Copyright 2015 James Marsh


Fly Fishing Gear and Trout Flies for the Watauga River Tennessee
The Watauga River Tailwater has some large trout. You don't want to use your favorite 3
weight fly rod or one of the large browns may show you the reason you shouldn't.
Fly Line:
We wouldn't recommend anything lighter than five-weight, floating fly line. There have been
some large brown trout caught on tiny midges in this river. Most of the time the line should
be a floating line. There could be situations where you would want a sinking tip line.
There will be many situations were a streamer would be the top choice fly. This is
especially true when you are drifting the river and the water is on. You may prefer a 6
weight fly line for large streamers and nymphs. You may consider both a sinking tip and a
floating 6 weight fly line.
Fly Rod:
The rod for the 5 weight line should be nine feet in length in a medium to medium fast
action. The fly rod for the 6 weight line should be nine foot rod in a moderately fast to fast
action.
Fly Reel:
The reels for the 5 weight line and 6 weight fly lines should be good ones. You would not
want to loose a nice trout because you were using a lousy fly reel drag.
Leaders:
You will be using a large range of leader sizes both in length and size. The large streamers
would require heavy leaders. The tiny midge flies that you would be often using, will require
exactly the opposite. Leaders ranging in sizes from 0X down to 6X may be required. You
would want the heavy leaders for streamers to be on the short side and the lightest leaders
for midges to be around 12 feet in length.
Tippet:
Carry plenty of extra tippet in sizes ranging from 0X to 6X.
Waders:
Even if you drift the Watauga River, you would want to wear waders. You will probably want
to get out of the boat in some cases.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles or either the new rubber sole boots would work best.
Wading Staff:
Most of the time the water is not really difficult enough for us to say a wading staff should
be used. We would call this optional. It would be a good thing to have if you got caught in
rising water.
Flies:
We recommend our "Perfect Flies" for the Watauga River. Our specific imitations of
caddisflies, mayflies, midges, scuds, sowbugs and streamers are the best trout flies you
can purchase. If you haven't done so already, you give them a try. You will be glad you did.

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Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 and 6X, Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Superb Five or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 5/6 line size
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.
2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need.
3. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com) with a budget for flies and we will select them to match the budget and get them to you in time for your fly fishing trip.
All orders are shipped free in the U. S. Orders over $100 are shipped via Priority Mail.
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