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January 2024 by Amanda Heckel
Dec. 29th 2023We had the best time with Dustin Coffey out of Chetola's Orvis in Blowing rock, NC!!Dustin's instruction, time management, attitude, and fun spirit made this day the absolute best! We caught browns, rainbows and brook trout. My take away from the day was not only the big fish we continued to catch but the way he gave instruction. His analogies and simply teaching style will stick with me on the next river for sure!THANKS DUSTIN!
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December 2023 by Ben Pack
This was a wonderful experience. Dustin was a very informative and professional guide. The fishing opportunities were phenomenal and we caught the fish of our lifetimes. i wold reccommend this trip to anyone.
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November 2023 by Brett Swan
Had an amazing trip with our guide Quinn Culler. He not only taught my son and I how to fly fish, but he also changed the flies and the location frequently to maximize the bite. He was more than patient and super informative. Would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to have a great fly fishing experience.
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November 2023 by Anne “Oz” Staley
Fabulous day fly fishing with Dustin Coffey. He is a wonderful teacher and we both always learn so much from him! Not to mention putting us on some beautiful trout. Dustin is one of the most dedicated, compassionate, attentive, conservation minded, fun guides we have used. He is one of our must “go to” guides… as he never disappoints! Just a great fly fishing advocate. Don’t miss fishing with this gem if you are at Chetola. We are already looking forward to next year. And we have already fished with him for several years. My husband is convinced he should write a book with all of his colloquialisms!!!And we enjoying renting a condo and staying at Chetola for the week. Dustin should be put up for Orvis Guide of the year!
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November 2023 by Jill Fletcher
Quinn was GREAT! My partner had already experienced fly fishing and this was my first try (I’m a grandma). Quinn was very patient and safety conscious especially getting us into and out of the river. Perfect day and beautiful settings and with Quinn’s expertise and fabulous knowledge of fish psychology, I caught trout! It’s never too late to try something new. Highly recommend!
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November 2023 by lyndsay mountz
We absolutely loved our fly fishing float trip through Chetola. Pat Stone, our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable, made sure we had a great time and had everything we needed for a gorgeous day on the water. My mom was a first timer and even had the biggest catch of the day. Thanks for a wonderful experience. We will certainly be booking again!
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October 2023 by Eric Hassman
We had a wonderful time. Our two kids loved it - Shawn Isaacs is great guide and really good with kids. It was their first fishing experience - they loved it! Thank you guys!
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October 2023 by Pat Duffy
We have fished with many guides all over the US from Fl to Montana and Dustin Coffey is the absolutely the best!We just finished fishing a half day with Dustin on the Watauga tailwater in Tennessee and it was fantastic. We landed over 20 nice trout and we had two over 20".He knew the correct flies and depth that would produce these optimum results. He is a true gentleman and extremely knowledgeable fisherman; a joy with whom to spend the day fishing.
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October 2023 by Bob Gilliam
Had a great day fly fishing with Dustin Coffey on the Watauga River on 9/26/2023. Dustin is a great guide! He is a great teacher of both basic and advanced techniques and his combination of professional and folksy manner made for a fun day of fishing. I highly recommend Dustin!
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September 2023 by Anthony Asher
Booked a trip to Chetola’s private waters on the Watauga River. My wife and I were extremely fortunate to have Dominic Costello as our guide. Dom allowed us to make the trek with me as a first time fly fisherman and my wife as an interested observer. At a loss for words to express how awesome the trip was for the both of us. Dom took extended time to teach and demonstrate before we even got to the water. It was evident from the get go that Dom is a bright, energetic, knowledgeable, and experienced fisherman – his engaging personality combined with these attributes served to create lifetime memories highlighted by netting several rainbow trout. His willingness to answer a plethora of questions from both Joyce and I served to enhance the experience. Dom’s cell number is now in my contact list as I will be reaching out to him the next time we are back in North Carolina.
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September 2023 by Derryl Boddiford
Just a note to thank Shawn Isaacs for a fantastic fly fishing experience. From the beginning lessons on how to cast, to the advanced euro nymphing techniques were awe inspiring for a novice. And to hook up with 7 fish on that trip was a true testament to his insistence on proper presentation. Shawn was personable, professional, a great teacher and a pleasure to work with. Thank you for such a memorable experience!
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September 2023 by Corey Cabral
I had the opportunity to fish the Linville River near Blowing Rock with Guide Dustin. The private section of the river is a combo of wild / stocked rainbows and browns and managed water. That being said Dustin is a very knowledgeable guide having grown up in the region and had me dialed in on fly selection and presentation. The half day resulted in many large fish and a good lesson in technique. I highly recommend Dustin !
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August 2023 by Christopher Cavan
So I have fished all over the Western US and Alaska. The Private waters exclusive to Chetola Resort provided the best fishing I have had in my life. I caught many lunkers over 20 inches. Truly giant and abundant fish. Guide Shawn Isaacs was an amazing teacher, and very patient, and taught me how to Euro nymph and gave a lot of useful pointers. A great experience.
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July 2023 by caroline plummer
Dustin Coffey is a fantastic guide. After a great experience on a float trip with Dustin two years ago, my son and I requested him for a wade trip. We had a wonderful, memorable experience with Dustin and caught a lot of big trout. Dustin is so knowledgeable and well prepared. Dustin works hard to provide the best fishing experience and is a very enjoyable person to spend time with on the river. He even made sure my 21-year-old son got some pictures taken with his mom, not always easy to accomplish. If you book a trip with Dustin, you will not be disappointed, the best fishing guide I have ever been with and I have fished in Montana, Wyoming and North Carolina.
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July 2023 by Thomas Heffernan
Dominic Costello is an excellent guide, young man and teacher. He is the type of guide I would recommend to any of my past fishing clients. I was so happy to hear from him that he had graduated and received his college degree.He was energetic and patient while sharing his fly fishing knowledge with my 16 year old grandson who has fly fished in Alaska and the Green River in Utah with me but he had not fished smaller trout stream which require a different skill set.Dom and Chetola Lodge are first class and he is the only guide I will fish with in Blowing Rock.