The South Holston River below South Holston Dam is considered one of the finest tailwater trout streams in the Southeast and one of the top wild-trout fisheries in the United States. The cold, clear, nutrient-rich water supports dense populations of brown and rainbow trout, and the relatively low fishing pressure (compared to famous streams further north) means good sport for visiting anglers.
The most productive stretches are in the first five miles below the dam, where the water is coolest and the trout most concentrated. Wading is the primary method, though float fishing by drift boat is also popular in the right water levels. The river's aquatic insect populations are excellent — sulphurs, blue-winged olives, and midges produce reliable hatch activity that makes fly fishing particularly rewarding.
The nearest access is at Weaver Pike off US-421, about 25 miles northeast of Johnson City. Local guide services operate out of Johnson City and Elizabethton if you want someone who knows the river's moods.