Asheville Fly Fishing Company 

COVID-19 Operating Procedures for Guided Trips

AFFC is implementing the following operating procedures in order to comply with safety recommendations by minimizing contact. We appreciate your cooperation and flexibility as we all adapt while enjoying time on the water.  

•        All Asheville Fly Fishing Company guides are fully vaccinated & boosted.

•        If fully vaccinated, guests and guides are not required to wear a mask on the river. If you choose to ride with guide the short distance to the river, it is recommended to wear a mask or buff.  Guides and guests are responsible for providing and wearing their own approved PPE such as, a mask or double layered cotton/poly buff (no Solartech / breathable buffs). CDC guidelines recommend that participants who are not fully vaccinated wear a mask or PPE if keeping a distance of 3-6’ is not possible. 

•        Guests and guides are responsible for bringing their own personal hand sanitizer and/or sanitizing wipes.  Some extra supplies are available upon request. 

•        Lunch and drinks are provided on trips, but guests have the option to bring their own lunch, snacks, drinks etc.  We kicked plastic and use all stainless-steel cups and growlers on trips but clients are welcome to bring their own water bottle that guides will refill.  Guides will prepare lunch using PPE and gloves.  Cold lunches will be pre-packaged individually by a take-out deli.  Hot lunches will be pre-packaged by take-out deli and reheated/served using tongs.  

•        Guests will follow guides to the river in their personal vehicles on all trips.  Some exceptions may be permitted if guests are fully vaccinated.

•        On float trips, guests may meet at boat ramp and have their vehicle shuttled to take-out with guide’s assistance OR take a short ride with guide back to their car at end of day while wearing masks.  Vehicles will be wiped down and sanitized between all trips.  

•        On wade trips, guests and guides will maintain a safe distance of 6ft apart when possible.  When re-rigging, netting a fish, taking a picture or whenever possible, guides will assist at a rod’s length distance from guest.  

•        Guides will not assist guest by coming in contact, except in a matter of life or death or a hazardous event where elevated safety measures are required to prevent such an event from happening.  For example, a guide saving a guest from drowning.    

•        While we like to keep it clean on a regular basis, we have stepped up our sanitizing and cleaning game.  That means sanitizing boats, boots, waders, rods, vehicles between trips and so on. 

•        Our guides’ health is a high priority.  If guides have Covid, they will not be permitted to guide.  We are paying close attention and communicating about each other's well-being.