The Jackson River is still fishing pretty well. The mayfly activity has slowed and the water levels are at the normal summer "low" points. It still fishes pretty well in sections and you can catch these fish with terrestrials. A good abundance of ants and beetles fall into the seams by the banks and the fish have moved up to feed on them. Your better off heading farther south to the S. Holston though.

Folks, it's time to dust off your favorite 7wt and hop in the boat for a memorable smallie trip. The river has steady water temps about 68 degrees and the fish are getting very active after their recent spawn. The bigger fish are moving back into the shoals and we're starting to see some pretty hot action from the 3lb+ fish. We're fishing the traditional clousers but we're also using Kraft's Spoon Minnow, and crayfish. There are also a ton of carp in the stream that are regularly taking crayfish patterns right now. To mix up between your smallie strikes, toss a crayfish pattern at 15lb carp and listen to the reel scream as it runs like a bonefish. It's a great time to be out there so give us a call to book your next trip!

Come one, Come all! The TVA is giving us water daily from 2pm on and it makes for a great 6-7 hour float. The sulphers are popping and even in high water the fish are starting to gorge on them. It's a great time to practice your nymphing and pick up a ton of fish before switching over to the dry fly to cherry pick the best heads! Not all the fish are up just yet, so swinging a soft hackle has a killer effect too. Get a chance to do it all from a drift boat. This won't happen all summer, just the this month so give us a call and book your trip now. If you plan to wade in the AM, make sure to fish scuds and little brown midges below an attractor like a san juan or a big soft hackle pheasant tail. The Holston is fish superb right now and it's a great time to get out there and catch a great brownie!

We're not the biggest fan of the Watauga River on the weekends because we aren't much for the 15-20 boat floatilla that drifts through the trophy section BUT, in a way, it's a testament to the success of the river. When 15-20 boats can float through there and everyone still catches fish....it must not be too bad. That's not the kind of "guided trip experience" we're looking to provide our clientele, so we fish on the lower section with a semi-private take-out. We think the fishing is even better down there than in the "trophy section" and our clients would agree! The river is fishing well right now. There are some sulphers on the water and the trout are taking pheasant tails and soft hackles with abandon. It's a good time to be in TN and we hope you'll give us a call to book your next trip!

Photo Courtesy of Richard Bernabe www.richardbernabe.com

The Jackson is starting to see the early season Terrestrials and you would think an ant or beetle was a meal fit for a king. The browns waste no time scarfing these meals up. With plenty of undercut banks and overhanging vegetation throughout the river this can make for an exciting trip. Supplementing the terrestrial action is the start of the sulpher hatch and the ability to swing some soft hackles. This is an often overlooked technique that is frankly, deadly. Come join us for a two-day float on this marvelous river and spend the night at the newly remodeled Cliff View Inn. If you want trout/smallmouth, let us know. We can do one day on the Jackson and a day on the James or the lower Jackson for the smallies.

Photo Courtesy of Richard Bernabe www.richardbernabe.com