Trout/Smallmouth Bass: Tennessee Tailwater or Virginia Freestone wade trip
Elizabethton, Tennessee
Private trip guided by Collin
Collin Kreis-Potgieter • 6-9 years of experience
About
While all the boats clunk and splash down the river we will be sneaking out of the riparian zone and making delicate casts at unsuspecting fish. This is the biggest advantage in a world filled with trout dodging boats. With 3000+ trout per mile, The tailwaters boast some of the best fishing in the Southeast and when the TVA allows the turbines to be turned off wade fishermen are able to reap the bounties of a usually boat infested trout river.
Or you can avoid the crowd completely and head into Southern Virginia and fish the beginnings of the South Holston watershed. Large browns are found regularly in this quiet freestone creek. Although the resident rainbow population is nothing to overlook. highly productive nymphing and Czech style fly fishing is a sure fire way to keep your line tight. coupled with beautiful scenery and water this opportunity is worth every minute.
both of these trips are geared toward the novice angler. For the highest levels of success, a general knowledge of casting is suggested but no experience is required for this type of trip.
Targeted species
- Rainbow Trout
- Brown Trout
What's included
- Rod / Reel
- Tackle / Flies
- Cold Storage
- Water
- Lunch / Snacks
What to bring
- Polarized Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Quick-Dry / Sun-protective Clothing
- Fishing License
- Rain gear
Location
- Elizabethton, Tennessee
Exact meeting location will be provided after booking.
Guided by Collin Kreis-Potgieter
Boone, North Carolina • 6-9 years of experience
I started fishing in 2013 after I graduated high school in Boone NC. I fished the mountain creeks in the high country every day for 2 years straight before pursuing the idea of being a guide. Being able to make money while being on the water was my biggest incentive, I sacrificed my formal education at a community college and dove head long into my dream. I started to row a drift boat a few years into my fishing career and by my fourth year of guiding I was taking trips on the Tennessee tail-waters, the South Holston and Watauga rivers for High Country guide service. Last year was my 4th full time season as a professional guide, leading nearly 200 trips a year since Covid started in 2020. In 2022 I was invited last minute to be a guide/camp cook on week long trips 100 miles through the remote wilds of south west Alaska. 3 of us guides and 8 sets of 6 clients camp and fish down the Kanektok river from early July until early September. Completing that season left me wanting more of the fishery, the Yupik culture and landscape. 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 co workers and fondest rivals, the large brown trout and musky of the NC, VA and TN borderlands.