Doug Stone, Clay Gibson, Donal Ratigan and Tim Belk were inspired by the Jackson Hole One Fly, and thought it could be adapted to the Watauga and South Holston Rivers. They liked the idea of combining competition, and fellowship with fly fishing, and decided to invite friends. Veteran guides were recruited from Asheville, Boone and Bristol. The Tennessee Tri-Fly started in 2022.

While there are cash and gift cards for the winners, bragging rights is the big prize. There are no guarantees on these two trophy trout streams.

The anglers gather Monday evening for dinner to learn the pairings and guide assignments for the next two days. Everyone stays at Tailwaters Lodge. Bruce and Paula Cote provide the hospitality. Points are tallied both days with story telling along the way and an awards ceremony on the back deck the final night.

As a part of the tournament, anglers contribute towards improving trout habitat and water quality on the South Holston and the Watauga. TTF has partnered with the Overmountain TU Chapter and the Blue Ridge Guide Association on projects like conserving land, putting in floating trash collectors on tributaries of the Watauga and upgrading the temperature gauges on both rivers.