Tailwaters Fly Company Blog Posts

Angler releasing a South Holston River brown trout caught on a fly
How to Catch Fish on the South Holston River: A Guide
The South Holston is a notoriously technical tailwater. Here's a practical, no-nonsense guide to where to go, what gear to use, and how to catch fish. Read more...
Euro Rod for Dry Fly Fishing: Why It's My Go-To Rod
Euro Rod for Dry Fly Fishing: Why It's My Go-To Rod
Think euro rods are just for nymphing? Here's why a 10-11ft euro rod is my go-to for dry flies, reach casts, and indicator nymphing on technical rivers. Read more...
Payette Paste Review: Why Your Leader Keeps Sinking
Payette Paste Review: Why Your Leader Keeps Sinking
A sinking leader kills your mends, hooksets, and drifts. Here's why leaders sink, and how Payette Paste keeps yours floating on the surface all day. Read more...
Trout Stomach Pump 101: Cracking the Hatch
Trout Stomach Pump 101: Cracking the Hatch
A stomach pump lets you see exactly what a trout has been eating, so you can match the hatch with confidence instead of guessing. Here's how to use one safely,... Read more...
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast S2 E2: Galen Kipar
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast S2 E2: Galen Kipar
Join us tonight as we talk with guide, and owner of Asheville Fly Fishing Company, Galen Kipar as we discuss: How Galen got into flyfishing and guiding in this part... Read more...
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast S2 E1: Local Guide and Bead Supplier Korey Hartley
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast S2 E1: Local Guide and Bead Supplier Korey Hartley
Join us tonight as we talk with local guide Korey Hartley and discuss: How he got into fly fishing and fly tying His early trips to the South Holston Transitioning... Read more...
Scooter Midge
Scooter Midge
The Scooter Midge is a local pattern originally tied by local guide Matthew Guinn, aka “Scooter”. This is a great all around suggestive fly to have in the box in... Read more...
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast Episode 11: Tailwaters Wrapped
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast Episode 11: Tailwaters Wrapped
Join us tonight as John and Mandy talk about: Our most recent South Holston and Watauga River fishing report How we’re doing New faces in the shop Tailwaters Fly Company... Read more...
CDL Chickabou Jig Streamer
CDL Chickabou Jig Streamer
Learn to tie the CDL Chickabou Jig Streamer, a great jig streamer for the South Holston and Watauga Rivers. Read more...
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast Episode 10: Local Guide Matthew Guinn
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast Episode 10: Local Guide Matthew Guinn
Join us tonight as we talk with local guide Matthew Guinn as we discuss: Diving into flyfishing and learning on your own in East Tennessee Battling with addiction and coming... Read more...
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast Episode 9: Local Guide John Stunkard
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast Episode 9: Local Guide John Stunkard
Join us for a great discussion with John Stunkard on fishing the South Holston and Watauga Rivers, what it takes to become a guide, and how to interact with clients. Read more...
Split Back Pheasant Tail
Split Back Pheasant Tail
The "split back" is a perfect imitation of a sulphur nymph before it hatches, and the split back is a core pattern to always carry on the South Holston and... Read more...
Sulphur Puff Daddy
Sulphur Puff Daddy
Learn to tie the Sulphur Puff Daddy, THE staple sulphur pattern on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers. Read more...
Stripper Midge Fly
Stripper Midge
Learn to tie the Stripper Midge, a staple midge pattern on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers. Read more...
Cicada Madness - A Book Review (...or Endorsement)
Cicada Madness - A Book Review (...or Endorsement)
A review of Dave Zielinski’s book Cicada Madness, and a reflection on the Brood XIV season. Read more...
It’s Time to Talk Cicadas
It’s Time to Talk Cicadas
It’s Time to Talk Cicadas Cicadas are one of the most misunderstood opportunities that I have observed in flyfishing. The same elusive evolutionary hatch pattern that is used to evade... Read more...