Blog
Is DIY the Way to Paddle Down South in the Winter
With 27+ years’ experience running trips and paddling in Latin America – we’ve got some pretty good beta on paddling DIY (Do It Yourself) in a foreign country specifically in Latin America; even more specifically, in Ecuador. The short answer to paddling on your...
The Coolest Stroke is not always the Best Stroke to Use: the Bow Draw
by Craig Parks and the ERA Team Ok folks, we have to talk. There has been some over enthusiastic stroke marketing with the bow draw. Because it is a cool looking stroke, instructors sometimes like to pull it out as soon as possible, like on day one of...
Spring is the Harbinger of great fly fishing in WNC
Our waters feature brown, brook and rainbow trout Once again April is here and with it the most versatile fishing of the year. There are not enough days in the month to take advantage of all the different fishing opportunities here in western North Carolina.-...
Learning to Fly Fish
Of course you want to learn to Fly Fish It is the perfect sport to get outdoors, enjoy being by the river, and spend time with your best bud - whether that bud is your mom, dad, brother, sister, friend or just you. Fly fishing is a sport based off of technique,...
The Details are in the Fit of a Whitewater Helmet
The detail of buying a whitewater helmet is in the fit. How often have you purchased a pair of shoes, eye glasses or anything else of value, only to realize after that the fit isn’t right? How about a helmet that looked nice on display, but doesn't seem to fit quite...
Is a “Bombproof Roll” too Much to Ask for?
Is a “bombproof roll” too much to ask for? Doesn’t everyone, well—nearly everyone, eventually go for a swim? Which would mean to say that there is “no such thing” as a bomb-proof roll. We say not true. It is time to differentiate between the inevitability of having an...
Proper Fishing Catch and Release Technique
Thoughts from Ken Kastorff and the Fly Line A concern among fishermen is that if a fish is handled, it will die – if not that day, in less than a month. The good news is that seasoned guides will assure you that, over time, they often see a particular fish that they...
Make Your Black Friday an #optoutside day – and here’s some options for you!
Make your Black Friday a time to #optoutside!! Now is the best time of year to avoid the crowds and enjoy being outside here in the Nantahala Gorge!! What to do as an alternative to standing in lines at the Mall? Here are just a few ideas to get you thinking about an...
Adding Garmin as one of our Partner Brands
"We make products that are engineered on the inside for life on the outside. We do this, so our customers can make the most of the time they spend pursuing their passions." - GARMIN We are excited to add Garmin as one of our partner brands Why Garmin? It starts with...
Paddling Ecuador – What A Trip is About
a collaboration from Carrie Singer & Mary Mills Pictures tell so much about the trips to Ecuador, but sometimes it is nice to hear first-hand what a trip is all about. Here is a collaboration between two of our veteran Ecuador paddlers (who will be returning...