fishing video

PBS Feature on the Pigeon River

PBS VIDEO FEATURE

Pigeon River Water Quality

In summer 2023, PBS contacted founder and owner of Asheville Fly Fishing Company, Galen Kipar, to discuss the aftermath of the paper mill in Canton and its impacts on the Pigeon River. Galen along with several others met up with PBS to share their knowledge and passion for the Pigeon River. The video was produced by PBS and released in Spring of 2024. Since the paper mill shut down, biologists are already reporting positive signs of water quality and aquatic life. Check out the full video below.

The Pigeon River or “dirty bird” begins its descent in NC, and flows northwest into TN, where it terminates into the French Broad River. (The section of river downstream of Canton, NC, has a tannic water quality, hence the nickname.) Several miles upstream in Pisgah National Forest, its headwaters are pristine with large boulder gardens and dramatic elevation change, making for scenic waterfalls and plunge pools. Throughout its headwaters downstream to Canton, anglers will find both wild and stocked trout. Below Waterville Dam, the Pigeon is a tailwater and considered a trophy smallmouth bass river with fish averaging 1-4 lbs. This section of river has it all and historically holds the most diverse fish species of all the Tennessee rivers. During summer months, Duke Power regulates a recreational flow schedule. These regular high flows increase oxygen content and decrease water temperature, which provide ideal conditions for abundant aquatic life. The Pigeon River is a year-round fishery.  ~ Galen Kipar





Men's Journal features Asheville Fly Fishing Company

Men's Journal features Asheville Fly Fishing Company

MEN'S JOURNAL FEATURES AFFC

Check out this VIDEO produced by Men's Journal featuring Asheville Fly Fishing Company. 

Musky Fishing | French Broad River | Tactics and Tips

Musky Fishing | French Broad River | Tactics and Tips

In this virtual seminar for the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) Pechmann Fishing Education Center, Asheville Fly Fishing Co. musky guide, Ryan Bednar provides a helpful introduction and overview of fly-fishing for musky in Western North Carolina. The presentation contains an overview of the equipment and tactics for the French Broad River that can help new anglers prepare for pursuing “the fish of ten-thousand casts.”

AFFC recently featured on R.L. Winston Rod Co., Dun Magazine, Angler Report and Moldychum.com

Featured Video

The video we did last year "A trip into the wild", which features Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing, Overnight Trips with Safari Camp and Whitewater option, has recently been featured by R.L. Winston Rod Co., Dun Magazine, the Angler Report and Moldychum.com.   Check it out!  
Special thanks to producer Josh Branstetter and all those involved! 
If you are interested in this experience, we are now booking mid-June through mid-October 2018.  You can read more info on this experience by clicking here.

Smallmouth Bass + Whitewater Float Trips

These trips are not geared toward whitewater like a whitewater rafting trip. 
We venture into these class III & IV waters to target the big,
aggressive Smallmouth Bass that live within.  
Trips are full day floats with a two boat minimum. 
Multi-day trips with Safari Camp are available.
All guides are River Rescue 3 International &
ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue certified and fully insured. 


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Recent Trip Pictures

Spring weather has been like a roller coaster.  Never the less, the spring fishing for both Trout and Smallmouth Bass has been excellent.  The following pictures are from recent trips...

 

Fly Fishing the Watauga River for wild Trophy Brown Trout

Fly Fishing the Watauga River for wild Trophy Brown Trout

Fly Fishing the Watauga River for wild Trophy Brown Trout during Black Caddis Hatch.