RISE: A Fly Fishing Festival

Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins and Uproar Concept are hosting,  RISE, a one-day fly fishing festival celebrating the resiliency of the French Broad River Community and its stewards: outdoor guides, outfitters, and conservation advocates. A portion of proceeds from the one-day event will benefit RiverLink a local nonprofit, celebrating their 40th year of promoting the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed.

The festival was born last year - gathering 300 attendees and raising $7000 - to celebrate the resiliency of this community one year after Hurricane Helene, and in Year Two organizes are planning around the same theme of "RISE Together," adding to the greater awareness, advocacy, and connection that were catalyzed by the disaster.  

The timing of the festival also coincides with one of the most exciting times of year for anglers in Western North Carolina.

"September is a great time for fishing in the Southern Appalachians. High-elevation streams offer exceptional opportunities for native brook trout alongside wild rainbow and brown trout, while the French Broad River comes alive with outstanding smallmouth bass fishing. 

In the weeks following the festival, Western North Carolina's delayed-harvest waters begin receiving seasonal stockings, setting the stage for some of the region's most anticipated angling. Perfectly timed at the threshold of autumn, RISE marks the beginning of our favorite season...fall fishing in the Southern Appalachians." Miller Watson, Co-Owner of Hunter Banks

The riverfront Wrong Way (9 Midnight Drive, on Amboy Road) will host RISE which will be free and open to the public and include activities like casting and fly-tying competitions, clinics, kid-friendly programming, raffles, and outdoor brand booth activations below the A-frame cabins. Festival goers will enjoy an eclectic mix of live music in the Wrong Way Meadow, food from the Chop Shop Butchery, and drinks from featured local breweries.

The stand-out signature of the festival will be the Fish Flash Tattoo Studio set up in Wrong Way’s River Lodge. Multiple local tattoo artists will offer river-centric flash designs, in varying artistic styles, for attendees to choose from.

Wrong Way and Uproar have partnered with the North Carolina Outdoor Economy Office to serve as the Presenting Sponsor for RISE.

Davidson River Outfitters, Hunter Banks Fly Fishing, and Headwaters Outfitters will anchor the festival as featured outfitter partners and gear people up on-site. 

Take a look at photos from last year's event!