W4F - Fly Fishing "High Water Streamers" Watauga River, Tennessee

Ken Tanaka is back on the water. This time on the Watauga River in Tennessee.
The Watauga was running 2 generators and the water was high so no better time than to toss streamers. Started off with the Tanaka Your Socks Off and had a couple of short strikes with smaller fish so I then switched up to a Zonker. We ended up finishing on the lower section which is known to have some bigger fish so I switched back to the TYSO. Still a little early for dry fly and risers but I did get a chance at one riser.
I could of edited out off the missed strikes but I wanted to show that this sort of thing happens. Even more so during high water, off colored water and fast moving water. Especially streamer fishing you can just have one of those days.
I was floating with local guide Holden Russell.
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[@beo77]

Pure joy to self inflicted heart break...🤣...this was a great episode! Thanks for sharing...

[@Wish4Fish]

Thank you very much Sung.

Beautiful *Fishing* Fisherman!👍🎣🐠🐟

[@Wish4Fish]

Thank you very much Suellen

[@Mikelen11]

Glad to see you trout fishing again! Can't wait to see more! Thanks for sharing!

[@Wish4Fish]

Thanks Mike!

[@Chris.A.133]

YO YO ! SNAGING TROUT WITH STREAMERS

[@Wish4Fish]

Exactly! Snagged right in the corner of the mouth. 👍🏼

[@NBMadTrapper247]

So excited for another season filled with your videos!! great start!

[@Wish4Fish]

Thank you for the kind words and support

[@PiscatorFlies]

Great to see another on the water clip from you Ken. Lots of ducks and dogs out on the water with you. lol Cheers

[@Wish4Fish]

Yeah! They were everywhere! ;-)

[@frankieshoenfelt8550]

Great Start. Ken.. Keep up the Great Work...

[@Wish4Fish]

Thanks Frankie

[@freddymartin7664]

Very Nice Video My Friend! Thanks for Sharing 👍!

[@Wish4Fish]

Thank you and you’re welcome.

[@liamwild666]

Another great video Ken, we all have days like that, some ( me he he ) more than most. Tight lines!

[@Wish4Fish]

Thanks Paul

[@HuntingCreatures]

That is an awesome day. Not a big bummer for not landing the last big guy. You guys seems to have had a great time. That's all that matter.

[@Wish4Fish]

Was a great day. Always have a good time on the water. Although landing that fish would of made it a tad cooler. ;-)

[@justAfisherman1187]

I guess it's the barbless hooks. At least you got it on camera. That was awesome.

[@Wish4Fish]

Thanks

[@rmlytle589]

Haha that's streamer fishing! Beautiful river... never was on my radar, now it is!

[@Wish4Fish]

Well, not sure if beauty is the right word. TN streams definitely has a bit a grunge element to it. It is a great stream though! As well as the South Holston.

[@rmlytle589]

With those big rock outcroppings, even if that's only a short stretch I'd call that beautiful. Definitely prettier than the urban ditch of a wild trout stream I fished today haha!

[@Wish4Fish]

Haha.... I hear ya. Although I just didn't show the trailer parks, rebel flags, racist statues and trash in the video.

[@TroutMadeAnglerCo]

I am definitely interested in the trip! Just discovered your channel, amazing work and of course you SLAYED! Thanks for the content! Great stuff brother! 👍🏼

[@Wish4Fish]

What's up Trout Made. Thank you for the kind words and support. Which trip are you interested in?

[@TroutMadeAnglerCo]

Wish4Fish 🇪🇸 Spain!

[@Wish4Fish]

I have sent you the information via email. I just wasn't sure since you wrote the comment on this Watauga video. Spain is incredible as you saw. Amazing place in general and the fishing was top notch. Plus the food, wine and accommodations are spectacular. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@TroutMadeAnglerCo]

Wish4Fish Definitely will! I appreciate it much! Plus it’s a destination for my Fianceé and I 😂 two birds...and lots of fishing! Thanks again! Check out my channel. I’d appreciate any feedback! Tights Lines! - Mike

[@Wish4Fish]

Oh man! Then Spain is definitely the perfect place! The atmosphere, food, wine and fishing is amazing! Plus so many other activities besides fishing you can do as a couple. Let alone the spa! Hot tub, saunas and messages!

[@abefrohman1759]

Great day out on the water.

[@Wish4Fish]

It sure was, any day on the water is a great day.

[@robertdunton6342]

Great stuff Ken! Streamers rule!

[@Wish4Fish]

Thanks Robert. No doubt!... one of my favorites.

[@southofnorthflyfishing]

Looked like a great way to spend the day! The drift boat thing looks like good fun not something we see here in NZ as far as I know.

[@Wish4Fish]

Yeah, I haven't seen drift boats in NZ. Sort of like Iceland. Don't think it's a thing or at least from what I know as well. I like drifting because you can cover more water but I definitely prefer wading.

[@southofnorthflyfishing]

I can think of a few rivers here where it would be doable at least in parts, but yeah wading is by far the go to method here unless on a lake etc. Either way if having fun catching fish I'll take what's in front of me! I'll definitely be looking forward to giving a drift boat a go one day. Was a great video and looking forward to your next one.

[@Wish4Fish]

Thanks a lot Braedan

[@stonefly69]

One hint: Sharpen your hooks. Every time. Good vid!

[@Wish4Fish]

I do every time before to go out. I have a hone in my pack at all times. Thank you

[@marktramble457]

You should give the catawba river a try its not too far from where you're at in this video. Lots of browns. Enjoy you're videos

[@Wish4Fish]

Thank you very much. I prefer the Watauga and Soho. More wild fish.

