Book the Right Guide
for the Right Conditions
Trusted by East Tennessee Anglers
East TN waters
live USGS flow data
per river system
keep what they charge
Why FishFlow Exists
East Tennessee has world-class tailwater trout fishing.
Most anglers are guessing about conditions.
The Watauga River below Wilbur Dam. The South Holston below South Holston Dam. These are TVA-managed tailwaters — their flows are dictated by power generation schedules, not weather. A perfect bluebird day can mean blown-out flows at 800 CFS while a drizzly Thursday at 200 CFS fishes like a dream.
Serious anglers already know this. They check the USGS gauge before they pack the truck. They call their guide the night before to ask if Saturday or Sunday looks better. But those data sources are scattered — USGS, TVA, river-specific Facebook groups, word of mouth from the fly shop.
FishFlow pulls it all together. Current flow data from USGS gauges, TVA generation schedules, historical catch patterns, and 72-hour forecasts — all mapped to bookable guide slots. So when the Watauga is running at a perfect 190 CFS this Friday, you book it that day.
Data sources: USGS National Water Information System gauges at Watauga River at Elizabethton (03465000), South Holston at Holston (03488000), Clinch River at Tazewell (03528000), and Hiwassee at Reliance (03566000) — updated every 15 minutes.
Live River Data
Know before you go.
FishFlow pulls USGS gauge readings every 15 minutes and maps them against historical catch data to produce a simple rating: Is right now a good time to fish this river?
The 72-hour forecast accounts for scheduled TVA generation windows, upstream precipitation, and seasonal hatch patterns — so you can plan a trip, not just check a number.
See Full ForecastWatauga River
South Holston
Clinch River
Hiwassee River
Today
Thu
194–210 CFS
GoodTomorrow
Fri
185–195 CFS
ExcellentSaturday
Sat
280–380 CFS
FairForecasts based on TVA generation schedules and USGS historical data. Not a guarantee — conditions change.
How It Works
From gauge reading to guided trip in minutes.
Step one
Check the river before you pack.
Open FishFlow and see current CFS readings, TVA generation schedules, and a plain-language bite rating for every East Tennessee tailwater — Watauga, South Holston, Clinch, Hiwassee. No USGS bookmark-hopping, no Facebook group scrolling.
Readings update every 15 minutes from USGS gauge stations.
Watauga River · USGS 03465000
Step two
Pick the right window — and the right guide.
The 72-hour forecast tells you which day fishes best this week. Browse guides who specialize in that river — each profile shows their preferred water, rigging style, and open dates. Filter by float trip, wade trip, or fly fishing only.
All guides are licensed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
James Whitfield
Marcus Reed
Cole Patterson
Step three
Book it. Your guide confirms the same day.
Reserve your trip instantly with a deposit. Your guide gets notified immediately and confirms within a few hours — no waiting, no phone tag. If conditions shift dramatically before your trip, FishFlow alerts you both and your guide reaches out directly.
Guides keep 100% of their listed rate — no hidden platform fees.
Trip confirmed
The Guides
Local guides who know these rivers the way most people know their neighborhood streets.
Every guide on FishFlow is TWRA-licensed and runs their own operation. No national booking desk, no generic profiles — these are working guides who fish East Tennessee year-round.
Brown trout, Watauga River — typical of East TN tailwater trophy water
James Whitfield
14 years on East TN waters
Watauga River, South Holston
Full-day floats, dry fly and nymph
From $450 / day
Book this guideMarcus Reed
9 years guiding
Hiwassee River, Watauga
Wade trips, streamer and nymph
From $380 / day
Book this guideCole Patterson
11 years guiding
South Holston, Clinch River
All-methods float trips
From $500 / day (2 anglers)
Book this guideRebekah Torres
IFFF Certified Casting Instructor
Watauga River
Fly casting instruction + guided wade
From $320 / half-day
Book this guide24 licensed guides listed on FishFlow. New guides added monthly.
Browse All GuidesAngler Accounts
From anglers who stopped guessing.
Watauga River
"I used to spend 30 minutes checking USGS, calling the fly shop, and texting my guide before deciding on a day. FishFlow cut that down to about 90 seconds. Booked a Watauga float for Friday before I even had my coffee."
South Holston
"The 72-hour forecast actually told me NOT to book Saturday — TVA was generating all day. Went Sunday instead and had the best day I've had on the South Holston in three years. That forecast alone is worth it."
Hiwassee River
"My guide was exactly what the profile said — local, knowledgeable, no nonsense. We were on the water at 6:40 AM and he already knew the generation schedule for the day. That's the kind of guide you can't find on a national booking site."
Know the River. Book the Trip.
The Watauga is running right.
Are you going?
Stop planning around conditions you can't see. FishFlow gives you the data and the guides to fish East Tennessee's best tailwaters when they're actually fishing well.
Free to check conditions & browse guides. Deposit paid only when you book.
Northeast Tennessee · USGS gauges updated every 15 minutes
Common questions
What rivers does FishFlow cover?
FishFlow currently covers four East Tennessee tailwater systems: the Watauga River (below Wilbur Dam), the South Holston River (below South Holston Dam), the Clinch River (below Norris Dam), and the Hiwassee River (below Appalachia Dam). All four have USGS gauge stations with readings updated every 15 minutes.
How does the 72-hour bite forecast work?
The forecast combines current USGS gauge readings, TVA generation schedules for the next 72 hours, historical catch data by flow and season, and current water temperature where available. It produces a plain-language rating (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor) for each river so you can choose the best day without cross-referencing multiple data sources.
Are the guides on FishFlow licensed?
Yes. Every guide listed on FishFlow holds a current Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) guide license. Guides run their own operations and set their own rates — FishFlow does not take a commission from guide fees.
What does a guided trip on the Watauga River typically cost?
Half-day wade trips typically run $300–$380. Full-day float trips for one or two anglers typically run $420–$550 depending on the guide and season. Prices are set by each guide and listed on their FishFlow profile.
What happens if conditions change drastically before my trip?
FishFlow monitors USGS gauges continuously and will alert both you and your guide if flows shift significantly in the 48 hours before your trip. Your guide will reach out directly to discuss options — most East TN guides have backup plans for unexpected generation schedules.