What To Expect

We are a licensed, permitted, and insured fly fishing/tenkara guide service that offers half day or full day guided trips for wild and/or native trout in Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina. Our excursions are generally geared toward clients who are looking to get off the beaten path a bit. We can adjust a trip based on your skill level and physical fitness, but we recommend at least some fly fishing/wading experience and being in good physical shape.

Wild and native trout in the high country are generally small (6”-10” on avg), but what they lack in size, they more than make up in sheer beauty. If you are looking to target larger trout, this is not the trip for you.

Also, although we are skilled at locating and catching trout in small streams, we can’t guarantee how many fish you will catch. Our guarantee is that we will do everything in our power to put you on as many wild trout as possible!

Those looking for a remote fishing experience should opt for a full day excursion, as those hikes can involve more than a couple miles. Please be aware that none of these places have any cell phone signal. Hiking, wading creeks, boulder hopping, & possible wildlife encounters can be dangerous, especially in a remote area.

Our guides carry a Garmin satellite communicator for emergencies but that is our only lifeline to the outside world during a fly fishing trip. Please be fully aware of the potential risks involved in our fly fishing excursions. We do ask that you complete a signed liability waiver prior to a trip.

Due to increased vehicle insurance rates, we are unable to provide a pickup service in 2024. You will need a vehicle. We will meet at a given location and you will follow me to our parking area for the day. That will very likely involve a drive on a gravel forest service road.

Forest service roads are generally pretty well maintained but there will be rocks, some potholes, etc. None of the areas we guide on require a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

Trout Trails provides all rods (and reels), flies, line, fishing accessories etc. However, we don’t currently include any wading gear or wading shoes/boots. Please refer to our recommended gear list for our recommendations on wading gear we use. We hope to be able to rent gear out in the near future. If you would like to bring your own rod/rod and reel combo, that is totally fine as long as its in the proper size range for targeting high country trout.

On full day trips (only), please feel bring your own snacks and lunch. We also recommend bringing some type of water filter for drinking. Hydration is very important on these trips and packing in water can weigh down a pack.

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