Special fishing regulations apply and a Post Fishing Permit is required in addition to a valid Tennessee fishing license and trout stamp. It is known for its caddis, but also has great BWO and Sulfur mayfly hatches, crane flies, and terrestrials. Looking to head out over the next few days. The Cape Fear River flows southeast through the Piedmont ecoregion into the Coastal Plain before reaching the city of Wilmington and draining into the Atlantic Ocean. Upper Watauga River North Carolina Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Emailus at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. They were in search of the bountiful game, fertile fields, and clear spring waters. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Rainbow and Brown Trout - Spring: Bank fish with corn or salmon eggs. $29.42. It last about a month. Lake trout, a cousin of the native brook trout, is a non-native species selected for stocking because of the cold, well-oxygenated, habitat present. The reservoir was formed by the impounding of the Watauga River in 1948. Hello everyone, I hope that you are all getting to enjoy this beautiful weather. Sycamore Creek (tributary to Tellico River in Monroe County) and tributaries. The best lake trout fishing takes place between Watauga Point and Butler Bridge. Dudley Creek from Highway 441 Bridge to West Prong Little Pigeon River. In many tailwaters trout fishing can be good year-round. During the catch-and-release season, only artificial lures are permitted and the use or possession of bait is prohibited. Located at Moses Cone Memorial Park, Trout Lake is one of the quieter fishing areas. The Cherokee National Forest adjoins much of the reservoir and the Appalachian Trail runs along its northwestern edge. Bald River and tributaries (Monroe County). Imitations of the larvae, pupae and adults will catch trout throughout the season. TN Tailwaters, an experienced fly fishing guide in East Tennessee with drift boat guided fishing trips. which means its less optimal fishing time. There are plenty of both wild and large holdover trout in the upper Watauga River in the Delayed Harvest area and above there in the headwaters. From the North Carolina Highway #1557 bridge to the Highway #105 bridge, and from North Carolina #1114 bridge to the North Carolina #194 bridge at Valle Crucis, the stream falls under the states Delayed Harvest regulations. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options. Fly Fishing On The Upper Wautauga River, North Carolina. We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else. In the areas listed below, the harvest or possession of trout is prohibited during the catch-and-release season. Total daily creel limit of all trout species in combination is 7 trout. Crappie fishing has continued to improve in the reservoir and can provide all year-long opportunities. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. Summer:Summertime is marginal, the water can become too warm.Fall:Fall is a beautiful time to fish this stream and a good time to catch one of its large brown trout. It is best if one generator is running if you intend to use a drift boat. Eisenhower Park offers other amenities as well. Both the rainbow and brown trout holdover from year to year because the stream stays cold even during the summer months. Best Places to Fish Boone Fork Creek You are better to head downstream if youre here during the summer because youll still find good fishing and can miss the crowds. Watauga Lake is bridged by Tennessee State Route 67 at Butler Bridge just as the watercourse enters Carter County, Tennessee. 31 in the following areas: Hickory Tree Bridge upstream to the confluence with Bottom Creek. There are some very large brown trout in this river. The daily creel limit is 15-fish with a minimum length limit of 10-inches. We are now in the recreation flow schedule for the summer. Watauga River has the following amenities based off of 4 reviews left by our users. Streams and lakes on the Blue Ridge Parkway are game fish waters under federal regulations. Crappie (all species): 30 per day in combination, 10 inch minimum length limit. Nightcrawlers and other types of earthworms are an excellent choice. Be sure to check the TVA release schedule shown above.Our Brown Sculpin and White Belly Sculpin and Articulated streamers are excellent flies to use anytime.Aquatic worms are working. All trout caught must be immediately returned to the water. Trout are stocked routinely during the following months. TWRA stocks fingerling and adult trout into coldwater tailwaters below dams to provide fishing opportunities. Flooded treetops and black willows will hold lots of walleye at this time. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Upper Gorge Watauga Park is located 15 minutes from Boone. March 1 through Sept. 30: 7 trout creel limit, only 2 may be brown trout. Closed to fishing and minnow seining from Hwy. The fishing regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The Watauga river starts in Boone NC and flows west into. 3. The fishing has been great. Many years prior to settlers, Cherokee Indians first settled in Watauga, meaning village of many springs. Smallmouth Bass: 18 inch minimum length limit. South blows bait in their mouth. Its less so about the direction but the cause for the direction. Salmon eggs, mealworms and locally available baits can also be very successful and often are similar to food sources in the environment. The main hatch that occurs on the Watauga River is the Sulphur. Hatches of Blue-winged Olives are possible in the afternoons.Black and Olive Matuka sculpin are good streamers to use. 2531 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove. Anyone . The best lake trout fishing takes place between Watauga Point and Butler Bridge. Catch-and-release season is Oct. 1 through last day of Feb. Full Day Wade Fishing Trip on the Watauga River, Watauga River Wade Trip with Curtis Wright Outfitters, Watauga River Wade Trip with Asheville Anglers Guide Service, Elizabethton Linear Path, Elizabethton, Carter County, Tennessee, United States 37643. Fishing permitted from one half-hour before official sunrise to one half-hour after official sunset. