Construction
began on Watauga Lake in 1942 after the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) impounded Elk River, Roan Creek, and Watauga River to create the Lake. The Lake includes 6,430 acres, according to the USDA Forest Service; it has boat launches, picnic areas and a campground.
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Visitors can purchase a fishing license, bait and supplies, and can also rent
Appalachian National Scenic Trail #1 follows the west and north sides of the expansive man-made Watauga Lake, which was finished in 1948 as part of the Watauga Dam that was built to control the flooding in the Tennessee River Watershed. Roughly 650 families and 1,281 gravesites in Butler, Tenn. had to be relocated to higher ground.
Butler became known as “The Town that Wouldn’t Drown.”
What the locals have called New Butler for generations is located along the northern shore of Watauga Lake.
The Lake attracts visitors; they can learn about the history of the area at The Butler Museum, which is located at 123 Selma Curtis Rd.
The Museum first opened in 1999. It opened for the 2024 season in mid-May. During the summer, the Museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Butler and Watauga Valley Heritage Museum opened in 2000 to honor the citizens of Butler as well as Watauga Valley, Roan Valley and Elk Valley, according to the Museum’s
website.
The Museum prominently displays the legendary Daniel Boone, who went to Butler in 1769 and stayed for about two years until he completed a survey. Before leaving, Boone named Roan Creek after his horse, according to the Museum.
The Museum of Butler allows visitors to learn about the history of Old Butler, which was mostly occupied by lumberjacks and farmers. Butler is the only incorporated town to be intentionally flooded by the Tennessee Valley Authority, according to the Museum. Watauga Lake was made to provide flood control and cheap electricity.
Watauga Lake covers 10.05 square miles across two rural counties, according to www. wataugalaketennessee.com. Watauga Lake, also known as Lake Watauga, is in northeastern Tennessee. The Appalachian Trail crosses the southwestern tip of Watauga Lake. It’s about a 30-mile drive from downtown Boone to the Museum of Butler.
The Museum has historic exhibits of “Old Butler” and a gift shop. Watauga Lake is accessible by winding mountain roads. It is west of Boone and just below Mountain City, Tenn. The Lake has marinas and
restaurants with a view of the water and a 105-mile shoreline, according to wataugalaketennesseee.com. The Watauga Lake Dam is 331 feet high, 925 feet long and 1,275 feet thick at the base.
“New Butler” is located lakeside and has The Butler Museum, which preserves the “Old Butler” history.
Watauga Lake’s water level usually drops seasonally by as much as 10 feet to about 1,949 feet above sea level, according to the Lake’s website. The water level can drop by 20 feet or more during a drought.
Watauga Lake accommodates power boating, house-boating, sailing,
canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing and wakeboarding. Local marinas offer a wide variety of services, and there are restaurants and lodgings. Watauga Lake has full-week vacation rentals. Rates vary based on the season — summertime is the peak season. Recreation vehicles and campers are welcome.
For those wanting to fish, Watauga Lake has Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Walleye.
A Tennessee State Fishing License is required to fish at Watauga Lake.
When you make the short drive to downtown Mountain City, you’ll find a vibrant arts community. Johnson County Center for the Arts features the work of more than a hundred local artisans, including potters, woodworkers, and nationally recognized painters, photographers, and textile artists. Local trails and landscapes, including Watauga Lake, are a constant source of inspiration for creatives. The Center for the Arts also has a full-service frame shop, so you can put the final touch on those treasures you find or create. We offer a variety of books by local authors, lectures and book signings. We feature a different artist or collection each month and host a First Friday reception with live music and refreshments from 4 to 6 p.m.
You can sign up for a class or use our Maker Space to develop your creative talent. We offer classes in a variety of media as well as summer camps for young artists. Pick up a class catalog or visit www.jocoartcenter.org for a current schedule. Our Maker Space is open any time we are. It’s free to use, and it’s stocked with all kinds of supplies for painting, drawing, sculpting, leathercraft, and even jewelry making. It’s the perfect cozy corner for days when you’re in search of a creative adventure. We also offer a variety of take-home lesson kits. Our Monarchs and Milkweed S.T.E.A.M. lesson kit is always a hit with kids. It contains an owl pellet for dissection and collage activity. Adventures in Acrylic with Tara Belk and Basic Charcoal Drawing with Cristy Dunn are accompanied by video lessons, and “Slow Stitching” is the perfect takehome activity for a relaxing, creative afternoon.
