Holston River — South Holston Tailwater
About
Below South Holston Dam, 14 miles of trophy trout water flow through Sullivan County at an average 1,200 CFS — cold tailwater releases that have created world-class fly fishing in what was once warm smallmouth habitat. The Cherokee called this valley Hogoheegee before European settlement, and the TVA transformed it again in 1950 when South Holston Dam went online. TWRA manages the tailwater as Trophy Trout Water, with special regulations protecting fish that grow large in the consistent cold releases. Optimal flows run 300–2,000 CFS, with the South Holston River Fly Shop tracking conditions through USGS gauge 03487650. The entire 14-mile run from dam to Bluff City stays Class I with occasional riffles — technical wading and precise presentations matter more than whitewater skills. This is tailwater fishing where the infrastructure creates the fishery: dam releases, not natural springs, keep water temperatures trout-friendly year-round.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.