Our Trophy Rivers and Streams:

No flyfishing trip is complete without knowing what kind of waters are available. Whether you are on a guided float trip, or enjoying relaxed wading, our rivers and small streams are loaded with native trout. Rainbows, browns, brookies, and local hybrids are bursting with the flamboyant colors found only in pristine, healthy waters.

This 15 mile long tailrace holds some of the largest brown trout found anywhere in the world. Our guides pride themselves in knowing every mile of this trophy fishery. Whether its casting to risers, gulping sulfurs below the dam, or chasing giant browns running out of Boone lake, we fish it all. We understand the migrations of these fish and we'll put you on them year round. Our guides specialize in finding big trout, and this is the river to do it.

Flowing from the depths of Wilbur Lake, the Watauga tailrace is another high quality trout river in our region. This scenic river snakes 17 miles though beautiful rock cliffs and farm country, eventually dumping into Boone Lake. From slack water to plunge pools, the Watauga offers anglers a wide array of fishing situations. Known for its huge Mothers Day caddis hatch and high numbers of trout, this is a great river for all skill levels.

Nolichucky:

Arising from the confluence of the Toe and Cane Rivers in Huntdale, NC, this majestic river flows until it joins the French Broad in the upstream portion of Douglas Lake. This freestone river is perhaps our most scenic float, offering superb smallmouth action during the warmer months and great rainbow fishing during the coldest parts of the year. It's not uncommon to land both smallmouth and rainbows on the same trip from early to late spring. Smallmouth upwards to six pounds have been landed on this impressive float. The wintertime rainbow fishing provides the thrill of landing big rainbows, on big flies, on big water.

New River:

Considered as one of the oldest rivers in the world, the New flows from the peaks of the Blue Ridge eventually draining into the Gauley River near Fayetteville, WV. It is near the North Carolina, Virginia border where we chase the splendid New River smallmouth. From early April to late October we float various sections meandering through beautiful farm country and rhododendron choked forest. The New is very fly fishing friendly, providing great topwater fishing through most of the season.

Holston:

Considered by many as the top smallmouth river in the world, the Holston River arises from the confluence of the North, Middle, and South Forks near Kingsport, TN. Known for its huge smallmouth, this mega tailwater provides unlimited angling opportunities. Whether it's fishing crayfish patterns 20 ft. deep on sinking line, or beating the banks with huge poppin' bugs, this fishery is a smallmouth angler's paradise. If you want to land a smallmouth greater than three pounds on topwater, this is the river for you.

Headwater Streams:

The Boone area offers endless miles of top-notch headwater fishing. Whether you want to hunt wild brookies in Pisgah National Forest, fish our amply stocked local streams, or sneak up on some small stream smallmouth, the area's small streams have a lot to offer for any skill level. Many of our headwater streams require a hike in and out, as these are some of the most pristine, untouched water you will ever see.