If you are a music lover, you’ll enjoy Mountain Music Summer Jams on the
Pickin’ Porch every second and fourth Tuesday evening from 4 to 6 in the summer months. Bring a chair and come hungry for soup beans and cornbread or hotdogs with homemade chili. If you happen to stop in on a Thursday or Friday evening at about 4 p.m., you just might find our Front Porch Pickers gathered in to play and sing traditional music.
this unique history to life. You can pick up a map from our front porch that will guide you as you walk our scenic downtown and discover a storied history. Clarence Tom Ashley was the first to record House of the Risin’ Sun. His unique clawhammer banjo style was a major influence on musicians as diverse as Bob Dylan and Jerry Garcia.
“Some of the ballads and songs you’ll hear have been passed down in these mountains for hundreds of years from one generation to the next,” said Director Cristy Dunn. “One of my favorite things about the arts center is that it’s a place where people can connect and inspire and learn from each other. Our staff and volunteers always have a smile and make everyone feel welcome.”
Johnson County is home to several musicians who were instrumental in the development of early country music. Our Musical Heritage Mural Mile brings
just around the corner, a life-size bronze sculpture of Fiddlin’ Fred Price provides the perfect photo opportunity. Labor Day weekend brings the Long Journey Home festival, Johnson County’s heritage arts and music celebration. The weekend begins with Buskin’ on Main Street on Friday, Aug. 30. Then on Saturday, Aug. 31, we’ll unveil a new Medicine Show mural downtown and invite you to join us at heritage sites throughout the county for live music performed by ‘keepers of the true vine.” Long Journey Home always concludes with a traditional Sunday Singin’ at Heritage Hall. Visit www. longjourneyhome.net to learn more.
You’ll learn about the capture of Tom Dooley and how nearly every song that blind fiddler G.B. Grayson recorded in his short career has become a standard of Old Time and Bluegrass music. The 1925 Fiddlers Convention celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2025. This event, which has been called a ‘watershed in the history of country music,’ took place right here in Mountain City, in what is now Heritage Hall Theater. A mural across the street depicts a fascinating who’s who of the 1920s musicians who gathered to play and sing here in the earliest days of radio. And
This year, if all our plans come to pass, the Center for the Arts will celebrate the grand opening of our new Main Street Gallery location as part of the Long Journey Home festival Labor Day weekend! When we opened our doors in 2017 there were only a dozen artists represented. That number has grown to more than a hundred in just a few short years. Classes are often filled to capacity with a waiting list. After exploring several options for expansion, we are in the process of purchasing and renovating the property at 129 West Main Street to add much needed space for display, classes and events and to position the Center for the Arts to serve our community for many years to come. Johnson County Center for the Arts is a comprehensive non-profit arts center, and our mission is to empower our community and bring people together through teaching, encouraging and supporting a variety of artistic forms and experiences. We invite you to stop by to create, connect, and maybe get inspired by stories, songs, and works created by local artisans
A popular destination for hikers near Watauga Lake is Laurel Falls (not to be confused with Laurel Creek Falls), which was built more than 90 years ago and still continues to be a favorite among families with young children.
The trail started to really take form back in the 1960s and has now become a popular five-mile round-trip hike spanning between North Carolina and Carter County in Tennessee. It is also a part of the Appalachian Trail.
At the midway point of the 2.3-mile round-trip hike, and after climbing 314 feet, there is an 80-foot waterfall. There are also stone steps all the way down to the bottom.
Hikers can also opt to walk the 7.9mile trail from Watauga Lake to the end of the trail in Hampton, Tennessee, and visit the old fire tower atop Cove Mountain.
It is advised to arrive earlier in the day as parking will fill up quickly. The trail, which is on Dennis Cove Road, is located just off Hwy 321 and is a fairly direct route from Boone to Hampton. According to nps.gov, pets and bicycles are prohibited on the trail, which is partly paved but can become rough and uneven.
Twisted Falls, which has also been called Compression Falls or Twisting Falls, is located in the Elk Mills area of Carter County, near the Tennessee border with North Carolina.
