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.

Warmer Temperatures and Spring Fishing Are Here!

We had one of the most beautiful first weeks of March here in the High Country that I can remember in a long time. Highs in the mid 60s to lows 70s and sunny told the story for much of the week. That weather paired with a fresh stocking of fish in our delayed harvest rivers lead to a great week of fishing. As a reminder HATCHERY SUPPORTED water (green and white diamonds) is closed for the month of March. Delayed Harvest, Wild, Catch and release, non designated water is all fair game. Hatchery Supported water will open the first Saturday in April (April 4). As we continue to progress into Spring the fishing is going to get better and better.

Delayed Harvest Fishing (Western North Carolina)

Boone NC fishing report — brown trout caught on a delayed harvest stream in Western North Carolina

This Spring the state is stocking a reduced amount of fish in our delayed harvest rivers. Even with a reduced amount of fish I mainly heard great reports of fishing last week. It was pretty crowded due to the beautiful weather but it seemed there were plenty of fish to go around. I did not hear a great report from Elk Creek. Our guides checked it out for guiding purposes and weren't able to find many fish down there. The Watauga (Valle Crucis), Helton, and Big Horse have all been productive.

Delayed Harvest Recommendations

Gear Setup

Leader: 7.5 ft 4X or 5X
Indicator/Dry: Yarn indicator or size 12–14 Chernobyl
Tippet: 5–6X

Flies

Tungsten bead egg patterns
Midges (18–20) black, olive, purple
Squirmy worms
Duracell (18)
Frenchies (18)
Wooly Buggers

Pro Tip: As we get further into March and the fish in these Delayed Harvest streams become more educated, don't hesitate to switch from throwing “junk flies” (eggs, worms, etc) to more natural patterns (midges, frenchies, etc).

Wild Water & Headwater Stream Fishing (Western North Carolina)

The wild water in our area has been fishing well as of late especially on the warmer days. Stories of sporadic hatches have rumored their way through the fly shop as well. Fishing small jig streamers has been high productive for folks looking for larger fish as well. This wild water will only continue to get better as temperatures continue to climb and water levels increase with spring rains.

Wild Stream Recommendations

Gear Setup

Leader: 7.5 ft 5X or 6X
Tippet: 6X

Dry-Dropper Setup

Size 12–14 Chernobyl
Elk Hair Caddis
Stimulator (adjust size to stream width)

Droppers

Duracell (16–18)
Frenchies (16–18)
Jig Streamers
Midges (18–20) black, olive, purple

Watauga & South Holston Tailwater Fishing (East Tennessee)

NC Appalachian fly fishing report — trophy brown trout caught on a guided South Holston tailwater float trip

The South Holston has been running around 1200 CFS which is one of our favorite water levels to float. Fishing on the 1200 has been great. Dry dropper fishing and light indicator fishing has been the ticket. 1200 CFS is not a recommended wading flow for this river. However, it looks like in the coming days they are going to drop the Holston from 1200 CFS to 400 CFS. The 400 CFS flow is perfect for both wading and floating. When they ran 400 CFS a couple weeks ago the fishing was lights out and we anticipate it to be the same story when they drop it down again.

Fishing reports on the Watauga Tailwater are hit and miss. We've had good days and tougher days. As we get further into Spring and we get closer to the caddis hatch (mid April) we expect the Watauga to fire off like it normally does. They have been doing an almost daily pulse of high water from 7am to 8am and then another pulse from 6pm-7pm. If you're going to be wading be mindful of the pulse. We recommend either dry dropper fishing or doing a light indicator rig with yarn.

Watauga Recommendations

Gear Setup

Leader: 9 ft 5X or 6X
Indicator/Dry: Yarn indicator or size 12 Chernobyl (keep yarn small)
Tippet: 6X

Dry Flies

Blue Winged Olive dries (18–20)
Chubby Chernobyl (12–14)

Droppers

Midges (20–22)
Micro Perdigons (18–20)
Baetis nymph (20–22)
Frenchies (18–20)
Tungsten Egg

South Holston Recommendations

Gear Setup

Leader: 9 ft 5X or 6X
Indicator/Dry: Yarn indicator or size 12 Chernobyl (keep yarn small)
Tippet: 6X

Dry Flies

Blue Winged Olive dries (18–20)
Chubby Chernobyl (12)

Droppers

Tungsten Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail (16–18)
Midges (18–22)
Micro Perdigons (18–20)
Sow Bugs (16–18)
Scuds (18–20)

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!