July River Report 2022 - South Holston & Watauga
South Holston
Throughout the last weekend, we’ve had 24 hour generation schedules on the SOHO. That looks to continue throughout this week according to the TVA.
July was a solid month on the SOHO. The generation schedule was consistent, which led to better conditions for everyone.
There are still plenty of windows for wade fishermen/women, which is great! Early mornings before the sun gets up can make for some great fishing. Throughout the river, you can feed many fish on dries. One of our favorites combinations for morning dry fly wade fishing is a Sulphur Puffdaddy #16-18 + Birchell’s Hatch Midge #18-22. A dry-dropper with a midge is also a staple combination.
With 24 hour generations comes ample opportunities for boat fishermen. Nymphing high water has been overall good throughout the month but really great feeding windows at times. Both deep in-line nymph rigs and bottom-bounce rigs have been producing well. A good rule of thumb is to nymph in the same lines that you would typically dry fly fish, especially the seams along the bank. Don’t be afraid to slow down and pick an area apart once you find feeding fish. Bottom-bouncing scuds has been very productive at times for us this month.
With the increase of rain over the last week, our tailwaters can be dirty in sections. When you see off colored water, don’t forget to use a worm as an attractor fly followed by a natural midge or mayfly behind.
Dry Fly Fishing
Dry fly fishing on the South Holston has been solid throughout July. In the evenings around 7:00, there are many sulphurs on the water with lots of fish looking up. Fishing the standard South Holston dry fly rig is key as always. Long leaders, light tippet. Both wade fisherman and boat fisherman can find rising fish this time of year. Keeping on top of the generation schedule is key. Throughout July, the majority of the evening generations started mid-afternoon and ended around 7pm or 8pm. For wade fisherman, fishing the late evening falling flow is a great time to find rising, happy fish if you are willing to make it a late night on the water.
South Holston Generation Schedule: https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/South-Holston
Suggested Patterns
Nymphs:
Beadhead American Pheasant Tail #18
Olive Midge #18-20
Bullet Quill #16-18
Rainbow & Shrimp Pink Scuds #16-18
Dries:
Sulphur Puffdaddy #16-18
CDC Comparadun #16-18
Pink Albert #14-16
Birchell’s Hatch Midge #18-22
Watauga
The Watauga has had significantly less pressure due to the consistent generations on the SOHO. Wilbur is still spilling a minimum recreational flow until around 1pm when they will start generating. Getting ahead of the sun has been key for us with better bite windows being early in the morning. There are rising fish that you can find in flats and around riffles. Fishing a similar setup to a low-water SOHO rig has been really solid throughout July. Sulphur Puffdaddy #16-18 + Birchell’s Hatch Midge #18-22 is a great place to start on both rivers for low water.
The low water nymph bite has been good but not great throughout these dog days of summer. Our standard Watauga low-water rig is a small fly with a heavier jig fly on the bottom to get in deep pockets. Adjust the weight of this bottom fly as needed. When you see the river running low, fishing double midges or unweighted flies should definitely be considered.
If you are willing to navigate around the rafts, the afternoon high water can also fish well! Fishing a deep in-line rig in slower pockets of water can lead to some really quality fish! Not as many fishing boats are doing this float lately so you can find some space.
Wilbur Dam Generation Schedule: https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/wilbur
Suggested Patterns
Girdle Bug
Silver Bead Olive Midge #18-20
CDC France Fly #16-18
Shrimp Pink Scud #18-22
Mountain Stream
Mountain stream fishing this time of year can be really good early in the mornings before it gets hot. Definitely watch the water temperature and rain. Since these rivers and creeks are freestones, they fluctuate greatly in flow and clarity. However, using this to your advantage and streamer fishing during high, cold, dirty water can produce big fish this time of year! Use caution, especially on native brook trout, with the high water temps. Terrestrial fishing this time of year can be fantastic!
Suggested Patterns
Girdle Bug
Harrison Steve’s Firefly
Chubby Chernobyl
Stimulator
- Jacob Cervantes