June 2026 South Holston River Fly Fishing Report & Watauga River Conditions

Current River Conditions & Overall Fishing Outlook

Late May and early June fly fishing on the South Holston and Watauga rivers has been outstanding.

June has finally brought sulfur dry fly fishing to both rivers, giving anglers excellent opportunities to target rising trout. While dry fly fishing has been the highlight for many anglers, it's not the only thing to look forward to. Recent rainfall has created favorable conditions for both streamer fishing and nymphing, providing anglers with several productive options depending on river conditions and fishing preferences.

As of the third week of June, the South Holston River has generally been generating during the afternoons, while the Watauga River has been generating throughout most of the day. As always, anglers should monitor TVA schedules closely before heading to the river.

For smallmouth enthusiasts, the topwater bite is now in full swing. We've seen several successful trips over the past few weeks, with fish actively feeding on damsel flies, and other surface opportunities. Targeting smallmouth bass on the fly can be challenging, and long, accurate casts are often the key to success. These trips are not typically designed for high numbers of fish, but rather for the reward of fooling quality fish with a well-presented fly.

Interested in experiencing the South Holston or Watauga for yourself? Learn more about our Guided Fly Fishing Trips.

Generation Schedules & Flow Considerations

May and June rainfall has left both rivers and reservoirs fuller than they were earlier this spring. As many anglers have noticed, the Southeast desperately needed the rain. Over the last three to four years, we've observed a trend where much of our annual rainfall arrives between late May and July. As a result, both tailwaters are finally seeing more consistent flows heading into summer.

The increased water levels have helped keep river temperatures cold, allowing trout to remain active and continue feeding aggressively well into late spring and early summer.

Wade anglers on the South Holston River have still been able to take advantage of low flows for much of the day, especially by moving downstream and staying ahead of afternoon generation releases. Recently, most generation has occurred between 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

The best fishing has been on the upper South Holston, where sulfur hatches have been occurring daily around noon and often peaking between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Size 16 Sulfur Comparaduns and Puff Daddies have been particularly productive on our recent guide trips.

If you're planning a trip to East Tennessee, be sure to visit our Fly Fish South Holston River page for hatch information, productive fly patterns, access points, and fly fishing tips for one of the South's premier trout rivers.

The Watauga River has remained consistently high over the last month, creating ideal conditions for float fishing. Sulfurs, streamers, and nymphing techniques have all produced quality fish. However, anglers planning to wade fish should use extreme caution. Current flows have made wading difficult and, in many areas, unsafe.

For hatch charts, recommended flies, and public access information, check out our Fly Fish Watauga River page.

As always, check TVA generation schedules before planning a float or wade trip. Generation schedules are updated daily at approximately 4:00 PM. When checking the Watauga River schedule, remember that flows are listed under Wilbur Dam.

Best Flies & Productive Setups for June

Low flows on the South Holston River create ideal conditions for dry-dropper setups. During the mornings, a floating beetle paired with a #20 midge has been a deadly combination. As the afternoon approaches and sulfur activity increases, switching to a sulfur dry fly with a sulfur nymph dropper has been especially effective. During the peak hatch, fishing two dry flies is often our preferred method, allowing anglers to target trout actively feeding on emerging and adult insects.

While floating the Watauga River on higher flows, nymphing has consistently been the most productive technique. Because of the increased rainfall over the last several weeks, leading with an attractor pattern such as a Pat's Rubber Legs can help grab the attention of larger fish. Smaller droppers, including Frenchie Pheasant Tails and Zebra Midges, have also been producing well.

Even with the higher releases, sulfur hatches have remained an important part of the Watauga's fishing. Trout have been selective about where they rise, with most surface activity occurring in softer seams, eddies, and calmer water along the river's edges. As the hatch has progressed, the bugs have become noticeably smaller, and size 18 sulfur dry flies have consistently produced the best results.

