Explore the French Broad: Guided Fishing, Paddles & Riverside Camping

Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman, NC delivers expert-guided fly fishing, paddling trips, classes and campground rentals on the historic French Broad River.

Featured Trips & Classes

Guided paddling, fly-fishing, camping, workshops and river-community events for all skill levels.

Brevard

Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman, NC

Drift down the French Broad River or cast your line in pristine trout streams with Headwaters Outfitters. Brevard’s go-to spot for fly fishing, paddling, and tubing adventures.

Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman, NC

Brevard, North Carolina

Brevard

Paddle Then Pints: Brevard's French Broad River Adventure

Enjoy a 2-hour paddle along the French Broad River before winding down with a craft beer at Ecusta Brewing Company in Brevard, NC. Perfect for those seeking a relaxed outdoor escape with local flavor.

Paddle Then Pints: Brevard's French Broad River Adventure

Asheville

River Adventures & Fly Fishing with Headwaters Outfitters Asheville

Experience the best of Asheville’s French Broad River with Headwaters Outfitters’ private tubing and fly fishing adventures. Perfect for family fun or peaceful solo floats, this local gem offers breathtaking views and expert guides.

Rosman

Explore Bear Lake: Guided Kayaking Adventure to Sols Creek Waterfall in Western North Carolina

Discover Bear Lake’s calm waters in Western North Carolina on a guided kayaking trip to the striking Sols Creek Waterfall. Perfect for all skill levels, this adventure offers stunning scenery, wildlife viewing, and a delicious shore lunch amidst mountain tranquility.

Rosman

Mastering Fly Fishing Basics with Fork's Foundation Class in Rosman, NC

Young anglers ages 10-16 can discover the essentials of fly fishing in this full-day course led by Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman, NC. From casting to conservation, this class offers hands-on instruction on private waters amid Appalachian trout streams.

Mastering Fly Fishing Basics with Fork's Foundation Class in Rosman, NC

Asheville

Paddle the French Broad River and Sip Craft Beer at Oskar Blues Brewery

Combine a serene two-hour paddle along the French Broad River with a stop at Asheville’s Oskar Blues Brewery, where craft beer and gourmet food await. Discover why this unique adventure is a summer highlight in Western North Carolina.

Paddle the French Broad River and Sip Craft Beer at Oskar Blues Brewery

Rosman

Master Spey Casting in Rosman, North Carolina: A Hands-On Fly Fishing Experience

Discover the art of Spey casting with expert guide Jeremy Shurites in scenic Rosman, NC. This hands-on workshop teaches two-handed fly fishing techniques perfect for local rivers and trout.

Master Spey Casting in Rosman, North Carolina: A Hands-On Fly Fishing Experience

Rosman

Join The Upper French Broad River Clean-Up: Paddle, Protect, and Preserve North Carolina’s Pristine Waterways

Volunteer for the Upper French Broad River Clean-Up in Rosman, NC—a free, community-driven event combining a scenic canoe trip on a crystal-clear Appalachian river with hands-on conservation. Join over 3,000 volunteers who have helped keep this waterway vibrant since 1992.

Rosman

Experience Appalachian Santa Night on the French Broad River in Rosman, NC

Celebrate the holidays with Appalachian Santa Night on the French Broad River in Rosman, NC. Cozy up by the river, snap photos with Santa and llamas, and enjoy festive crafts and treats in a unique winter setting.

Experience Appalachian Santa Night on the French Broad River in Rosman, NC

Rosman

Half-Day Guided Trout Wade Fly Fishing Adventure in Western North Carolina

Discover Western North Carolina’s hidden trout waters on a half-day guided fly fishing trip tailored for anglers of all levels. Enjoy expert instruction, private streams, and a local taproom to celebrate your catch.

Half-Day Guided Trout Wade Fly Fishing Adventure in Western North Carolina

Rosman

Experience Bass Fishing Adventure in Western North Carolina’s Scenic Waters

Join Captain Ty Mooney for a bass fishing adventure on the pristine lakes and rivers of Western North Carolina. Perfect for all skill levels, this guided charter provides expert instruction and gear for a memorable day on the water.

Experience Bass Fishing Adventure in Western North Carolina’s Scenic Waters

Rosman

Expert-Guided Smallmouth Bass Float Trip on North Carolina’s French Broad River

Float down the historic French Broad River in North Carolina and fish for trophy Smallmouth Bass with expert guides on a full-day adventure through the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Expert-Guided Smallmouth Bass Float Trip on North Carolina’s French Broad River

Rosman

Explore History and Scenery on the Heritage Day Paddle of the French Broad River

Discover the Heritage Day Paddle on North Carolina’s French Broad River, where gentle waters, rich local history, and autumn scenery combine for a relaxed, guided experience. Paddle by day and join community celebrations by noon in Rosman.

Brevard

Hannah Ford Overnight Canoe Camping on Upper French Broad

Discover adventure and peace on the Upper French Broad River with an overnight canoe camping trip perfect for families and friends. Paddle under the stars and unwind by the fire in this memorable outdoor escape.

Hannah Ford Overnight Canoe Camping on Upper French Broad

Rosman

Experience the Wild: Hap Simpson Overnight Camping Trip in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest

Discover an overnight camping adventure through Pisgah National Forest’s rugged wilderness near Rosman, NC. The Hap Simpson trip blends scenic hiking, starry nights, and rich Appalachian heritage for an authentic outdoor escape.

