Matt hayes, Wild Fisherman Trysil, Norway highlights from Espen Eilertsen on Vimeo.

You can also visit the Platte River Fly Shop on their Facebook Page to check out some more incredible trout.

The South Holston Fly Fishing Fest is a benefit for the River’s Way, a local United Way ranch on the banks of the South Holston River.  The Festival was held in at Sugar Hollow Park outside of Bristol, VA.  It was a beautiful outdoor venue,  with a casting pond, demonstration tent, and a large vendor tent.  Kelly Galloup and Beau Beasley were the guest speakers, along with a round table with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

I got the chance to meet some of my customers face to face, as well as the opportunity to make a few new ones.  All in all it was a good time had by everyone.

Main Tent and Eating Area

Kelly Speaking to a Full House

That night  Kelly and I joined Jimmy from Mahoney’s Sportsman to fish a section of the South Holston.  We were chasing the big bad browns that only come out at dark.  We started fishing around mid-night, and started getting some consistent action about an hour into the drift. Unfortunately, about the time we started hooking some fish a powerful thunder/lighting storm chased us off the river.

The next day I got up early to fish with Orvis Guide Patrick Fulkrod of Mountain Sports Limited in Bristol VA.  I was a little tired from the night before, but a few Red Bulls and I was ready to go.  We fished the New River in Virginia, one of the oldest rivers in the world!  It runs South to North, against the slope of the Appalachian Range. The section we fished was a warm water fishery, we fished for Small Mouth Bass and I had a blast.  River small mouth are vicious fighters and really tough, pound for pound.

New River cuts a deep gorge through tree covered hills and towering limestone cliffs

"I see you baby........"

The next day Patrick took me out to fish the South Holston river, both at low water and during generation.  We had good dry fly fishing and even pulled a few fish out on streamers.  The Sulfur Dunn hatch was thick and the trout were too, I would highly recommend a fishing trip to the South Holston.  It has a fast current and cold water when the TVA is generating, if it had not been so humid and the hills so green – I could have sworn I was out west.

Take a trip to the Bristol area for some great fishing.  I traveled from Idaho, and it was well worth it.  Add it to your bucket list.