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March 30, 2012
The warmer than normal weather is bringing better than normal early spring fishing. The Holston River near Kingsport and Church Hill Tennessee is fishing good. The smallies are feeding hard on baitfish. Twitch stripping minnow imitating patterns is getting it done. Turkey hunting season kicks into gear this weekend, and the hens are moving about and the toms are strutting trying to get their attention.
 
 
The Watauga Tailwater is the only trout river we can float right now, the South Holston is only getting two one hour pulses each day. The Watauga Tailwater in Elizabethton is fishing better this week, we are seeing more of the tan Caddis, small black Caddis, small black Stoneflies, Craneflies, BWO’s and Midges. This means so shortage of things for the fish to eat. I had a really good float trip with a couple of brothers I took out about five years ago. They truly love to fly fish and this passion came from their Dad. They spoke about all day about the memories from trips with their Dad. Here is a copy of an email they sent to me and some of their friends.
Quote ”John and I had a float trip on the Watauga River with renown local guide Randy Ratliff. It was the greatest fly fishing day either of us have ever had! We both caught (and released) over 20 fish. John had a brown at 17″ and a rainbow trout at 18″, and I caught my biggest yet on a fly rod, a beautiful 19″, 3.5 lb Brown!”
Here are the pictures of their bigger fish for the day.
 
Give me a call 423-360-1468 or contact me through the website to get your day on any of these great rivers and tailwaters. Looking forward to taking you on your fishing trip and showing these great fishing waters.
March 26, 2012
The smallmouth bass fishing on the Holston Proper, near Kingsport, Tennessee is as hot as the recent weather we have been having in the Tri-Cities. With record temperatures being set last week, we were out floating the Holston River and doing very well for the smallies. The river is clear and has good flows, the smallmouth were feeding on minnows so it was minnow imitating baits we were throwing. For the spin rod guys it was flukes and tubes, for the fly rod folks it was one of our new design flies and the old stand by.
 
The South Holston is wade only right now as the TVA starts filling South Holston Lake near Bristol, Tennessee. It has been BWO’s and we are also seeing some Sulphurs coming off in the afternoon. The Watauga is doing good, it is starting to show signs of the caddis starting to hatch, we are seeing stoneflies and cranflies coming off as well as the daily BWO and midge hatch.
 
 
The Cadiis Hatch is soon here and April is booking up solid, there are a few dates left so give me a call, 423-360-1468 and get your date booked.
Until next time, may your lines be tight and your nets heavy!!!
March 19, 2012
Well the mild winter weather has really got the springtime temperatures in high gear. This coming week we are going to be 20 degrees above average for daytime highs. The fishing has been just as good as the weather.
The South Holston is very wade friendly only two short daily one hour generations each day.There are lots of fish being caught on BWO emegers and dark Zebra Midges. The slow flow means you will need to fish the riffles to increase your chances. The Watauga went from good streamer fishing to nothing but size 20 and 22 Zebra Midges and BWO emergers as well, but the bigger fish are feeding on the small bugs. We did a sample on one rainbow and he was full of midges. We are also seeing some sporadic caddis as well as some size 14 black stoneflies.
If you haven’t gotten your date booked for the Caddis Hatch give me a call, there are a few dates open. The smallmouth action is getting good with the warmer weather. See you on the water!!!
Here is a 20′ brown on a size 20 midge, and some nice rainbows as well, from the Watauga.
March 5, 2012
This past week has been good on the South Holston Tailwater. The TVA turned the wheels on and left them running 24 hours a day for most of the week. This gets those bigger browns staged up in good feeding lanes and our float trips showed this. We were using various techniques from the deep triple nymphing rigs to the bog articulated streamers. If you want to go after one of these give me a call or email to set up a trip. The TVA will be doing some of this this week due to all the rain associated with all the storms from the weekend.
One final note, please continue to pray for all those affected by the many tornadoes and severe storm this past week, the towns of Henryville, Indiana as well as my fathers hometown of West Liberty Kentucky. I have family still living in West Liberty and all are safe. Thank you.
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