Fly Fishing Guide Trips on the South Holston & Watauga Rivers
Ready to take your fly fishing to the next level? South Holston Angler offers professionally guided fly fishing trips on two of East Tennessee’s premier tailwaters — the South Holston River in Bristol and the Watauga River near Elizabethton, Tennessee. These rivers are known for their cold, clear flows, prolific hatches, and healthy populations of wild brown and rainbow trout.
Our trips are designed for anglers of all skill levels, whether you’re learning the fundamentals or looking to target trophy trout on some of the region’s most famous tailwaters. All trips are led by seasoned local professionals — learn more about our Expert Fly Fishing Guides and what sets them apart.
Looking for current conditions before booking? Check out our latest South Holston and Watauga River Fishing Report!
2026 Fly Fishing Guide Trip Rates
Our guided fly fishing trips are designed to make the most of your time on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers. Whether you're new to fly fishing or looking to refine advanced techniques, each trip is tailored to your goals, experience level, and current river conditions.
Full-Day Guided Fly Fishing Trip
Best for anglers who want a full day on the water, more time to fish, and in-depth instruction.
8–9 hours on the river
One-on-one instruction, coaching, and fishing strategy
Lunch and drinks included
All flies and terminal tackle provided
Prime floats selected according to current river conditions
$600 per boat
Still on the fence? Take a look at our Fly Fishing Guide Trip Reviews to hear directly from anglers who’ve fished the South Holston and Watauga with us. If you're ready to book a trip with the South Holston Angler Contact Us
Half-Day Guided Fly Fishing Trip
Ideal for first-time anglers, families, or anyone who wants a shorter day on the water.
4 hours on the river
Focused instruction and fishing strategy
All flies and terminal tackle provided
High-percentage water selected according to current conditions
$400 per boat
Why Fish With South Holston Angler?
South Holston Angler is a small outfitter focused on providing high-quality, personalized guide trips. Our guides don't look at guiding as just a job—it is a way of life. We genuinely love to fish, and our goal is to give you the best experience these rivers have to offer.
Local Knowledge That Goes Beyond the Basics
Our guides love to fish, and when they aren't working, you'll often find them on the river on their days off. The South Holston and Watauga are constantly changing with the seasons, hatches, weather, generation, and fishing pressure. Our guides pay attention to those changes throughout the year so they can adjust their approach and give you the best opportunity possible when you're on the water with us.
A Guide Trip Built Around Your Goals
Whether you're learning the fundamentals of fly fishing, refining your presentation, chasing a specific hatch, or hoping to catch a new personal best, we tailor the day around your goals and experience level. Your guide will adjust the techniques, water, and pace of the trip to give you the best opportunity to accomplish what you came to the river to do.
Learn the Techniques That Work on These Rivers
Our guides are skilled in a variety of fly fishing techniques, and we enjoy sharing what we've learned with our clients. Both the South Holston and Watauga Rivers require specific presentations and approaches to consistently catch trout. Whether we're working on casting, mending, fly selection, reading the water, or presenting a fly to a rising fish, we want you to understand not just what we're doing, but why we're doing it. The goal is for you to take those skills home and become a better angler on your own.
Targeting Larger Trout When Conditions Allow
Our guides love to target large trout. Fishing specifically for a big brown requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to pass up smaller fish when the right opportunity is worth pursuing. When conditions are right, we can dedicate part of the day to targeting larger trout using techniques and water that give you a chance at a quality fish.
Not every day produces a trophy, and targeting larger trout can mean fewer opportunities overall. But if catching a truly big South Holston or Watauga brown is one of your goals, our guides have the experience and enthusiasm to pursue it with you.
What to Expect on a Full-Day Guided Fly Fishing Trip
Spending a full day on the river gives you more time to fish, learn, and adjust to changing conditions. It allows your guide to spend more time working with you on casting, presentation, reading the water, fly selection, and the techniques that are most effective on the South Holston or Watauga River that day.
A full-day trip typically lasts 8–9 hours. Your guide will provide the fishing equipment, flies, terminal tackle, lunch, and drinks. Rain gear and Tennessee fishing licenses are not provided, so be sure to bring those with you.
