good depth to start at when wade fishing or floating the South Holston and Watauga. 

FLOATANT

We always apply High-N-Dry Liquid Floatant or Gel to keep the yarn floating for longer.

When you dip the yarn in the liquid, before letting that yarn indicator hit the water, we like to give it a few false casts. This helps dry off the indicator so it does not get over-saturated.

Always keep a brush for your yarn indicators. We sell some now at the store for a few bucks! It helps fluff up the fibers and dry off the indicator when soggy.

CONCLUSION

If you guys want to see a video on how to build this Dorsey system, click here! Please reach out to us with any questions you have. 

Guided Trips on the South Holston and Watauga are still rolling! We are always willing to spend some time “in the classroom” on guided trips if you are looking to jump up the learning curve on both rivers. 

(423) 573-5668

We love Trouthunter leaders and tippet here at our shop. Recently, we added the new “Evo Drift” leaders to our inventory. The “Evo” series has already existed in Trouthunter tippet, now they are bringing the same properties to their nylon leader line-up.

Main Advantages

• Greatly Improved Knot Strength

• Higher resistance to abrasion and impact

• Improved Flotation

• Longer Life

• No memory

• When used properly, drag free drifts

In stock now: 9ft 4-6x, 12ft 4-6x

Application: Dry-Dropper & Chubby Rigs

Trouthunter writes, “The improved performance is achieved through the application of our EVO coating to our leader material. EVO coating results in much stronger knot strengths with no noticeable increase in diameter. EVO also adds a measure of durability in combating abrasion and repels water. Memory is nearly non-existent and the leaders are tapered to provide strong turn over and produce drag free drifts over the most technical fish.

The result is a family of leaders which will excel at dry fly fishing in all situations.”

Our customers agree with us that they are noticing these leaders turn over better than other leaders they have fished. It’s nice to see Trouthunter making improvements on their lineup to offer the best leader and tippet solutions possible.

These leaders retail for $7.95. If you are going to take the time to fish, you might as well fish the best rig possible. 

chubby Chernobyl dry-dropper Rig

Using a Chubby Chernobyl dry fly as an indicator is a extremely effective way to make casting nymphs easier and maintain the stealth that a yarn indicator provides. It’s also a fun way to illicit more surface eats. While we don’t have many large terrestrials in East Tennessee. There are still fish willing to come up and eat the Chubby.

When is the best time of year to fish this rig?

We have found that May-September is the best time of year to fish this rig.

What leader should I use?

On this rig we prefer to use a 9’ 5x or 8’ 4x. We will use the shorter 8’ 4x when there is more wind or if the individual casting the line is newer. A shorter, stiffer leader casts more easily.

What tippet should I use?

On the South Holston and Watauga, we primarily fish 5-6.5x tippet. When water levels are low and clear, we will move to 6.5x.

How far do we put the flies below it?

Typically we put flies anywhere from 6-18in below the Chubby. This varies greatly depending on the section of river we are targeting.

BENEFITS:

• Using a Chubby Chernobyl dry fly as an indicator can be more stealthy than using a yarn indicator.

• A Chubby is also very sensitive to strikes so it’s easy to see when your nymphs get a bite.

• Ideally fish will eat your Chubby Chernobyl!

• This rig is also easier to cast than a yarn indicator. Because a yarn indicator is tied on to the middle of the leader, this can change the weight distribution of the cast often being more difficult for individuals with slower line speed in their cast.

DRAWBACKS:

• The biggest drawback to the Chubby Rig is that in order to change depth of your nymphs, you have to cut tippet off then add more. Using a yarn-indicator, the depth can easily be changed by sliding the yarn up or down the indicator.

• Using a yarn indicator, you can increase the amount of yarn to carry larger flies. On a Chubby rig, heavy nymphs can sink the dry fly.