Trout: High Country Wade trip
Boone, North Carolina
Private trip guided by Collin
Collin Kreis-Potgieter • 6-9 years of experience
About
The bread and butter, Thousands of miles of trout water to choose from. The western North Carolina region is a mecca for trout and its home, the blue ribbon veins of the planet. Every angler learned right on their own two feet, no boats no fancy waders, just a pair of old boots and somebody else's fishing rod. I like to embody this old way on my walk and wades. you will learn the ways of the trout and how to present the fly, and you will enjoy a beautiful nature hike up a creek in the Appalachian mountains where they hid old moonshine stills for the trout to watch over.
The fish will come with time and sometimes that's all of 5 minutes and sometimes it is every bit of 4 hours. but that's the beauty of learning and that is my main goal for this trip, to teach.
The experienced angler will find this a great way to unwind and enjoy the woods of an old temperate rainforest. A 13-inch fish caught after a technical cast under the rhododendron is a great accomplishment and should be treated that way.
These trips are led in creeks 5 minutes outside of Boone or up to an hour from its city limits, be prepared to drive for the most ideal conditions or the most productive creek at the time.
Hike-ins are just the same, depending on mobility we may be sliding into the river right off the road or we may hike in as far as 30 minutes on various terrain. This will be decided before the fishing trip is taken out.
Targeted species
- Brown Trout
- Rainbow Trout
What's included
- Rod / Reel
- Tackle / Flies
- Cold Storage
- Water
- Lunch / Snacks
What to bring
- Sunscreen
- Polarized Sunglasses
- Quick-Dry / Sun-protective Clothing
- Fishing License
Location
- Boone, North Carolina
Exact meeting location will be provided after booking.
Guided by Collin Kreis-Potgieter
Boone, North Carolina • 6-9 years of experience
I started fishing in 2013 after I graduated high school in Boone NC. I fished the mountain creeks in the high country every day for 2 years straight before pursuing the idea of being a guide. Being able to make money while being on the water was my biggest incentive, I sacrificed my formal education at a community college and dove head long into my dream. I started to row a drift boat a few years into my fishing career and by my fourth year of guiding I was taking trips on the Tennessee tail-waters, the South Holston and Watauga rivers for High Country guide service. Last year was my 4th full time season as a professional guide, leading nearly 200 trips a year since Covid started in 2020. In 2022 I was invited last minute to be a guide/camp cook on week long trips 100 miles through the remote wilds of south west Alaska. 3 of us guides and 8 sets of 6 clients camp and fish down the Kanektok river from early July until early September. Completing that season left me wanting more of the fishery, the Yupik culture and landscape. I plan to pursue the Alaska opportunity for years to come. I spend my free time in the winters guiding the occasional client, catching redfish on the coast of the Carolinas and spending quality time with my co workers and fondest rivals, the large brown trout and musky of the NC, VA and TN borderlands.