February River Report 2022 - South Holston & Watauga
South Holston River
“Houston, we have an open river!”
As of February 1st, the previously closed sections of the South Holston are now open. Fish have been left alone to spawn, which means easier fishing with the reduced pressure over the past 3 months. TVA’s work to the weir dam is still ongoing with the finish date projected to be February 4th. This combined with the extremely low lake levels have significantly limited the flows on the South Holston.
What this means for wade anglers, is all day opportunities to target trout on almost all areas of the South Holston. With extremely low flows, fishing difficulty increases. Clear water and lots of time for the trout to see the flies means you have to step up your game. Long leaders with light tippet and small flies have been the norm for the past month. 5x-6X leaders at 9-10 ft to your first fly is a must.
Drift boat anglers are forced to find areas with enough water that they can put in and float. Most of these areas are slower deeper runs. Longer casts, long leaders, and light tippet is needed. Delicate presentations with yarn indicators are what we suggest using.
The BWO’s have been ramping up in the afternoons and with the warmer temps, anglers can find pods of rising fish to target. Longer leaders such as 6X paired with a #18-20 CDC Comparadun and a small emerger trailing on 6.5X tippet has been our go-to. This is a great time of year to work on your approach and drift. If your cast has any drag, you will have a tough time feeding fish with a dry fly.
Flies:
Small Baetis (BWO) nymphs, with little or no flash, and a trailing midge have been working. It pains us to report but extremely small midges #20 and smaller have been needed at times. Stripper midges, with black or nickel beads, are always a great option.
In the longer pools, fish are feeding on midges. These fish can be very difficult to target but the reward is great. Midge patterns, such as Ice Midges, behind small midge adults or cluster patterns, like a Griffiths Gnat in #18-22 are a strong option. Above the weir dam, fish are being caught on smaller flashy flies with a trailing midge 10-12in behind.
Suggested Patterns:
Nymphs: #18-20
BWO Auto Emerger, WD-40 B/H, Olive Quill, Pheasant Tail
Midges: #20-24
Olive w/ copper bead, DD Midge w/ copper bead, Stripper w/ black nickel, Black w/ copper bead
Watauga River
Wilbur continues to have on and off flows allowing drift boat anglers an opportunity to target fish with streamers and nymph rigs. The upper sections of the river are conducive to nymphing with an inline rig. 9ft 5X leaders to the 1st fly, under an indicator, have been working in all the usual pockets and riffles.
There has been some BWO’s and midges dry fly action on the Watauga. Same system as used on the SOHO will produce great afternoon fishing in the tailouts and longer pools. Fish are eager to eat if the fly is presented well. Longer, lighter leaders and light tippets are a must-have. The lower sections have been fishing strong when the TVA is pushing water. This allows the streamer fisherman some great action if you catch the timing just right.
Flies:
Sinking tip or full sinking lines with Mini Dungeons or other articulated flies in olive or baitfish patterns have been moving fish. This is a hunting game, lots of casting in the right areas and with a little luck you just might feed the fish of a lifetime. “Bright day = bright fly, dark day = dark fly” rule applies here, but do not be afraid to try different colors and patterns. Yellows, white, and other bright colors often trigger big fish to eat.
Suggested Patterns:
Nymphs: #16-18
Olive Quill, Purple IMP, Olive & Purple Frenchies, Blowtorch
Midges: #18-20
Olive, Black, Red, Stripper
Streamers:
Feather Changer, Sex Dungeon, Mini Dungeon, Sculpzilla
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