Over the years, it has become a popular place to be in the summer, thanks to its 30-foothigh waterfall.
The hike is listed at about 0.8 miles out and back, with the trail near Elk Park, NC. It’s listed as a challenging route due to the steepness of the hike and can take about 40 minutes to complete.
Twisted Falls is located off Elk River Road and is said to be a popular place to be in the summer months (May through October), but there is limited parking, so make sure to arrive early.
An experience full of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, history, and more.
There are plenty of places to put your boat in the water on Watauga Lake.
Cove Ridge Marina and Resort (947 Piercetown Rd.), in Butler, Tenn., is “dedicated to providing our guests with an exceptional experience, whether you’re here to relax, explore the area, or enjoy some water activities.”
Cove Ridge has boat and home rentals and RV parking for overnight stays and dining. Cove Ridge Marina can be reached by phone at (423) 768-3760 or by email at office@coveridgemarina. com. For details on Cove Ridge Marina, go to coveridgemarina.com.
Lakeshore Resort and Marina has three 20-foot runabout boats and a fleet of 24-foot pontoon boats for rent, according to onthewatauga.com.
Fish Springs Marina is located at 191 Fish Springs Rd. In Hampton and can be reached at (423) 768-2336. It has been family-owned since 1948. Fish Springs Marina is a full-service Marina. Learn more about it at www. fishspringsmarina.com.
The rental season at Fish Springs Marina is year-round, according to onthewatauga.com. Boat rentals are for daytime use only.
Watauga Lake boat rentals are one of the best ways to enjoy the water, according to onthewatauga.com.
Watauga Lakeshore Resort & Marina is located at 2285 US-321 in Hampton, Tenn. The Resort can be reached at (423) 725-5276. The Resort’s accommodations include “cabins, boat rentals and boat service. The resort also has a marina, a restaurant, and a swimming pool,” according to lakeshorereortmarina.com.
Lakeshore Resort and Marina and Fish Springs Marina are the only places on Watauga Lake where you can rent a
boat. Fish Springs Marina Rental also offers standup paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes.
Due to its rural nature, the area surrounding Watauga Lake is a unique marketplace. Relatively few local businesses and services are present, and some niches are even left void. Many folks commute upwards of an hour to work in larger areas such as Boone or Johnson City, and locals often bring services in from the hubs that are “close by, but only as the crow flies.”
There is a stigma associated with individuals and small businesses close to home. It is a multifaceted issue, but two major contenders are the rampant drug problem, which has swept the nation in recent decades, and government dependence.
We hear a common thread of complaints from consumers to the tune of being burned and contractors who
take their money and run or do part of a job but do not complete it. We also hear reports of inefficient communication and project timeline management. On the other hand, we have great small businesses in the area that provide excellent service but need more willing employees to handle the overwhelming workload.
I grew up watching my father and grandfather build businesses here. I came up with the idea for the Watauga Lake Entrepreneur’s Guild after operating my own business and witnessing firsthand the challenges present for both providers and consumers. I have also been exposed to wonderful contractors who have high regard for their customers.
My current goal is to organize those providers and create a resource for consumers to rely upon for
recommendations. The immediate plan is to organize a vetting system of applications and references to create a database of local service providers. Furthermore, the goal is to create a support system for entrepreneurs in our area. Our future plans include providing edifying talks, classes, and information organization so that we can glean from one another’s strengths and talents.
Alongside the growth in popularity of this no longer hidden gem, there is much room and need for business growth here. My hope is that Watauga Lake Entrepreneur’s Guild can be a trusted resource for local consumers and support businesses in their efforts to provide enrichment and opportunity in our community.
Watauga Lake Winery, nestled in the Tennessee countryside in the small town of Butler, has a special element of surrounding beauty that not many other area wineries have to offer. The winery is situated along Watauga Lake, providing world-class waterfront views for visitors who stop by.
The winery was originally started by Wayne and Linda Gay over a decade ago and, at the time, was the only winery in the northeast corner of Tennessee. Now, thanks to the creation of the Appalachian High Country American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2016, there are over 20 vineyards in the 2,400 square miles that the AVA zone covers in northeastern Tennessee, northwestern North Carolina, and southwestern Virginia. Appalachian High Country AVA vineyards are found at altitudes ranging from 2,290 feet to 4,630 feet.
