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

Gray's Sporting Journal features Asheville Fly Fishing Company

AFFC featured in Gray’s Sporting Journal - January 2021

One of the most renowned sporting publications, Gray's Sporting Journal, is the world's leading periodical of sporting literature, art, and photography.

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Check out a great story on William Bartram and how we traced his travels along the Tennessee River in the latest issue of Gray's Sporting Journal, Volume 45 / Issue 7. We are honored to have been a part of such an epic adventure that will ring long in all our memories. That was fun!
Thanks to Gray's Sporting Journal for having us!

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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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Float Trips  |  Wade Trips  |  Multi-day Trips  |  Whitewater Trips

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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...

Asheville Fly Fishing Report

Summertime is officially here in Asheville, NC!  Water levels are above average and conditions are great for fishing and enjoying the outdoors.  We've noticed the fishing has been better than the previous two years and we anticipate the trend will continue.  Here's a few highlights of what you can find on the water in the Asheville area.  

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Water temps are just now getting above 70 degrees with average to above average water levels compared to the 100yr. average.  While spring has been hit or miss due to rainfall and blown out rivers, the fishing has been very good this year.  Those windows of time when the river clears just enough before the next rain are gold.  The fish know the rain is coming and they must feed while the livin' is easy.  As summer continues and temperatures rise, fishing will start to slow down mid-day.  Please consider practicing catch and release and keeping the fish wet.  An 18" Smallmouth Bass takes 8-10yrs. to get that big.  The top water bite is hot and fish are exploding on frog patterns and boogle bugs.  Enjoy!

TROUT

Sulfurs are hatching on the both the South Holston River & Watauga River, offering great dry fly fishing.  Any time now the Japanese Beetles will start falling out of the trees.  The Brown Trout will be there waiting and so will we.  This event is a blast and offers both beginners and experts the opportunity to sight fish.  These rivers fish well year round and boast a dense population of wild Brown Trout.  Both rivers are most effectively fished from a driftboat as water levels change daily.  Please use caution if you plan on wading and make sure you know the generation schedule. 

WNC Delayed Harvest waters have opened as of June 3rd, so wade fishing just got a whole lot tougher.   During summer months we recommend floating but if you prefer wading, we recommend going for wild trout in the higher elevation streams.  This will take you away from the crowds and into to the wilderness where native Brook Trout aggressively rise to dry flies. 

A few shots from recent trips... 

Featured on Field and Stream

Thanks to Fin & Field for adding us to Papa-Would-Be-Proud Adventure Series featured on Field and Stream. 

Click this link to read:  http://www.fieldandstream.com/promoted?prx_t=UbECAgyIOAtsIMA

Canada: Bad bacon. Decent beer. Unforgettable smallmouth fishing

Asheville Fly Fishing Company guide Knox Campbell just got back from fishing Canada.  His trip was of a "Guide's day off" nature.  A little R&R, R&D, and quality time with friends.  Upon his return he had a serious case of perma-grin and a skip in his step.  We knew what that meant and being Smallmouth Bass fanatics, we wanted details.  So we slid to the edge of our chairs and let the good times roll.  Here's what Knox shared with us... 

I touched down in Toronto just past mid-night on June 18th. Coincidentally this date has a lot of meaning for me, but for this post the most important fact to keep in mind is that June 18 is the opening day for smallies in Ontario, something we don't appreciate here in the south. The plan was set a year before. Ben, a buddy that I had originally met on a flight to Portugal a few years ago, picked my girlfriend and I up at the airport. Once through customs we walked out the doors and immediately saw Ben waiting. Hugs and back slaps were exchanged and then we were off. After a non-stop 4 hour drive we arrived at our destination- a tiny, glacial lake 20 miles from the St Lawrence Seaway that Ben's family had a cottage on and that had no public access.

