October 2026 South Holston & Watauga River Fishing Report
October 2026 South Holston and Watauga River fishing report: trophy brown trout, shad-kill streamer action, fall hatches, top flies, and November fishing conditions.
10/17/20267 min read
South Holston River Fishing Report
October on the South Holston River can be one of the busiest months of the entire year. As South Holston Dam begins lowering the lake for winter, the resulting generation patterns create ideal conditions for floating the river. Both recreational anglers and professional guides take advantage of this window, making October a particularly active time on the water.
We've had another special October this year. Sulfur dry-fly activity has continued throughout the month, pre-spawn nymphing has been excellent, and we're now experiencing another shad kill similar to last year's. This has created some of the best streamer-fishing opportunities of the year, and with November just around the corner, there's still plenty to look forward to on the river.
South Holston River Generation & Wading Conditions
During the second half of October, the South Holston has been generating from approximately 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 1,400 CFS. These flows are not suitable for wade fishing, so we recommend floating the South Holston during generation or choosing the Watauga River, which has remained low throughout October and has offered excellent opportunities for both wading and floating.
As always, check the current generation schedule before heading to the river, and never enter the water when flows are rising or unsafe.
South Holston River Hatches & Recommended Fly Patterns
In the upper four miles of the South Holston, sulfurs and blue-winged olives (BWOs) have been hatching steadily during the afternoons. Having a variety of dry flies in sizes #16–20 can help you match the hatch, but presentation is just as important as fly selection. After a long summer of fishing pressure, these trout are extremely sensitive to drag. A well-executed reach cast followed by a timely mend can make all the difference. Your dry fly should drift naturally ahead of the fly line and leader, without being pulled by the current. Even the slightest unnatural movement can cause a selective trout to refuse an otherwise perfect fly.
Nymphing under the current 1,400 CFS generation has been changing from day to day. We believe the trout are becoming more selective, and fish can also be disturbed by drift boats passing overhead. Despite these challenges, nymphs imitating BWOs and midges have continued to produce fish, with sulfur imitations also bringing success during the afternoon hatch. Pay close attention to the fish's behavior and be ready to adjust your fly selection and presentation as conditions change.
South Holston River Top Flies for August
#20-24 Zebra Midge (Olive, Grey)
#20 Rod's BWO Nymph (Olive or Brown)
#20-22 BWO split case nymph
#20 Weiss Perdigon (Olive, Brown, Grey)
#20 Tailwater Scud
#18 Sulfur Split Case
#16-20 Sulfur, BWO Comparadun and Puff Daddy
Targeting Larger Brown Trout on the South Holston River
At the beginning of October, nymphing was producing the best opportunities for targeting larger brown trout on the South Holston. However, with the recent shad kill, the focus has shifted. Over the last week, larger browns have been keying in on dying baitfish, and streamer fishing has been producing excellent results. Based on what we're seeing, we expect this bite to continue over the next couple of weeks.
Keep in mind that this type of fishing attracts plenty of attention, and the larger trout can receive considerable pressure as more anglers begin throwing streamers. As that pressure builds, expect fish to become more selective about how baitfish imitations are presented. Threadfin shad patterns are a good place to start, but fly selection, presentation, and paying attention to how the fish respond will become increasingly important as the bite progresses.
John Hardman of Hardman Fly Fishing Adventures on Youtube!
John Hardman of Hardman Fly Fishing Adventures on YouTube joined us again this October for another memorable day on the South Holston. Guide Joe Kostura had the pleasure of fishing with John, and together they landed several large brown trout, including an impressive 25-inch South Holston brown!
John will be sharing footage from the trip on his YouTube channel in the near future, so keep an eye out for the video. It's always a pleasure to spend time on the river with fellow anglers who appreciate the challenge of pursuing these incredible fish.
A 30-Inch South Holston Brown Trout on a Streamer
Charlie Mostoller fished with guide John Stunkard for the first time this October, and the day turned into an experience he'll never forget. Streamer fishing produced three huge brown trout, including two fish over 25 inches and an incredible 30-inch male brown trout!
Days like this are exceptionally rare and aren't easily replicated. The conditions lined up almost perfectly for streamer fishing. Heavy rain fell throughout the night before the trip, briefly staining the river and creating some of the best streamer conditions we've seen all year. That stained water lasted only about a day, making the timing especially fortunate.
Catching a brown trout of this size is always special, but doing it while streamer fishing in the right conditions makes the experience even more memorable. It's a great example of how quickly things can come together on the South Holston when weather, water conditions, and fish behavior align.
Unbelievable Nymphing in Late September and Early October on the South Holston River
Guides John Stunkard and Blake Hall teamed up for a two-day float trip in late September and early October, helping their anglers land some phenomenal brown trout on the South Holston. Midges and blue-winged olive (BWO) nymphs were the keys to two very successful days on the water.
