The Watauga River tailwater begins just below Wilbur Dam, in Elizabethton, TN. The stream is well known for its trophy rainbow and brown trout fishing. The upper section offers some public access, for wading. However, most of the trophy section is only accessible by boat. Within its 16 miles of fishable trout water, the Watauga River has one of the only stretches of water designated as a trophy section in the state of Tennessee. The trophy section is subject to special regulations which are strictly enforced by region four of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency

Fishing Access Type:
    Boat 
    Kayak 
    Wading 

Fishing Access:
    Location
        Map

Fishing Style:
   Nymph
    Dry Fly
     Midges 
​    Terrestrials
​    Streamers
The "Go To Fly" of the Watauga is the Bead Head Pheasant Tail size 14

Equipment:
3wt to 8 wt rod

Flies:
Hatch Chart

Water Flow:
Data

Species: 
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brim, Crappie, Catfish, Large Mouth & Small Mouth Bass, Striper

Generated Water Schedules
Water released from the dam travels quickly down the Watauga. Always check the generation schedule before entering the river. 
Watauga Dam to Steel Bridge Road = 1 hr.
Watauga Dam to Judge Don Lewis Blvd = 2 hr.
Watauga Dam to Watauga Road = 4 hr.
Watauga Dam to Steel Bridge Road = 1 hr.