October floats on South Holston

My buddy Nick and I hit the South Holston for a multi-day float, chasing the big brown trout that are aggressively feeding ahead of the spawn—and they delivered! We were blessed with a perfect generation schedule, which allowed us to cover water and target high-flow seams. We managed to boat two true trophy browns on streamers in the heavy current: a spectacular 25"river brown and a stunning 20". When the water dropped, we shifted to technical nymphing, fooling numerous wild trout with midges and tiny bugs under an indicator. South Holston demands flawless presentation and skill, especially when fighting those heavy fish on fine tippet. If you're heading out, dial in your indicator game—this river doesn't give up its secrets easily, but the rewards are massive.