The winery also saved a special piece of history in the area by repurposing the old Big Dry Run Schoolhouse from the 1940s. Inside the building, you will find their tasting room, event space, and their wine production area. Outside, Watauga Lake Winery offers a private deck that can be reserved for special occasions, whether it is for a business gathering, a family reunion, or just a group of friends getting back together to hang out.
Currently, Watauga Lake Winery has 10 different wines they offer. The School House White and the School House Red are two of the most popular choices. Traminette is a wine made from grapes harvested from nearby Villa Nove Vineyards. Other selections include Chardonel that features hints of mango and other fruit flavors, Seyval Blanc with its apple, citrus and melon flavor, the port-style wine Duncan Hollow, the tasty Apple Berry wine, the rich and fruity Concord wine, the pink grape Steuben and finally the Niagara, made of harvested niagara grapes.
If you want some food to enjoy while tasting wines at Watauga Lake Winery, the kitchen has you covered with salads, desserts, daily specials, pizzas, and charcuterie boards.
Watauga Lake Winery, now operated by the Waterfront Group, is located at 6952 Big Dry Run Road in Butler. Tasting room hours are Thursday 12-6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12-9 p.m., and Sunday 12-6 p.m. For more information, call (423) 768-0345.
The Appalachian Trail crosses thousands of miles of wooded wilderness, rolling hillsides, breathtaking peaks and mountainous terrain up the Eastern Seaboard from Georgia to Maine.
Fortunately, one does not need to trek the approximately 2,190 miles of trail to enjoy the sweeping beauty and awe-inspiring natural landscapes the trail has to offer.
In fact, the trail follows along the western coastline of Watauga Lake, thus offering numerous opportunities for nature lovers to hike portions of the trail and take in the scenery of the lake and the surrounding Cherokee National Forest.
For those feeling more adventurous, hikers may backpack further out from one of the several Appalachian Trail trailheads around the lake and head to the mountains north or south of the man-made reservoir.
To the north, the Appalachian Trail zigzags across the Iron and Holston mountain ranges, while the trail crosses over Roan Mountain, Yellow Mountain and White Rocks Mountain to the south.
The complete section
of the Appalachian Trail at Watauga Lake is 11 miles long and marked by white blazes. The primary trail can be hiked in both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. On average, it takes longer than 16 hours to complete the trail on this portion of the AT at Watauga Lake.
However, hikers also have plenty of shorter day hikes to choose from as part of any day-cation to the popular lakeside destination in east Tennessee.
This eight-mile pointto-point path along the Appalachian Trail begins in Hampton, Tenn., and features views of a waterfall and river, and ends with views of Watauga Lake. The trail generally takes more than four hours to complete and is considered moderately challenging.
Widely considered a more challenging route, this 7.9-mile point-to-point path near Hampton, Tenn., is great
for backpacking and seasoned hikers looking to prove themselves. The hike typically takes nearly four and a half hours to complete, and hikers will enjoy the cool mountain air from May to October.
This moderately difficult hike is located in the nearby Pond Mountain Wilderness area. This 2.4-mile out-and-back hike near
Hampton, Tenn., on average, takes just over an hour to complete. Given its less strenuous nature, it is a popular hike for walking and trail running and features views of the Laurel Fork Falls.
Nestled in the heart of Mountain City, TN, and just a stone’s throw from the serene Watauga Lake, Black Bear Wine and Spirits is your go-to destination for an unparalleled selection of wines, beers, and spirits. With over 5,000 items to choose from, there’s something for every taste and occasion.
Owned and operated by friendly locals Tom and Becky Stanley, we pride ourselves on our extensive inventory and exceptional customer service. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just looking for the perfect bottle for your next gathering, you’ll feel right at home at Black Bear Wine and Spirits.
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HAMPTON, Tenn. –
The Brewrista & the Bean, which is located at 3266 US-321, is a gourmet coffee shop next to Watauga Lake. Brewrista & the Bean wants to serve “our community coffee with a passion,” according to the business’s website.
A local artisan coffee shop, Brewrista & the Bean is a “welcoming environment …” as it’s a place to have “a cup of Joe with friends, meet new people and chat with your barista.”
