Kingsport, TN 37660
Fly South Outfitters is a Tennessee-based fly fishing guide service that has staked its reputation on comprehensive coverage of the Southeast's most productive cold-water fisheries, operating across a swath of Appalachian tailwaters and wild mountain streams that stretches from the South Holston in northeastern Tennessee south through Cherokee National Forest and into the Smokies corridor. What distinguishes Fly South from the fixed-location shop model is its guide staff's intimate knowledge of multiple river systems — an asset that allows clients to pursue optimal conditions wherever they exist on a given day rather than defaulting to a single home water regardless of flows or hatches. This flexibility is particularly valuable in a region where TVA dam operations can turn a tailwater from ideal to blown out in hours.
The guide staff at Fly South covers the South Holston, Watauga, Nolichucky, and Hiwassee tailwaters along with the wild brook and brown trout streams of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and adjacent national forest waters. Trips are designed around client experience and goals — technical dry-fly hunting for large, selective tailwater browns, nymph-heavy high-water trips through boulder-pocket water, or introductory half-day sessions for beginners on productive smaller streams. All gear and flies are provided, and the outfit's network of lodge and lodging partners facilitates multi-day itineraries that combine different water types across the region. For anglers planning a southeastern fly fishing trip and wanting a single expert point of contact, Fly South Outfitters delivers both depth of local knowledge and the flexibility to maximize every day on the water.
“Flew into Knoxville with three days and a flexible itinerary, and Fly South made every single one count. Day one on the South Holston during a sulfur hatch, day two wading a gorgeous wild stream in the Smokies for native brookies, day three floating the Hiwassee. Each was completely different water demanding a different approach, and our guide pivoted seamlessly. This is the rare guide service that can honestly say they know multiple southeastern river systems at an expert level.”
“Booked Fly South for my husband's 50th birthday trip and they exceeded every expectation. Guide Matt treated us to a day on the Watauga tailwater below Wilbur Dam — water so clear you could spot fish from 40 feet. He had my husband throw a size 18 midge cluster to a riseform we'd been watching for 20 minutes and the fish ate it on the first drift. My husband still talks about it. Top-tier guiding and a total class act.”
“The value of booking with Fly South is the multi-river flexibility. When the South Holston was generating and blown out, they had a Plan B stream ready and we were on fish within an hour. That kind of adaptability is only possible when a guide knows the whole region, not just one home river. Outstanding communication before and during the trip. Highly recommend for any visiting angler.”
