Trout: High Country Wade trip
Boone, North Carolina
Private trip guided by Collin
Collin Kreis-Potgieter • 10-19 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 discussed after booking.
Guided by Collin Kreis-Potgieter
Boone, North Carolina • 10-19 years of experience
I started fishing the beautiful creeks of the Blue ridge Mountains near Boone North Carolina in 2013. My heart was captured by these crystal clear flows of clean water and quiet embrace of the thick riparian zone and towering trees. The start of my journey into guiding people’s outdoor experiences are rooted in these ancient mountains and it will always be my great pleasure to share the wonders of this place that I call my home. My hunger to be a better fisherman and guide lead me to the Tail waters of Watauga and South Holston Lakes in 2015. A highly Technical trout fishery that has always been highly populated by experienced guides with clients rather than new comers in their own boats. In 2016 I learned to row and by 2018 I was a float guide for High Country guide service, who I still work closely with. 2026 is my 7th year as a full time professional guide, and 10th year since I took my first wade trip for Steve at Watauga River Anglers, who I owe my first chance at my dream career. I ran 200 trips a year since 2020 and In 2022 I was invited last minute to be a guide/camp cook on week long trips up to 100 miles through the remote wilds of south west Alaska. We float the various drainages of the Kilbuck mountain range with a nomadic 5 tent camp loaded into 3, 16 foot rafts with 6-8 clients per week from early July until early September. Completing that season left me wanting more of the fishery, the Yupik culture and landscape. This will be my 5th season and 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 family, fellow guides/friends and my fondest rivals, the large brown trout and musky of the NC, VA and TN borderlands.