Patrons are encouraged to bring a book and mingle; orders to go are “no problem.”
Brewrista & the Bean
offers merchandise. In addition to the drink menu, they also sell bags of coffee beans and all kinds of gourmet coffee. They also host a Brewrista and the Bean LLC Mountain Markets every Saturday with small business owners that will have “fantastic items” for sale.
To learn more about Brewrista & the Bean, including their merchandise and menu options, go to www. brewristaandthebean.com Brewrista & the Bean encourages customers to join the Caffeinated Buzz Club. Details about the Club can be found online at www.
brewristaandthebean. com.
To learn more about Brewrista & the Bean, check out the community events calendar at www. brewristaandthebean. com or visit www. facebook.com/ Brewristaandthebean/ or Instagram or www. instagram.com/ brewristaandthebean/reel/ CzhlJ89sP0r/.
To contact the Brewrista & the Bean, call (773) 951-5171 or email brewristaandthebean@ gmail.com.
Patriot Popcorn shares space with Brewista and the Bean; as together, owners Abby Myers (Brewista & the Bean)
and John Brady (Patriot Popcorn) opened their space up to be a community event center.
Patriot Popcorn, which was founded by brothers John and Mike Brady, is on “a mission to directly help those who make and have made the selfless sacrifice to keep our communities and country safe. A portion of all proceeds goes back to helping those who serve and have served. ... We want to share our appreciation for first responders, veterans & active military, medical professionals, and our fellow Americans for all that you do to take care of others. From our family at Patriot Popcorn Company to you and yours, thank you for all that you do.”
To learn more about the Patriot Popcorn Company, go to patriotpopcorn.com
More details about Patriot Popcorn can be found at www. facebook.com/
PATRIOTPOPCORN/ and www.instagram. com/patriot_ popcorn_20/?hl=en
The moment your seat finds the soft, fertile earth below, and your back surrenders to the reliable trunk of a tree, is the start of a calming ripple that is more than welcome after any amount of labor. A slow cadence of breaths, each deeper than the last, collects subtle aromas and fragrances from the wide radius of the swaying prismatic expressions of flowers and herbs. The rich satiation and delightful crunch from that first bite of the pear, lifted from a branch right overhead, is another reprieve from an honest effort.
Even more impressive is the ability to do it over and over, with hundreds more fruits hanging above and waiting to be enjoyed. Broken-up minute rays of brilliance dance between rustling leaves, igniting an amorphous display of shadowing all about the legion of grasses. This is a simple experience afforded to us for as long as we want if we choose to welcome and steward such potential. The possibilities are built into such a creation.
Creating and maintaining a garden used to be a given for any family dwelling in any semblance of rural life. This would make sense if food availability were synonymous with scarcity. Everyone knows that you don’t eat the seed corn. Within just a few generations, however, this former normality has been relegated to but a handful of enthusiasts. With the
While Watauga Lake is a great place to have fun and enjoy, the nearby communities offer quite a bit to do.
Here are just some of the things to do nearby.
Mountain City, Tennessee, is a little more than 30 minutes away from Watauga Lake (depending on where you are on the lake), making it a short drive away. State Hwy 67 is a winding road that travels alongside Watauga Lake and connects Mountain City to Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Mountain City is the only incorporated municipality in Johnson County and serves as the county seat. At an elevation of 2,418 feet, the town has a total area of 3.3 square miles, according to the Johnson County Chamber of Commerce.
According to the Chamber, the town was founded in 1836 and was initially called Taylorsville in honor of Col. James Taylor. In 1885, the name was changed to Mountain City to reflect its location in one of the highest valleys in the state.
Every year in August, the town celebrates the anniversary of the first Mountain City Fiddlers Convention, which was
held in 1925. According to the Chamber, it was considered a landmark event in the modern history of Appalachian traditional music, with the musical gathering greatly contributing to the development of the country music genre.
The anniversary event is held at the Old Mills Music Park near Laurel Bloomery.
For more information about Mountain City and upcoming events in Johnson County, visit www. johnsoncountytnchamber. org/.
Elizabethton, Tennessee, was founded in 1799 and was incorporated in 1905. It is the county seat of Carter County and is a little more than 20 minutes away from Watauga Lake, depending on what side of the lake you are on.
