We spent the past weekend on the Watauga in low water but it is fishing pretty darn well. We were focusing on the nymph rigs and running a san juan worm up too with a pheasant tail or a copper john below it. We had a few good fish (18 inch +) and as many 14inchers as we wanted to catch. We're focusing on the seams and faster water because the fish are stacked in those locations with the water as low as it is right now. It's not uncommon to catch 5-10 fish in each location right now.

The fall brown spawn is comin and the big boys are looking to fatten up a bit. There's great wading opportunities early in the day but TVA has been good to us and kept the afternoon flows going. We're focusing on streamers right now in high water and hitting the good streamer water hard. Were not putting huge numbers in the boat, but were putting plenty of quality fish in there for our clients. If you can throw a 6-7wt with a 200 grain sink tip 40ft, you need to give us a call and book your fall fishing trip. Don't forget sections of the river close in November so give us a call now.

The Lower Holston is fishing very well in the early AM up until about 2pm. By then the sun is at peak and the bite slows considerably. Get out there by 7 or 8am and focus on the cut banks and weed beds. There's lots of grass right now because of the months of sun and little rain. The fish are densely packed in feeding lanes but will regularly take a medium bodied dark popper fished with a slow chug. It's a long float so just fish the high spots after 2pm and take a lunch break a little later so you can fish the prime water.

The watauga continues to fish solid even in low water conditions. When TVA isn't running water it's very low, still floatable, but low. If you approach the fish with caution and cast about 10-15ft farther than you're used to, the fishing can still be excellent. We're mostly nymphing right now and that's always a good way to pick up fish. There are plenty of ants right on the banks and the fish will take them regularly in a size 18. On the nymph rigs, go with a san juan worm up front and then a size 18 soft hackle hares ear for consistent success. Fishing should remain good throughout the rest of the fall so give us a call to book your trip.

Cooling temps and a little bit of relief in the form of rain has turned the smallies on their heads. They are aggressively feeding agian after taking about a month hiatus. They're moving far and wide to attack their prey, in our case a medium body dark popper. Yep, you heard it, top water action is still hot right now and their even willing to charge one from 10 feet away. Really, if you love smallie fishing, you need to come see us now. Expect good fishing for another 3-4 weeks!