The close up photo of a brown trouts face.

Expert Fly Fishing Guides on the South Holston & Watauga Rivers

Our team of expert fly fishing guides specializes in the South Holston and Watauga Rivers, two of Tennessee’s most respected tailwater trout fisheries. With years of on-the-water experience, we help anglers of all skill levels fish smarter, safer, and more effectively—whether you’re targeting brown trout on the South Holston or navigating the ever-changing flows of the Watauga River. When you fish with South Holston Angler, you’re fishing with true local professionals who know these rivers inside and out.

Looking to fish with a local expert? Our team offers Guided Fly Fishing Trips on both the South Holston and Watauga Rivers, tailored to your skill level and goals on the water.

Local Fly Fishing Guides for Two of Tennessee’s Best Tailwater Rivers

While every trout river has its own personality, tailwaters demand local knowledge, precise timing, and adaptive techniques. Our guides focus on the unique challenges and opportunities each river presents, ensuring you’re matched with the right strategy, flies, and approach for the water you’re fishing.

June on the South Holston River in Tennessee.

South Holston River Fly Fishing Guides

The South Holston River is world-renowned for its wild brown trout, technical fishing, and consistent hatches. Our South Holston River fly fishing guides have spent countless days learning this tailwater’s subtle currents, feeding lanes, and seasonal patterns. They spend hundreds of days each year Fly Fishing the South Holston River, giving them unmatched insight into seasonal hatches, flows, and trout behavior. Whether you’re nymphing deep runs, fishing technical dry flies, or dialing in midge presentations, our guides provide the experience and instruction needed to fish the South Holston with confidence.

Conditions change daily, so we recommend checking our current Fishing Report before planning your trip to see how the river is fishing right now.

Spring time on the Watauga River is an awesome time.

Watauga River Fly Fishing Guides

The Watauga River offers a dynamic fly fishing experience, with changing flows, diverse water types, and excellent trout populations throughout its length. Our Watauga River fly fishing guides specialize in reading water conditions, timing TVA generation, and adjusting techniques to match the river’s daily behavior. Whether you’re wade fishing or floating, we help anglers safely and effectively unlock the Watauga’s full potential. If you’re new to the river, our in-depth Watauga River Fly Fishing Guide covers hatches, access points, and seasonal tactics to help you plan your trip.

Not sure which guide is right for you? Take a moment to read our Reviews and see what other anglers have to say about fishing with South Holston Angler, or Contact Us to book your trip today.

The beautiful South Holston River in July.

Meet the Expert Fly Fishing Guides Behind South Holston Angler

At South Holston Angler, our guides aren’t just experienced—they’re deeply rooted in the rivers they fish. Each fly fishing guide on our team is personally selected by founder John Stunkard for their local knowledge of the South Holston and Watauga Rivers, their professionalism on the water, and their ability to teach anglers of all skill levels.

From reading complex tailwater currents to understanding seasonal hatches and TVA flow schedules, our guides bring years of hands-on experience to every trip. Just as important, they’re passionate about helping anglers learn, improve, and gain confidence—whether it’s your first guided day on the river or you’re chasing technical dry-fly eats from wild trout.

South Holston Angler Guide John Stunkard

South Holston Angler Guide Aden Blackburn

South Holston Angler Guide Preston Vance

John Stunkard

Joe Kostura

Aden Blackburn

Colton Wise

Preston Vance

Why Fish with the South Holston Angler?

At South Holston Angler, we focus on delivering more than just a day of catching fish—we provide a true learning experience on two of Tennessee’s most dynamic tailwaters: the South Holston and Watauga Rivers. Our guides spend hundreds of days each year on these rivers, developing an intimate understanding of seasonal patterns, trout behavior, and how changing TVA generation affects where and how to fish safely.

Safety and preparedness are always a priority. Both rivers are heavily influenced by dam releases, and our guides are trained to read flows, plan exits, and adjust tactics in real time so you can fish confidently without unnecessary risk.

We also believe the best guided trips leave anglers better than they arrived. Whether it’s improving your nymphing efficiency, learning when to switch techniques, or understanding how to read water on tailwaters, our instruction-first approach helps you build skills that translate well beyond a single trip.

Finally, we intentionally work with a small group of highly qualified local guides. This allows us to match each angler with the right guide based on experience level, goals, and fishing style—ensuring every trip feels personal, productive, and unhurried.

Book a Guided Trip

Head guide John Stunkard stands with Joe as they capture a new personal best brown trout.

Head Guide & Owner: John Stunkard

John Stunkard grew up fly fishing the Watauga River, where he first picked up a fly rod at age 12. By the time he was 17—and able to drive—he began spending countless days on the South Holston River, developing a deep understanding of both tailwaters long before becoming a professional guide.

John began guiding at age 22 and now brings more than 20 years of experience fishing the Watauga and South Holston Rivers into every trip. Growing up in one of the country’s premier fly fishing destinations shaped not only his technical skills, but also his respect for river safety, seasonal patterns, and the nuances of fishing TVA-regulated tailwaters.

Over the past decade, John has guided for and worked alongside some of the most respected operations in the region, including South Holston River Fly Shop, South Holston River Company, Watauga River Lodge, and South Holston River Lodge. He was especially proud to be part of the South Holston River Lodge team when it was named Orvis Lodge of the Year in 2025.

Today, John remains actively involved on the water, mentoring guides, refining trip experiences, and ensuring that every South Holston Angler client fishes with a guide who knows these rivers as well as he does.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to create memorable fly fishing experiences while helping anglers build real, transferable skills. Every trip with South Holston Angler is rooted in education—so clients leave the river more confident, more capable, and better prepared to fish on their own.

By pairing each angler with the right guide, we ensure every day on the water is tailored to individual goals, experience levels, and learning styles.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to build a guide service known for depth of knowledge, integrity, and local expertise on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers. By staying intentionally small, we’re able to deliver personalized trips, maintain high standards, and protect the quality of the fisheries we guide on.

We believe the best reputation is earned one great day on the water at a time.

A Fly Fisherman's Dream Turned To a Reality

Like many small businesses, South Holston Angler started small—out of a basement and on the water. What began as a deep passion for fly fishing the South Holston and Watauga Rivers grew into a guide service built on experience, adaptability, and respect for these ever-changing tailwaters.

Years spent learning TVA flows, seasonal hatches, and trout behavior laid the foundation for South Holston Angler. Today, that same dedication drives our mission: sharing hard-earned local knowledge to help anglers fish smarter, safer, and more confidently on every trip.