A historic attraction in Elizabethton is the Covered Bridge, which was built in 1882 above the Doe River, according to the town. The Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department hosts the Covered Bridge Jams from June to August. The weekly concerts feature various music ranging from country, bluegrass, blues, and rock on Saturday nights from 7-9 pm at Covered Bridge
Park.
You can also swing by to catch the Elizabethton River Riders baseball team, which plays in the Appalachian League. The team plays at the Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark. For more information, visit www.appyleague. com/elizabethton/ schedule.
Elizabethton is also host to Sycamore Shoals State Historic, a reconstruction of the 18th century Fort Watauga. It often hosts living history and other educational events, including the production of Tennessee’s official outdoor drama, “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals.”
For more information on Elizabethton, visit elizabethtonchamber. com/events-calendar/.
The creation of the 6,430-acre Watauga Lake required roughly 650 families and 1,281 gravesites in Butler, Tennessee, to be relocated to higher ground.
For 75 years now, Butler has been known as “The Town that Wouldn’t Drown.” What the locals have called New Butler for generations is located along the northern shore of Watauga Lake.
The Butler and Watauga Valley Heritage Museum, also known as
the Museum of Butler, opened in 2000 to honor the citizens of Butler as well as Watauga Valley, Roan Valley, and Elk Valley, according to the Museum’s website.
Visitors can learn about the history of the area at the Museum of Butler (123 Selma Curtis Rd.), which first opened in 1999; it opened again for the 2024 season in midMay.
The Museum prominently displays the legendary Daniel Boone, who went to Butler in 1769 and stayed for about two years until he completed a survey. Before leaving, he named Roan Creek after his horse, according to the Museum’s website.
The Museum of Butler gives visitors a chance to learn about the rich history of Old Butler, which was mostly occupied by lumberjacks and farmers. Butler is the only incorporated town to be intentionally flooded by the Tennessee Valley
Authority, according to the Museum.
While they are not as large as the nearby incorporated municipalities, other communities surround
Watauga Lake. Those communities include Hampton, Wilbur, Dogtown, Winner, Hunter, Biltmore and Watauga. All of these communities are within a short drive from Watauga Lake.
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Tom Downing of Suffolk, Virginia, and Jack Gwaltney of Holland, Virginia, saw a need for an organization in their community where leaders and area residents could come and express their ideas to improve the area where they lived, and the seed that ultimately grew into the Ruritan Organization was born. Since the club was chartered in 1928 in Holland, Virginia, Ruritan has only grown in the near-century since its inception. The Ruritan Club has 25,000 branches nationally and are involved in more than 900 communities around the United States. The civic organization encourages members to look into its community and determine the area’s
particular community needs and how to work to most effectively meet these needs. All of the Ruritan clubs work hand-in-hand with many of the local Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H groups, along with other organizations in their community.
“Ruritan” is a combination of words and comes from the Latin word “ruri” which means “open country” and also the word “tan” which translates to “small town.” Interpreted together, many believe that it pertains to smalltown rural life, which is at the heart of the club’s mission. The name of “Ruritan” was suggested by a Norfolk, Virginia, newspaper writer named Daisy Nurnley. From there, the club really liked what the name
stood for and decided to adopt the name to use as the moniker of its club.
Since the club’s beginning in 1928, the Ruritan Club works to serve the community through volunteer service, bringing together communities throughout America to make them into better places for people to live, work and play.
The slogan “Fellowship, goodwill, and community service” is at the forefront of everything the Ruritan club does. Membership in the Ruritan is diverse, and members come from all walks of life, different occupations and social status. Many also live in diverse areas around the United States, from largely populated
Local Businesses
Watauga Lake is one of 18 Bill Dance Signature Lakes in Tennessee.
The Tennessee governor and fishing icon Bill Dance announced the initiative in 2021 to improve and enhance Tennessee lakes, increase visitation and honor Dance’s legacy with the creation of Bill Dance Signature Lakes.
TWRA and the State of Tennessee will invest $15 million in improvements both above and below the water at 18 lakes that bear fishing legend Dance’s stamp of approval. Community members will benefit from increased stocking, habitat, and fisheries management, as well as improved access to fishing and boating.
