Knowledge Base
Women Traveling Abroad: Tips for things that get overlooked
For women traveling abroad, there are a few cultural hitches that can make for awkward moments; nothing that should dissuade a female from embarking on an international trip, but if known ahead of time, can make traveling as a female a whole lot…
Is DIY the Way to Paddle Down South in the Winter
With 27+ years’ experience running trips and paddling in Latin America – we’ve got some pretty good beta on paddling DIY (Do It Yourself) in a foreign country specifically in Latin America; even more specifically, in Ecuador. The short…
The Coolest Stroke is not always the Best Stroke to Use: the Bow Draw
by Craig Parks and the ERA Team Ok folks, we have to talk. There has been some over enthusiastic stroke marketing with the bow draw. Because it is a cool looking stroke, instructors sometimes like to pull it out as soon as possible, like…
So You Want to Learn to Fly Fish
Picture a well-placed fly rod cast landing the fly under an overhanging mountain laurel. The fly sits on the surface of the water for just a second, with a small twitch of the fly rod it moves with the appearance of a living thing and then there…
Spring is the Harbinger of great fly fishing in WNC
Our waters feature brown, brook and rainbow trout Once again April is here and with it the most versatile fishing of the year. There are not enough days in the month to take advantage of all the different fishing opportunities here in…
The Details are in the Fit of a Whitewater Helmet
The detail of buying a whitewater helmet is in the fit. How often have you purchased a pair of shoes, eye glasses or anything else of value, only to realize after that the fit isn’t right? How about a helmet that looked nice on display, but…
May Jump Starts Fly Fishing Season
May jump starts fly fishing season with warmer weather and longer days. May is the month of change when it comes to fishing here in the mountains. This is the last month that delayed harvest streams will be stocked until next October. Delayed…
Is a “Bombproof Roll” too Much to Ask for?
Is a “bombproof roll” too much to ask for? Doesn’t everyone, well—nearly everyone, eventually go for a swim? Which would mean to say that there is “no such thing” as a bomb-proof roll. We say not true. It is time to differentiate between the…
Best Time for Fly Fishing in WNC: Dont Overlook the Off-Season
Advice From Ken Kastorff and the Fly Line When is the best time to come and fish in western North Carolina? The short answer is that western NC has outstanding fly fishing year round. Many anglers put their gear up during the “off season” of…
Proper Fishing Catch and Release Technique
Thoughts from Ken Kastorff and the Fly Line A concern among fishermen is that if a fish is handled, it will die – if not that day, in less than a month. The good news is that seasoned guides will assure you that, over time, they often see a…