High Country Guide Service was started in 2011 to provide high quality professionally trained guided trips. We opened a physical location in downtown Boone in 2016 and moved in to our current space inside of Boone’s Fly Shop in 2018. We are a team of professionals dedicated to providing the highest quality trips and experiences for all visitors to the High Country.
Meet Our Fly Fishing Guides
Our awesome staff offer guided fishing trips year-round in the High Country of North Carolina and the Tennessee Tailwaters and Western Alaska each summer.
Skye Kreis-Potgieter – sKP
Head Guide
Skye grew up in Watauga County and enjoys sharing this special area with everyone. He is a streamer specialist with experience pursuing multiple species on both the South Holston and Watauga Tailwater Rivers.
With multiple years guiding in Alaska under his belt and a plethora of local knowledge to pull from Skye is sure to produce!
CPR / First Aid Certified | WFR Certified
Alyssa Adcock – Lyss
Professional Untangler
Lead Float/Wade Guide
Alyssa joined the crew in 2018 with experience fishing and guiding in the High Country. A self taught Angler and Tyer from the Asheville area, Alyssa came to Boone as a student, was once the President of the Appalachian State Fly Fishing Club and recently graduated in 2019.
Lyss loves to share the overall excitement and education that a guided trip affords to guests of all skill levels.
2022 Recipient “Best of The Blue Ridge”
CPR / First Aid Certified
Collin Kreis-Potgieter – KP
Wade and Float Guide
Collin joined the team with Alyssa in 2018 completing our 4 boat brigade. Always searching for a good time on the water – KP is a workhorse for us and is up for any trip any time any day!
CPR / First Aid Certified
Nate Fordyce – Nate Dogg
Wade and Float Guide
Videographer/Photographer
Nate came to us from Appalachian State University and is our video and media specialist. Nate is well rounded in our local streams and can make trips happen for all skill levels. Wild trout fishing in small creeks is Nate’s specialty – if youre looking for a wilderness wade Nate is your leader!
CPR / First Aid Certified
Kole Ulveling
Wade Guide and Educator
Kole came on board working in the shop and quickly adapted to the wade fishing programs. He is tireless in his pursuit of a professional trip and excels with family groups.
As a recent graduate of Appalachian State University Kole is also among the ranks of our proud Alum network. Nate and Kole make an incredible wade fishing duo embracing each and every technique and watershed to show their guests the best trip possible.
CPR / First Aid Certified
Kirby Mellott
Wade Guide
Kirby’s knowledge and approach to the wade program set him apart from other guides. Kirby heads up our “Tie and Try” Clinic teaching first timers to tie a fly and use it on your trip! A longtime resident of the High Country and known sauna connoisseur – sneak into some fun scenarios with our headiest guide.
CPR / First Aid Certified
Ben Wayne
Wade Guide and Educator
Ben has been fishing and guiding in the High Country for many years and knows all of the nooks and crannies of our wade fishing program. Ben works for Lees McRae as a professor of biology and shares his passion for wilderness and our natural surroundings every day with his clients.
CPR / First Aid Certified
Corey Murphy
Wade and Float Guide
Corey is a proud App State Alum who tried his hand at the corporate world and decided his office life was better suited in our creeks and streams. A dynamic guide always with a smile who is certain to leave each trip with happy clients and fun memories.
CPR / First Aid Certified
David Stelling – Davo
Owner & Operations Manager
Captain David Stelling has lived in the Boone area since 2001. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Recreation Management and since fished and guided in a variety of locales but is proud to call Boone home.
David has guided locally since 2005 and has been floating the Kanektok since 2006 and took over as Head Guide in 2017. He is a licensed OUPV Charter boat captain in SE Alaska and carries that professionalism with him wherever his guiding takes him. David taught himself how to fish and encourages anglers to find their own path and truly become a more competent angler.
2020 Recipient “Best of The Blue Ridge”
2021 Recipient “Best of The Blue Ridge”
CPR / First Aid Certified | WFR Certified | USCG 3164122 | Alaska Outfitter 17629 | Kanektok River Special Use Permit | Goodnews River Special Use Permit | Pisgah Special Use Permit | Member Scott Rods Pro Staff | Member RO Drift Boats Pro Staff