Season:

"Like I always say, "The best time to go fishing is when YOU have the time!"

We are a year-round operation due to the highest-elevated waters East of the Mississippi.
Anytime is great for private waters!!

June, July, and August: Recommended float trips or private waters adventures due to NC Wildlife Regulation "Catch and Keep" Fishing, making public waters more difficult to fish during those months. March, April, May is our world-renowned caddis hatch.
May, June, and beginning of July is our incredibly edible sulphur hatch November and December is the best time to public water wade for wild, trophy trout.

Hungarian partridge are regularly found near abandoned structures in September and October. They often feed in harvested fields.

Species:

My specialty lies in catch-and-release rainbow, brown, spotted, and trophy trout, smallmouth bass and carp.

Private Trophy Waters: Trophy brown, rainbow, golden and brook trout measuring 16 inches and up!
Private Walk n' Wade Waters: Wild native brook trout, 6 inches or smaller.
Public Wade Waters: Stocked and wild brown, rainbow, spotted trout 6-14 inches (sometimes larger!)
Float Trips: Wild and stocked rainbow, brown, spotted trout, and smallmouth bass eight inches and up!

Region/Terrain:

With fishing locations starting at 3500 ft in elevation and up, we boast some of the best tailwaters east of the Mississippi! Offering year-round fly-fishing locations with cold trout waters that will make any angler giddy. In the spring, summer and fall, we are considered a temperate rainforest surrounded by awe-inspiring National Parks and Forests. Our winters make for great afternoon fishing trips and skiing vacations!

Our seven-acre fishing lake is reserved for Chetola Guests and Fly-Fishing Clinics. You can access this lake at any time during your stay with us and can even keep a few trout for dinner! (All of our fly fishing trips are catch-and-release.)

We offer private fishing locations within a 15-minute drive of our front door. With so may public water options we will always take you to where the fish are biting which can be a 30-55 minute drive depending on location.
Most of our float trips are a 55-minute drive from Chetola over to Eastern Tennessee but we can also meet our clients wherever they are staying for your convenience!

Typical Weather:

Summers and fall seasons (June-September) are the most temperate times of the year for us featuring lows in the 50s and highs in the upper 70s F.

Average temperatures for Blowing Rock range from the 20s to mid 40s in winter (December-February).

Spring can be fickle in the High Country at lows in the 30s and highs into the 60s, so dress in layers :). We will always tell you what we recommend to wear for your trip.

In the spring and summer we turn into a temperate rain forest with average monthly precipitation is about 6.5 inches with the highest precipitation occurring in March and the lowest in December.

Average hours of daylight in summer are 14, in winter about 9.4.
Water temperatures range from 48 to 69 degrees.

Rates start from: $125. You can find all pricing information at: http://www.chetola.com/recreation/fly-fishing

Other:

The first floor of the lodge is pet-friendly but is in high-demand so reservations recommended.

Most of our fishing locations are available to everyone regardless of experience, mobility, and limitations. Fly fishing is about the experience as a whole and amazing self-awareness that encourages peace of mind. We are proud to work with organizations like Wounded Warrior and Project Healing Waters and are excited to show everyone that fly fishing can benefit them as well!

Can I fish year round?

Yes, don’t let cold air or precipitation deter you! In fact, fishing during late fall, winter and early spring is considered some of the best fishing of the season. With fewer insects alive and active during colder temperatures, the fish are happy to bite at all the flies you throw.

What is your cancellation policy?

A deposit in the amount of $150 per guide is due when the trip is booked. Trips canceled 14 days or more before the scheduled trip date will receive a full refund. Trips canceled within 14 days of the scheduled trip date will result in forfeiture of full deposit. All guides will happily accommodate guests in various weather conditions; however, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule trips if we deem conditions unsafe. Guests whose trips are canceled by our guides will receive a full refund.

Do I have to be a Chetola guest to take a fishing trip?

No. We welcome the opportunity to guide anyone on a fly fishing adventure, whether you are a Chetola guest, a local resident, or a guest at another hotel. Just call the Concierge, Zak or Mary at 828-295-5509 to book your excursion.

Do I get a room discount at Chetola with a fly-fishing package?

Yes. While fly-fishing packages are available with or without overnight accommodations, overnight accommodations are priced lower when purchasing a room and fishing arrangements together. Value-priced accommodations are available for Chetola Lodge, the Bob Timberlake Inn, and our on, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom condominiums.

Do I need to get a fishing license?

Yes, fishing licenses are required and may be purchased the day of your trip. Licenses can be purchased at Village Hardware in Blowing Rock, Walmart in Boone or at ncwildlife.org or at tn.gov/twra. Your guide can assist with this if you expect to arrive late.

What equipment should I bring with me?

Chetola guides provide all fly fishing equipment, from rods and flies to waders and nets. You don’t even need to bring a camera if you don’t want to; we will be happy to take photos for you and email them to you. Your guide will contact you prior to your trip to answer any questions you may have.

How many people can go on a trip?

The number varies based on whether you choose a wade trip versus a float trip. Guides prefer a ratio of 2 people per guide, so the number will depend on how many guides are available for a particular day and time. Of course we will do our very best to accommodate your needs based on your number of guests.

How should I dress?

Dress for comfort and flexibility (jeans, t-shirts, flannel shirts, etc.) and, most importantly, in layers. We have a saying in the mountains: "If you don't like the weather, just wait 10 minutes." Your guide will provide the necessary equipment for your trip, including rain and snow gear. Please bring sunscreen and wear closed-toe shoes that have good traction, breathe easily and dry quickly after getting wet. Your guide will inform you of any particulars that may be needed pertaining to the season.

Where do I go to meet the guide?

You will meet your guide in the Chetola Lobby unless you and the guide personally plan otherwise. We encourage your party to meet at least 10 minutes before your trip is scheduled to depart in order to take care of any last-minute questions, sign waivers and use the facilities before departing.

Are there restrooms at the fishing locations?

Most of our fishing locations do not have indoor facilities. If you require indoor facilities, please let us know when booking.

Additional Activities:

The Chetola Sporting Reserve is our 67-acre shooting range featuring 5 Stand, 13 Sporting Clay Stations, 5 Bay Pistol Range, Archery and Pellet Rifles.

Pisgah National Forest connects to our backyard and features miles of hiking trails that also connect to Moses Cone National Park and their hiking trail systems, plus Moses Cone Manor.

Grandfather State Park and Animal Habitats offers a natural history museum and rescue animal park featuring cougar, black bear, otter, eagles, elk, etc.

Tweetsie Railroad is a wild west theme park for the little ones. Experience an original train ride through the mountains and see a wild west shoot out!

Boone Bike Park is our newly opened mountain bike park with trails offering different forms of difficulty.

Skiing: Appalachian, Sugar and Beech Ski Mountains are located within a short distance of Chetola Resort (winter hours only).

Appalachian State University offers summer events, concerts, and performances Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway offers shopping within walking distance of out property.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited National Park in the United States and has access on either side of Blowing Rock.

The Linville Viaduct is located about 30 minutes from Chetola and is one of the manmade wonders of the world.

High Gravity Climbing Tower offers a wonderful ropes climbing course for all ages.

Earth and Sky Rafting and Tubing Adventures.

Linville Caverns offer Spelunking and cave tours throughout the summer.

The Spa at Chetola offers manicures, pedicures, hair salon, massages, facials, and aroma therapy. Reservations required.

Timberlakes Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the general public and Chetola guests alike.