What flies are hatching on the Watauga River (Tennessee) right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the Watauga River (Tennessee) include Sulphur, Caddis, Blue-Winged Olive. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the Watauga River (Tennessee)?

The Watauga River (Tennessee) is running at 1,860 CFS at the At Elizabethton gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the Watauga River (Tennessee) fishable today?

Watauga River (Tennessee) is rated marginal right now. Flow is 1,860 CFS at the At Elizabethton gauge. Go in prepared — heavier tippet, cautious wading, or target edges and seams.

Watauga River (Tennessee) Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Watauga River (Tennessee) — At Elizabethton

Marginal

1,860CFS

Discharge

4.84ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 1 hr agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↓ Falling

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

28.32 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

76°FPartly cloudy

Wind 2 mph28.32 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

🌧️

Rain

90° / 72°

0.87"

Tomorrow

🌦️

Drizzle

83° / 70°

Tue

🌧️

Rain showers

85° / 69°

0.17"

Wed

⛈️

Thunderstorm

86° / 67°

0.21"

Rain in forecast — expect rising, off-color water in 12–24 hrs.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

6

Time of Day

Using: 1,860 CFS · Tricos continuing. Caddis evenings. Terrestrials

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Watauga River (Tennessee) conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Watauga River (Tennessee) · August · Late Summer

Full calendar →

Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.

Select month

JanDec

Tricos continuing. Caddis evenings. Terrestrials (ants/beetles). Cold consistent tailwater stays prime when surrounding TN streams get hot.

TricoCaddisTerrestrials

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Watauga River (Tennessee)

The Watauga tailwater below Wilbur Dam in Carter County is one of Tennessee's premier trout fisheries — dam-controlled cold water produces exceptional wild rainbow and brown trout. The lower gauge at Elizabethton reads conditions 12 miles below the dam; flows near the dam may differ during generation.

SulphurCaddisBlue-Winged OliveTricoMidge

Regulations

Delayed Harvest sections and Catch-and-Release zones below Wilbur Dam. Check TWRA for current regulations. TVA controls dam releases — check TVA.com for generation schedules.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Watauga River (Tennessee) with more confidence.