Fly Fishing Still Going Strong in Asheville North Carolina

ASHEVILLE — The economy still stinks, jobs are scarce, the price of gas and peanut butter are up, and now Christmas — and all the expenses that come with it — is on the way.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by it all, grab a rod, some waders and flies, and go fly-fishing.
That’s the theory Frank Smith has as to why, after years of faltering, fly-fishing is on the upswing in Western North Carolina.

“Our business has been up the past year, after falling the past couple of years,” said Smith, owner of Hunter-Banks Co. fly-fishing shop and guide service in Asheville. “It’s tough. Fishing depends on people buying gear, traveling to fish and spending money on gas. But people are now finding a way to do the things they want to do. They’re going to find a way to fly-fish.”
And a great way to kick off a fall fly-fishing trip, learn about the best new gear, hear about the sweetest honey spots, try your hand at fly-tying or casting and, yes, get a head start on Christmas shopping is at the third annual WNC Fly-Fishing Expo Saturday and Sunday at the WNC Agricultural Center.

While fly-fishing is often considered an elite and expensive way to catch trout, with fly rods running up to $800 and the waders necessary for walking out into icy cold trout streams costing as much as $700 a pair, Smith said you can get started in the sport without shelling out so much.

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