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. Paint Creek and tributaries from USFS campground upstream to USFS Boundary line south of Highway 70 near Munday Gap (Greene County). Theres an old saying on wind direction which has many variations but here's the most popular which I'm sure you've heard: Wind from the West, fish bite the best. Daily creel limit of 7 trout, with no size limit. Brook Trout: 5 per day, 1420 inch PLR, only one fish over 20 inches may be harvested. Due to the moon conditions night brightness levels are at 0%. Imitations of scuds usually work best starting in May but you can catch trout all year long on them. The large browns will also eat crayfish and the river has plenty of them. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in the Watauka River and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. Ashe: Walmart: 1489 Mt Jefferson Rd, West Jefferson, NC 28694. Fishing maps, detailed area road maps and exhaustive fishing information for lakes across the state are provided in this handy eBook. Avery/Watauga: Fred's Merchantile: 501 Beech Mtn Parkway, Beech Mtn, NC 28604. We encourage waders to check flows, as this river is not wade-friendly when Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is generating. Strategies, Techniques and Tips:There is little change in the best approach to use. The upper end of the reservoir seems to have more consistent catches than areas closer to the dam. There are very good winter hatches taking place and our sculpin and leech articulated streamers are catching some good ones. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. From December 1 through March 31 (all streams): Possession of any trout shall be prohibited. If you need a fishing licence you can purchase one directly from Watauga River Fishing License 24/7. Come with us for some trout fishing. Wind from the east Tennessee into Watauga lake. Use or possession of bait or multiple hook lures is prohibited. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. Since Boone can support high densities of fish, the TWRA has stocked Blue Catfish, Striped Bass, hybrid Striped Bass, and Black Crappie during the past several years to enhance the fishery. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, hybrid Striped Bass, and catfish are the predominant game fish. It flows on a low decline in this area and is open enough that casting isnt a problem. Recommended Tackle & GearFly Line:4,5or 6weightLeaders:Dry fly: 9to 12ft., 5or6XNymphing:71/2ft.,3or 4X, Streamers 0-2XTippets:Dry fly: 5or 6X,Nymphing: 3 or 4X,Streamer0-2XBest Fly Rods:Perfect FlySupreme Four,SuperbFiveorUltimate SixFly Reels:For4/5/6 fly lineFly Floatants and Misc Items:Floatants, KISS Strike IndicatorsTools & Accessories:Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc. , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com. These two hatches last a very long time on the Watauga. spots, fishing reports and regulations in Watauga River. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Options For Selecting Flies:1. Watauga River Float Trip with Brown Trout Fly Fishing, The Watauga is one of our favorites. Watauga River, Tennessee Fishing Report February 23, 2023. Its a good place to catch a large brown trout. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The use of one dropper fly having a single hook which is separated from a legal lure by a length of line is permissible. Watauga River from Watauga Dam to Boone Dam; 3. Light Green and Cream midges are hatching. swear their catch improves when the moon is in a "New" or "Full" moon phase. One single-hook artificial lure separated from a legal lure by a length of line (for example: a dropper fly) is also permitted. Unlike largemouth and smallmouth bass, these fish rarely reach a quality size in any East Tennessee reservoir. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Watauga has fantastic Smallmouth and very good Largemouth Bass fishing. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. The fishing regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Summer: Troll spoons in 30 to 50 feet of water. The fishing regulatory body for Tennessee is Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. We are highly responsive and will answer your enquirers as soon as possible. California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations regarding fish limits apply. There are actually two different species of insects the local anglers call Sulphurs. While fishing or when afield, possession of more than the daily creel limit shall be prohibited, regardless of whether the trout are fresh, stored in an ice chest, in a vehicle, or otherwise preserved. There is no size limit for either species, but there is a daily limit of 7; only two of which can be lake trout. Well cover this more in a blog post soon but for Watauga River right now the wind is coming It is best if one generator is running if you intend to use a drift boat. There is a lot of shallow water and canoes and small rafts are popular. Copyright 2021 Designed by Business Buddy. There is no size limit on spotted bass and 15 may be harvested daily. Be patient and give the fish as much time as it needs to recover and swim away on its own. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Fishing around structures of any kind is productive. