I met up with John and Rainy up at the shop later in the morning on Friday. They we’re running from 2pm-6pm but off for the rest of the day. So we decided on a 1/2 and 1/2 trip. Meaning we’ll wade from 10-2 grab some lunch and drop the boat in the water and float for the rest of the day. We started off wading down river at a very good spot where we wouldn’t be too close to each other. Because it’s not particularly deep in this spot I just tied on single nymph rigs to start with a Tung. Split Case under a small indicator for each of the guys and we got into several fish in very short order. I could tell that these guys know how to fish and it’s not their first rodeo so we’re gonna have a good day on the water. John and Rainy caught fish very well in the first part of the morning. After the morning pulse rolled through we headed up river to hit the sulphurs as the water was dropping. It was close to 12:30 when the sulphurs started popping off. So we switch out our nymph rigs to dry flies and commenced to picking off risers one right after another. I was working with John on the reach cast and Rainy was picking off fish left and right below us.
After lunch we launched the boat for our afternoon float portion of the day. Rainy mentioned that the drift boat was like “fishing in style” compared to the canoe fishing he was used to. We took our time getting down river. We stayed right with the sulphurs for nearly the entire float. It had been a really great day of fishing. Just about every time I had tried to move down river after being anchored up on rising fish, John or Rainy would have a fish on.
It simply can’t be said enough that learning to mend properly is the key to a successful day on the river no matter where you are. Anybody would be pleased with 6 hours of dry fly action.
The South Holston River dry fly fishing is really hot right now. Whether you’re interested in a wade trip or a float trip, or just a little of both the TVA is providing us with good flows. Now booking for July if you want to get into some amazing dry fly action of your own. When taking a trip with Hatch Hunters, You’re going to have a great time, get into some fish, and learn some new techniques to take with you for your home waters.
Are you a Hatch Hunter?
Find out what being a Hatch Hunter is all about this Summer on the South Holston River.
Guide-Josh McFadden
423.367.8618
guide@hatchhunters.com
