Trout Wrangler Podcast Season 2, Ep. 64:WNC Fisheries, Trophy Trout & Guiding Life with Galen

On today's episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we sit down with Galen, the founder of Asheville Fly Fishing Company, to dig into the story behind one of Western North Carolina's most respected guide operations. Galen walks us through how the business began, what the original vision was, and how it has grown into a go-to outfitter serving anglers across WNC and Tennessee. We break down the diverse fisheries of the region — from wild trout streams to smallmouth rivers to the elusive musky waters — and what makes the Southern Appalachians unlike anywhere else. Galen shares how he selects and trains guides, what trip types he recommends for beginners vs. experienced anglers, and how seasonality, water levels, and local conservation shape the guiding experience. We also get into what he wishes more anglers understood about WNC fishing, future trip types he'd like to offer, and one of his most memorable days on the water with a client. As always, the episode wraps with five songs for the Trout Tunes playlist and final plugs. 🎣 This episode is brought to you by Riversmith — use code WRANGLER10 at checkout. @AshevilleFlyFishingcompany