GUIDED TRIPS

Trout Wade Trips

(maximum 2 anglers per guide)
Suited for: Beginner, Intermediate and Expert Fly Fishers
Possible destinations: the Davidson River; the East, North or West Forks of the French Broad; Courthouse Creek; Looking Glass Creek; the North or South Mills Rivers; the West Fork of the Pigeon River; or our north fork Private Waters, which offer exclusive access to over a mile of the upper French Broad.

Trip Description:

If you want to immerse yourselves in the wild domain of Appalachian trout, this is the trip for you. Although some of our trips are done on roadside rivers, most wade trips involve some walking (typically less than a mile, unless you ask your guide for a backcountry adventure.)

Once on the water, we’ll don waders and boots and work our way slowly upstream as we try to spot trout before they see us. Using short, accurate casts (usually 30 feet, max), we’ll present our flies to visibly feeding trout, or to areas proven to be productive holding spots. Around noon, we’ll munch on sandwiches and watch phobes flit over the water, grabbing insects from the air. The beauty of the Appalachian forest, the soothing sound of water purling over rock, all of this makes for a relaxing outing in the company of our veteran guides, who will go the extra mile to put you on fish. If solitude and bigger trout are on your wish list, check out our north fork Private Waters.

Trout Float Trips

(maximum 2 anglers per boat)
Suited for: Intermediate to Expert Fly Fishers
Possible destinations: the Tuckasegee River, the Catawba River, the Watauga and South Holston Rivers in eastern Tennessee.

Trip Description:

For those who want to play Huck Finn for a day, a guided float trip in one of our drift boats is the way to go. Spring and Fall are considered the best times to float. After meeting your guide at our river shop for an early morning cup of coffee, we’ll trailer up and drive you through the misty mountains to the river. Setting off, we’ll drift through a pastoral valley of farms and forests, running mild Class I and II rapids and plying rocky pools and riffles with nymph rigs and streamers.

Feel free to stand up and cast, as our boats provide lean bars and stable footing. From time to time, we’ll anchor to allow you to work a pod of rising trout with dry flies. A scrumptious shore lunch on a gravel bar or island provides a nice mid-day break, before continuing downriver in search of “Troutzilla.” Take a nap on the way home, if you like. You earned it!

Smallmouth Float Trips

(maximum 2 anglers per boat)
Suited for: Intermediate to Expert Fly Fishers
Possible destinations: the French Broad River, the Tuckasegee River or the Little Tennessee River

Trip Description:

Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of this trip, because the hard-charging smallmouth bass have moved out of the depths and into feeding positions where we can more easily tempt them with flies.

Fueled by coffee and breakfast biscuits, we’ll put in at the boat ramp and drift through woods and old Indian weirs as we work poppers and streamers along the banks, grass beds and mid-stream shoals. If our luck holds, the quiet serenity of the river will be broken by the explosive strikes of smallies, which have been aptly called “pound-for-pound, the hardest fighting fish in freshwater.” Occasionally, a toothy muskellunge will follow our fish to the boat in a predatory frenzy that is not to be missed!

Osprey, herons, beavers, muskrats and waterfowl will be our regular companions as we drift lazily downstream to the take-out. Sunbathing spouses enjoy this trip almost as much as the anglers.

Guide Rates:
PRIVATE WATERS:
One angler, full day	$325
Two anglers, full day	$400
PUBLIC WATERS:
One angler, full day	$225
Two anglers, full day	$295
FLOAT TRIPS:
1 -2 anglers, full day	$425
Rates include: •  A licensed, knowledgeable fishing guide who can assist you with casting, locating fish and presenting the fly properly to your quarry •  Transportation from the River Shop at Headwaters Outfitters •  Fly-fishing equipment, including waders, felt-soled boots, rod, reel, line and backing. •  A shore lunch consisting of your choice of sandwich, chips, dessert, soft drinks and water. Rates DO NOT include: These can be purchased before your trip at our Fly Shop: •  A North Carolina fishing license and trout stamp. •  Flies and leaders that you will need for the day. Your guide can help with the selection of the best patterns for the water and season you are fishing. •  We recommend that you wear polarized sunglasses, which will help to reduce glare for clearer vision and safer wading. •  Whether you use waders or wade wet, it is a good idea to wear quick-dry clothing made of material such as nylon or Supplex. During the colder months of early spring and late fall, we recommend wearing fleece pants or polyester underwear. •  The Blue Ridge Escarpment is known for its wet weather. A good rain jacket is highly recommended, no matter the forecast. •  Thick socks will increase your comfort while in wading boots, which are sized wider than regular boots. We carry Smart Wool socks, which wick moisture away from your skin and dry quickly. •  A brimmed hat, sun block, lip balm, camera, insect repellent and a change of clothes are recommended. Please avoid brightly colored shirts and hats, which increase the chances you will spook fish. Earth-toned clothing is better, especially olive, green and brown.