Pacemaker Fishing Forum

My father and I embarked on our third episode of the classic father son fishing expedition. This time we headed to Boone, NC, staying at the Chetola resort, and fishing two private streams as well as the South Holston River in east Tennessee.

The first afternoon we hiked and wet waded a private stretch of the Watagua River. We scaled rocks and hit seams and pools as stealthily as possible. We quickly got into some solid Rainbows and Browns in this protected stream. These were my first browns and I landed a PB rainbow that went 22".





The second day we did an all day float, but split into two parts of the South Holston. The bite was tough, but we chased trophy Browns to no avail in the morning. You could see them, but unfortunately, they could see us too. We then headed up river to drift a recent dam release and some high water in the afternoon. We got into a few scattered, wild Rainbows and Browns, but nothing worth snapping a picture. Though, the coloring on the wild fish was tremendous.

Well, there was one picture worth taking right outside of Panera where we had breakfast.



The third day we fished a private stream that spanned no more than 40 yards, but it was absolutely loaded with trophy Rainbows, Browns, and Goldens. We landed several trophies including a PB 22" Brown. I did not get a picture of that fish because the fight stressed the fish beyond worth snapping a few shots of her in my hands. I hooked and fought one Golden, but it came unbuttoned just before netting it. Gorgeous...heartbroken...grateful.



We fished with Pat Stone who owns "Riverstone Fly Fishing". I strongly recommend him. He can be reached at: pat@riverstoneflyfishing.com. Feel free to let him know I sent you.

Last edited by CozUF2001 (Jun-22-15 7:02PM)