What's included on a guided trip?

Your guided trip includes a licensed professional guide, all rods, reels, flies, leaders, and tippet. Waders and boots are available on request. You bring your own food, sunglasses, a hat, layers for the day, and a valid fishing license.

How do I book a trip and what deposit is required?

A 50% deposit is required to book your trip and secure your date. The remaining balance is due on the day of the trip. To book, call (828) 355-9109, email contact@duesouthoutfitters.com, or use the Book a Trip button on the website. Changes in the number of people on the trip are subject to the cancellation policy.

What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

10 or more days before your trip: full refund of your deposit. 9 days to 48 hours before: the 50% deposit is forfeited, and rescheduling within this window also forfeits the deposit. Within 48 hours of your trip: the full deposit is forfeited and the remaining trip balance is charged to cover expenses and the guide's lost day of work. Rescheduling within 48 hours follows the same policy.

What happens if the weather looks rough on the day of my trip?

Weather cancellations are at the guide's discretion. A chance of rain is not considered unsafe weather — we fish through light rain, and trout often love it. If conditions on the day of your trip are deemed unsafe (unsafe water levels, lightning, or thunder), you can reschedule or receive a full deposit refund.

How do river flows affect my trip?

The South Holston and Watauga are both TVA tailwaters, so flows can swing fast from wadeable to full generation. We track the schedule the night before and morning of your trip. We never change a float trip into a wade trip. If the South Holston isn't floatable, we resort to the Watauga — we can always float the Watauga River in Tennessee.

Do I need a fishing license for a guided trip?

Yes — anglers 16 and older need a valid Tennessee, North Carolina, or Virginia fishing license depending on the water you're fishing. In Tennessee only, anglers ages 13 to 15 also need a Junior Hunt and Fish License. North Carolina and Virginia do not have this junior requirement. Licenses can be purchased online before your trip.

Is lunch included on guided trips?

No — trips do not include lunch or snacks. Plan to bring your own food, water, and any drinks you'll want during the day.

Is gratuity included in the trip rate?

No, trip rates do not include gratuity. Tips are appreciated and customary when you've enjoyed the day. Our guides work hard to make sure you do. If you have questions about gratuity protocol, ask the shop or your guide directly.

Can Due South Outfitters accommodate larger groups?

Yes — we can take more than 2 people on a trip with advance planning. Call (828) 355-9109 or email contact@duesouthoutfitters.com with your group size and dates and we'll set you up with the right number of guides.

Do you offer fly fishing trips for beginners?

Yes — Due South Outfitters welcomes first-time fly anglers, and our guides genuinely love teaching the sport. Beginner trips are one of the most common bookings we run out of Boone, NC. We provide all the gear, casting instruction, and pace the day to your experience level — as much instruction or as much fishing as you want.

Are kids welcome on guided fly fishing trips?

Yes — we love getting kids on the water and tailor the day to keep things fun. Let us know your child's age and experience and we'll pick the best fit. Note that in Tennessee, anglers ages 13 to 15 need a Junior Hunt and Fish License.

Where is Due South Outfitters located?

Due South Outfitters is a fly fishing guide service and fly shop located at 2575 Hwy 105, Suite 60, Boone, NC 28607. The shop is open Monday through Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm. Stop by for gear, flies, and current stream reports before heading to the river.

What rivers and states does Due South Outfitters guide on?

Due South Outfitters guides wade and float trips across three states: North Carolina (Watauga River, South Fork New River, Wilson Creek and other Western NC streams), Tennessee (South Holston and Watauga tailwaters), and Virginia (New River and southwest VA waters). Trips target wild and stocked trout — brown, rainbow, and brook — plus smallmouth bass on warm-water floats.

When is the best time to fly fish in the North Carolina High Country?

Western North Carolina fishes well year-round. Spring and early summer (April through June) bring strong hatches and active wild trout. Summer is prime for smallmouth bass on the New River. Fall (September through November) offers cooler water, aggressive browns, and beautiful color in the mountains. Winter brings technical, rewarding trout fishing on tailwaters like the South Holston and Watauga.

April Fishing Report

Spring is in full force up here in the High Country. We’re seeing much warmer days, and it looks like most of the cold weather is behind us. The warm weather has our local streams fishing well with dry fly hatches occurring daily. These dry fly hatches are being seen afternoon-dusk and are localized. Mainly what we’re seeing hatch are caddis flies. As it stands, we are starting to see our water levels get low. It seems every year we’re always wishing for more rain, but the creeks are continuing to fish well even with the lower water levels. The best fishing, we have in our area now is on the wild stretches.

Wild Water (Western North Carolina)

Boone NC fly fishing report April — wild brown trout caught on a freestone stream in the High Country

The wild water is hot right now. Warmer weather has the bugs moving and the trout taking advantage of abundant and consistent meals. If you’re going to be fishing in our area in the coming weeks, we highly recommend targeting streams that have wild trout in them.

Wild Water Recommendations

Fly Recommendations

Chubby Chernobyl (12–14)
Elk Hair Caddis (14–16)
Rubber Leg Stimulator (12–14)
Frenchie (16–18)
Soft Hackle (16–18)
Duracell (16–18)
Waltz Worm (16–18)

Pro Tip: If you want to catch a caddis hatch, they are not widespread. We’ve seen them on the larger wild streams. Fish these streams with a dry dropper set up starting in the afternoon and switch to a dry fly set up when you’re seeing the bugs hatch and fish beginning to eat them.

Delayed Harvest (Western North Carolina)

NC Appalachian fly fishing report April — brown trout from a delayed harvest stream near Boone, NC

The delayed harvest water has been tough. A reduced stocking in March followed by no stocking in April has led to tough fishing. If you’re going to target the delayed harvest water in the coming weeks, I highly recommend fishing small natural flies. In the past 6 weeks these fish have seen the kitchen sink thrown at them so try and go smaller and more natural than most people are willing to go.

Delayed Harvest Recommendations

Fly Recommendations

Chubby Chernobyl (12–14)
Elk Hair Caddis (12–14)
Rubber Leg Stimulator (12–14)
Zebra Midge (18–22)
BWO Nymph (18–22)
Frenchie (18)

Pro Tip: Try and fish holes and stretches off the beaten path where not as many people venture to. The name of the game on the DH water is to find some fish that haven’t seen as much pressure as the fish in the main easy to access holes.

Tailwaters (East Tennessee)

East Tennessee tailwater fishing report April — South Holston brown trout caught on a guided float trip

The South Holston has been turned off with three hour pulses each day. The pulses have occurred from 4am-5am, Noon-1pm, and 8pm-9pm. This water flow provides great wading opportunities. The Watauga is running a similar release schedule. We are seeing two one-hour pulses from 7am-8am and 7pm-8pm. As always, dam release schedules and change daily and unexpectedly. Make sure to check the TVA app frequently if you are wading.

We’ve heard decent reports from folks wading the Holston. It won’t be long, and we should start to see some sulphur hatches begin. The Watauga has been fishing tougher in the morning. The best bite we’re seeing is afternoon-evening when the sulphurs are starting to make their appearance. The best bite window of the entire day has been after the water falls from the morning pulse occurring from 7-8 am. The fish are feeding exceptionally well as the water falls out from the pulse.

Live Tailwater Flows

Always check current dam release schedules from TVA before heading out — flows can change without notice.

TVA Release Schedule South Holston Flows Live levels & predicted generation from South Holston Dam TVA Release Schedule Watauga Flows Live levels & predicted generation from Wilbur Dam

We hope y'all find this fishing report helpful and look forward to fishing with you and seeing you in the fly shop this year. As always, if there is anything we can help you with whether it be fly recommendations, where to fish, etc, please give us a call.