Chattooga River Fly Shop

The Iron Hutch

2024-02

I had the pleasure of meeting Karl and Guss (the dog) yesterday afternoon. I haven't fly fished in over 15 years and looking to get back into it. Karl was extremely knowledgeable and his fly shop is incredibly clean and well organized. A lot more merchandise than I anticipated. Karl told me where to go and what to use. I ended up catching 3 nice fish and will definitely be back to visit when I am in the area!

Andrew Smith

2024-04

Great shop. Thank you for helping us hook up on some browns this weekend!

Rick Robertson

2021-05

My mother bought me some flies from this shop for Christmas. They treated her so well that I went there and bought some felt boots. These boots changed my life. I can traverse upstream over any rocks to cast into any hole or eddy. I cover more water and catch more fish. The team at The Chattooga River Fly Shop are actually there to help you. Something we don't see in the corporate world anymore. Thanks guys.

Gary Nielson

2023-12

Stopped in today (first time) as we are getting settled in the area. Great shop, friendly and knowledgeable. Enjoyed my visit. Thanks for the info Karen and Byron! I'll be back!Gary

Shaun Jones

2023-05

Very knowledgeable and friendly. Willing to answer or show you tips and tricks. They carry a very wide variety and range of fly fishing and fly tying gear.

Old Vet

2023-05

Stopped in to get some advice on flys and gear and had the best experience. They were extremely knowledgeable and super friendly. They helped me build a great starter kit for my fly fishing setup. I can't recommend this place enough.

Ken Addis

2023-08

Great shop and great people. Very friendly and super knowledgeable. Very impressed with the level of patience the staff has with newcomers to the world of fly fishing.

John Tihey

2023-10

Went on a guided trip with a large group of Veterans. The guides were extremely patient, informative, and overall extremely helpful. I would recommend anyone to go on a trip with them. Thank you, folks, for a great time!

John Beasley

2022-05

Been meaning to stop by the shop numerous times on my trips to fish and hike in the area. This weekend I had the chance. An outstanding little fly shop for the serious and even not so serious fly fishing angler and fly tier. Owners are super friendly and helpful. They set me up with a new fish net (forgot my own two hours back home - ugh), some great fly tying material (ring neck pheasant skin and Polish CDC), and recommended new attachment method for my net. If you're in the area or even not - make the trip over. Also, check out their on-line store. Tight lines.

Andrew Johnson

2023-05

Not enough room to list out all of the great aspects of this business. Everyone here is super friendly and helpful. Had Brad as a guide who was fantastic and definitely made sure we got some fish. A++++++++++

Christine Doty

2015-05

Thank you to my guide Dan for a spectacular day on the river. As a woman, I was a little apprehensive about going out for my first time. He put me at ease and taught me so much from reading water, follow my thumb, and even showed me three different knots. He matched the hatch so good that it fooled a Rainbow! My first! I had three bites but have to learn how to set strikes. The old store was nice but love the bigger store now. Thank you Carl and Karen for supplying a great guide. I will be back again soon and would highly recommend to my friends.

Nate Allen

2018-05

Love this shop!!! The staff is always unbelievably helpful and super knowledgeable. I'll sometimes even drive the hour to get there just to buy flies from them instead of purchasing online or from a lesser retailer. They also post water conditions everyday on Instagram which is very helpful in planning a fishing trip. My absolute go to for anything trout and fly fishing related. I could literally spend hours just looking around and talking with the amazing folks that run this shop!

Jay Yarbrough

2021-05

This is what you look for in a fly shop. Friendly and knowledgeable staff to answer all your questions. Excellent selection of flies, rods, reels and fly tying equipment. Wonderful customer service and a place you will keep coming back too for all you fly fishing needs. Can't recommend this place high enough!

Tony T

2017-05

I came in with a rod I was quickly helped with matching a reel to it the owners are really nice and helpful. Not only do they offer a good selection of fly fishing gear they also make wonderful/beautiful quilts and blankets my son (2) who was running around crazily was given a snow mobile toy by the owner. This is a small family run bussiness and well worth a 3 hour drive to check it out, gain some knowledge, maybe take a guided trip with the owner. A++++

Timothy Hester

2017-05

Stopped in 07-02-16 had a great time in the shop talking about fishing and other topics. This a well stocked shop and very knowledgeable owners. Love supporting small businesses. Very nice people to do business with.

Vanessa Green

2018-05

Great fly shop. Not huge but had a good selection of what you need and not a lot of useless junk. Even had a pretty good selection of tying material. Karen was very helpful and very kind. Will definitely be going out of my way to shop there!

Ben L.

2016-05

Stopped by the Chattooga River Fly Shop on my way to the river this past weekend. Karl was absolutely on the money with his fly selection and where the fish would be holding. Very helpful and more than willing to give information/advice. Stop in, the only reason you wouldn't catch fish after talking to Karl would be your own skills!