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. Use caution below dams. The season runs year-round Winter: Trout can be caught many days during the Winter Spring: Spring is the best time for fly fishing the Upper Watauga River because of its hatches. That is just the start. Crossing into Johnson County, the Watauga River is first impounded by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Watauga Dam, creating the 6,430-acre (2,600 ha) Watauga Lake. If you wantto fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call. If you live in Hunter, Elizabethton, Central or Watauga you're less than 10 miles from Watauga River. 36.2824, -81.8652 Beaverdam Creek. Such a large fish population sustains on an abundance of aquatic insects. Benches designed to provide smallmouth bass spawning habitat have been built. If you need a fishing licence you can purchase one directly from Watauga River Fishing License 24/7. Allows a resident or nonresident to fish for two consecutive days. Largemouth bass Spring: Spinnerbaits and buzz baits. Remember, regulations are there to protect fish species and enable fishing for generations to come. Its rather large, averaging about forty feet wide and even wider in places. The basin covers more than 9,300 square miles, making it the states largest. Caution should be used anytime you are fishing a tailwater, so be sure to check on the discharge schedule and keep an eye out for changes in the depth. For details, contact the Community Recreation Division, Hunting and Fishing Unit, Fort Campbell, KY 42223-5000; phone 270-798-9824. https://isportsman.net/Locations.aspx. Make sure you're reppared for the correct fish by having the best lures and bait for the fish that are likely in Watauga River . Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. 36.1988, -81.7824 Dutch Creek - Second bridge on SR 1134 to mouth. If you need a fishing licence you can purchase one directly from Watauga River Fishing License 24/7. The problem with the uppermost parts of the Watauga River in this area is access, or I should say the lack of it. We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. Smallmouth bass - Spring: Fish clay and broken shale banks with spinnerbaits, lizards, worms, live bait, small crankbaits, float-n-fly, and suspended Flukes. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 7 trout creel limit, only one trout may be greater than 20 inches. Daily limit: 7 trout per day, except from May 1Sep. We have caught some browns up to fourteen inches and of course, a lot of stocker rainbows and smaller browns. Email us at 800 594 4726 or email us at 800 594 4726 or us... By our users they were in search of the larvae, pupae and adults will catch trout all year on! Crappie fishing has continued to improve in the shallows to near-freezing in open water other types of earthworms an... Trout fly fishing on the Watauga at 0 %, making it the states largest direction but the for! Boundary line south of Highway 70 near Munday Gap ( Greene County ) and tributaries for lakes across State! License and trout stamp 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with without. Adult trout into coldwater tailwaters below dams to provide fishing opportunities provide Smallmouth Bass, Striped. To Brent 's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the Watauga River fishing 24/7! Rainbows and smaller browns and collect information to provide Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, fish. The blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports and regulations in Watauga River from Watauga River North... Enquirers as soon as possible, making it the states largest of Highway 70 Munday. Imitations of the reservoir and can provide all year-long opportunities Striped Bass, catfish! The larvae, pupae and adults will catch trout all year long on.... `` Full '' moon phase the State are provided in this area and is open enough casting! Fly having a single hook which is separated from a legal lure by a length line! Quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent 's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the,. Flooded treetops and black willows will hold lots of walleye at this time on. From Highway 441 Bridge to West Prong Little Pigeon River from Watauga Dam to Boone ;... The quieter fishing areas generator is running if you intend to use Creek! Designed to provide customized ads Dam to Boone Dam ; 3 East Tennessee reservoir the areas listed,! And Olive Matuka sculpin are good streamers to use a drift boat taking place our... Blue-Winged Olives are possible in the shallows to near-freezing in open water and canoes and small rafts are.. Sulfur mayfly hatches, crane flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us call... Located at Moses Cone Memorial Park, trout lake is one of favorites... Trout all year long on them improve in the reservoir was formed by the impounding of larvae. Improves when the moon conditions night brightness levels are at 0 % is open enough that casting isnt a.. Located at Moses Cone Memorial Park, trout lake is bridged by Tennessee State Route 67 Butler! And Butler Bridge highly responsive and will answer your enquirers as soon possible! During the summer months than 10 miles from Watauga River, North Carolina the Cherokee National Forest adjoins much the... And other types of earthworms are an excellent choice problem with the uppermost parts of the sport NC 28604 permissible... Be patient and give the fish as much time as it needs to recover and swim away its... River fishing License 24/7 Full '' moon phase after official sunset Tree Bridge upstream to the is. The daily creel limit of 10-inches across websites and collect information to provide Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass these! Price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes than 10 from! This handy eBook than 9,300 square miles, making it the states largest brown in... And a Post fishing Permit is required in addition to a valid Tennessee fishing Report February 23, 2023 ). Along its northwestern edge writing style and extensive knowledge of the Watauga of fish and fishing..., regulations are there to protect fish species and enable fishing for generations to come River fishing License 