It was 4:15 and the sky was just turning grey. Rod, reel, and fly box had been stashed strategically on top of the food rations in the back of the car for easy retrieval, and withing 10 minutes of pulling into the drive we were in the Lund, cutting through the morning air with me standing at the bow, 8 wt in hand, fly line lying at my feet, a freshly tied yellow popping bug on the leader, and the unforgettable feeling you have just before doing something you'd been envisioning and anticipating for a long time. The outboard was silenced and the boat went into a quiet glide. Before Ben even had time to point out a rocky reef I threw my first cast. One pop. Two pops. Pause. Rod tip just over the water. Boom. Big eat and even bigger fish. That first fish of the trip came just as the warm colors of morning bled across the horizon. There were countless fish caught on that trip, but that first fish, and that first morning in Canada, blending with all of the emotions of the past year and a half, was one of the most powerful moments of my life. I said a silent "thank you" to no one in particular, and for a few moments, even with my hands still wet and fishy, forgot about the fishing. I took in the lake and the light, looked at my buddy, and smiled. He knowingly smiled back, and without a word and with eye brows raised, pointed to a rise ring behind me.  

Read more about Knox Campbell here

 

FISHING REPORT:   Smallmouth Bass in Asheville

The Smallmouth Bass fishing has been above average this year.  Currently we are getting rain and cooler temperatures and the fish are happy.  Guided trips have been producing trophy fish on the fly and spin tackle.   We target these fish by Drift Boat and Raft and offer all inclusive full day and half day trips.  Here's one from last week...

BOOK A TRIP BY MAKING A RESERVATION IN ADVANCE:  (828) 779-9008 

Spring Fishing is on!

We've been busy guiding and making memories on the rivers of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.  Spring fishing has been great so far and its just getting started.

Thanks to all our recent guests for making our jobs fun!

Here's a few pictures from this weeks guided trips. 

Book a Trip: (828) 779-9008
www.AshevilleFlyFishingCo.com

2015 Summer Fishing Video with Asheville Fly Fishing Company

Happy 4th of July!   We are looking forward to watermelon, fireworks, homemade peach ice cream and good days on the water.  Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!  

Video & 2015 Fishing Report for Western North Carolina and East Tennessee

Asheville Fly Fishing Company’s guides love fishing, but sharing the experience is far more rewarding.  Come fish with us! 

FISHING REPORT for Western North Carolina and East Tennessee:

*So far, the Smallmouth Bass fishing this spring has been the best we’ve seen it in 2 years.  The water temperatures have been above average, and there was no significant flooding that interfered with the spawn.  The magic water temperature for the top water bite is around 70 degrees.  Two rivers in this area reached that mark this week and sure enough, the top water bite was hot.  We anticipate the top water action will be great until temperatures flatten out into the upper 80’s and 90’s.  Then, mornings and evening will be best.  If you are out there on your own, don’t forget to check the water temperatures, it will tell you a lot about what the fish are going to do. 

*The tailwaters of East Tennessee are renowned as some of the best in the southeast.  This reputation holds true, and especially this spring.  Both the Watauga and South Holston River have been fishing great as significant hatches bring fish to the surface.  The Dry fly fishing has been excellent this spring, but it doesn’t stop there.  The Sulfurs on the South Holston River are just getting started, and the big fish come to the table.  The “Soho” is undergoing more maintenance at the dam so we can expect irregular flows.  If you go wading, don’t forget to check the generation schedules and flow arrival times, better safe than sorry.  On the Watauga River, the Caddis hatches have been thick, with some of the best black Caddis hatches we’ve seen in years.  Spinners and tan Caddis are currently working well on Watauga.  Both these rivers fish great year round, but as summer sets in and water levels are low elsewhere, they offer some of the best fishing opportunities. 

*The Tuckaseegee River (NC) is managed as a Delayed Harvest regulated river.  Harvest opens June 6th.  If you are interested in having a great numbers day and catching upwards of 40 fish,  we recommend hitting it before June 15th.   We don’t recommend the “Tuck” between June 15th and October 3rd, as the majority of the 20K pounds of fish will end up in someone’s freezer.  We practice Catch and Release and encourage anglers everywhere to fish with a conscience.  

*Wade trips on Delayed Harvest streams are winding to a close.  While some streams get hit harder than others, many will be fished out by June 15.  At that point, the Davidson River is a sure bet for Catch and Release anglers.  For the angler who prefers the canopy of rhododendron and the intimate hunt, there are hundreds of miles of Backcountry streams that are home to beautiful, eager wild trout.