Trip brief · Watauga River
How to go fish the Watauga River
The months we list for the Watauga River are March, April, May, September, October, November. August is outside that window, so this brief is written for September, the next month we list.
September
No USGS gauge is mapped to this river.
Flies to tie — September
Blue-winged Olive#18-20
Parachute BWO
Caddis#16-18
Soft Hackle Caddis
Access
Wilbur Dam Tailrace
36.362, -82.212parking
Siam Road Access
36.355, -82.215parking
Elizabethton City Park Area
36.340, -82.225parking
Sycamore Shoals Area
36.318, -82.235parking
Regs — check current rules before you go
Tennessee fishing license with trout stamp required. Special regulations apply on the Watauga River tailwater. The trophy trout section below Wilbur Dam requires artificial lures only with a 16-inch minimum size limit for brown trout. Check TWRA regulations at tn.gov/twra for the most current rules, including any seasonal closures or special management zones before your visit.
Pack list
- A current state fishing licence
- Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
- Net, nippers, forceps
- Floatant and desiccant
- Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
- Water, sun cover, polarised glasses
Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.
Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the Watauga River page →