The Watauga was the place yesterday

[Hugh Hartsell]

  The generation schedule for the South Holston was all drift boat stlye yesterday so we hit the Watauga River and really enjoyed ourselves. We wanted to share the trip with you and tell you that fishing the tailwaters in the Fall is just great. The flies that we used were the Compara Dun with a #22 Beadhead Hares Ear dropper. We caught lots of rainbows and browns, but the browns just seemed to be more active yesterday. Enjoy the pictures.
    Hugh Hartsell---East Tn.

[Stuart R.]

Good job. I haven't fish the watauga since about this time last year. It is alittle farther for me to come from Richlands VA. I used to go quite often until I  learned the Holston some and how to throw dries. I was more effective on the watagua with nymphs. So I fished it more but now I love the dry fly I do use the dropper alot too. THe Hares Ear is it a nat. color? Or a special blend?


FM

[Hugh Hartsell]

  FM, the Hares Ear is a real simple fly to tie. I have using #22-24 size hooks and also using a bead. I wrap the thread back to the hookbend and tie in a short piece of midge size,gold wire. I then take a small pinch of hares mask dubbing, spin tight, and wrap forward to the beadhead. I secure this down with the thread and wrap the gold wire forward to the back of the bead. I then take a small pinch of Angel hair and tie it in about 1/6-1/8 in. behind the bead and make a loop wing which is tied in behind the bead. It makes a great little dropper on the South Holston and the Watauga. Drop it about 24-30 in. below a Sulfur Compara Dun and you've got a killer combination.
     Hugh Hartsell---East Tn.

[outdoorguy3]

Hugh,

If you don't mind me asking, are you using a metal bead on hooks that small......22 and 24, or is it a glass bead?

Thanks,

Ralph

[Hugh Hartsell]

  Hi Ralph, how are you doing? I have been using a metal bead for the flies. I bought some yesterday at LROs just for those flies. They are 1/16. I hope this helps.
     Hugh

[Rod Champion]

1/16 it would have to be Ralph- if you need some - holler
Did Ernie go with you Hugh?

[Hugh Hartsell]

  Rod, Ernie didn't make this trip. It was just Carolyn and me.
       Hugh