“The water teaches. The memories stay.”

When I was a kid growing up near the mountains of Western North Carolina, I learned that a river could be both a teacher and a refuge. My earliest memories aren’t of trophies or record fish — they’re of cold water wrapping around my boots, of sun breaking over misty ridges, and of quiet mornings that seemed to hold their breath just before the first cast. Those moments shaped everything that would come next.

I’ve chased trout across the country, guiding professionally on the Blackfoot River in Montana and the North Platte in Colorado before coming home to the blue ridges that raised me. Those western rivers taught me precision, patience, and how to read water like a story — but the Smokies and the Tuckasegee taught me soul. Out here, it’s not about how many you catch, but what the water gives back when you slow down enough to listen.

After years of guiding full-time, I founded WNC Trout Adventures to share the kind of experiences that built my life around fly fishing — immersive days on the water where learning and adventure meet. My goal isn’t just to put a fish in your hand; it’s to help you understand why that fish was there, what it saw, and how your cast, line, and drift all came together to make it happen. Whether you’re a first-time angler or a seasoned fly fisher chasing wild browns, I want every trip to feel like it taught you something lasting.

A Guide Who Teaches

The best guides are teachers first. I believe every client should leave the river with more confidence than they arrived. You’ll learn to read seams, select flies based on real-time hatches, control your drift, and understand fish behavior through changing light, temperature, and season. I’ll share local hatch patterns, water data tools, and techniques I’ve learned across decades of western and Appalachian fishing.

My approach is patient, detailed, and realistic — I’ll meet you at your level and move at your pace. Beginners can expect clear, easy instruction on casting and knots; experienced anglers can dive into subtle mending, presentation strategy, and targeting trophy fish in small water.

Why Western North Carolina

Few places rival this region’s diversity. Within an hour’s drive, you can fish cold, high-elevation creeks, mid-sized freestone rivers, and wide tailwaters loaded with rainbow and brown trout. The Tuckasegee, Oconaluftee, Nantahala, Raven Fork, Davidson, and Pigeon each offer their own rhythm — from easy-access wades to remote wilderness floats.

Because of this variety, WNC Trout Adventures offers trips for every angler:

• Wade trips for beginners and purists

• Full days are for exploring multiple sections in a single day

• Half-day or full-day options

• Custom experiences with casting lessons

Every trip is a mix of instruction and exploration. You’ll walk away with sharper skills, new stories, and maybe even a lifelong love for fly fishing in Appalachia.

A Commitment to Conservation

I practice catch and release and teach low-impact techniques — proper handling, quick photos, and barbless hooks whenever possible. Protecting these waters is a shared responsibility. The trout here thrive because of clean mountain runoff, cold water, and dedicated anglers who care about habitat and hatcheries. Together, we can keep them wild and healthy for generations to come.

Beyond the Rod

When I’m not on the water, I’m usually tying flies, testing new gear, or enjoying raising my children. You’ll often find me scouting new access points, teaching through WNC Trout Academy, or just standing knee-deep in a stream, remembering why I started all this in the first place.

Because at the end of the day, fly fishing isn’t just about catching trout. It’s about slowing down, noticing the world again, and realizing that sometimes, life’s best lessons come one cast at a time.

Book a Trip

Whether you’re after your first trout on the fly or chasing a trophy brown in a hidden cove, I’d be honored to guide you.
📞 828-269-7845
📧 contact@wnctroutadventures.com