Meet The Fly-Fishing Guides

Passionate. Dedicated. Committed. Every Day.

WELCOME, THANKS FOR GETTING TO KNOW US!

We’re a family of 7-Day-A-Week fishing guides based along the headwaters on the French Broad River. Our everyday job is making sure you walk into our shop and feel right at home with our fishing guides and store staff. We truly do love our clients like family, and can’t wait to have you become part of ours, too!

Here at Headwaters Outfitters, we care about educating our anglers, finding new and exciting experiences on the water, and most importantly, giving you, your family and friends great memories during your trip!

Enjoy getting to know our fishing guides below:

Headwaters Outfitters Guide Staff:

Hannah Myers Overgaard

Fly Shop Manager & Guide

Hannah Myers Overgaard was born and raised in Transylvania County.  As a local to Rosman, she grew up playing in the creeks and woods surrounding her home. From a young age she was sure that the outdoor industry would be a path she would take. Finding joy in clients that become like family while experiencing the outdoors every day makes her feel right at home on the river.

Hannah is available for guided trips on Tuesdays & Saturdays.

Hannah joined the team at Headwaters in 2016 and took on a leading role in the Retail Shop. When Hannah is not working in the shop or guiding clients, she is out on a back country stream with her fly rod, in a treestand with her bow, or just enjoying life with her husband, Andy, and 2 Goldendoodles named Boone & Bear!

Hannah is available for guided trips on Tuesdays & Saturdays.

 

Whether it’s a guided trip with our three boys, or a guys or ladies fishing weekend, our family never misses an opportunity to fish with our friends at Headwaters Outfitters.  We love the entire organization and feel as though they are part of our family.

– The Hobbs Family

Gavin Griffin

Fishing Guide

Gavin Griffin is a full time guide since 2017 with Headwaters. Previously located and fishing between Colorado and Idaho, he’s fished over 200 rivers in the United States. He now brings his lifelong angling knowledge to his clients here on the French Broad River.

Gavin also leads and guides our Southern Musky Program here, while running expedition trips for Tarpon, Great Lake Steelhead & Salmon, Striped Bass, Spotted Bass, Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass.

Hire Gavin on your next trip for whatever WNC species you’re looking for!

Patrick Weaver

Fishing Guide

Fly Fishing Guide, Patrick Weaver is a former biology teacher and instructor for North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission. He brings a wealth of knowledge and fly fishing experience to our education program. Patrick guides and instructs all of the education classes for Headwaters Outfitters. He is an avid dry fly fisherman, fly tier and takes great pride in matching the hatch with his creations.

Patrick is our Education Coordinator and has designed a premier line-up of classes to help anglers advance their knowledge and skills. You will get a wealth of information to take with you when taking a class with Patrick.

I like that they have all the things you need to be successful : high fly fishing IQ, great water, top gear, and just plain good people to fish with.

– Dave B.

Mike Mihalas

Fishing Guide

Mike Mihalas grew up next to a New England brook trout stream and has been fly fishing and fly tying since his youth. He has traveled all over North America chasing trout and other species. Mike is a dedicated conservationist and longtime volunteer leader with Trout Unlimited and is currently serving as the National Leadership Council representative for North Carolina. Mike is also a Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor.

Mike loves sharing his knowledge on all the diverse aspects of fly fishing, and feels privileged to do so in one of the most beautiful places in the world. He lives in Pisgah Forest with his patient wife Nicole, and Ghillie, his not-so-patient Boykin Spaniel. His three children are all avid fly fishers.

Lydia Dann

Fishing Guide

In the summer of 2019, after 10 years as a service industry professional, Lydia accepted a hospitality position with Reel Action Fly Fishing in Quinhagak, Alaska. She enjoyed being fully submerged in the fly fishing industry and used that opportunity to hone her fly fishing skills by learning techniques from her coworkers, and using her free time to explore the Kanektok River for Pacific salmon, trout and Dolly Varden. Lydia is a jane of all trades here at Headwaters. You can find her pouring beers in the taproom, working in the shop, and helping out with the fly fishing program.

Mike loves sharing his knowledge on all the diverse aspects of fly fishing, and feels privileged to do so in one of the most beautiful places in the world. He lives in Pisgah Forest with his patient wife Nicole, and Ghillie, his not-so-patient Boykin Spaniel. His three children are all avid fly fishers.

Chris Franzen

Head Guide

Chris Franzen found his passion for fly fishing at the age of three, while running through the isles of his dad’s fly shop. He started guiding at 16-years-old in the foothills of North Carolina. Upon graduating high school Chris moved to Colorado where he guided in Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes.

Over the past few years Chris has spent time guiding the rivers of the Bristol Bay region of Alaska and the Patagonia region of Chile. Chris is well versed in a wide variety of techniques and enjoys sharing his knowledge with clients.  Nothing makes Chris happier than seeing his clients grasp the same passion that he has for the sport.

Brett Meany

Fishing Guide

Brett Walker Meany was born and raised in Transylvania County and grew up along the French Broad. Brett has always had a passion for the outdoors, and is excited to put his skills to use. Formerly working with GIS systems goes seamlessly with his love for fly fishing, the outdoors, and wildlife.

Brett is available for full day and half day fly fishing wade trips for trout.

Ty Mooney

Fishing Guide

Captain Ty Mooney offers clients an array of largemouth bass lakes to choose from, including opportunities at smallmouth, striper bass and hybrids. Enjoy his luxurious bass boat as you charter the lakes and rivers of Western North Carolina and South Carolina.

You can Hire Ty for trout wade trips and lake bass for:

  • Small Tackle / Light Tackle Only
  • Children age 6+ are welcome aboard
  • Sorry, No Dogs Allowed

Jeremy Shurites

Fishing Guide

Fly Fishing Guide, Jeremy, a PA native, grew up in the Pocono Mountains. In high school he found the sport of fly fishing as something to do when the snow melted and snowboarding was no longer a viable option. Jeremy quickly dove head first into the sport dedicating all of his time to hunting down big fish and specific target species.

Out on the water, Jeremy values fun, learning, conservation, and helping to create memories that will last an angler a life time. In Jeremy’s spare time you can find him fly tying, hiking, and camping in his roof top tent with his dog, Captain.

Ryan Kaufman

Fishing Guide

Ryan Kaufman has been with Headwaters since 2014. He has been guiding in Western North Carolina for almost 10 years.  Before making his way to the Blue Ridge Mountains, this Kansas City native spent time Colorado guiding. Ryan now owns his own Chimney Business, Smokey Rise Chimney Service, along with wife Lee.  He guides part here at the shop but is very much a big part of who we are.

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