Carter's Valley / Stone Mountain Roadon South Holston River
Consistent BWO hatches are expected
- 01Consistent BWO hatches are expected, particularly on overcast days.
- 02Caddis are present and active subsurface, providing additional insect activity.
- 03Midges remain a year-round, reliable food source in the tailwater environment.
- 04Overcast skies and moderate temperatures (59°F) create favorable conditions for dry fly and emerger fishing.
- 05Deeper runs and current breaks are key holding areas for trout feeding on nymphs and streamers.
What to tie on at Carter's Valley / Stone Mountain Road
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Sulphur Comparadun
Sulphur dry fly fishing is excellent on the South Holston River, providing prime opportunities to target rising trout.
Buy at AmazonDamsel Nymph (Olive)
Smallmouth are actively feeding on damsel flies, and this nymph effectively imitates them as they migrate to shore.
Gurgler (Bass)
The topwater bite for smallmouth is in full swing, and this popper creates an enticing disturbance to draw aggressive strikes.
Zebra Midge
A tailwater powerhouse, mimicking the abundant midge pupae that are a constant food source for trout year-round, especially effective in cold tailwater conditions.
Buy at AmazonSquirmy Wormy
An excellent searching pattern, particularly effective if recent rainfall has introduced aquatic worms into the system, appealing to opportunistic trout in spring flows.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A reliable streamer for enticing aggressive trout that are looking for larger prey items like leeches or baitfish, especially in deeper runs or during periods of higher spring flow.
Parachute Sulphur
Sulphur hatches are expected to become more consistent in late spring, providing excellent dry fly opportunities in the late afternoons and evenings.
Buy at AmazonIced Out Midge Pupa
Despite warmer air temperatures, the cold tailwater maintains ideal conditions for midge activity, making this pupa imitation highly effective for subsurface feeders in early spring.
Buy at AmazonElk Hair Caddis
Caddis are actively present on the water, making this a reliable general dry fly for opportunistic trout.
Buy at AmazonTennessee season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.