[@stonefly4894]

Shhhh! Let everybody stay in East TN. and leave the Cat alone.

[@JamesMcCutcheon]

Where do you sign up for this float trip?>

[@Wish4Fish]

Unfortunately. this guide is now full time living in Montana. Although luckily, I know I guide that specializes in streamer fishing on the Soho. Please contact me through my website or social media so I can send you the information. I can't post it publicly on here.

[@Wissahickonwild]

Awesome those fish were so pretty. How deep was that water? I didn't hear if you mentioned in the video

[@Wish4Fish]

It fluctuates a LOT. Banging the banks you're obviously fishing pretty shallow. Although there are deep drop off along side those rock walls.

[@douglynch9012]

I worked with TVA's aquatic biology department doing the creel surveys on South Holston and Watauga tailwaters. Most people would be surprised at the potential for big Browns on these tailwaters. We shocked up a Brown on the upper end of the Watauga that was almost 39 inches long and I was fortunate enough to see some Browns up to 17 lbs caught by anglers over the 10 years I was there. I've watched some huge Browns chasing and catching 10 to 11 inch stocked Rainbows in my 10 years on those tailwaters. So the 6 to 8 inch streamers may not get you numbers of fish, they will give you a shot at a 10 lb plus fish.

[@Wish4Fish]

That’s awesome. Yeah some real monster in there. 39in!? Wow! That’s crazy town.

[@eli8699]

do you got a pic of that 39 inch brown i would want to see that

[@raymundocruz6086]

SHHHHH!!!! hahaha

[@adamcazell5094]

You should fish with a guide more often, its wayyyy funnier:)

[@Wish4Fish]

Haha, thanks. I did fish with a guide more than without one I think in 2019. Very close at least.

[@millerslanding2310]

Dang!

[@justinpeters5502]

I live right down the road from this river in Siam and I've cought huge trout outta that river on spinning gear but fly fishing is hard for me on the watauga I can slay them in stoney creek or doe river but the watauga is just over my head I went flipping rocks and only found small tan scuds in about a size 16 to 20 but no mayfly nymphs or stonefly nymphs idk if I'm not looking hard enough or the water is to cold for them to hatch in the upper watauga

[@Wish4Fish]

You're lucky to live so close! Awesome stream for sure. There are definitely other bugs in there besides just scuds. You can't go wrong with using a Pheasant Tail. With nymphs its more about getting it down to the right place than the type of nymph you're using. Obviously a good pattern helps but location is key.

[@zacherywadsworth1934]

You coming to Idaho this year? I just started getting into fly fishing end of last year your channel helps allot

[@Wish4Fish]

Awesome! Welcome to the sport! Please feel free to hit me up anytime if you have any questions! Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to make it this season. I will try although I just don't see it happening.

[@zacherywadsworth1934]

Wish4Fish thanks, I will definitely ask when I have a question. Have a great time on your trip! As for me I'll hit my local streams here in southern Idaho.

[@Wish4Fish]

Well luckily you’re already surrounded by fantastic water! Tight lines brotha

[@johnnyo576]

It's just spring training

[@jamiehamilton6935]

Do you remember what cfs they were running and how long did it take to float to where you all ended up? Love the streamer fishing.

[@Wish4Fish]

Unfortunately I do not remember the exact CFS. I do know that they were slucing at the time. Also don't know the name of the take out either.

[@jamiehamilton6935]

@@Wish4Fish I know about where you took out, I just wondered how long it took you all to float it.

[@Wish4Fish]

Not sure on the exact time. It was about a half day. From morning to mid-afternoon.

[@sillygooseflyfishing]

Same Rio streamer tip line?

[@Wish4Fish]

That is correct. For future reference you can always see my gear in the description box of the video.

[@Rrttttyyyyyy]

You shure about that buddy ?

[@Wish4Fish]

HAHA!

[@naterks203854]

sharpen those hooks! ;)

[@Wish4Fish]

I wish that was the case

[@roberternst798]

the anaconda really sucks at low water.one way thru.

[@Wish4Fish]

No doubt. The Anaconda about ate us up!

[@ssnoc]

You sure you had points on those hooks? Perhaps a bit too much aggression? Or just really good marketing 👍

[@Wish4Fish]

If this sort of thing hasn't happened to you..... you don't fish enough.

[@ugsisr]

Still in a hurry.

[@donlearn6878]

Try sharping your hook.

[@Wish4Fish]

Not the issue, just one of those days.

[@jessemasonoutdoors]

What wt fly rod?

[@Wish4Fish]

I was using the Douglas Sky 6wt for streamers and used the Douglas Upstream Plus 4wt for the dry fly. My gear used can always be seen in the description box below the video.

[@Coastalfishes]

If I were you I'd set my hook harder, looks like some of the times the line is still too slack when you set the hook

[@Wish4Fish]

Haha, I know how to set the hook but thanks thought. Had nothing to do with it. Just one of those days. Especially in high water when it’s colored and moving fast. Besides... I am strip setting and not conventional hook setting with my rod so what you're seeing is not me setting the hook.

[@kennethhemphill9447]

Didn't watch long after about the third time of using God's name in vain

[@Wish4Fish]

🤦🏻‍♂️

[@HuntingCreatures]

That is an awesome day. Not a big bummer for not landing the last big guy. You guys seems to have had a great time. That's all that matter.