The upper and tailwater sections of the South Holston River are home to abundant populations of both stocked and naturally reproducing populations of rainbow, brown, and brook trout, providing local and traveling anglers alike excellent year round fly fishing opportunities.

Knowing where and how to fish the South Holston will make your fishing trip—and overall experience—more productive and enjoyable. The following maps and charts show the best sections and access points for fishing, wading and floating the South Holston.

Upper South Holston River Fly Fishing

The Upper South Holston River extends from the small town of Sugar Grove West Virginia southeast to South Houston Lake. The best fishing opportunities on the Upper South Holston are typically upstream of St Clair Bottom where angler have access to abundant populations of both stocked and wild trout—but anglers will find trout along the length of this section of the river.

Between October and May, The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) regularly stocks trout along the St Clair Bottom and Thomas Bridge area.

Anglers will also find pretty decent fishing for rainbows and browns along the length of the Buller Fish Hatchery. Just remember that this section of the river is catch and release only.

South Holston River Tailwater Fly Fishing

The most productive stretch of the South Holston River includes the tailwater fishery that extends from the dam 16 miles downstream to where the river empties into Boone Lake. This section of the river supports abundant populations of wild and stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout.

The tailwaters extending from the South Holston Lake Dam downstream to Boone Lake without question offer some the best trout fishing along the entire length of the South Holston. Its large seasonal insect hatches produce trophy size brown trout that regularly reach over 20 inches. Average trout range between 10 and 12 inches. Wild trout here can get pretty large.

A few of the top producing “honey holes” for wade fishing along this stretch of the river included:

• Emmett Bridge (Below Weir Dam) – Provides easy wade access to rainbows and browns. Most productive area is upstream from the boat launch area. When TVA is generating, water discharge may make this section unwadable. Always check the TVA release schedule before fishing this section.
• Bouton Trail Trailhead – Ideal spot for wade fishing. The trailhead is .33 miles from the river, but it’s worth the walk. When you arrive at the river start downstream and work your way upstream.
• Old Railroad Bridge – Lots of brown and rainbow trout in and around the ledges, pools and eddys. Dead drifting through the ledges near the eddys typically produces solid bites.
• Osceola Island Recreation Area (Weir Dam) – Walking trails that provide access to a number of wade fishing spots.

Don’t forget that fishing is prohibited between Nov 1 and Feb 1 along the spawning sections of South Holston River marked on the map above.

Float Fishing Routes for South Holston River Tailwaters

South Holston River tailwaters provide anglers drift fishing opportunities along several popular float routes. We’ve listed some of the most popular float fishing routes with put in and take out locations in the following chart. Float routes are listed from the shortest distance to the longest.

Floating the entire South Holston River tailwater from Osceola Island Recreation Area to Bluff City typically takes about 5 to 6 hours depending on water flow levels. But if you’re going to stop and fish the holes, plan on about an 8 hour trip. You can estimated floating the river at 2 to 3 miles per hour.

Fly fishing South Holston by boat is an unforgettable experience!