Above the fish hatchery there is a dam on the river that created a small pond. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland fisheries stock the South Holston below the dam across from the fish hatchery and downstream of that point. Just above the pond, the stream flows through a small canyon. In some places you will have to wade to progress upstream. Now keep in mind, the South Fork of the Holston River is a small creek at that point. It is the beginning of the South Holston River miles above the part that most anglers are familiar with.
A close personal friend of mine has said that each time he went; he caught several trout both above and below the little dam. In fact, he has caught some very nice trout below the dam in the stocked section. He has taken several rainbows up to and over 16 inches long in the creek where it was not over ten feet wide. It can be fun when you can catch trout like that in a stream where you need to duck to get under the tree limbs.
If you are not familiar with the special regulation sections of the South Fork Holston River, you can find them easily from Interstate 81 by taking exit 45 (Marion) and heading south on Highway 16 towards the community of Sugar Grove. In the community of Sugar Grove, turn right off of Highway 16 onto Teas Road. Teas Road follows the South Fork Holston River, signs designate the beginning of the special regulation area. If you continue down Teas Road it turns into route 650 and passes by the Buller Fish Cultural Station. You can access the lower sections of these areas from the Buller property. A trip to the South Holston River in Virginia is well worth the effort whether you want to fish the upper part for wild trout or the stocked section. MAP Part 2 follows.