The annual Great Viking Campout took us to Tennessee this year. It was Tepper’s year and he delivered on a great call for fly fishing the Watauga River. The Watuaga and South Holston has been on my hit list for years, so teaming this up with my high school buddies felt like a double bonus in so many ways. And with a crazy busy work / family schedule, this June trip was my first real time to wet a line this year. The best part was that we camped right on the river and with a little tree trimming, I was able to string a hammock up right on the bank. So, even when i wasn’t fishing, I was within a stone’s throw of my happy place.
I love this camping trip and the energy that everyone brings for the weekend. We have a pretty good balance of games, adventures, competitions, campfire bullshitting and general life catch up. Everyone grew up competing in some sport and and this weekend seems to pick right back up where we left off almost 20 years ago. Polish horseshoes, cornhole, washers, disc golf, you name it and we’ll probably play it.
My first lesson of the Watauga was that this Tennessee Valley Authority river is true to its reputation of predictable and schedule dam releases. This pictures below show the before and then the same exact spot 20-30 minutes later. It happens fast and I can definitely attest to the fact that its nearly impossible to safely wade over top of the moon crater structure that is evident on the bank.
The main event for this year’s trip was the float trip. We hired 3 guides to take up down the river. This was the entire crew’s first time fly fishing, so it was a great place to learn and get on some fish. 2 of the 3 guides were really good and a couple of the new guys boated close to 20 fish on their first trip out. Nymphing was the name of the game, which i do enjoy. But, I was a little bummed that fishing to rising fish was pretty much non-existent after Memorial Day weekend when they started the afternoon dam releases. Prior to Memorial Day, some of the early season hatches, like the Grannoms, can be fantastic. But, that all changes when the release start.
I boated my share of nymph fish, but nothing to write home about size-wise. Without a doubt the ticket was the early morning streamer fishing. I was basically binge fishing, so waking up in the dark and starting fishing was a perfect way to start the days.
Next year is #puremichigan. Whether these guys know of not, they caught the fly fishing bug. Zooch is taking us to the Au Sable to fish the Hex. That’s another one i can knock off the hit list and if nymphing on the Watauga was fly fishing 101, they are going to experience master level class fishing for monsters in the dark.
