Tennessee's Top 10 Fly Fishing Spots

Anglers visit Tennessee because the state offers a full range of freshwater fly fishing opportunities. Tennessee is home to more than 22,000 miles of streams, 29 primary reservoirs, and at least 315 fish species. Eastern Tennessee offers some of the best fly fishing opportunities, with abundant populations of wild trout, from brook, rainbow, to brown, living in countless streams along the Appalachian Mountain range.

This East Tennessee fishing guide will help fly anglers know more as they embark on fishing tours in the state.

1. Clinch River

One of the finest and oldest tailwaters in the US, the Clinch River flows from the bottom of Norris Dam, providing consistent temperatures to keep the trout thriving. Massive rainbow and brown trout call the Clinch and its crystal clear water home. Anglers can also fly fish for brook trout in the river area, with the state record of 28 pounds 12 ounces of brown trout coming from this river. There are several access points where anglers can cast their line and start their fly fishing trip in the Clinch. Miller's Island is one of the most popular access points where anglers can wade or launch a boat.

2. Hiwassee River

The unique Hiwassee River is one of the premier channels for fly fishing in southeast Tennessee. The river is known for its enormous rainbow and brown trout, the number of bugs that attract fish, and relaxing wading conditions. Anglers can also find sizeable striped bass in the waterway during the summer. Anglers can access the river through Powerhouse Road, which follows miles of the best part of the Hiwassee. The Powerhouse Boat Ramp is also open for anglers who want to consider fishing in the area using a boat.

3. Reelfoot Lake

Reelfoot Lake is one of western Tennessee's most favored fishing destinations, mainly because of the lake's panfish population. The lake was formed after an earthquake in the early 1800s that occurred along the New Madrid Fault. The area is perfect for crappie fishing trips as it is a well-loved destination for anglers who like to hook crappie. Aside from crappie, anglers flock to Reelfoot to fly fish for yellow bass, shellcracker, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Anglers can pay a visit to the Reelfoot Lake State Park Visitor Center to assist them with maps of the boat ramps and information about lodging and camping.

4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains is truly an angler's paradise, featuring more than 1,000 miles of water open for countless fishing opportunities. An impressive number of wild trout abound in the Great Smoky Mountains' waters, including native southern Appalachian strain brook trout in the higher ridges. The Great Smokey Mountain's Little River is a remarkably good watershed with lots of variety of fish anglers can catch. There are rainbow and brown trout in the water, as well as the possibility of catching smallmouth bass in the lower levels and native brook trout in the upper reaches.

5. Caney Fork River

The Caney Fork River flows from the bottom of Center Hill Dam in central Tennessee, showing how abundant fishing in  Knoxville, TN is. The river is one of the top trout fisheries in the Tennessee area, and fishers can hook some large brown trout in addition to the more common smaller stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout. The place is good for anglers who prefer to go trout fishing near Knoxville, TN, and nearby areas. 

6. Holston River

The Holston River sits just east of Knoxville and provides exceptional fishing experiences for trout and smallmouth bass. There are better than usual chances to catch a trophy rainbow, brown, or smallmouth bass in the river because it is known for producing fish that mature quickly. The trout can go into a feeding frenzy during this annual event, known for its abundant caddis hatch in the spring. Anglers can use a canoe, boat, or inflatable pontoon to fish in the river. Since the Holston River begins as a tailwater near the South Holston Dam, it is crucial to be aware that the water in the river may fluctuate often.

7. Watauga River

The Watauga is another fine tailwater in Tennessee, emerging from Wilbur Dam, and is proof of how blessed the northeast corner of Tennessee is in terms of fishing. Watauga's big spring caddis hatch attracts anglers from across the country. The Watauga River is so productive that authorities no longer need to stock the river with brown trout. Fishery authorities stock the water with rainbow trout annually, but most anglers visit the area to target the brown trout that have grown naturally over the last few years. 

8. Cane Creek

One of Tennessee's excellent stream fishing opportunities is at Cane Creek near Cookeville, with fly fishing for rainbow trout the most popular activity in the area. Before the waters warm up in the spring, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency stocks the creek with trout in February, March, and April. Wading along Cane Creek is an excellent way to catch trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, rock bass, and redear sunfish, among other species. During the summer months, the water warms into the main branches of the creek, and the best fly fishing success will be in the tailwater zones of the streams, where fish relocate in search of food.

9. Collins River

The Collins River provides fly anglers with a unique fly fishing opportunity for musky due to its location in central Tennessee on the border of the Muskellunge native range. The Musky Fly Fishing World Championship was held on the Collins River in 2013, prompting musky fly fishing popularity to explode. The Collins River flows through six counties, much of it through private lands. Accessing the river is not easy, so booking a fishing guide who knows the waterways and state regulations is advisable if you are new to fishing in this river. 

10. Harpeth River

The Harpeth River is a rocky, windy, and endearing picturesque river to communities living around the Nashville area. While many enjoy this river as a lazy canoe destination on a hot summer day, it is also the best destination during a productive warm water fishery. Fly fishing is a sport in the river area, as the TWRA stocks trout during winter. Aside from fly fishing for trout, the healthiest and hardest-fighting fish are the wild warm water species like smallmouth, bluegill, and redeye bass.

Gear For Fly Fishing in Tennessee

Anglers will want an array of fly fishing equipment to take advantage of everything the Volunteer State offers appropriately. Selecting good quality fly rods and lines for your trip is vital. As much as your fly rod should correspond to your fly line, the fly reel should balance the fly rod and sufficiently hold your fly line and backing. It is also essential to select the best flies that imitate the aquatic life fish consume daily.

Book A Fishing Charter

Booking some of the best freshwater charters and fishing guides in Knoxville TN will help anglers as they try their luck on Tennessee's top 10 fly fishing spots. BRD Outdoors Guide Service, Keep Castin' Charters, Captain Leroy's Striper Charters and North Island Fishing Charters are some fishing guides anglers can hire. These fishing guides will provide all equipment an angler may need, such as a fishing license.