The collaborative effort between the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee State Parks, and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development seeks to solidify Tennessee as the heart of fishing in the southeast and drive economic activity across the state, according to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
“Bill Dance is a tremendous advocate for our Tennessee rural communities, and we are thrilled to partner with him,” said Gov. Lee in the 2021 announcement.
“The Bill Dance Signature Lakes highlights the importance of lakeside tourism with premier
fishing opportunities and we believe this project is especially important as communities recover from the recent storms.”
Dance started winning bass tournaments in the early 1960s. He has more than 2,000 shows under his belt since 1968. He’s been the host and producer of “Bill Dance Outdoors” and “Bill Dance Saltwater” on the Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel.
“I’m unbelievably humbled and excited to be involved in such a helpful project that will benefit so many people and our natural resources in my great home state of Tennessee,” said Bill Dance in a press release of the announcement. “You can bet your favorite lure this project will definitely have a ripple effect for a mighty long time, not only giving the weekend fisherman but tournament anglers a wonderful fishery as well, thanks to the great state of Tennessee and my friends at TWRA.”
From his production studio in Collierville, Tenn., Dance oversees a fishing
empire that includes his TV shows, tackle endorsements, how-to seminars, and a series of “blooper” videos. Dance has written seven books, and his articles have been published in Sports Afield, Field & Stream, Bassmasters, and Outdoor Life.
Dance has 23 national B.A.S.S. titles.
Anyone with questions about the Bill Dance Signature Lakes program can email contact@ billdancesignaturelakes.com or call 615-781-6500.
The office is located at Wm. Snodgrass/Tennessee Tower, 13th Floor, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave. in Nashville.
The types of fish that can be caught in Lake Watauga include: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Trout. The lower section of the reservoir is where some of the best smallmouth action takes place. The best largemouth densities are in Roan, Doe, and Cobb Creeks and the upper Elk and Watauga Rivers.
Both black willow and bald cypress trees provide long-lasting habitats for a variety of gamefish. Benches
designed to provide smallmouth bass spawning habitat have been built. Information about locations and types of structures for fish habitats can be found on TWRA’s website (tn.gov).
About Bill Dance Bill Dance, professional bass fishing’s first superstar, has taught generations to fish. Dance began competing – and winning – in bass tournaments in the early 1960s. With over 2,000 shows under his belt since 1968, he has educated millions of fishing enthusiasts as host and producer of “Bill Dance Outdoors” and “Bill Dance Saltwater, airing respectively on the Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel. From his production studio in Collierville, Tenn., Dance oversees a fishing empire that includes his TV shows, tackle endorsements, how-to seminars, and a series of popular “blooper” videos. Dance has written seven books and his articles have been published in Sports Afield, Field & Stream, Bassmasters, Outdoor Life and more. Dance’s accomplishments,
techniques, and fishing savvy have been recognized through countless awards, including 23 national B.A.S.S. titles, three-time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, 40 top-ten finishes and eighttime Bassmaster Classic Qualifier. In 2021, Dance received his Honorary Doctorate from the University of Tennessee for his outstanding contributions to the sport. Country superstar Luke Bryan also celebrated the fishing legend in 2021 with the release of an ode titled “Bill Dance.”
For over five decades, Bill Dance has served as an ambassador to the state of Tennessee, always filmed or photographed wearing his trademark orange and white University of Tennessee cap.
Because of the many beautiful picturesque mountains and the spectacular views of the lake, many people from around the country and all walks of life have decided to come and live around Watauga Lake.
“It is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen,” Tammy Lyons, loan officer for Security National Mortgage Company states.
For those that are outdoor enthusiasts and love to be outside, this is the place to go. Lyons, who also lives around the area, shared that there are many recreational activities that individuals, as well as families, can participate in around the lake. Individuals can go boating, as well as fish and hike around the lake, as well as swimming. Watauga Lake has many amenities to offer anyone who decides to come to the area.
The safe and welcoming community with the friendly atmosphere, along with the welcoming spirit of the people who live there, make Watauga Lake a prime location for families who choose to live there. The lake is a short drive away from Johnson City, Tenn., and the Tri-Cities area, as well
as across the mountain and state line into Boone, North Carolina. The lake’s rural feel, however, gives families and individuals an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and have breathing room, creating memories as families enjoy the climate and water together while having fun, swimming, boating or other many activities that the lake offers.