Rosman

7-Hour French Broad River Paddle with Headwaters Outfitters

Spend seven hours paddling the gentle yet lively French Broad River with Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman, NC. Perfect for all skill levels, this self-guided trip offers stunning scenery and ends with local brews and bites at Forks of the River Taproom.

7-Hour French Broad River Paddle with Headwaters Outfitters

Asheville

Explore the French Broad River: Island Ford 4-Hour Self-Guided Paddling Adventure

Discover a peaceful 4-hour self-guided canoe or kayak trip down the French Broad River. Enjoy gentle currents, rich riverbank scenery, and local treats at the Forks of the River Taproom afterward.

Explore the French Broad River: Island Ford 4-Hour Self-Guided Paddling Adventure

Rosman

Experience Rustic Serenity at the First Private Campground on the French Broad Paddle Trail

Discover the first private campground on the French Broad Paddle Trail near Rosman, NC, offering six riverside campsites perfect for paddlers and outdoor groups seeking rustic, quiet immersion in nature.

About Headwaters Outfitters

Headwaters Outfitters, based in Rosman, NC, operates guided fishing, paddling, camping and outdoor education on the French Broad River and surrounding lakes. The outfitter offers a wide range of experiences including guided fly-fishing lessons, trout wade trips on private waters, smallmouth and bass float trips, musky targeting adventures, and multi-hour self-guided paddling options like Hap Simpson and Island Ford runs. Classes and workshops include Fly Fishing Foundations, Advanced Casting, Spey Casting, Angler Entomology and Selecting a Fly, all taught with low student-to-instructor ratios for personalized skill-building. Paddling-focused offerings include guided Bear Lake sea kayaking trips to Sols Creek Waterfall, overnight canoe camping trips on the Upper French Broad, family-friendly floats, and festival paddles like Paddle to the Pork. Headwaters Outfitters also coordinates collaborative events with local breweries — Paddle then Pints with Ecusta Brewing Company and Cruise then Booze with Oskar Blues — and hosts seasonal community programs such as the Annual Upper French Broad River Clean-Up and Appalachian Santa Night. The business manages the first private campground on the French Broad Paddle Trail, featuring six primitive riverside campsites and options for full campground rental. Gear, shuttles and guided instruction are provided on many trips, and experienced guides such as local captains lead species-specific charters. Emphasis is placed on safety, Leave No Trace ethics, environmental stewardship and authentic local partnerships, making the outfitter a resource for anglers, paddlers and outdoor learners visiting Western North Carolina.

Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman, NC is a full-service guide and outfitter specializing in French Broad River trips, guided fly fishing, paddling adventures and campground rentals in Western North Carolina. For anglers searching for guided fly fishing in Rosman or fly fishing near the French Broad River, Headwaters Outfitters delivers foundation courses, advanced casting classes, spey casting workshops and on-water instruction. Fly Fishing Foundations and Fork’s Foundation Class provide low student-to-instructor ratios to teach casting fundamentals, equipment selection, trout presentation and catch-and-release ethics. Advanced Angler Tactics, Advanced Casting and Selecting a Fly focus on presentation, rigging and entomology so anglers can match real hatches and read water confidently. For bass anglers, guided bass fishing charters and guided smallmouth bass float trips target trophy smallmouth in the Blue Ridge foothills, while musky float trips offer a high-adrenaline, catch-and-release pursuit on historic river channels.

Paddlers find a full menu of French Broad River adventures. Headwaters Outfitters runs guided floats, 4- and 7-hour self-guided paddling trips like Island Ford and Hap Simpson runs, family-friendly day paddles, and overnight canoe camping trips with riverside campsites. The outfitter manages the first private campground on the French Broad Paddle Trail with six primitive riverside campsites and options for campground-only or full-site rentals — ideal for group events, paddlers seeking a true river camp experience, and festival attendees. Popular guided paddles include scenic evening runs that finish at local breweries, such as Paddle then Pints with Ecusta Brewing Company and Cruise then Booze with Oskar Blues Brewery, combining a 2-hour river paddle with craft beer and food truck service for a community-centered outdoor evening.

Education and stewardship are core offerings. Angler Entomology and Reading the Water teach observation-based fly selection and trout behavior analysis on the river. The Annual Upper French Broad River Clean-Up invites volunteers to remove trash, enjoy community meals and free canoe rides, supporting river health and public access. Seasonal and special events include Paddle to the Pork Music Festival, Heritage Day Paddle on the French Broad, Appalachian Santa Night and guided Bear Lake kayaking trips to Sols Creek Waterfall with shore lunches. Guided hiking trips explore waterfalls and mountain ridges nearby, offering half- and full-day options led by certified guides.

Headwaters Outfitters provides gear, shuttles and guided instruction for most trips, creating turnkey experiences for visitors seeking French Broad River paddles, guided fishing trips, camping weekends and outdoor education in Western North Carolina. Keywords for search visibility include: fly fishing Rosman, French Broad River trips, guided fly fishing, guided paddling, canoe camping French Broad, Bear Lake kayaking, smallmouth bass float, musky fishing WNC, spey casting workshop, fly fishing classes near me, private campground French Broad Paddle Trail, Paddle to the Pork, and river cleanup volunteer events. Whether booking a half-day trout wade trip on private waters, a full-day smallmouth float, an overnight camping expedition, or a technique workshop, Headwaters Outfitters connects guests to safe, educational and locally rooted river experiences.

Reserve a River Adventure — Limited Spots Available

Book guided fly-fishing, paddles, classes or campground rental now; gear, shuttles and expert instruction available.