Meet the Guides

Nathaniel “Than” Axtell is our Director of Fly Fishing Programs. Than has been chasing trout in the mountains of WNC for 32 years – since he was eight years old. A graduate of Northwestern University, Than toiled in the newspaper profession for a decade before he came to his senses. He is currently the Trout Editor of Fish & Fly magazine (based in Seattle) and has written about our sport for Eastern Flyfishing, Fly Rod & Reel, and Mountain Traditions, among others. Than has been a full-time fly fishing guide for seven years, running float trips on the Tuckasegee, Catawba and Tennessee tailwaters in addition to local walk-and-wade trips. His skill for getting people into fish, even under tough conditions, is legendary. Than is the past president of the French Broad Fly Fishers and a former board member of the Western NC Alliance. His passion for wild trout and wild places has led him to explore many backcountry areas here and across North America, from Bristol Bay, Alaska to Goose Bay, Labrador. If you want to learn some new water or improve your nymphing techniques, Than is your man!

 

Guide Mac Marett is definitely one of the most well-rounded guides in Western North Carolina, capable of putting people on fish whether the venue is a small wild stream, a stocked Delayed Harvest river, or a tree-choked stretch of muskie water. His guiding specialty is wild, native Southern Appalachian brook trout trips. Mac grew up in Eastern Tennessee, catching his first trout at age 3 under the watchful eye of his father Larry, an incredible fisherman. After attending the University of South Carolina, where he studied Southern Literature with "Deliverance" author James Dickey as his advisor, Mac moved to Philadelphia to chase his dream of playing in rock band. He toured England and North America before relocating to the Highlands-Cashiers area in the early 1990s, where he worked as a sous chef and guided part-time. Soon he hung up his apron and began guiding full-time. Three years later, he became the head guide for an Orvis endorsed outfitter in WNC, where he worked for 5 years until we (thankfully) wooed him away. After a lifetime of fly fishing, Mac's two main loves remain brook trout and muskies. Every fall, he makes a pilgrammage to Boulder Junction, WI to fish for these toothy predators on the fly. Mac is also a gifted fly tier whose original patterns have been featured in American Angler, Southern Angler's Journal and Eastern Fly Fishing. If you want to learn some new patterns, hike into a remote brookie stream or find out what makes muskies tick, Mac is who you want to come looking for.

Guide Woody Platt might look familiar to anglers with a penchant for bluegrass music. As the lead singer and guitarist for the Steep Canyon Rangers, Woody has traveled the nation playing bluegrass and, in between gigs, wetting a line in some of our country’s finest blue ribbon trout streams. A lifelong angler, Woody began guiding after finishing high school in Brevard at age 18 and was full-time on the river every summer when home from UNC-Chapel Hill, where he studied business and environmental studies. Woody and some friends started the Steep Canyon Rangers while in college. The group has gone on to earn national recognition with their chart-topping release “One Dime at a Time,” followed by an International Bluegrass Music Association “Emerging Artists of the Year” Award. They are featured on the Grand Ol’ Opry several times each year. Woody is available most weekdays, between gigging. His “fish sense” and great people skills make him a favorite among our repeat clients.

 

 

Guide Freddie Raines is no stranger to the streams of Western North Carolina; he’s been fishing them with a fly since the age of 13, and guiding on them for 10 years. The Asheville native has worked for Curtis Wright Outfitters and the Highland Hiker, among others. When he’s not delivering packages for his full-time employer, United Parcel Service, Freddie spends much of his free time guiding, spending quality time with his wife and 2-year-old daughter, and haunting the Watauga River in east Tennessee, his favorite place to fish. Half-jokingly, Freddie likes to tell clients he has just two rules: “#1, hook the guide and walk home. #2, remember why you’re here.” His outgoing nature and patient, unflappable personality are just two of the reasons that Freddie is one of our most sought-after guides.

 

Guide Michael Sprouse Growing up in Raleigh NC, Michael started fishing at a very early age with his father. Chasing bass all over the central part of the state with the occational trip to the beach was where it all started. After high school Michael attended Western Carolina University where he was introduced to fly fishing and has been hooked ever since. After transfering to North Carolina State University and graduating with a B.S. in Agronomy Michael moved back to the mountains for good. He works full time as an assistant superintendent at a local private country club and guides part time. When not spending time with his young daughter and wife, Michael is on the river figuring out what it takes to catch trophy smallmouth on the fly. If you are looking for a relaxing day full of smallmouth action, Michael can hook you up!

 

 

Guide Brandon Galloway was born and raised right here in Transylvana County. Brandon caught his first trout when he was only 4 years old, with the help of his grandad. Every day after school, Brandon hit the streams with his grandfather, who taught him how to tie knots, flies, and how to read the water. Brandon has continued to fish through his entire life, often spending up to 200 days a year on the water. Prior to joining our guide staff, Brandon worked at Brookings Orvis in Cashiers and guided for Backwater Fly Fishing. He has been fortunate enough to learn fly tying and fishing at the knee of several area "old-timers." A master fly tier, Brandon also builds custom-made graphite rods. His local knowledge and contagious enthusiasm for the sport make Brandon one of our go-to guys. Brandon, a father of a 4-year-old daughter and a 4-month-old, loves working with youth of all ages.