South Holston beta needed.

[dustin bunch]

I am wanting to take my first trip to the South Holston in the next few weeks. I will be coming from Cleveland,Tn and have no familiarity with the area. Is there any recommend maps or literature?

I am looking for the best way to get there, areas that I should target, and also flies that I should have with me. Is there a flyshop in the area that I can get some good info from?

Also, I will be pulling my drift boat up there in case generation comes into play. Is this river easy to float and is there a recommended float I should do? Also, are there any known river hazards to look out for.

I know this is alot of questions, but I am in the beginning stages of learning all I can about this river.

Also the Hiwasse is going to be realeasing soon if anyone is in the area and wants to fish from my boat they are more than welcome. 423-284-6393.

Thanks for any help or info.

DBunch ???

[Zach Matthews]

Hey DBunch –

First off, the definitive written authority is Ian Rutter’s “Tennessee Trout Waters.”

[caesar stair]

DBunch,
I am in no way an “authority” on the South Holston, but I do love to fish that river when I get a chance. I haven’t been up there since December, so I don’t know what’s been going on. More than likely, though, the sulphers have started. They usually start hatching around 11:00 and can last on and off for a good 3 to 4 hours, if not most of the day. They range in sizes from 12 to 18 with the most common size being 16, and the bigger ones hatch earlier in the season. Zach’s right, the fish are real spooky in the flat sections when there is no water running, but they’re generally not as picky in the riffles etc.

[malcolm robertson]

DBunch,

There is not a lot of public access or boat ramps on the river.  You will probably want to put in at the bridge on Holston Dam View Rod right below Osceola Island.  This is about a mile downstream from South Holston Dam, just below the weir dam.  There are two ramps at the bridge, one on either side of the river.  TVA or TWRA is in the process of repaving the old gravel ramp, but I think you can use it.  You can also use the ramp in the parking lot.  It’s a little steep, but it works fine for drift boats…just don’t roll your trailer over the edge of the ramp.

Most people do a short float (about 3 miles) down to Jack Prater’s house just below the Hickory Tree Bridge.  Jack runs the local shuttle service and has a ramp and parking at his house.  Call him at 423-878-5345.  This is a great float when the sulphurs are coming and you can anchor up on pods of rising fish.

You could float down to the Weaver Pike Bridge (about 7 miles).  There is a dirt ramp under the bridge.  It can get pretty muddy if it has been raining, and there is very little parking for truck and trailer rig.

Finally, you can float the entire river down to Bluff City and Boone Lake (14 miles).  There is a ramp there, but you will have to row across the lake to get there.   Of course, you can put in at Jack’s house or Weaver Pike to shorten up this float.

As others have said, you don’t want to float the river at low water in a drift boat.  TVA hasn’t been running the wheels much this past month, just hour long pulses to keep water in the river.  However, the lake has just reached flood pool, and I saw where they are running the generator from 5 pm to 10 tonight so you may have an opportunity to float.

Not much in the way of hazards on the river.  The rapid below Hickory Tree Bridge is probably the trickiest thing you’ll face.  After you go through the first slot on the right, quickly ferry left to line up on the next slot and you’ll be ok.  A lot of fish will feed in those rapids, so don’t be afraid to pull over an anchor up to cast a few nymphs.

It’s still pretty early for the sulphurs.  They are beginning to show up down river.  It usually takes the fish a while to get on them at high water.  You will probably have to stick to nymphing and streamer fishing right now if you float.  

Hope this helps.

[Author]

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