Allie and I ventured to the Watauga for a full day float with Silverbow Anglers.  Stayed at Meredithvalleycabins.com Friday night.  Very nice, clean fully equiped cabins (3) right on the Watauga River bank in Elizabethton, TN. Adam Vurnakes of Silverbow Anglers picked us up at the cabin at a bright and early 7:30 AM on Saturday and we were off to the river put-in.  Adam was equiped with a great drift boat that had stands fore and aft of the type that allows you to brace/lock your legs while standing.  He came fully equiped with rods, flies, everything we might need although I used my own rod for right hand retrieve.

Once on the river, we didn't see the hatch activity we had hoped and after a couple hours we switched to nymphing. 

Adam is the first guide I've done a trip with that actually cooked a hot riverside lunch for us.  Usually, it's a sandwich or sub but, not this day.

We both had great days catching lots of redish Rainbows and a few yellow bottom Browns including the catch of the day (photo attached).

I recommend Silverbow Anglers (Adam Vurnakes) to anyone looking for a float trip on the Watauga, SOuth Holston, or Nolichucky (for smallmouth).  His rates are lower than many but, the service is first class.

Caddis dry patterns, (forget the name but,) a nymph pattern resembling a pheasant tail, San Juan worm, and, of course, I had to get my "Frenchie" involved.