Expert Fishing & Tour Guide Services in The Great Smoky Mountains

Reservation Policies & FAQ

Deposit

A 50% deposit will reserve your fishing trip on the chosen date. We will gladly refund your deposit if you cancel your fishing trip 14 days in advance. A cancellation fee of $50 will be deducted and can be used as a credit towards a future trip. This credit is valid for one year.

Cancellation

However, if you cancel within 14 days of your scheduled fishing trip, your deposit will not be refunded. Any credit applied towards a rescheduled trip will be at the sole discretion of Fontana Guides.

Also, due to the time and effort we invest in preparing for your fishing trip, a cancellation inside of two days preceding your scheduled trip, or failure to arrive on the scheduled day of your trip, will not result in a refund of any kind, and you will be charged for the full rate of your trip that was agreed upon initial reservation. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE NO ABILITY TO BOOK OTHER TRIPS IF WE ARE NOT NOTIFIED OF YOUR CANCELLATION IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Refunds will not be made. The reservation of a trip acknowledges that the fishermen accept and understand our policies. IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN OF YOUR ABILITY TO KEEP A SCHEDULED RESERVATION PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IT.

Weather

The weather in The Great Smoky Mountains is unpredictable. Inclement weather does not automatically result in the cancellation of your trip, as it can often make for great fishing. We fish in all weather conditions, rain or shine. WEATHER CANCELLATIONS WILL BE AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF FONTANA GUIDES. We will be glad to reschedule your trip if there is lightning or the river or lake conditions are unfishable.

Gift Certificates

All Fontana Guides gift certificate purchases are NON-REFUNDABLE, and are valid only within one year from date of purchase.

If you have any question regarding this policy, please contact us as soon as you receive it.

Photos

Think twice about bringing that expensive camera or cell phone. During our guided fishing trips, especially kayak trips, you may encounter wet and unpredictable conditions. If you do decide to bring a non-waterproof camera or cell phone, make sure you have some way to protect it from the elements. Your guide will always have a waterproof camera on your trip to make sure you capture a high quality photo to remember that trophy catch!

Bathrooms

Access to restroom facilities can be hit-or-miss depending on the fishery. It is best to count on no access to public restroom facilities. Some fisheries may or may not have convenient access to public restrooms both on the water and at the launch site. Due to distant fishing locations and the slower nature of kayak and pontoon boat travel, anglers need to be aware that taking lengthy breaks to distant restrooms can greatly affect the potential success of their trip.

Know Your Limits

Fishing in The Great Smoky Mountains is a rewarding and enjoyable activity. The majority of our trips are very user-friendly and great for all skill levels. However, it can get strenuous and demanding at times. This is especially true for our Guided Kayak and Wade & Walk River Trips. Make sure you are honest with yourself regarding your physical ability when choosing a trip. When in doubt, contact us for details before booking a trip.

Rates & Tips

Fontana Guides is proud to offer a variety of outstanding guided fishing and sightseeing trips. Rates vary and depend upon many factors including time of year, number of people, type of trip, etc. Simply contact us to determine the rate of your trip.

A gratuity for your guide is greatly appreciated. When you fish with Fontana Guides, we promise you that your guide will do everything in his power to make your fishing trip a rewarding and lasting fishing experience. And just like a restaurant, a 15-25% gratuity is customary.

Location and Private Trips

We have a variety of different access points and boat ramps that we use throughout the year for all of the guided trips that we offer. We always use the access point that is closest to the fish and our base camp,Lands Creek Log Cabins. Your guide will always provide you with directions to the location of your trip upon the reservation of your trip.

All of the trips that we offer are private. We never mix different parties or groups of people. With the addition of your guide, the party that you book your trip with at the time of your reservation will be the same people you are with on the day of your trip.

What to Bring Along

• It is always best to dress in layers no matter what time of year. Dress comfortably in synthetic water resistant materials like nylon or poly-blends.
• Always assume that your feet will get wet. Wear water shoes or old sneakers, especially during guided kayak trips.
• Bringing along a change of clothes is always suggested for any trip, any time of year. An extra pair of warm socks for winter trips is highly encouraged.
• Drinks / bottle water
• Snacks / lunch
• Sunblock & chap stick
• Insect repellent
• Hat & polarized sunglasses
• Jacket / rain gear
• Fishing License & ID
• Binoculars, especially for wildlife sightseeing trips.
• For kayak trips, we do provide one-size-fits-all Stohlquist PFDs. However, if you are used to the comfort of your own, feel free to bring it along.
• We provide all professional quality fishing gear. If you have your own gear and would like to use it on your guided trip, please discuss it with your guide at the time of your reservation to determine whether it is up to the task.

What's Included

• A friendly, patient and knowledgeable guide
• All spinning rods, reels, artificial & live bait and tackle
• Fly rods, reels, terminal tackle and flies
• Kayaks, paddles, and PFDs
• Waders
• KEEN Gorge Boots and Hydro Guide Sandals are provided for use on all Wade & Walk River trips and Kayak Fishing Trips.