Ellis Ward Guide Service
Based out of Johnson City, TN, we are right down the road from the Watauga River and South Holston River, two tailwaters that hold healthy populations of wild brown and rainbow trout. While trout fishing can be productive, and is in season, 365 days a year, our area holds excellent populations of Smallmouth, Striped Bass, and Musky - and we fish for all of them! Ellis Ward started this business with the goal of providing a guided fishing experience that shows clients the wild, challenging, and fulfilling side of both fishing and these rivers. If you are interested in watching brown trout erupt on streamers, hunting musky, fishing for Peacock Bass in Colombia, learning to present a tiny dry fly to a wary rising trout, fishing rodent flies in the darkest nights of summer, or anything in between, you have come to right place.
Streamer Fishing
Streamer Fishing is a type of fly fishing, or a technique within fly fishing, that utilizes flies meant to look or act like baitfish, leeches, crayfish - even trout or suckers. Trout, Smallmouth, Musky, Carp - all of these fish feed on prey that is much larger than insects, and streamers are the fly angler’s way of mimicking those food sources. As with any subset of fishing techniques, there are a lot of ways to approach streamer fishing, and we will certainly discuss, if not practice, a few of the most effective approaches. I do have my favorite, and lean more toward ‘near surface’, larger presentations, but there is a time and place for all techniques. Learn More, watch a few videos, and check out some thoughts on rigging, rods, and lines
Musky
Fishing for Musky on either fly or conventional contains the most exciting moment in sports. Anyone who disagrees should see what happens to a guide and 2 anglers when a four foot fish manifests itself behind a fly, 10 feet away. It can leave experienced anglers without knees. It’s a seconds-long moment that creates an obsession. It’s maddening. it’s heartbreaking. It’s the most rewarding, awe-inspiring moment that most anglers will ever hope to experience. We have a few options for fishing within an hour or so from Johnson City. More information on musky fishing can be found here, or just dive in head first and book your trip!
Dry Flies
Casting a dry fly to an individual fish and watching the fish eat your imitation, is both ‘classic’ fly fishing, and a whole mess of fun. Yes, the trout can picky. That’s why I tie all of the flies we use, and those little things are constantly evolving to what I see as effective on the water. Either way, and be it Caddis Flies and Pale Morning Duns on the Watauga, or Sulfurs and Midges on the South Holston (Baetis are ubiquitous, and lets be honest so are the other bugs), we work with what the river gives us, and can find rising fish nearly every day. There is plenty to digest about both the dry fly activity, the relationship between lakes and rivers, and the general arc of the seasons on the South Holston and the Watauga
Reviews
“Ellis is a tireless guide that is constantly learning so that he can educate his clients. There is very little blind casting or prospecting water, as is common with streamer fishing, since he knows every inch of the Watauga and is eager to show you a new way to fish. If you're looking to put big fish in the net - Ellis is your guy. If you're wanting to learn why those big fish were put in the net - Ellis is definitely your guy.”
— Morgan
“I couldn’t be happier with my fishing trip that I had with Ellis. I’ve fished with a lot of guides around the country and Ellis is one of the best. He’s not just looking at the clock and trying to make his hours and head back. He wants you to have a great experience. Streamer fishing for aggressive trout like he specializes in is very fun. I will be back to fish with him again.”
— Evan
“I’ve been watching Ellis online for well over a year. I even called him last summer to discuss a variety of fly fishing techniques and setups regarding streamers. He was more than willing to talk with me. I’m aligned with his passion to fish streamers to target aggressive and monster trout. My friend and I made it down to fish w him earlier this month and it didn’t disappoint. We fished streamers and mice from 5pm to 5am. He’s hardcore and will go the distance if you want to try him. We caught fish and moved many we missed. We learned a ton throughout the trip. He’s a very fishy guy and knows the waters extremely well. I will stay in contact and be planning future trips for sure.”
— Phillip
“Our family traveled to Johnson City, TN for a week during the recent Thanksgiving holiday. We had heard of Ellis and his guiding service and reached out, thinking it wouldn’t work out, due to our request being just 1-2 days before the holidays. Ellis accepted our trip(s) request and was extremely helpful from the time week booked to the time the trip concluded. Everything from home pick up, instruction, fishing, conversation, catch, and drop off were perfect. We had the best time and will absolutely book again when in the area! Thank you, Ellis, for an absolutely memorable trip!”
— Kirsten and Landon
“My boys and I caught the biggest fish of our trip with Ellis Ward Guide Service. Ellis and Jack know there stuff for fishing the area. We were tossing fly’s on top of trout in no time. Highly recommend.”
— David
Ellis is the real deal. Not many people are as serious and passionate about fishing as Ellis. Not only does he spend an incredible amount of time on the water, but is also an exquisite fly tier… and even processes his own bucktail (that’s how well he knows his materials). Ellis was a great guy to spend time with, but was also willing to share knowledge and put in an incredible amount of work to get us into some great fishing opportunities. Ellis loves the styles of fishing that are most enjoyable, from throwing streamers to targeting risers with size 26 dry flies. If you’re content watching a thing-a-ma-bobber float down the river while the guide matches the speed with the boat… well, still fish with him and he may expand your horizons. Definitely a great time and memorable trip!
— John
Check on availability of dates for guided fishing, ask about ordering flies and/or bucktail, etc.
