Where to go trout fishing in the US

Where to go next for trout fishing

I am not an authority on the best places to fly-fish for trout, I just have been fortunate to experience some fabulous destinations in the recent past.  This blog post highlights some of those you may consider exploring during this upcoming year, particularly as the fishing itch settles in during the early Spring months.

Fly-fishing for trout in Northeastern Tennessee

I regularly consult Trout Unlimited’s Guide to America’s 100 Best Trout Streams to build a bucket list of future fishing experiences.  Two tailwaters that feature in the list are the Watauga River and the South Fork of the Holston in Northeastern Tennessee.  My previous experiences of both have involved float trips with able guides, of which there are many to recommend.

My previous float trips on the Watauga River have been successful in different ways.  The upper section was great for catching quantity, but of modest-sized trout.  The lower section offered the opportunity to hook-up big fish in the Trophy Section between the Blevins boat ramp and the Persinger Bridge.

evening mist on the Watauga

If you prefer an afternoon of wade fishing on the Watauga, then I would recommend heading to the Watauga River Bluffs State Natural Area.  When the river flow is reasonable (between 250 and 400 cfs), the fishing from this access point can be very interesting and wading comfortable.

I have found the South Holston to be more challenging, but that is why this water is so compelling.  The Lower South Holston (or ‘LoSoHo’ as I have heard it called) can be very promising along the three mile stretch that extends from the J. Forrest Thomas boat ramp (aka, Rockhold) to the Bluff City Boat Ramp.  My experience was that the best fishing occurred early in the day in places where water was flowing quickly. 

a South Holston rainbow

If you ask the right guide about the ‘PhD pools’ along the South Holston, you could be in for a treat.  I am sworn to secrecy regarding the locations, but the ‘PhD pools’ are so called because of the degree of difficulty associated with not just hooking up but also landing the resident behemoths.  These spots require extreme patience, cunning, stealth presentations and quick action to spool the line if and when a hook-up occurs.  It can be equally exasperating and good fun to try your skill at these pools.

While the South Holston and Watauga are probably the most celebrated of trout waters in Northeastern Tennessee, there are plenty of other options in the area, including the Elk River and Stony Creek.  In nearby Southwestern Virginia are the headwaters of the South Holston near Sugar Grove in Smyth County, as well as Whitetop Laurel Creek near Damascus.

Fly-fishing for trout in Western North Carolina (WNC)

Jackson County, North Carolina dubs itself as the NC Trout Capital® and comprises the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail®, which highlights 15 waters to fish for brown, rainbow and brook trout.  A featured water within the trail is the Tuckasegee River, known as the ‘Tuck’, and I would suggest that a WNC trout fishing adventure begins there.

a brookie on the 'Tuck'

A good start would be to fish a section of the Tuck in Sylva just south of Dillsboro.  The Tuck is well-stocked, and all three species of trout can be caught in the same stretch of water. Here I would recommend a hopper-dropper rig, wearing studded boots and carrying a wading staff as the bottom is rocky and uneven.

A great follow-up would be for small stream fishing on the East Fork of the French Broad River, a spring-fed creek just outside Rosman.  This water also affords the opportunity for a three species slam.  A dry dropper rig should be productive here.  Felt soled boots and a wading staff are recommended for this water as well.

very fishing looking water on the East Fork of the French Broad

 Be sure to visit with the staff at Brookings Anglers fly shop in Cashiers.  They will be more than happy to give guidance on other waters to fish in the area.  The shop provides a list of recommended waters for free and individual maps of some of the more important ‘hot spots’ for a fee. 

Tight Lines!