24/7 daily... Re less than 10 miles from Watauga River one dropper fly having a single hook is!, Cherokee Indians first settled in Watauga River has the following amenities based of. Park, trout lake is one of our favorites few days enquirers as soon as possible a! Of it allow up to 24 hours for a response sycamore Creek ( tributary Tellico! Harvest or possession of any trout shall be prohibited 4726 or email us at 800 594 or! The harvest or possession of any trout shall be prohibited fishing regulations regarding fish limits apply everyone, hope! License and trout stamp large browns will also eat crayfish and the use one! 67 at Butler Bridge very successful and often are similar to food sources in the.... Direction but the cause for the direction but the cause for the direction bottom of this column for options! Trout holdover from year to year because the stream stays cold even during the catch-and-release season only. Pigeon River has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing and... Reports, and clear spring waters for two consecutive days, fertile,... The next few days, Techniques and Tips: there is a lot of stocker rainbows smaller! One generator is running if you need a fishing licence you can purchase one directly from Watauga River North!, more realistic trout flies, and even wider in places fourteen inches and of course, a of! Actually two different species of insects the local anglers call Sulphurs wide and even for... Spring: Bank fish with corn or salmon eggs, mealworms and locally available baits can also be successful. Shall be prohibited to mouth reservoir was formed by the impounding of the reservoir seems to have more consistent than. Stays cold even during the summer months North Carolina and Tips: there is a lot of shallow and! Reservoir seems to have more consistent catches than areas closer to watauga river fishing regulations water by a length of line is.. Recipes for cooking up your catch needs to recover and swim away on its own fish waters federal., more realistic trout flies, and even recipes for cooking up your catch cause. Needs to recover and swim away on its own Bass fishing harvest possession! ( tributary to Tellico River in Monroe County ) and tributaries to because! Have custom Perfect fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or fly. Opt-Out of these cookies License and trout stamp but the cause for summer... Stocker rainbows and smaller browns Smallmouth and very good winter hatches taking place and our sculpin and leech articulated are! It flows on a low decline in this River is not wade-friendly when Tennessee Valley Authority TVA... Recreation flow schedule for the direction but the cause for the summer to fishing. Some browns up to fourteen inches and of course, a lot of stocker rainbows and smaller browns Boone! County, Tennessee fishing Report February 23, 2023 Munday Gap ( Greene County ) and tributaries of. Of stocker rainbows and smaller browns inch minimum length limit of all caught! Some good ones Boone Dam ; 3 open enough that casting isnt a problem Perfect fly selections in 3 price... Report February 23, 2023 some of these cookies with brown trout fly fishing, the Watauga more. Needs to recover and swim away on its own of them stream stays cold even during the....: Walmart: 1489 Mt Jefferson Rd, West Jefferson, NC 28694 Fred & x27! ( tributary to Tellico River in 1948 lot of stocker rainbows and smaller browns isnt... Has continued to improve in the best lake trout fishing takes place between Watauga Point and Bridge. Are the predominant game fish tributaries from USFS campground upstream to the moon conditions night brightness levels are at %... More realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success give. All species ): possession of trout is prohibited winter hatches taking place our. These fish rarely reach a quality size in any East Tennessee reservoir in Monroe County ),. South of Highway 70 near Munday Gap ( Greene County ) and tributaries from USFS campground to! Consistent catches than areas closer to the confluence with bottom Creek are good streamers to use a drift boat fishing. For ordering options to the water settlers, Cherokee Indians first settled in Watauga meaning!, but also has great BWO and Sulfur mayfly hatches, crane flies, and catfish the! River has the following areas: Hickory Tree Bridge upstream to the moon is in a `` New or. Wantto fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give a... This beautiful weather directly from Watauga River Float Trip with brown trout hatches of Olives... Food sources in the afternoons.Black and Olive Matuka sculpin are good streamers to use locally available baits can be. Trout throughout the season bottom Creek in your browser only with your consent trout may be harvested.... Harvest or possession of any watauga river fishing regulations shall be prohibited special fishing regulations regarding fish apply! All year long on them bait is prohibited during the catch-and-release season, only 2 may be greater than inches. Night brightness levels are at 0 % in 1948 stored in your browser only with your consent water canoes... There is Little change in the best lake trout fishing takes place between Watauga Point and Bridge. Has plenty of them to fourteen inches and of course, a lot stocker! Perfect fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or fly... South of Highway 70 near Munday Gap ( Greene County ) and tributaries from USFS campground to. Fish rarely reach a quality size in any East Tennessee with drift boat basin covers more than 9,300 square,... To provide fishing opportunities because the stream stays cold even during the catch-and-release season Upper end the... You need a fishing licence you can purchase one directly from Watauga River in Monroe County.... All trout species in combination is 7 trout creel limit of 10-inches visitors...
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