Looking ahead, the ten-day forecast shows stable temperatures reaching into the 80s—ideal conditions for June fly fishing in Tennessee. There is also a chance of rain nearly every day, which is generally beneficial for our fisheries this time of year. Most of these showers are isolated and short-lived, but anglers should still pack a rain jacket and be prepared for changing conditions on the water.

What to Start Fishing Now: South Holston River

On the South Holston River, subsurface rigs are still producing the most consistent results. For anglers interested in learning more about seasonal insect activity, our South Holston River Hatch Chart breaks down the major hatches throughout the year.

Recommended Setup:

• #16-#18 Pheasant Tail and Splitcase nymph

• Zebra Midge (Olive, Grey, Purple) (#20–22)

• #16 Sulfur Comparadun and Puff Daddy

• Sowbug or Scud (#14–16)

Best Flies for June: Watauga River

The Watauga River has been responding well to a slightly different subsurface approach, especially in low-flow conditions. Learn more about Watauga River entomology by using our Watauga River Hatch Chart.

Recommended Setup:

• Pat’s Rubber Legs as your lead nymph (#10–12)

• #18 Frenchie Pheasant Tail

• Bead-Head Pheasant Tail (#16–20)

• Zebra Midge (Purple, Olive, Black) (#20)

• #16-18 Sulfur Comparadun and Puff Daddy

Sulfur Hatches have arrived in Tennessee!

What to Expect Moving Into Late June and Early July

As we move deeper into summer, anglers should expect sulfur activity to continue on the South Holston River. Trout will become increasingly aware of angling pressure, making presentation more important than ever. Long, drag-free drifts will be critical to success, and if fish begin refusing your dry flies, downsizing to 6X or even 7X tippet can often make a noticeable difference.

Most of the best dry fly fishing should continue from Hickory Tree Bridge upstream to the Weir Dam, where sulfur hatches have remained the most consistent.

On the Watauga River, sulfur hatches are typically most productive from the Doe River confluence upstream to Hunter Bridge. Hatch timing can vary from day to day, and some mornings have produced surprisingly strong sulfur activity before many anglers expect it.

Terrestrials are also beginning to make their appearance on both rivers. Beetles and flying ants are often overlooked food sources, but every angler should keep a few of these patterns in their fly box. Early mornings can be particularly productive when fishing terrestrials along grassy banks, under overhanging trees, and tight to the river's edge. These patterns can also entice larger brown and rainbow trout looking for an easy meal that unexpectedly falls into the water.

If higher flows continue through late June and early July, streamer fishing for large trout and striped bass could provide some unforgettable opportunities. Keep in mind that streamer fishing is rarely about numbers. Instead, it's about the possibility of connecting with a truly exceptional fish. Watching a predatory brown trout or striped bass aggressively attack a well-presented streamer is one of the most exciting experiences in fly fishing. And once hooked, the power and determination of a striped bass often surprises even experienced anglers.

Whether you're planning a DIY trip or looking to book a guided fly fishing trip on the South Holston River or Watauga River, late June and early July are shaping up to offer a wide variety of opportunities for anglers willing to adapt to changing conditions.

Check Out Our Trip Highlights From The Last Month.

Smallmouth Fly Fishing in Late June and July

Fly fishing for smallmouth bass isn't easy, and that's part of what makes it so rewarding. Before targeting smallmouth on the fly, it's important to have confidence in your casting ability. These fish can be surprisingly wary of poorly presented flies, and the difference between a refusal and a strike often comes down to making the right cast.

When everything comes together, few experiences in fly fishing can match watching a smallmouth stalk a topwater fly before exploding on it. These fish fight hard, make powerful runs, and often launch themselves into the air during the battle.

Late June and July are prime months for topwater smallmouth fishing, and we've already seen some excellent action this season. For anglers planning a multi-day trip, we often recommend spending a day targeting trout on the South Holston or Watauga River and then dedicating a day to smallmouth bass. It provides a completely different fly fishing experience and gives anglers the opportunity to target another incredible species found in East Tennessee.

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