General streamer & Post spawn streamer/dry fly trip (January - march)
Elizabethton, Tennessee
Private trip guided by Collin
Collin Kreis-Potgieter • 10-19 years of experience
About
After the spawn, our brown trout start hunting aggressively for larger protein meals like bait fish or an afternoon bluewing hatch to pack on lost weight from the strains of spawning. This happens on every creek and every river that holds these fish but on the Lower Ends of our nearby tailwaters, we have seen fly fishing opportunities as awesome as any I've seen anywhere in the world.
We've been fishing this section for years now and have noticed a consistent number of larger fish, mostly browns but also your occasional rocket ship rainbow trout, as well as the rare striped bass or schooled up hybrid bass cruising up the river for a day trip. This can make for a very challenging but exciting and highly rewarding type of fly fishing. This being said, a higher level of casting is required to experience the true capability of this fishery.
Outside of the "prime time" January through March, I say that loosely because these fish can be aggressive and will be well throughout the spawn in October and have continued to be aggressive through the "shad hatch" in April and May. The rest of the year presents streamer fishing that we relied on as young anglers, low or high water, rain or shine a dedicated fisherman can convince these big trout at any time to eat a well-presented fly. If conditions allow (cloudy/rainy, early or late in the day, and high water) the big fly fishing can be really good throughout the year.
Trout, 3 types of bass, gar, and Common carp can all be targeted on the same day on the water during the spring and summer months.
hot lunch available upon request.
Targeted species
- Brown Trout
- Rainbow Trout
- Other
- White Bass
- Smallmouth Bass
- Gar
What's included
- Rod / Reel
- Tackle / Flies
- Cold Storage
- Dry Storage
- Water
- Lunch / Snacks
What to bring
- Polarized Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Fishing License
Location
- Elizabethton, Tennessee
Exact meeting location will be discussed after booking.
Guided by Collin Kreis-Potgieter
Boone, North Carolina • 10-19 years of experience
I started fishing the beautiful creeks of the Blue ridge Mountains near Boone North Carolina in 2013. My heart was captured by these crystal clear flows of clean water and quiet embrace of the thick riparian zone and towering trees. The start of my journey into guiding people’s outdoor experiences are rooted in these ancient mountains and it will always be my great pleasure to share the wonders of this place that I call my home. My hunger to be a better fisherman and guide lead me to the Tail waters of Watauga and South Holston Lakes in 2015. A highly Technical trout fishery that has always been highly populated by experienced guides with clients rather than new comers in their own boats. In 2016 I learned to row and by 2018 I was a float guide for High Country guide service, who I still work closely with. 2026 is my 7th year as a full time professional guide, and 10th year since I took my first wade trip for Steve at Watauga River Anglers, who I owe my first chance at my dream career. I ran 200 trips a year since 2020 and In 2022 I was invited last minute to be a guide/camp cook on week long trips up to 100 miles through the remote wilds of south west Alaska. We float the various drainages of the Kilbuck mountain range with a nomadic 5 tent camp loaded into 3, 16 foot rafts with 6-8 clients per week from early July until early September. Completing that season left me wanting more of the fishery, the Yupik culture and landscape. This will be my 5th season and I plan to pursue the Alaska opportunity for years to come. I spend my free time in the winters guiding the occasional client, catching redfish on the coast of the Carolinas and spending quality time with my family, fellow guides/friends and my fondest rivals, the large brown trout and musky of the NC, VA and TN borderlands.