Overmountain Chapter Trout Unlimited
Did you know?
The Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited (OMTU) isn’t just a fishing club—we’re a cold water conservation group. Sure, many of us love chasing trout with a fly rod, but our real passion is protecting and preserving the cold water streams that make those moments possible.
Our mission is simple but important: To conserve, protect, and restore cold water fisheries in the Watauga, South Holston, and Nolichucky watersheds in Northeast Tennessee.
We’re always looking for passionate volunteers to join us—whether that’s helping out in the field, supporting local outreach, or just spreading the word in your community. Every little bit helps.
Can’t volunteer? No problem. Consider supporting our efforts with a donation. Your contribution helps us continue important work to keep these rivers healthy and thriving for generations to come.
Get involved. Make a difference. Protect what matters.
Upcoming Events
Our Next Chapter Meeting
Jonathan Neyman - The Fly Box
We’re excited to welcome Jonathan Neyman, Founder & CEO of The Fly Box, as the guest speaker for our upcoming chapter meeting.
Jonathan will be sharing insights on fishing opportunities right here in our region, as well as discussing the incredible fly fishing experiences available in Patagonia.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just getting started, this will be a great opportunity to learn more about our local waters and dream a little about casting flies in one of the world’s most iconic fisheries.
Dinner and social time begins at 6:00, the presentation begins at 7:00.
We hope to see everyone there!
🗓 Date: Tuesday, March 17
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Golden Corral (3104 Browns Mill Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604)
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Trout in the Classroom Release
Volunteers Needed!
Our annual Trout in the Classroom Release Day is coming up on Friday, May 1st, and we could really use your help! We’re looking for around 12 volunteers to help run various educational stations, assist with the trout fry release, and share insights with students about the trout’s natural habitat.
The event takes place from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the South Holston Weir Dam. It’s a fun and rewarding day where students get to connect with the outdoors, learn about stream ecology, and release the trout they’ve raised into the river.
If you are interested in helping, please register at the link below.
🗓 Date: Friday, May 1
🕕 Time: 11:00 AM
📍 Location: South Holston Weir Dam (376 Holston View Dam Rd, Bristol, TN 37620)
Women's Intro to Fly Fishing Clinic
OMTU is excited to offer a two-part Women’s Fly Fishing Course on April 30 and May 2 (you must attend both portions). The course begins with an online session on Thursday evening from 7:00–9:00 PM, where participants will take part in classroom-style instruction and group discussion. On Saturday morning, from 8:00 AM–2:00 PM, we’ll meet in person to put that knowledge into practice on the water.
During the hands-on session, you’ll gear up with waders and boots, learn how to set up a fly rod (all equipment provided), and be paired with a knowledgeable mentor. We’ll start with basic casting techniques through lawn practice before heading into the water to try your hand at catching fish. Breakfast and lunch will be provided during the in-person training.
This course is perfect for women with no prior fly fishing experience, those wanting a refresher on the fundamentals, or anyone interested in connecting with other local women anglers.
The course will take place rain or shine, so please monitor the forecast and dress appropriately. In the event of severe weather, including lightning, the session may be rescheduled.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE
OMTU Spring Camp Out
Join Overmountain Trout Unlimited for the annual spring camp out in the Smokies! Anglers of all experience levels welcome. We will have fishing opportunities at numerous local wild trout streams including the Deep Creek watershed inside the park or the nearby Tuckaseegee tailwater outside of the park. All fishing in Great Smoky Mountains NP requires either a TN or NC fishing license, and any vehicle parking inside the park requires a tag. Some will fish the larger, more accessible waters that run through the campground and the entrance of the park (Deep Creek), others will hike short distances (1-3 miles) to more remote areas for smaller stream fishing. All experience levels are welcome, and we'll happily spend time with beginners who'd like to learn how to fish small streams.
Gear: We recommend bringing a 7'6" 3 wt for some of the smaller waters or up to a 10' 5 wt for tight-line nymphing the largest body of water, Deep Creek or for general fishing in the Tuckaseegee. An 8' or 9' 4 or 5 wt will do an excellent job covering all bases. This time of year, it's possible to wet wade, but we can't rule out a cold front in May that may warrant bringing your pair. It tends to rain more in May, but if the water is low, dry fly fishing can be great. If rain falls before or during the trip, nymphing or even streamer fishing can truly come alive as well.
Need gear? Let us know in the RSVP at least 5 days in advance of the event, and we'd be happy to provide boots, waders, or fly rods or flies for you and your company.
Logistics: Participants are encouraged to stay at Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground since we will have dinner together Friday and Saturday nights. Address: 1040 W Deep Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713
Call (828) 488-6055 to reserve your individual tent site, RV site, or cabin. OMTU will not hold a group reservation, so accommodations should be made directly with the host on a first-come, first-serve basis. We'll be concentrated on the northern part of the West side of Deep Creek (sites 1-26 or the northernmost cabins).
First Saturday Fishing Days
Who: Fly fishers of all ages and skill levels
What: A few hours of relaxing fishing, most likely on the Watauga River or larger streams within a 30 min drive of Elizabethton.
🗓 Date: Saturday, April 4
🕕 Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: O'Reilly Auto Parts (500 N Sycamore St, Elizabethton, TN 37643) and decide on which river or stream based on conditions the day of.
Please reach out to us if you are a new fly fisher, need gear, or want to learn more!
Thank You, Tailwater Roundup Volunteers & Sponsors!
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came out on March 14 to support this year’s Tailwater Roundup. Because of your hard work and dedication, we had an amazing turnout of 98 volunteers who helped remove over 10,000 pounds of trash and more than 2,000 pounds of tires from the South Holston and Watauga Rivers.
The impact you made on our local waterways is huge. These rivers are special places for so many of us, and it takes a committed community like this to help protect and preserve them.
A big thank you to the Elizabethton Moose Lodge for hosting our after-party and giving everyone a place to relax and celebrate a job well done.
We also couldn’t do this without the incredible support of our sponsors.
Please help us thank and support the businesses and organizations that made this event possible:
828 Flies
AFTCO
APES
Asheville Fly Fishing Co.
Blue Mountain Fly Fishing
Blue Ridge Guide Association
Bojangles
Burger King
Carter County Solid Waste
Chetola Resort
Cortland
Douglas
Due South Outfitters
Elk Creek Outfitters
Fly Desyne / Megafin Flyfishing
Flying Soho
Hares Ear Flyfishing
Hickory Tree Grocery Store
High Country Boats
High Country Guide Service
Holston Distributing
HUK
Hunter Banks
Love Graham Vintage
Mahoney's
Northern Safety
OMTU
Orvis
Pure Fishing / Hatch / Filson
R.L. Winston Rods
Riverfeet Fly Fishing
South Holston River Company
South Holston River Fly Shop
South Holston River Lodge
Southern Drifters Outfitters
Speckled Trout
Stone Fly Co
Sullivan County Solid Waste
Tailwaters Fly Shop
Tailwaters Lodge
The Fly Box
Trophy Waters Guide Service
TVA
VA Creeper Fly Shop
Watauga River Lodge
Because of all of you, this was one of the most successful cleanups yet. We’re already looking forward to next year.
OMTU Story
Here is a video that was made by OMTU members back in 1999. It tells about the mission of OMTU and some of the past projects that we have worked on as a chapter. The narrator of the video, Paul Anderson, recently passed away so we decided to post this video in his honor. The projects that we have worked on over the years may have changed, but the mission remains the same.