Lyons notes that before someone makes a major decision on the properties around the area or is seriously considering making a purchase, they should do their due diligence by getting familiar with the area and deciding which property near or around the lake is best for them. She advises that the best course of action would include renting of cabins that are around the area or to camp in the many marinas around the lake to decide which part of the lake they like before they consider buying. She also recommends looking into Airbnb’s available and also making sure to be comfortable with the drives to many of the local destinations.
Homework is an important aspect to property purchasing at the lake, according to Lyons. Researching a prospective property,
including what commitment is necessary when it comes to maintaining and keeping property is important, such as any structure restrictions and TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) regulations that might be in place, like not being able to build any structures below the “1980 line” (which means one can’t build below 1,980 feet), along with cutting trees and maintaining the lake banks. She also says to be your own advocate and know the rules that apply to living around the lake, taking note of any permits that are necessary.
After seeking out perfect property and making preparations to purchase a lot or acreage, it is imperative to find a good realtor who is familiar with the area and preferably one who lives in the area. An advantage of a local realtor is that he or she will be able to give individuals knowledge about the area that other realtors may not possess. Local realtors can also be able to take potential buyers properties that best fit what they are looking for because they know the area. They additionally often know the local rules and regulations better than a realtor who is not from
the area.
Lyons also suggests that buyers get prequalified if they are not paying with cash on their property.
The reason for this, according to Lyons, is because it will help make transactions easier and smoother, and it also
illustrates and signals to the realtor that the buyer is serious about their desire to make a property purchase.
urban cities to rural communities, but they all still have one common goal of bettering the communities in which they live.
To start a Ruritan Club in a community, there must be a minimum of 16 members. From there, the club applies for membership and a charter. There are three membership categories: Regular, Youth, and Associate. There is also a Rur-teen Club in areas where teens can meet at their local high school.
Many Ruritan clubs provide and maintain recreational centers, involve themselves with Little League, and many other athletic programs in the community.
Many Ruritanians also volunteer their time to help out with anti-litter campaigns, and one in every three Ruritan clubs sponsors Boy or Girl Scout groups.
Ruritan wants to work with others in the
The Butler Ruritan Club is one of 13 clubs in the Tennessee district, and is continually growing. Meetings for the club are held on the fourth Monday of each month where the group comes together to share a meal and brainstorm on ways that they can improve the community and discuss service opportunities.
community to work together on committees and encourages members to take an active part in other organizations serving the community.
In the past, the Butler Ruritan has financially assisted community members who needed assistance with electric and/or water bills, and helped meet heating needs such as wood, oil, gas, or coal. Additionally, the Butler Ruritan has helped defray travel and lodging costs for those who need help to respond to family medical emergencies or medical procedures at distant locations.
The Butler Ruritan has additionally provided financial support to
the Hales Community Ministry in Mountain City and the Little Milligan Food Pantry.
Butler Ruritan Club looks into agencies that serve the community and ask agency representatives to assist in establishing community goals. They do this by establishing organizations in the community, such as as a PTA or having a volunteer fire department. This provides members in the Ruritan an opportunity to help be a service to their neighbors.
Butler Ruritan is active In the local community and participates in many events around the area. It is actively starting a
Boy Scout Troop and is holding meetings for them. They have also provided scholarships to local seniors in the area who are going on to further their education, and hosted community events like cornhole tournaments, along with hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Chili Cookoff. Members also help to maintain the park in Johnson County and host Watauga Lake cleanup days, along with a wide array of community service projects. Butler Ruritan Club holds a Bingo night most Saturday nights in the area, while on certain nights the club hosts square dances for anyone who wants to attend.
Additional connection points the Butler Ruritan engages in include a breakfast for dinner fundraiser, as well as donating blankets and other accessories to the local animal shelter. The club has recently donated to the Butler Museum and has a “Little Library” in the park where kids can come by and grab a book to read free of charge.
Butler Ruritan Club has served the community for more than 50 years. For more information on Butler Ruritan Club, visit the club’s social media page at https://tinyurl. com/2xux83bf.
