Seeking info on the Watauga River out of Elizabethton, TN

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bobbeegee	Seeking info on the Watauga River out of Elizabethton, TN		Lead	[-]
Posts: 1673 05/25/2008 12:43	Tags : None My stepson and I are tentatively planning a trip to the Watauga sometime next month. My stepson is relatively new to the fly. As it would be the first time either of us have fished this water, we would appreciate any info or tips you could send our way! We much prefer to wade, but would drift if it is deemed much more appropriate. We also prefer camping this time of year. Suggested camp areas? Any and all help as to flies, appropriate gear, etc. would be most appreciated! Or another river or network of creeks in the area that may be fishing better at that time? We have done some searching on the net but not a lot of help. We would be traveling from out of Boone, NC. My stepson lives close to there. Thanks. Bob Last Edited By: bobbeegee 05/25/2008 13:24. Edited 1 time.
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varmint255		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 265 05/27/2008 06:41	As far as camping,the River Ridge Campground would be my first choice.It's right on the river,prices are decent,and there's bathrooms with a HOT shower.Access for some good wading is downstream from the campground with some fishing for good sized rainbows.There's not alot of wading to be done in that area,and almost none if they're generating.You can also wade above the campground up by the bridge,which usually has an awesome caddis hatch,matter of fact there's an area around there called the caddis riffles.Google River Ridge Campground and you can get they're contact info and reserve a camp site now,they stay pretty busy and it's best to have a site reserved. I wouldn't fish much less than an 8' 5wt there,although I do sometimes fish it with a 7 1/2' 4wt.There's a pretty strong current even when they are not generating,a wading staff would be very useful.A nice sized dry with some type of wet fly or nymph dropper works well.My Wife loves to fish the back eddy downstream(you can't miss it if you go down to the end of the trail)with a long 7x tippet and tiny(#20-26) dries to catch the picky little rainbows and browns that like to hold back there.I tend to cross the river more often and fish to the larger rainbows(14"-22")holding in the far side current. You could also check out Stony Creek in the next town over(can't remember the name).It runs right through town,but is still pretty quiet.It's a little trashy,but it's also loaded with scrappy rainbows in the 8"-14" range.Sometimes they're looking up,but we usually do better with a BHPT about a #16.Perfect water for a 7'-8' 4-5wt rod.
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oneculm		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 429 05/27/2008 08:04	Bob, River Ridge has been closed for quite some time.
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varmint255		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 267 05/27/2008 08:11	oneculm, That's news to me.When did this happen??Have been staying there for quite a few years,up until last year at the most recent.Man,if this is true,that does away with our Summer trip we were planning to make.Great little campground with a very likeable owner.Everything from water to firewood delivered right to your campsite. Update: Just tried contacting River Ridge via phone and received the "this number is no longer in use" speach...................what a loss,great little campground to stay in,loved it there.Really gonna miss it if it is really gone.Got to thinking about it,and it had to of happened within the last year,our last stay was in June of '07 and everything was fine,matter of fact he(owner) was in the process of upgrading some of the sites.Any idea if the pay to park is still there??That's about the only parking to fish that stretch of the river for quite some distance.Any idea of wether it just went thru an owner/operator change,and is now called something different,or is it gone for good,as in no access to that stretch of the Watauga anymore??Man,I'm heartbroken........the Wife and I were just talking about making a trip there this past w/e in the very near future. Last Edited By: varmint255 05/27/2008 08:46. Edited 1 time.
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asullivangarner		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 502 05/27/2008 17:46	Bob, I can give a good guide's name, PM me if interested. I have not fished the Watagua solo, yet and have only floated... I will be camping at place right at the S. Holston in two weeks and can report back, if you like. After seeing hotels in Elizabethton, I realize you are smart to camp Later, Andrew
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recane1		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 110 05/27/2008 18:46	I think that the camp ground sold to some developer. I have fished a bit further upstream just behind the walmart. There is ussally not to many people there. You can still float through the caddis riffel. You can put in just above the bridge at a place called the bent. If you are leaving out of Bone you should talk to the guys at Apalachian Anglers, they are pretty good guys. Fusco fly shop is pretty good as well. Those guys are only about one hour away. There are several good fly shops around Johnson city as well. If the fishing is not good at the Watauga it is just a hop, skip and a jump over to the So Ho.Thats my stompin ground. What days are you going to be there? I might run into you. Aaron Wiener
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cthomas45acp	Fly Shop and Guide service	#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 13 05/29/2008 12:50	Contact Matt and Rod Champion at www.southholstonriverflyshop.com. They are a father and son team and guide on the South Holston and the Watauga. They are great people and will answer any questions, even if you are not looking for a guide. Matt guided me for a day on the Watauga last July and it was super. Got the triple from the very first spot we fished. Be aware that both of these rivers have water releases and you need to know when they are going to generate. I think there is a link on their website concerning generation times.
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Seeking info on the Watauga River out of Elizabethton, TN

Seeking info on the Watauga River out of Elizabethton, TN

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