Fish Western North Carolina lakes and rivers with a licensed bass guide
Full day trips are 8 hours and half day trips are 4 hours on the water.
Up to 3 people
Guide, transport, gear
Join Captain Ty Mooney for a guided bass fishing charter using light tackle gear on lakes and rivers in Western North Carolina. Choose a half-day or full-day trip suited for beginners through expert anglers, with kids ages 6+ welcome.
A valid North Carolina fishing license is required and is not included. All participants (and guardians for minors) must sign an acknowledgement of risk and release of liability form before the trip.
This booking is for the whole experience, which fits up to 3 guests.
Cancel 7+ days before: full refund. Cancel 3–6 days before: no refund of your 50% deposit. Cancel less than 3 days before or no show: no refund and your card will be charged the full trip cost at time of booking. Full refund if they cancel due to an electrical storm, high water, or air/water temps.
Bring a valid North Carolina fishing license; it isn’t included. Your captain will confirm which license you need.
Meet at 9:00 a.m. for full-day trips and half-day morning trips (unless your guide specifies otherwise in advance). Meet at 1:00 p.m. for half-day afternoon trips.
Yes. All participants (and legal guardians for anyone under 18) must read, complete, and sign an acknowledgement of risk and release of liability form before you can go out.
Headwaters
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