Holston River
A big tailwater below Cherokee Dam with great smallmouth, some trout, and very little public access.
- 171 miRiver length
- 8Game fish
- 32Access points
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Holston River
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About the Holston
The Holston River below Cherokee Dam is one of the best-kept secrets in East Tennessee. Most anglers head to the South Holston for brown trout and skip it. That leaves a big tailwater with an abundance of game fish and few people.
Trout live in parts of the river, but the Holston is first a smallmouth river. It also holds largemouth and striped bass, sauger, and tiger musky. Lake sturgeon are back in the river, and some are longer than a raft.
Public access is the hard part. There are only about three public access points across roughly 25 miles of fishable water. Most anglers float the river or fish with a guide who has private access. A good place to start is any stretch just above where the Holston meets the French Broad in Knoxville.
When the hatches are on in spring, the dry fly fishing is some of the best in the state. Caddis, including the Mother's Day caddis, and PMDs bring fish up.
Gages near Holston River
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Other gages nearby
- Nolichucky River near Lowland11.6 mi away Not reporting USGS 03467609
- Clinch River above Tazewell, TN12.4 mi away Not reporting USGS 03528000
- French Broad River near Newport, TN21.1 mi away Not reporting USGS 03455000
- Pigeon River at Newport, TN22.2 mi away Not reporting USGS 03461500
- Powell River near Arthur, TN26.9 mi away Not reporting USGS 03532000
- Nolichucky River below Nolichucky Dam, TN27.3 mi away Not reporting USGS 03466500
- Clinch River near Looneys Gap, TN28.5 mi away Not reporting USGS 03527220
- Flat Creek near Mascot, TN28.8 mi away Not reporting USGS 03495005
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
Fish you'll catch
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Brown Trout
Common Carp
Hatching in November
What's on the water in the French Broad-Holston watershed this month, and the fly to match.
All 11 hatches this year
Light bars show the season and dark bars the peak. The ringed month is this month.
Tips for fishing the Holston
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Plan a float
With so little public access, a float trip is the best way to fish the Holston. Plan put-ins and take-outs ahead of time.
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Check TVA releases
Look up the Cherokee Dam release schedule from TVA before every trip. Flows change how the river fishes and how long a float takes.
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Bring crawfish flies for smallmouth
Crawfish patterns and poppers are reliable for the river's smallmouth from spring into summer.
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Fish dries during spring hatches
Caddis and PMD hatches in spring offer some of the easiest dry fly fishing in Tennessee. Elk Hair Caddis is a good place to start.
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Nymph for trout
For trout, fish Pheasant Tails, Perdigons, and Pat's Rubber Legs through deeper runs.
Every access point on the Holston, in your pocket.
- 32 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
- Bite forecast for the days ahead
Rivers near the Holston
Holston River FAQ
When is the best time to fly fish the Holston River?
Spring for trout and dry flies. Spring through summer for smallmouth.
Is the Holston the same as the South Holston?
No. The South Holston is a separate tailwater known for brown trout. The Holston River below Cherokee Dam is a bigger river known mostly for smallmouth.
Is there public access on the Holston River?
Very little. There are only about three public access points for roughly 25 miles of water, so most anglers float or hire a guide.
What flies work on the Holston?
For trout, Pheasant Tails, Perdigons, Pat's Rubber Legs, Woolly Buggers, and Elk Hair Caddis. For smallmouth, crawfish patterns and poppers.
What fish live in the Holston River?
Smallmouth bass, largemouth and striped bass, sauger, tiger musky, carp, rainbow and brown trout, and lake sturgeon.
Where should I start on the Holston?
Any stretch just above the confluence with the French Broad in Knoxville is a good place to begin.
