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 581 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 581 CFS at the At Elizabethton gauge.

Appalachians

Watauga River (Tennessee)

Fishable581 CFSIntermediate

Live Conditions

Watauga River (Tennessee) — At Elizabethton

Fishable

581CFS

Discharge

3.36ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 26 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

→ Stable

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

28.27 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

64°FOvercast

Wind 5 mph28.27 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

☁️

Overcast

77° / 40°

Tomorrow

☁️

Overcast

80° / 50°

Wed

🌧️

Rain

77° / 62°

0.41"

Thu

🌦️

Drizzle

62° / 47°

0.14"

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?

One call. Specific to today's exact conditions on the Watauga River (Tennessee).

What should I pack?

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

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Watauga River (Tennessee) · May · Late Spring

Full calendar →

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

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JanDec

Sulphurs (size 16-18) at peak — Watauga's signature hatch. Caddis evenings. BWOs on cool mornings. Best dry-fly month for selective wild fish.

Blue-Winged OliveCaddis

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.