​​Guide Services


 

Raft

River Monster Guide Service (RMGS) offers angling opportunities on a variety of rivers. The following rivers are generally fished from our Saturn self-bailing rafts with NRS fishing frames.  They offer exceptional comfort for long days battling quality smallmouth bass and provide ample room to accommodate tackle and gear while still allowing room to move around.  These boats are whitewater grade rafts that can easily handle the Class I to Class III rapids that are most commonly encountered on the rivers we target.  We regularly fish the New River. It is arguably one of the best, if not THE best smallmouth bass river fishery in the United States. Trips are available from its headwaters in North Carolina, throughout Virginia, and into the Mountain State of West Virginia. The Greenbrier is another river that clients may request to fish in WV and is fishable by our rafts on most sections throughout the season, though extreme heat and drought can sometimes limit our access in the latter part of summer.  We conduct trips on the larger rivers of East Tennessee such as the Holston, Pigeon, French Broad, and Clinch without worry of low water levels that may impede our Saturn boats, as each of these rivers are dam regulated.  The Nolichucky and even the Little Pigeon can be fished throughout spring and into early season from the comfort of a swivel seat while your guide does all the work.


Canoe / Kayak

Guided trips on the rivers listed on our “Fisheries” can be fished from our rafts, as well as from a canoe or kayak. Depending on the season, and river flows, smaller crafts are often the best way to get to where the big ones are on some of the smaller streams that we fish. There is something nostalgic in fishing from a canoe or kayak, taking you back to the era of early explorers and Native Americans that were the first anglers of these rivers that we love to fish. Canoes and kayaks are best suited for experienced anglers. We can provide instruction as needed.


Overnight Trips

We offer overnight trips that include two (2) days of fishing, two (2) lunches, one (1) dinner, and one (1) breakfast. For an additional fee we can provide camping gear. Email us at: [email protected] with your specific needs and we will design the perfect adventure for your party.


Multi-Day Trips

We offer multi-day trips for up to one week in duration. All meals will be provided. Meal choices will be pre-determined from a menu that will be provided at booking. For an additional fee, we can provide camping gear. With our proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains from our Tennessee location, we are in a great position to offer a multi-day trip that can be tailored to keep you and your party entertained and challenged. We will work closely with each member of your party prior to your arrival to ensure that everyone’s wishes and expectations are met to the best of our ability.  We will tailor and customize your dream trip to create the ideal getaway for your group, whether it be an annual guys trip with longtime friends or a family adventure to experience new things.  Possibly you are planning a bachelor’s party to celebrate upcoming nuptials, or a business trip to reward employees and strengthen team morale and productivity.  Imagine just one example of a trip designed specifically for your party: 

You could float a scenic river for East Tennessee monster smallmouth bass on day 1, hike to the backcountry for native brook trout and wild rainbows and browns from the more than 700 miles of fish-bearing streams within the rugged and beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park on your second day.  On day 3 ply your skills against huge rainbow and brown trout on some of the premiere tailwater fisheries in the country.  On your forth and final day, you cannot miss another opportunity to catch more of those hard fighting and stubborn smallmouth bass on yet a different challenging river. 

We will gladly assist with lodging options, from backcountry camping within the National Park, car camping in one of the many area campgrounds, or luxury cabin rentals from our friends at Outrageous Cabins.  http://www.outrageouscabins.com Email us at: [email protected] with your specific needs and we will design the perfect adventure for your party.


Equipment

River Monster Guide Service (RMGS) strives to provide premium equipment to optimize your experience on the water. Each angler on any guided excursion will be outfitted with St. Croix rods and Shimano Stradic Ci4 reels. Tackle will also be provided and we are constantly updating our inventory to have the hottest new lures and techniques available.  RMGS reserves the right to charge for lost equipment due to carelessness, excessive errant casts, etc… If you have that “lucky rod” or a setup that you prefer to fish with, feel free to bring it along.

Each angler is encouraged to dress according to the season and general weather patterns relevant of the time of year that your trip is booked. See our “Conditions” page to check river levels and weather forecasts.


As a general rule: