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.

June Fishing Report

June has started off on a nice foot. The last week of May brought us about 5 days of rain leading to increased water levels and happy fish. As it stands, we’re supposed to get another shot of rain this weekend (June 6–8). If we can continue to get rain every week water levels should stay in a nice place and the fish should stay happy. Yellow bug season is in full effect. Yellow sallies and sulphurs are on the menu daily for both local streams and the tailwaters.

Wild Water (Western North Carolina)

WNC fly fishing report June — wild brown trout caught in High Country headwater stream near Boone, NC

Boone NC fly fishing report June — wild trout caught on a guided wade trip in Western North Carolina

The wild streams have been fishing well this week after the rain. The best fishing, we saw on these streams was after the water cleared up but hadn’t fell out completely. This “sweet spot” lasted for a couple days. Even though water levels have fell out since then the fish are still happy and eating well. As water levels drop, be mindful to stay back from the hole you’re fishing as much as possible to ensure you don’t spook the fish. Using smaller dry flies and nymphs to avoid causing a ton of commotion on the surface will pay dividends as well. As always, we recommend dry dropper fishing the wild creeks.

Wild Water Recommendations

Fly Recommendations

Yellow Sally (12–14)
Sulphur (14–16)
Yellow Rubber Leg Stimulator (12–14)
Yellow Humpy (12–14)
Yellow Chernobyl (14)
Frenchie (18)
Perdigons (18–20)
Sulphur Nymph (18)
Blowtorch (18)

Delayed Harvest (Western North Carolina)

WNC fishing report June — brown trout caught on a delayed harvest stream near Boone, North Carolina

Boone NC fishing report June — delayed harvest rainbow trout caught fly fishing in Western North Carolina

Delayed Harvest season comes to an end this weekend (June 6). All NC delayed harvest streams will be opened to “catch and keep” Saturday. Once folks can keep what they catch in these streams the fishing drops off quickly. It is our recommendation to seek other stream options to give yourself a better shot at catching some fish. The next stocking will occur in October and November.

Tailwaters (East Tennessee)

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

Watauga river fly fishing report June — tailwater brown trout caught on a guided drift boat trip

After months of low water flows on both the Watauga and South Holston, we are finally seeing all day generations on both the Watauga and Holston. Although not great for the wade fisherman, it’s a nice change of pace for the drift boat guys. The Watauga has been fishing great on high water. Reports from the Holston haven’t been as good, but folks are still catching fish. For you wade fisherman out there, be following the generation schedule. When the TVA eventually returns these rivers to low flow, the first day of low water can be spectacular. Sulphur hatches have been occurring in droves on the Watauga in the evening. The high water on the Holston should jump start the sulphur hatch.

Tailwater Recommendations

Fly Recommendations

Sulphur Dries (14–18)
Chernobyl (12)
Frenchie (18–20)
Zebra Midges (18–22)
Soft Hackle (16–18)
Sulphur Nymph (16–18)
Baetis Nymph (18–20)

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. We're always happy to help!