Laylon Cox with 20″ Rainbow

Motion and Altra angler group

The South Holston River is tail water flowing from the South Holston Reservoir and the results are cold water, great hatches and healthy, abundant fish. The predominant bugs are sulphurs and there are plenty of them.

Our fishing group consisted of Ted Banakis (coworker), and a great bunch of guys from our distributor partner, Motion Industries – Randy Breaux. Harold Dunaway, Laylon Cox and Jay Carawan.  An even # of 6 meant we could go with 2 fisherman per guide and float the river in a McKenzie boat.

Each team had great success with an average of 30-40 fish per day.  Laylon Cox and Randy Breaux each landed 20″ rainbows on the first day. The typical fishing method recommended by the guides was to fish nymphs in the morning, break for lunch,  and then find rising fish in the afternoon and cast dry flies (sulphur duns) to them. The fish are all wild browns and rainbows…..beautiful, strong fish.

We stayed at the South Holston River Lodge (www.southholstonriverlodge.com) hosted by Jon Hooper (877-767-7875). Our package included lodging, a breakfast buffet each morning, shore lunch, guides,  followed by a dinner prepared at the lodge each evening. The accommodations are nothing less than spectacular. This is a definite “bucket list” experience for any fishing junky.