Float & Fish
The Rivers
Hunt Big Fish On Bigger Water
The rivers flowing through Western North Carolina are home to incredible scenery and epic fishing. With a wide range of launches and takeouts, we can put together uniquely tailored experiences for you and your group depending on the species you want to target, your skill as an angler, and the weather. There is no better way to detach from the day-to-day and experience the mountains.
Rates
Half-Day
Four Hours
Full-Day
Eight Hours
Brook Trout
The Tuckasegee River has a mix of stocked brook trout with some hungry, large fish in the mix. Closer to Raven Fork and Oconaluftee tributaries, we'll find some native wild brook trout that find their way into the river from the Smokies.
Brown Trout
Our most popular trophy catch on the Tuck, there are some absolutely massive browns in here, with a mixed population of wild and stocked fish. With a variety of flows from the dams we get to use a mix of tactics to target them.
Rainbow Trout
Rounding out your Appalachian Grand Slam, Rainbows are a regular catch on the Tuck, also with a mix of wild and stocked populations. There are some studs that call these rivers home and always put up a good fight.
Smallmouth
Western North Carolina is home to incredible smallmouth bass fishing, both on our rivers and lakes. Targeting them on fly and traditional tackle, they're a great fight from the spring pre-spawn to the fall when they're bulking up for the winter.
About Your Trip
Explore Western North Carolina's and East Tennessee's most fishy stretches of water on our river trips. From the trout-loaded Tuckasegee River to big smallmouth on the French Broad River, the fishing, sights, and vibes are second to none. We have dozens of options on several rivers in the area to create the perfect fishing experience for you and your group.
What's Included
These are fully guided river fishing experiences, uniquely tailored to each one of our clients. Every trip starts with a conversation to learn more about you, your group, and what would make your perfect fly fishing trip in Western NC. We create a game plan based on the weather, season, and your angling experience.
Our boats are comfortable with room for two anglers. The Yeti Cooler in the boat is full of ice with water and carbonated beverages. We'll have snacks to keep you going, and lunch is included on our full-day trips.
Gear We Use
We take guiding on our rivers seriously. The gear and tackle you use can make or break a trip, and that's why we use the best. From rods and reels to nets and packs, we take pride in our equipment. All that being said, we know a lot of anglers like to bring their own gear. Check out our packing lists for more information on recommended tackle and gear.
What To Bring
Come prepared for the weather during your season. We're going to be in the boat at all times, so you will not need waders on our river trips. We will be in touch with you leading up to your trip to ensure you're fully prepared for the season and the weather. We have a thorough fly fishing packing list with more information, and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
FAQ's
Yes! You will need a North Carolina Fishing License for your trip with us. If we're fishing the Tuckasegee, you'll also need a Mountain Trout Heritage License. Children 15 and under do not need a license. Please contact us if you need help purchasing your license.
While we cannot guarantee you'll catch a certain number of fish, we 100% guarantee that our guides will work as hard as possible to get you on fish. We pride ourselves on a hard-working team of excellent teachers and patient instructors.
Our fish are our business partners. We are a catch-and-release operation.
Does your kid enjoy no internet and playing outside? If so, then it's perfect for kids! We recommend a minimum age of 6 and up, and they must be accompanied by a parent. We can tailor these trips to easier access points to ensure the kiddos are always close to a vehicle.
Kids under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket at all times.
Come dressed for the weather, ready to wade/hike, and ready to catch fish. We recommend you bring snacks and water. If you book a half-day trip, you'll need to bring lunch. Lunch is included on full-day trips. The weather in WNC varies by season. We have created a thorough packing list for all of our trips to ensure you're properly prepared for your trip with us.
Of course! We know that most anglers have their favorite setup, and we welcome you to bring it. For more details on recommended setups, check out our Trip Planning page.
Our put-ins and takeouts depend on the duration of your trip, the type of species we're targeting, and the weather. We will be in touch with you leading up to your trip with exact meeting locations and times.
We have a shuttle service that takes our truck and trailer to the takeout. We'll personally bring you back to your vehicle after the trip. Drive times vary based on the river and the distance we're floating.
We love dogs, but we do not allow them on our trips.
If bad weather threatens the safety or quality of our trip, we will work with you to fish a similar waterway, offer a different experience, or reschedule for another date. We are always checking the forecast leading up to your trip and will be in touch if the weather may negatively impact the experience. Please review our policy page for more information.
We get it, things come up. We do our best to accommodate any last-minute changes or scheduling conflicts. Please review our policies for more information.
Yes! A 50% deposit is required to reserve your date. Depending on when you book, we may require payment in full. Please review our policies for more information.
Where We Fish
We fish a mix of rivers, giving our guests the best opportunities to catch multiple species in multiple locations.
Tuckasegee River
Often considered the state's best trout stream, the Tuckasegee is a tailwater fishery that holds an impressive population of over 2,500 trout per mile across its 15 miles of designated trout waters. The river's flow is unique, influenced by releases from both the East and West Fork dams. These varied flows—including pulsed releases—allow for a wide range of fishing techniques and strategies. Additionally, the river receives contributions from tributaries like the Raven Fork and Oconaluftee, which bring down wild trout and native brookies from the Great Smoky Mountains.
- North Carolina's Best Trout Stream
- Over 15 Miles Of Great Trout Fishing
- One Of The Oldest Rivers In The Southeast
- A Catch-And-Release Only River
French Broad River
Float your way down the third-oldest river in the world, where the convenience of the location pairs perfectly with epic fishing. The season here is pretty generous, with great fishing from March all the way through November. We can target these hard-fighting "bronzebacks" with both spin and fly gear, which really lets us switch things up depending on the day.
- Third-oldest River In The World
- Epic Smallmouth Bass Fishing
- Convenient To Asheville
Seasons
Dry flies for trout in the spring, topwater smallmouth in the summer, nymphing and streamers in the cooler months—we're fortunate to have year-round fishing on our rivers. It's a fantastic way to experience all the mountains have to offer, and non-stop fishing the whole time we're out.
Clean & Comfortable
Our Drift Boat & Raft
We guide on skiffs and low sides, two styles of drift boats that are perfectly suited for navigating the San Juan River. Our boats are meticulously maintained as we take as much pride in our tools as we do in our craft. They are comfortable and dry, with plenty of storage for gear. The coolers are always loaded with ice and ready for your drinks and snacks.
