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 373 CFS at the At Elizabethton gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the Watauga River (Tennessee) fishable today?

Yes — Watauga River (Tennessee) is rated fishable right now. Current flow is 373 CFS at the At Elizabethton gauge.

Watauga River (Tennessee) Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Watauga River (Tennessee) — At Elizabethton

Fishable

373CFS

Discharge

2.98ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 50 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↓ Falling

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

28.65 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

53°FMainly clear

Wind 9 mph28.65 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

🌦️

Drizzle

72° / 53°

0.02"

Tomorrow

🌦️

Drizzle

76° / 53°

Tue

☁️

Overcast

78° / 53°

Wed

🌧️

Rain showers

71° / 58°

0.31"

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

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.

9

Time of Day

Using: 373 CFS · Midges

What should I pack?

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

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Watauga River (Tennessee) · November · Late Fall

Full calendar →

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

Select month

JanDec

Midges (size 20-26) and BWOs (size 22) on mild afternoons. Brown trout spawning below the dam — RESPECT REDDS.

Blue-Winged OliveMidge

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.