Fin & Feather Episode Two: Inside The Fly Box and the Heart of East Tennessee Fly Fishing
With : colby_acuff
For Episode Two of Fin & Feather, Colby Acuff made his way to Bristol, Tennessee—a town rooted in tradition and surrounded by some of the best trout water in the Southeast. With the South Holston and Watauga Rivers as the backdrop, Colby connected with the crew at The Fly Box, a family-run fly shop dedicated to building community and protecting the fishery. What he found was more than just tight lines and cold flows—he found a story worth telling. This episode is about passion, purpose, and how a small shop in East Tennessee is making a big impact on and off the water.
The Fly Box in Bristol, Tennessee has a clear mission—build community around an incredible fishery. What drew you to this story, and why did it feel like the right fit for Episode 2 of Fin & Feather?
What Drew me to the story was the area itself. I had moved to Tennessee in 2023 and hadn’t fished it yet. I had heard a ton about the South Holston and was waiting for the right opportunity to go fish it. I had heard a lot about John and the Fly Box from mutual friends. I knew that was going to be the move. So I asked for a connect and we set it up.
The South Holston and Watauga Rivers are legendary in their own right. What stood out most to you about the fishery—and how did the people guiding and fishing it shape your experience on the water?
The rivers in that area blew me away. I knew the rivers were famous in their own right, but it was truly breathtaking. We saw really healthy fish in both rivers. Including a brown on the Watauga that I thought was a 3 foot tree branch. The water is cold and the people who guide on the resources were amazing. From my experience with John’s family at the Fly Box I saw nothing but true passion. They love to fish, they love to guide, and they believe in conservation.
The Fly Box isn’t just a gear shop—it’s a gathering place, a pulse point for the Bristol fishing community. What did you learn about the deeper role a fly shop can play in a place like this?
Jonathans dream is to make a community. Something that is extremely important when trying to advocate for a resource. There is a fly fishing community in East Tennessee but the fly box gives the community a place to gather and share ideas. Share experiences, and ultimately share the love for the resource when the time comes to stand up.
As always, Fin & Feather shines a light on the people behind the curtain—the guides, shop owners, and locals protecting their resource. What was it about The Fly Box crew that made you want to tell their story?
Our goal here at Fin and Feather is to tell your story about your resource and your personal experience. I felt like the Fly Box had a story based around family and community. A family owned and operated fly shop that is at the beginning of their story. What more could you want? To be in early to tell the story of the fly box’s mission was an honor.
Conservation is a constant theme in Fin & Feather. What challenges—or victories—did you see in the South Holston and Watauga area when it comes to protecting the water and the fishery?
When it comes to these two rivers in this area, I would say they get a pretty good bill of health. They do a great job of keeping this fish happy and they have a ton of food. Like most places though, the problem, if any, I would say is water. Especially on the watauga. The watauga is kept pretty low, it’s skinny, and hairy rowing. I wouldn’t recommend just anyone go float down the watauga. I also feel like once the south holston slows down everyone goes to fish the smaller river. Seems like that could be a situation worth avoiding, but non-the less I would say both rivers are doing well.
After filming this episode, what do you hope viewers take away—not just about the South Holston or Watauga, but about how fishing can bring people together and build something lasting?
I hope people love this episode for the message. Fishing is so much more than fish. Being an outfitter or a guide is so much more than just rowing down the river. Your resource needs community. It needs a group of people to advocate for it. We need more people like John in this world. People who can make an effort that isn’t based on ego but sacrifice. To go out of their way to become united. We all love to fish, so let’s talk about it.
