November Fishing Report:
I finished out my season on the South Holston October 30th to head up to Erie Pennsylvania for my annual steelhead season. We had a strong finish to the fall season on the soho with lots of great dry fly opportunities and were off to a good start for the 2025 steelhead season with dozens of fish hitting the net already.
Brown Trout on the Fly at the South Holston
South Holston:
The bite on the soho was tricky this fall. You had to be very creative to stay on fish as compared to falls of the past. Some days were stellar and some were challenging. I found my best success on small midges and bwo nymphs which Is the typical forage for fall tailwater fishing.
In late October we had a large shad kill that created some streamer opportunities as well as some stellar bwo hatches and even a few sulphurs that made for awesome dry fly fishing. Most afternoons we would break out the dry rods and head hunt.
SoHo Brown Trout
As of November 1 brown trout spawn starts on the soho. There are some protected areas and some not protected areas. Be mindful of the redds. It’s okay to go fishing during spawn time as long as you don’t target spawning fish. Not all trout spawn at exactly the same time so you can avoid doing harm by leaving paired or grouped fish on gravel alone and not walking or anchoring in these areas. This insures we have a great fishery for years to come.
South Holston Fly Fishing
Views on the South Holston, TN
Steelhead alley:
We have great water conditions early as opposed to the last several years. Fish are spread out in all of the rivers in decent numbers with more on the way. With this incoming snow/rain we will have more fish entering the system and even better conditions. We’re looking forward to a great year chasing steel after such a lackluster weather year in 2024.
Water temps are still in the low 50s which can produce some fun streamer eats or swung fly grabs. Nymphing is always productive with egg patterns of course.
As temps continue to drop so will the fishes willingness to chase things. This means slower lower presentations when water touches mid 40s. Get the flies low and add a split shot or fish heavier streamers or sink tips to slow things down.
Current flows:
Elk (Brandy run): 6cfs ⬇️Good
Conneaut: 238cfs ⬆️Perfect
Ashtabula: Good ✅
Chagrin: 428 ⬇️ High
Grand: 617 ⬇️ High
Flies:
Eggstacy egg
Beads
Egg sucking leech
White zonker
Steelhead Alley
PA trout:
Most of the trout rivers in NW Pa and central PA are low but we are set to receive some rain to bump things in the right direction. Fish are spawning so again be mindful of fish that are on redds. Good fishing can still be had all winter long.
Flies:
Eggs
Pheasant tail
Walt’s worm
Bwo nymphs
Midges
Steelhead Alley
Musky:
Musky water is on great shape and this is arguably the best time of year to find a trophy fish fattening up for the winter. We have been on the rivers and lakes hunting toothy fish this fall when steelhead conditions dont cooperate.
Big flies = big fish. Bust out the 12wt and those 12 inch+ long flies and hunt.
