Rivers Edge Outfitters

Hey Michael and Tina Fischer here. We just spent the last 2 days fishing with REO. Brad and Austin gave the best service. We had a blast cutting up and trash talking each other while catching nice fish. Two of our personal best! As a woman they made sure I did not fall and hurt myself which I appreciated. They both paid equal attention to each of us making sure we were having a good time. Austin's accent cracked us up with stuff he said. These two guides are worth every penny and a big tip!

Absolutely worth it. Brad Engle was great. He went the extra mile to help my son understand fly fishing for his boy scout merit badge. I enjoyed every second. I will be doing this again.

Had an awesome and chilly morning on the river with Austin! He was so knowledgeable about the water, where the fish would
be, the fish themselves, the flies, and was an all around great guide! We ended up with 25 fish (23 in the net due to anglers error haha) mostly wild rainbows, one brown and a sucker fish - it was the best way to start my day! We will definitely be back to fish with REO and would recommend them to anyone in the area.

My wife and I just celebrated our 57th wedding anniversary and decided to try Fly Fishing. We booked a half day outing with guide Joy Ponder. Joy is capable, personable, patient and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the experience with her as much as catching fish. Thank you Joy and thanks to Rivers Edge Outfitters for organizing our trip. We will definitely recommend them to our friends.

I first visited the shop this past Saturday morning while stuck out shopping with my wife. Yes I found a few flys, and the staff were engaging, but I was chomping at the bit to fish that afternoon. We ended the day with a few good fish, but something unforeseen occurred , we broke two of our three rods. Please don’t ask how. It finally occurred to me that the shop was actually nearby, but we were a few minutes late. To my surprise, they were open the next morning at 8. Mr. Fred Guffey was early, he listened to my story with empathy and had me out the door before 8:30. Fred was efficient and kind on a day when we needed it. It’s nice when a shop gets you back in the game. I bought 2 rods and 1 reel because of it, and Fred’s customer service will cause me to return. BF

Had a great time fishing with Brad and Joy. They took great care of our group and put us on some great fishing!

Great Establishment! With Great guides!
I took my 5 year old son( w/o Rivers Edge Outfitters) to the river and we got skunked...
That is when i called and expressed i needed help putting my son on some fish! They paired us up with Brent Brad Engle.
I cant say enough about this guy. he was amazing with my son. taught and demonstrated how to do everything with him. Not to mention we caught over a dozen trout in a few hours!
I would definitely recommend, and I will definitely be back!

Thank you Brad for being a great fishing guide! He's very patient and cool. This was one of the most peaceful experiences I've had. I learned a lot about trout fishing!

Thanks Brad for another great experience fly fishing! We have been using Rivers Edge Outfitters guided fly fishing trips by Brad Engle for years! He is knowledgeable and patient! Thanks Brad! Hope to see you next year!

Took my grandson Dylan first time fly fishing in June on a half day float trip with Matt very enjoyable, and he was very helpful with us. Next day one and a half day waiter trip with Joy and Ani had a wonderful time. I caught the fish of a lifetime. Went back first of October for all day. Waiter trip with Joy and Annie again they are so enjoyable and helpful. Will definitely go again.

Austin was an exceptional guide. Having fished all over the USA, Austin is top of the charts for educating you about the water and techniques. He converted me on Euro Nymphing and I can’t wait to bring my daughters to learn from Austin

I am a Tenkara angler with no experience on a traditional fly rod, but wanted to fish the trophy section of Ravenfork. I decided on a full day of wading to get a proper taste of what Cherokee had to offer.

The shop was extremely well managed and featured a very nice selection of fly fishing gear, accessories, and clothing for sale. The staff was very friendly and booked me for the following day.

I couldn’t have asked for a better guide!
Austin was extremely patient with my skill level and gave me very useful advice to rapidly improve my casting on the traditional fly rod. His knowledge of the waters and the art of fly fishing is unmatched in the region. His ability to spot and stalk trout is nearly superhuman! Despite my beginner level, I was able to hook into 50 fish with his coaching, even landing a few in the trophy range (not counting the many that got away)!

Overall, I had a great experience and am extremely glad with my decision. If you want to fish Cherokee like a pro (and with a pro) then Rivers Edge Outfitters should be your first stop in town!

My bucket list item of learning to fly fish was totally fulfilled by the team at REO! My wife surprised me with a gift certificate to make this trip happen, and from there, the folks at REO were awesome. Our guide Austin called me the day before to work out last minute details, like lunch and the meetup spot. The next morning Kelli (owner) at the outfitting shop got us set up for our trip. Waders, boots and fishing license all in hand. Once we met up with Austin, he put us on the fish! Getting us on the fish, helping teach us how to angle for them, wielding the net and great conversation; Austin was EXCEPTIONAL. After an awesome and exhausting day, we rolled back to see Kelli one last time and purchase some shirts and hats for mementos. Understanding our experience may have been exceptional (the two of us caught and released 183 trout in one day :) this trip was amazing and we will definitely be back and use REO again.

Went out with Brad Engle today and absolutely crushed them! Put us on fish instantly and never looked back! Very knowledgeable about the waters and friendly as can be. Lots and lots of rainbow trout were caught today. Brad was the man

We had a great time fishing with our guides Joy and Austin! I was hoping to give my kids (all under 13) an experience fly fishing in the Smokey Mountains. It had been a hot summer and I figured we would probably not catch anything so I was hoping my kids would still enjoy the 4 hours. I checked in the day before at the shop. Joy and Austin offered to meet where we were staying and start earlier to beat the heat. We did not go far and fished a beautiful stretch of river. My kids learned to cast and wade in the river. They caught a lot of fish. My kids now want to fly fish back home where we live. I could not have had a better experience. Thank you REO and thank you Joy and Austin!!

I fished with Austin at Rivers Edge Outfitters 3 times in 2022. He knows exactly where to take you to catch trophy fish. Every time we fish he takes me I end up with a special catch. If you are in Western Carolina book with confidence.

My friend and I decided to do a last minute fly fishing trip to Cherokee and Joy Ponder was our guide thru REO. The shop assisted us getting our credentials for fishing the trophy catch and release section. Joy is outstanding! She knows every fishing hole on the river and she put us where the trout were located. Joy is very knowledgeable and patient. We caught and released several large trout. It was an unforgettable fishing experience. I highly recommend fishing this area and having Joy as your guide, you will not be disappointed.

Had a great fly fishing trip in Oct. with our guide Austin! REO set us up with all the gear for the trip. It was my first time Euro Nymphing and Austin was very knowledgeable and helpful, teaching the skill and locating the trout. I caught so many trout, learned a new skill (euro nymphing) and had a great time on the water! Thanks so much!

These guys were awesome. Came in looking for a specific euro rod. Guy working there was very knowledgeable and convinced me on the syndicate rod. First wild fish caught with it was this nice brown on the Davidson river. I bought the 10 ft 2 wt. Handled this fish with ease. Picture doesn’t do it justice. Thanks for steering me in the right direction.

Booked a Half Day Trip for my husband and son. REI answered all my questions about the trip before booking and never rushed me. Before our trip began Our guide Brad called and asked a couple of questions and answered some of mine and overall just went above and beyond before the trip started. The boys learned so much about fly fishing. Brad was patient, had a wealth of knowledge and answered all my sons questions. They said it was one of the best days they have spent together. Thank you Brad for all the awesome memories you helped make for them on their first fly fishing adventure and all you taught them. And Thank you REI Outfitters for answering all our questions and a place to book this amazing adventure! Would highly recommend REI outfitters and Brad Engle.