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.

May Fishing Report

May is here in the High Country! We’re still holding on to our cooler mornings and very pleasant afternoons. The fishing in our area right now is great. The delayed harvest streams have received their final stocking until October and the wild creeks in the area are still producing very well. Our water levels are low but with fresh stocked fish and spring bugs hatching daily has the trout feeding well. As always, we could use rain, but the low water levels have not impacted the bite. The Watauga tailwater has been fishing well. We have transitioned out of the major caddis hatch and are seeing daily sulphur hatches. We should start seeing more sulphurs on the Holston as we creep further into May and really get into the summer.

Delayed Harvest (Western North Carolina)

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

The bulk of the delayed harvest streams in our area were stocked this week (Watauga, Helton) with the stocking of Big Horse and the South Fork of the New finishing up next week. This is the last stocking of the spring. The next stockings will take place in October and November. We have heard good reports out of the stocked streams so far.

Delayed Harvest Recommendations

Fly Recommendations

Chubby Chernobyl (12–14)
Egg patterns (12–14)
Frenchie (16–18)
Zebra Midges (18–20)
Duracell (16–18)
Squirmy Worm (12–14)

Pro Tip: We recommend you fish a dry dropper set up in these streams as the water levels are low. Staying away from bobbers that make a big splash when they hit the water should award you more bites.

Wild Water (Western North Carolina)

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

We are coming into yellow bug season around Boone. We are transitioning out of caddis hatches and will begin to see more sulphur and yellow sally hatches as the month proceeds. Water levels in the wild creeks are low so we recommend fishing light leader and tippet (5–6X) on your dry dropper set ups. Because of the abundance of bugs, the wild fish are continuing to feed well even with the lower water levels.

Wild Water Recommendations

Fly Recommendations

Yellow Sally (14–16)
Yellow Rubber Leg Stimulator (14–16)
Sulphur Dry (16–18)
Chubby Chernobyl (12–14)
Frenchie (18)
Sulphur Nymph (16–18)
Soft Hackle (16–18)

Pro Tip: As the water gets lower lighter leader and tippet is necessary. Additionally, don’t be afraid to size down your dry to avoid as much commotion on the water as possible when making your cast.

Tailwaters (East Tennessee)

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

The tailwaters have been fishing very well lately. We are still seeing two one-hour pulses on the Watauga (7am–8am) and (7pm–8pm). The Holston has been running three one-hour pulses as well, typically from (2am–3am) (10am–11am) (6pm–7pm). As a reminder, both the Watauga and South Holston are dam controlled rivers so generation can change daily and at the drop of a hat. Be sure to check generation schedule before fishing. The best fishing of the day has occurred around these pulses. As the water has been falling out on the Watauga after the morning pulse, the fish have been very fired up and willing to feed.

Tailwater Recommendations

Fly Recommendations

Sulphur (16–18)
Sulphur Nymph (18–20)
Frenchie (18–20)
Zebra Midge (18–20)
BWO Nymph (18–20)
Soft Hackle (16–18)

Pro Tip: Fishing after the pulses has been very rewarding. Schedule your day of fishing to begin after the pulse has gone through and is no longer high but still not all the way low. This slightly “swollen” water has fished exceptionally well.

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!