January River Report 2022 - South Holston & Watauga
South Holston
The South Holston still proves to be difficult fishing with extremely low flows and limited discharges coming from the dam. Wade fishing is the name of the game right now. Fishermen are taking advantage of easy accessibility at the upper end of the river, and it continues to be busy. Looking for a spot to fish down river, with less pressure on the fish and away from the crowds, pays off. The Corqs indicators in natural color have been great, they are 100% cork material, light-weight, and cast great. Yarn indicators are always a good option with the ability to trim down the size (in order to not spook fish); use natural colors. No matter what indicator you choose, they should not be large and bright colored.
The BWO hatches are spotty and brief with fish keying-in on small duns and emergers #18 and smaller. If you are up for the challenge, target rising fish in the flats with LONG leaders, 12-14ft followed by 7x tippet. Light, delicate presentations and drag-free drifts can get you a nice fish or great casting practice.
Flies:
Skinny, clear water is allowing fish to be targeted with small #18-20 nymphs. Dark, slim-profile flies are key when paired with long leaders and 6-7x tippet. Midges in olives, tans, and blacks are still producing, but classics such as red and purple have been catching fish as well.
Suggested Patterns:
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail #18
Olive Spanish Bullet Quill #18-20
BH Gray WD-40 Midge #18-20
Olive Zebra Midge #18-22
The SOHO still has spawning fish so MIND THE REDS and allow fish to “do their thing”. If you see clear, clean gravel, avoid walking through it!
Watauga
The Watauga is the spot to be for boat fisherman with Wilbur Dam releasing 240cfs; this allows for great days in the drift boat or raft. The Watauga’s pocket water and broken water seams are producing more fish than flat water. Small BWO’s and midge hatches have been happening sporadically here just like the SOHO. The upper section is fishing well with inline rigs, the middle and lower sections are also fishing strong. For indicators on the Watauga, the same methods as stated above for the South Holston apply.
Flies:
The Watauga fishes well with larger, flashier flies than the South Holston. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and try something different. Oftentimes, doing something different than everyone else can yield great results. For a lead fly, use a larger, flashy jig-hook nymph size #14-16 then a small midge or baetis nymph on the bottom.
Suggested Patterns:
Keslar Dark and Dirty Pink #14-16
Gut Sack Sow Bug #14-16
Hickey’s Auto Emerger BWO #18
BWO Perdigon #18
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