Floating the Holston River Below Cherokee Dam

My free time is fairly limited these days. Having a full time job as a fly fishing job doesn't equate to more fishing time, at least not for me. As a result, it is more special than ever when I can get on the water and wet a line for myself. Last Friday, I was fortunate to have the day off due to a cancellation and my buddy and fellow guide Chris Bean was also available. Last year, I got to float the Holston for the first time with him and last week we decided to go for round two. Chris Bean guides the Holston River below Cherokee Dam regularly for both trout and smallmouth, so I was essentially getting the treat of a guided experience.

Launching the boat. ©2026 David Knapp Photography

We put it for a new to me section of river and quickly pushed down from the boat ramp to a series of shoals that looked very fishy. Sure enough. I was throwing streamers and got my first solid hit just above the first shoal. A chunky rainbow came quickly to the net and we were off to the next one. 

For probably an hour, I absolutely hammered fish. Chris definitely knew the river well. He kept me positioned well as we approached each riffle and bucket and pointed out the spots that would likely hold fish. I don't have much desire to guide this river (too long of a drive from home), but I was realizing yet again why Chris loves this river so much. The fish were all turbocharged and fought above their weight class. Eventually, however, I found one that matched how it fought. 

We were drifting through yet another riffle when Chris pointed out a nice run on the other side of the boat. I quickly repositioned and got a drift set up. The indicator did a little dance and when I set the hook, chaos exploded on the other end. This fish was doing its best to get away. Another riffle just below us beckoned but low side pressure turned it before it could get into the fast water. Eventually I slid the big rainbow into the net. I don't take a ton of pictures anymore, but immediately asked Chris if he had a camera handy. This was my personal largest on the Holston River at 20.5" (and on only my second float) and needed documentation. It sure helps to have a guide to fish with. I was finding fish quickly thanks to the expertise of Chris. 

Holston River trophy rainbow trout. Photo Courtesy of Chris Bean ©2026 

At some point, I started to feel a little selfish and relinquished the front of the boat to Chris. He suggested which lines I should take and started catching some for himself. Eventually, we transitioned to a dry/dropper instead of the nymph rig and that is when we really had a blast. Fish were rising to a solid midge hatch, and a good cast into rising fish would almost always get an eat on the midge. We were catching so many fish it was embarrassing at times.

Guide Chris Bean fishing on the Holston River. ©2026 David Knapp Photography

Of course, that calls for experimentation. We figured out what they would eat, so it was time to figure out what they wouldn't eat. As it turns out, pretty much everything worked until the very end of the trip. 

A bald eagle flew over the river and midway across spooked a large pod of fish. We both had the same thought: carp. Rowing over, I got my first glimpse of one fish after another and got excited until I realized the carp were mostly missing from this school. These were primarily buffalo which aren't nearly as easy a target (in my experience) as carp are. The one or two carp I spotted were soon spooked, and we finally packed it in to get home before our wives got worried. 

It had been a highly successful day of fishing. The Holston River will just fish better and better over the next few weeks, so if you are interested in trying it out, just reach out and we'll get you scheduled to fish with Chris.