I met with Joe in Elizabethton for a full day on the Watauga on Friday. We had plans of floating the South Holston, when we recieved the curve ball of no generation on Friday. So we hit the Watauga. Joe is a very accomplished angler whom could do everything a guide could want. So we rigged up 4 rods and hit the river tournament style. I rowed out into the first stretch. I gave Joe and nymph rig with a Crusader and a midge on. As soon as the flies hit the water before he could really think about making a cast. He had to set the hook on a nice rainbow. We worked down through the river slowly throwing nymphs in the runs, streamer fishing the flat water, and dry dropper and terrestrial fishing the rest. The upper stretch of the QTZ float is nymph fishing very well right now. The Crusader more than proved itself over on the Watauga as well. Joe easily caught fish in the ranks of a 40-50 fish day. Two thirds of those fish came on a Crusader or the midge and the others we pulled out of the deep water on a very bright streamer. I had a great day out on the water with Joe. It’s a pleasure to guide someone who can mend and cast well. You just know your in for a banner day. On a side note we were pulled over by a TWRA officer near the ledges. He went through the full drill. Liscense check, Life Jacket Check, Cooler Check. It was good to see them out. So be prepared for that.
Be Safe
Guide-Josh McFadden
423.367.8618
guide@hatchhunters.com
