Trophy Trout Episodes

Episode Overview How do East Tennessee anglers keep varied, high-quality fishing going through the peak of summer heat? On this East Tennessee Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Ellis Ward for a summer conditions update covering tailwater trout, musky and an evening-into-night program that few outfitters offer. The answer, as Ellis explains, comes down to water: East Tennessee's cold tailwater releases stay productive for trout ev...

Episode Overview In this East Tennessee Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Ellis Ward for an early-summer conditions update focused on the Watauga River tailwater. After a dry spring that kept anglers grinding through tough conditions, a stretch of rain and rising water has Ellis bullish on what's ahead: bigger flows, off-color water, and the full slate of techniques that make East Tennessee tailwaters unique. He covers the current Watauga generation s...

Episode Overview East Tennessee guide Ellis Ward joins host Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast for a late-winter fishing report covering the South Holston River and surrounding tailwaters. In this episode, Ellis breaks down how unpredictable dam generation schedules and fluctuating flows are the primary drivers of inconsistent fishing windows — more so than weather — and why that reality demands a fundamentally different mental approach from serious anglers. With BWO hatche...

Episode Overview East Tennessee guide Ellis Ward delivers his first fishing report of 2026 on The Articulate Fly podcast, covering winter tactics for both post-spawn trout and low-water musky fishing. Ward breaks down strategic adaptations required for fishing extremely low and clear water conditions that have dominated the region through early January, affecting both tailwater trout fisheries and musky rivers like the French Broad. The episode emphasizes post-spawn trout streamer fishing opp...

In this East Tennessee Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash connects with guide Ellis Ward to discuss the seasonal transition from brown trout to prime musky fishing on the French Broad River. Ellis breaks down why December is a great time to chase musky in East Tennessee, explaining how low water conditions create unique presentation opportunities and how recent rain is settling the river into its winter patterns. With baby number three arriving this week, Ellis shares hi...

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for an East Tennessee Fishing Report with guide Ellis Ward, covering exceptional streamer fishing conditions on the South Holston River. Ward breaks down the perfect storm of factors creating explosive brown trout action: pre-spawn behavior, shad kills from dissolved oxygen events and ideal atmospheric conditions that produced multiple fish over 20 inches in single sessions. This fly fishing podcast delivers expert troubleshooting for ...

The Home Invader: A 30-Year Fly Fishing Legacy In this episode of The Butcher Shop, host Marvin Cash dives deep into one of fly fishing's most versatile streamer patterns with its creator, Doug McKnight. Calling in from Blacksmith Lodge in Punta Herrero, Mexico, Doug shares the complete story behind the Home Invader—from its origins on Pennsylvania spring creeks to its evolution into a deadly pattern for everything from Yellowstone brown trout to backcountry tarpon. Doug McKnight's Streame...

In this East Tennessee Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Ellis Ward for timely fall fishing insights and essential drift boat etiquette. Ward breaks down why mouse patterns are producing exceptional results right now, explaining how recent field harvests push rodents to the water and trigger aggressive feeding windows even during bright moon phases. The conversation delivers practical drift boat etiquette for new boat owners, emphasizing co...

The Articulate Fly delivers another essential East Tennessee Fishing Report with veteran guide Ellis Ward, covering the critical fall transition period when serious fly fishers need to adapt their approach. Ward, who operates in the premier East Tennessee tailwater system, breaks down current conditions on the Watauga River (low flows no recreational releases) and South Holston River (reliable generation), while detailing the shift to smaller fall patterns with bugs in the 16-22 range. Thi...

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast host Marvin Cash for another East Tennessee Fishing Report with guide Ellis Ward, covering current conditions on the Watauga River and South Holston River. While dry fly action has been unusually slow for August, Ellis reveals why the streamer fishing has been exceptional, with clients regularly landing impressive fish including a 26.5-inch brown trout. Learn how post-Helene water stain continues to benefit streamer presentations, current generation ...

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast host Marvin Cash for an essential East Tennessee Fishing Report with seasoned guide Ellis Ward, who delivers critical summer conditions updates for the Watauga River and the South Holston River. Ward breaks down how recent afternoon thunderstorms are impacting freestone rivers while highlighting exceptional streamer fishing and mousing opportunities during the current recreation release schedule. Learn the optimal timing strategies for navigating the...