THE GREATEST WILDERNESS FLOATS ON PLANET EARTH
We offer float trips on The Kanektok (Chosen), Goodnews, and Arolik Rivers in Southwest Alaska. With a continuously operating permit in Togiak National Wildlife Refuge since 1984 we cater trips at the highest levels of expectations and dreams.
We spare no expense to ensure our clients have the greatest experience. Streamside accommodations that create the most comfortable camping experience, a full menu including dutch oven desserts, and custom-made rafts with custom frames that carry our custom camp to a remote trout paradise!
Float Fishing Trip Rates
| 1/2 Day Trips (4 Hours) |
|---|
| 1 – 2 Anglers $450 |
| 3 – 4 Anglers $900 |
| 5 – 6 Anglers $1,350 |
| 7 – 8 Anglers $1,800 |
| 3/4 Day Trips (6 Hours) |
|---|
| 1 – 2 Anglers $500 |
| 3 – 4 Anglers $1,000 |
| 5 – 6 Anglers $1,5000 |
| 7 – 8 Anglers $2,000 |
| Full Day Trips (8 Hours) |
|---|
| 2 Anglers $600 |
We can accommodate various groups and sizes; Families, Corporate, Parties, etc. We have a staff of fully trained professional guides ready to help!
Book a Float Fishing Trip
Float Trips
Please Note: Booking a fishing trip requires a NON-REFUNDABLE 50% deposit. The full value is non-refundable within 7 days of the scheduled trip date, however, we will honor your deposit and reschedule for a future date if we are completely booked on your preferred date or other conflicts arise.
What are Float Fishing Trips?
Float fishing trips combine the thrill of angling with the serenity of drifting along some of the most breathtaking waterways nature has to offer. It’s a truly immersive experience where you’ll navigate the gentle currents, casting your line into the heart of untamed wilderness.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice, our float fishing trips cater to all skill levels, making them an ideal choice for individuals, families, or groups of friends seeking adventure and relaxation in equal measure.
Trophy Float Fishing catches on the tailwaters
5-Star Float Fishing Trip Guides
Frequently Asked Questions about Float Fishing
The Watauga River, located just below Elizabethton, Tennessee, and the South Holston River near Bluff City, is home to many varieties of trophy trout, such as Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.
The best spots for fly fishing on the Watauga River are best reached by boat offering about 5,000 to 6,000 trout per mile! Local hatches on certain sections of the Watauga River have plenty of Caddis, Midges, Blue Winged Olives, and Sulphurs for the trout to feed on almost all year long.
The South Holston River begins is a nationally known fish hatchery with many creeks and streams that breed wild trout. All of the brown trout in the South Holston tailwater are naturally reproducing wild fish, which is not the norm for tailwater fishing trips anywhere else.
We offer a variety of fishing trips that require various levels of preparation and organization. Our full-service fly shop and guiding program prepares you with all the gear necessary including your Waders and Boots, Rods, Reels, Lines, Leaders, Tippets, and Terminal Tackles, along with any type of flies or tackle necessary for the day, and a net for releasing and capturing that perfect photo.
You are more than welcome to bring your own rod, reel, leader, or tippet. Whether it is your favorite or you would like us to set it up, bring it on!
A simple gear checklist for any beginner or anyone traveling without gear at all can be as easy as:
Hat / Ballcap / Sun Protection for glare
Water (preferably in a water bottle to reduce single use)
Snacks/Food
Sunscreen for Sunny Trips
Raingear if forecasted (We can provide waders and boots)
Socks to Wear Under Waders (Any kind of socks)
Comfy lightweight pants under waders in Summer
Sunglasses (Mostly for safety)
Phone (For Photos)
Drinks including beer, wine or liquor
Gratuity for your Guide
Smile and a Good Attitude
Please Refrain from BRIGHT COLORED CLOTHING!
Our Tailwater Float Fishing Trips require a Tennessee Fishing License for anyone 13 years and older. Purchase your Tennesse Fishing License online here.
Two participants in our float fishing trips fit on each boat, plus a guide.
While can accommodate groups of any size, we like to ensure there is one guide for every two guests. You can customize your fly fishing trip by submitting a contact form, sending us an email, or calling us at 828-386-6216 to set up a trip for the entire family!
We take a lot of family fly-fishing trips and try to accommodate the young ones as much as possible. Children are allowed on our float fishing trips in Tennesse, but anyone 12 years or younger must wear a Personal Floatation Device while on the boat.
A typical Full Day Float Trip can start at our Fly Shop in downtown Boone, but often details such as meeting time and location are determined upon booking and based on where our guests are staying to make it as seamless as possible to get on the water.
After we load up and travel over to our fishing grounds in East Tennessee, we usually put in on the South Holston or Watauga tailwaters. We will disembark floating from a public put-in, float a few miles, and have a streamside lunch on full-day trips. After lunch, we will float a few more miles to a designated public takeout where the truck will be waiting after being shuttled. Typically taking out around 4.
We are happy to change any kind of setup or meeting time and location. When each trip is put into our calendar there will always be a designated meeting time and place. The guide will reach out to you the evening before the trip.
We cater to ALL group sizes (yes we can accommodate more than two anglers). Each trip is reserved per group.
Our guides have the answers for where to find fish in all conditions. If the weather is bad, we typically can adjust and find plenty of fishable water.
In the event of danger, you can refer to our cancellation policy.
Details such as meeting time and location will be established upon booking, and our reservation system allows for the guide to reach out the day before the trip to confirm details as well.
Check the weather in Tennessee here.
High Country Guide Service requires a NON REFUNDABLE 50% deposit to book a trip. The full value is non-refundable within 7 days of scheduled trip date. We fish rain or shine, unless the weather is deemed unsafe by the guide. In the event of dangerous weather we will reschedule for a future date.
You sure can! Our guides appreciate it. Gratuity for our Wade Fishing Trips is typically 10-15% of the total trip cost and cash is preferred.
Other Guided Float Fishing Trip Locations
Float fishing trips offer an exhilarating and unique way to experience some of the most pristine and remote fishing destinations in the world. At High Country Guide Service, we specialize in providing exceptional float fishing adventures on the Tailwaters of East Tennessee, as well as in the wilds of Alaska along the Goodnews River and Kanektok Rivers.