Hayley Corley

2022-05

Great must stop for the fly fisherman. Great merchandise friendly knowledgeable staff. Bought some great flies and shirt. Owner gave us great advise and directions on the local spots.

James McMahon

2021-05

Had a great visit with Karl and Karen talking fly fishing and fly tying. First time in the shop. They've got a great selection. Got too much stuff to see in one visit. I'll be back again.

Kevin H

2021-05

Best fly shop on the Chattooga! Friendly service and helpful tips on where to go and what to use. great fly selections. They update the water levels and temps daily. Visiting the Fly Shop is half the fun of going up to the Chattooga.

V

2018-05

This is my second ever review to the internet and the other was to my favorite thai restaurant. I stopped by this charming shop yesterday going to burrels ford and you know the owners are good people when they allow their dog to hang out around the shop. Aside from that and the ample selection, the owner I believe was incredibly nice and helpful when I asked how to get to burrels ford down the road. He had just come from that really beautiful area and showed me on the map. If I am in the area, I will definitely support y'all from now on. The big businesses like cabelas are fine but I would much rather support good people like y'all. Thanks for being a great place to get supplies right near the Chattooga. Will bring my friends by next time. Have a great day and the floatant I got from y'all helped me have a spectacular day on the river catch me 4 fish!

Truman Nicholson

2021-05

Karl and Karen do their best to serve customers. They carry all the essentials to get you out on the river or at the fly tying desk. They also custom order items not carried in the store.

Andrew Soules

2016-05

My brother came down from Upstate Western NY for his birthday and we wanted to catch some trout! I scheduleda trip through Cahotooga Fly Shop as I always drive past them on the way to the river and I prefer to support local business. We made the right decision. Carl was excellent. I being much more novice than than my brother, was very happy with how Carl took the time to educate me on what we were doing and why, as well as tips on running streamers and other tactics! Our first spot was quiet so we hiked to another spot that was fishing very well. We had a half day trip and when I glanced at my watch Carl's response was "see this watch" as he showed me a naked wrist, "this is the time we go by". When it was all said and done, we caught and released about 25 beautiful trout, including my personal best 13" (I know not that big, but there are bigger ones in there!) and spent the majority of the day on the water. I would recommend Carl to anyone getting out on his local waters (Chauga or Chatooga). The shop also has excellent gear, flies and accessories.

Bill Manson

2023-05

Excellent shop, great service, and great guides for local trout fishing. Visit if you get a chance!

Captain Mike Tucker

2013-05

Carl is a fantastic guide & friend to fish with!! I love spending time with him on the river!! The dude is one of the great professionals in our sport!! He always puts me on big fish!! On our last trip together he had many on 16 - 18" Brook & Browns the entire day.....it was an epic day!!He spends many hours guiding & fishing on the Chattooga & Chauga rivers in the Upstate SC. Both these rivers feature the "Delayed Harvest" program for spectacular Fall, Winter, & Spring trout fishing.Carl is also an expert fly tyer, and is constantly creating new and innovative patterns for the two rivers. We all know trout can be totally selective on what they will eat, and it seems the preferred fly pattern changes daily. His fly shop is stocked well with the patterns he creates along with many others, and he always seems to have the right pattern for that day on the river.I highly recommend the Chattooga River Fly Shop & it's proprietor, Karl Ekberg for a fantastic time on the rivers in the SC mountains!! Captain Mike Tucker

Marty Daughtry

2020-05

Our guide Karl was the BEST!.We caught lots of trout browns, rainbows and Brooks.We will be back again. Felt like we made a friend for life with Karl and Karen.

Sheldon Kauffman

2023-07

Friendly personal service, and helpful advice. A lot of products packed into a small, neat store.

Katherine Sitler

2022-05

Love to visit here! Always friendly and helpful. They also have some local crafts available in addition to fly fishing supplies.

Carl Traenkner

2022-05

Having just moved to the area I was happy to find this amazing fly shop just around the corner. Karl and company are extremely knowledgeable and happy to pass it on.

Helmuth Johnstone

2016-05

Carl, Karen,Thank you for you help and guidance for a great day on the Chattooga last Monday. We did not catch a lot on the section below the food plots, but we knew conditions were not great before we started. We ended up in the afternoon at Burrells Ford. We had been fishing for about an hour, when I saw the DNR truck at the bridge. My friend Kee was just under it and all of a sudden it started raining trout. So we ended the day with catch and release of several fish. It was fun to say the least. I am ready for cooler water...who isn't..LOL... Just for the record...I am not a Truck Follower...it followed me..lol..Helmuth Johnstone... TU Mountain Bridge