Start times are flexible, but we recommend following your guide's advice. Depending on the season, generation schedule, weather, and current fishing conditions, the best time to be on the water may not always be the same.
What’s Included in Your Guided Fly Fishing Trip:
8-9 Hours of Fly Fishing
Fly rods and reels
Flies and terminal tackle
Lunch
Cold beverages
A knowledgeable local guide focused on your goals and current river conditions
Half-Day Guided Fly Fishing Trips: A Flexible Option
Half-day trips are a great option for anglers who want to fish during the best conditions of the day. These shorter outings can be ideal for beating the heat, targeting evening dry-fly action, floating during afternoon generation releases, or working around inclement weather.
Half-day trips typically last 4–5 hours and include all fishing equipment, flies, terminal tackle, and drinks. Lunch is not included. As with our full-day trips, rain gear and Tennessee fishing licenses are not provided.
Your guide will help determine the best time to fish based on the season, weather, generation schedule, and current river conditions.
How to Prepare for Your Fly Fishing Guide Trip
We fish in a wide range of conditions on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers, from rain and snow to strong wind and the heat of summer. Dressing appropriately can make a big difference in your comfort during a full day on the water.
If you're unsure what to wear or bring, contact us or your designated guide for recommendations based on the season and expected conditions.
What to Bring on Your Guide Trip
Tennessee fishing license
Sunglasses — preferably with polarized lenses
Hat or other headwear
Rain jacket
Waders or rain pants when recommended by your guide
Comfortable footwear appropriate for the season and type of trip
Sunscreen
Snacks — especially when fishing with young children
Child life jacket for children who require one
Optional personal gear — you are welcome to bring your own rod, flies, or small fishing pack if you'd like
Tennessee Fishing License
South Holston Angler does not provide Tennessee fishing licenses. All anglers who are required to have a license should purchase the appropriate Tennessee fishing license and trout privileges before their trip. License requirements vary depending on age and residency, so please verify that you have the correct license for your trip through TWRA. We typically recommend a three day all-species license.
Fly Fishing Guide Trips Make the Perfect Gift
Looking for a unique gift for the angler in your life? A guided fly fishing trip makes a great birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day, graduation, or special-occasion gift—and creates memories that last long after the day on the river. Contact Us to learn more or arrange a guided fly fishing trip.
Booking & Cancellation Policy for Guided Fly Fishing Trips
After contacting South Holston Angler and finalizing your trip date(s), you will be asked to submit a $100 per boat/per additional trip day to secure your booking.
Guide Trip Booking Policy
Your guide trip deposit reserves your scheduled trip date(s) and must be paid after your booking is confirmed. If you book multiple days, a separate deposit is required for each day. All guide trip deposits are non-refundable once the trip is booked.
The remaining balance is due on the date of your float. For cancellations made within two weeks of your scheduled trip, the full trip balance remains due.
Ready to Book Your Guided Fly Fishing Trip
Fly Fishing the South Holston on Your Own? Here's What You'll Need
Breathable Waders & Wading boots - Vibram or Felt
Chest or Waist Pack
Hat and Polarized Sunglasses
Landing Net
Wading Staff
Nippers, & Forceps
9 ft 5 or 4wt fly rod with reel and line to match
9ft 3-5x monofilament leaders
5-7x fluorocarbon tippet
#6-bb split shot dispenser
Strike indicator yarn- New Zealand Wool, Lefty Kreh Yarn
Liquid Floatant- High & Dry
Powder Floatant- Frogs Fanny
Sulfur, BWO, and Beetle dry flies
Zebra Midges, PT nymphs, assortment of small Streamers
Explore the South Holston and Watauga on Your Own:
Prefer to explore the rivers on your own? Click the Link to See a A DIY Angler’s Guide to the South Holston and Watauga Rivers, or or check our latest Fishing Reports for current river conditions.
Lodging Near the South Holston & Watauga Rivers
Planning a multi-day fly fishing trip? We’re happy to recommend Lodging near the South Holston and Watauga Rivers to help make your stay as easy as possible.
