A more relaxed way to enjoy the mountains fisheries is to float one of the many larger rivers. These include the French Broad, Nolichucky, Tuckaseegee, Watauga and South Holston rivers. The trout rivers are all Tailrace watersheds which mean consistent year-round hatches and fish. There are not many trout rivers were one can drift a dry fly during the winter months and consistently produce huge rainbows and browns. For a different type of experience on the fly rod try the smallmouth bass fishing during our warmer months. There is nothing quite as fun as floating down through beautiful mountain scenery throwing top water flies and have a ”smallie” crash the surface. Float trips are a great way to introduce families and kids to fly fishing.

Although not right in our backyard, the mid-Atlantic coast offers some of the finest year around saltwater fly fishing. The opportunities can range from redfish, sea trout and tarpon inshore; to offshore species such as albacore, stripers, cobia, dolphin, tuna and billfish. Most of these areas can be reached within half a days drive from Western North Carolina. During the winter months the stripers, bluefish and sea trout can be caught from the surf on the North Carolina Outer banks. Farther south, in the Charleston area, redfish and sea trout are abundant. During the summer months a mixed bag of species can be taken inshore and offshore throughout the region. In the fall, things really heat up at Harkers Island with the albacore, drum, and tuna.