Wade private Western North Carolina waters with a full-day trout fly fishing guide
8 hours
Guide, Waders, Rods & reels
Spend a full day wade fly fishing on private waters with a Headwaters Outfitters guide in Western North Carolina. Get personalized instruction whether you’re a beginner or an advanced angler.
A valid North Carolina Inland fishing license is required (10-day or annual). Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants and guardians must sign a release of liability form before going on the river.
Trips depart rain or shine; thunderstorms or high water are the exception. Cancel 7+ days before: full refund. Cancel 3–6 days before: no refund (lose 50% deposit). Cancel less than 3 days before or no-show: no refund; card on file charged full trip cost. Full refund if operator cancels due to electrical storm, high water, or air/water temps.
Yes. Bring a valid North Carolina Inland fishing license (10-day or annual). Do not purchase the Mountain Heritage license unless your guide tells you to.
Bring a hat, sunglasses (preferably polarized), a rain jacket, sunscreen, comfortable socks, and a change of dry clothes.
Headwaters Outfitters provides waders, wading boots, rods, and reels. You can use your own gear if you prefer.
25 Parkway Road, Rosman NC 28772
This family-owned outfitter has clearly mastered the art of making everyone feel at home on the French Broad River. The staff consistently earns praise for being friendly, professional, and genuinely passionate about what they do. Guides like Jeremy, Patrick, Gavin, Ty, and Bret get specific shoutouts for their patience and expertise, particularly with first-timers who've never touched a fly rod or sat in a kayak. Multiple reviewers mention feeling confident and comfortable even as complete beginners, which speaks volumes about the instruction quality. Beyond the guided trips, the self-guided kayak floats are a major draw. The three-hour paddle seems to be the sweet spot for a relaxed, scenic journey where you'll likely spot deer, osprey, herons, and kingfishers along the way. Equipment stays in excellent condition, and the logistics run smoothly from start to finish. The base has evolved into more than just a put-in point too, with a taproom, coffee truck, and food trucks making it easy to turn your river day into a full experience. Repeat visitors keep coming back, which tells you everything you need to know about consistency here.
I loved this place! From ease of booking to customer service. All of it was 10/10. The floats were clean and well inflated. Inside was stocked with everything you could need. I didn’t know, but they check you in and out of the water. So, because I didn’t give my name, and left, they called me to make sure I was safe and out of the river. I appreciate the above and beyond safety. It made me feel great to know if something happened they would have known. The river was beautiful, crisp and clear. Overall an incredible experience and we will absolutely be back!
Samantha Floyd
June 26, 2026
I loved this place! From ease of booking to customer service. All of it was 10/10. The floats were clean and well inflated. Inside was stocked with everything you could need. I didn’t know, but they check you in and out of the water. So, because I didn’t give my name, and left, they called me to make sure I was safe and out of the river. I appreciate the above and beyond safety. It made me feel great to know if something happened they would have known. The river was beautiful, crisp and clear. Overall an incredible experience and we will absolutely be back!
Samantha Floyd
June 26, 2026
Rent a canoe, kayak, SUP, or tandem kayak for a 24-hour or weekly outing
Explore Lake Jocassee or Lake Keowee with room to relax on the water
Explore Lake Jocassee or Lake Keowee from a spacious pontoon
Paddle the Upper French Broad with an easy Class I, self-guided 8-mile route
Float the Upper French Broad River with a guided tubing setup
Self-guided 4-hour paddle on the Upper French Broad River (Tuesdays only)
Walk with pack llamas to High Falls and Triple Falls
Glide across Lake Jocassee at your own pace