The fishing was good enough that these anglers have already booked another trip for next year! It's always rewarding to see anglers enjoy their time on the river and leave looking forward to coming back.
Mark booked a two-day trip with guide John Stunkard in early fall, and the fishing was exceptional. While nymphing, we were able to sight-fish to individual brown trout, landing eight fish over 20 inches in just two days—including an impressive 28-inch brown!
Sight-fishing to large brown trout is one of the most exciting ways to fish the South Holston, but it requires careful observation, accurate presentations, and the right nymph patterns. With eight fish over 20 inches in two days, Mark's trip was a memorable example of just how productive early-fall nymphing can be.
Watauga River Fishing Report
October and November are beautiful months to fly fish the Watauga River. Drift boat pressure has been light this month, and the fish have been responsive. River levels have remained low, creating ideal conditions for both floating and wade fishing.
Most of the action has been subsurface, but we've also seen fish show interest in dry flies, including blue-winged olives (BWOs), October tan caddis, and Chubby Chernobyls. With opportunities to fish both nymphs and dries, the Watauga has offered a great mix of fishing this fall.
Watauga River Generation & Float Conditions
Eastern Tennessee has received very little rainfall since the second week of August. After a summer of recreational releases that benefited rafters and other river enthusiasts, Watauga Lake has now reached its winter pool level.
With the lake at winter pool, we do not expect routine generation releases unless the area receives significant rainfall and water levels change. These lower flows can still create excellent opportunities especially for wade fishing and floating the Watauga River. As always, check the current TVA generation schedule before planning your trip, since conditions can change with little notice.
Watauga River Recommended Flies
Nymphs
#20–22 Zebra Midge — Purple, olive, and brown
#20 Mayhem Midge — Olive and gray
#20 Rod’s BWO Nymph
#22 BWO Split Case
#20 Weiss Perdigon
Dry Flies
#16 Elk Hair Caddis
#14 Chubby Chernobyl
Other Patterns
#14 Glo Bug
Watauga River Fly Fishing Techniques
Nymphing has produced the best results on the Watauga River recently, although there have also been opportunities for dry-fly fishing during the late afternoons. Rising fish can be sporadic, so covering water and moving to find actively feeding trout may be more productive than staying in one spot waiting for a single fish to rise consistently.
When nymphing, the faster runs and riffles have been the most productive areas, particularly for wade anglers. From a drift boat, however, fishing in flatter water and along the tailouts has also started to pick up. Adjusting your approach to the water type and fishing from both the faster current and slower transitions can help you find feeding trout throughout the day.
For more information about the river, seasonal conditions, and planning a guided trip, visit our Watauga River fly fishing page.
What to Expect as We Move Into November
South Holston River
Beginning in November, two sections of the South Holston River close to protect spawning brown trout. The first section extends from the bottom of the Bouton Trail to Hickory Tree Bridge, covering roughly two miles. The second runs from just above Web Bridge to the bottom of Boyd’s Island, covering approximately half a mile. Be sure to review the current regulations and closure boundaries before fishing. Both these areas are marked by a TWRA signs placed on trees near the bank.
The shad kill is expected to continue into the first two weeks of November, offering more opportunities to target large brown trout. How productive the streamer bite remains will depend in part on fishing pressure, as these fish can become increasingly selective when they see a lot of baitfish imitations.
Nymphing should continue to be an effective way to bring fish to hand. With the brown trout spawn approaching, large browns may be encountered throughout the river. As temperatures cool, sulfur activity will likely begin to slow, although blue-winged olives (BWOs) may still hatch during the afternoons.
Watauga River
On the Watauga River, large brown trout will be on the move as the spawning season approaches on the Elizabethton tailwater. November can offer a chance to encounter fish that spend much of the year tucked away in less accessible water.
Brown trout typically spawn during this period, so please give fish holding in shallow water plenty of space. These fish may be actively spawning, and targeting or disturbing them can interfere with successful reproduction. Leaving them alone helps protect the fishery and supports healthy brown trout populations for seasons to come.
Map of the Closed Spawning Areas on the South Holston
October Trophy Brown Trout: South Holston Angler Guide Trip Highlights
Shout-Out to Brianne for her 29.5" Brown Trout Landed on a #20 Midge and 6x Tippet!
Book a Guided Fly Fishing Trip on the South Holston or Watauga River
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year to be on the river. The leaves are changing, the temperatures are comfortable, and the fishing offers plenty of opportunities for memorable days on the water.
If you're interested in booking a guided fly-fishing trip on the South Holston or Watauga River, Contact Us. We'd love to spend a day on the water with you and share how we approach fishing these two incredible rivers.
