Casting a Wide Net

The Highlands Plateau offers anglers some of the best trout fishing in the southern Appalachians and is one of the most scenic and productive fly-fishing areas in North Carolina. The breathtaking scenery and rushing streams filled with world-class trout waters originally drew Matt Canter to the area and have kept him here for over two decades. Canter is the owner of Brookings Anglers. With locations in Highlands and now in Cashiers, this well-established fly-fishing outfitter and guide service has over 35 years of local expertise and knowledge.

Canter, originally from High Point, NC, always knew he wanted to work outdoors.  “I told my dad when I was 11 that I wanted to be a fishing guide in the Florida Keys when I grew up. It’s always been on my mind.”

He first moved to the area in 2002 to attend Western Carolina University and began working as a fly-fishing guide for Brookings while still in school. Canter worked his way up to be a full-time guide and eventually manager at Brookings Anglers. He’s been with the company ever since. “Things kind of snowballed,” he says. “It’ll be 20 years next spring.”

Canter is now the owner and general manager at Brookings Anglers, and under his leadership, the business has experienced exponential growth. Brookings, the go-to shop for all your fishing gear, has a team of local guides to help plan your outing, a brand-new online store, a thriving destination trip business, and they’ve just opened a new flagship location on Lake Cashiers. “To give you an idea,” he says, “There were only four guides total when I started, now we have 26. And it’s still not quite enough to keep up with the demand.”

Brookings offers guided trips to 30 different fisheries, all within 30 minutes of their store in Cashiers. Anglers can experience everything from small wild trout streams, float trips to deeper waters, or fish from their network of private water leases. Brookings' team of guides will select an appropriate fishery depending on your needs, experience level and physical capabilities.

Brookings caters to both seasoned anglers and first-timers. For beginners, Brookings offers an all-day school that is designed to teach you enough about the fundamentals of the sport, giving you the confidence to go fishing on your own.

The guides at Brookings know where the fish are. “Our local knowledge is unmatched,” Canter says. “We take out all the guess work, show you where the access is, what flies to use, everything. We help you maximize your time on the river,” he says.

For those anglers looking to explore more exotic waters, Brookings hosts fishing trips all over the world, including Cuba, the Amazon jungle in Brazil, Argentine Patagonia, Alaska, the Bahamas, British Columbia and Montana. Brookings has eight different partners worldwide and plans upwards of 15 trips per year. Canter says this part of their business has grown slowly but is now in high demand. “When we first started, it was hard to fill a trip. But now we don’t even advertise and there’s a waiting list,” he says.

Brookings handles all the details for one all-inclusive price, removing the pressure of planning and booking a trip on your own. Additionally, the lodges are all well-appointed, provide delicious local cuisine, and the camaraderie with other anglers is unmatched. And for Brookings, Canter says the trips build customer loyalty and help create repeat business.

“For me, it’s a cool experience to fish for different species,” Canter says. His favorite excursion is to Brazil to fish for Peacock Bass. “The adventurous element is so unique. It’s incredible to fish with no signs of humanity for over 120 miles of river. And there’s no way to stumble upon it by yourself. You need a local guide,” he explains.

Last spring, Brookings opened a new flagship store on Lake Cashiers, moving from their familiar spot in the downtown area. Canter recalls thinking the move felt like a gamble. “I was kind of nervous to give up all our foot traffic and walk-in customers. To balance that, we wanted the new store to be a destination. So, we worked to make it a place worth visiting.”

The new store is a fully stocked fly shop selling gear from top brands like Orvis, Simms, and Patagonia. And to help keep customers in the store, Canter added The Blue Line Bar. The Blue Line, so named for the blue lines created by streams and rivers on a map, is a beer and wine bar with a screened-in porch and back patio area overlooking scenic Cashiers Lake.

“It’s a place to congregate and have a beer after spending the day on the water. We want it to be a hangout spot, a place to gather after tours, outings and fishing trips. Plus, fishing and beer have gone hand in hand for years,” he says with a slight laugh.

In addition to the new location, Canter and his team have recently launched a new online store, their first departure from over three decades of brick-and-mortar tradition. “Our customer base is only here 3 to 4 months out of the year, so with the online store, we’re able to capture more customers and even follow them back home,” he explains.

Brookings casts a wide net when it comes to their vendor relationships. “We carry anything of quality. We want to have everything that is relevant. That makes us a one stop shop for your whole party,” he says.

Brookings is now the hub for the fly fishing community in western North Carolina. A place to get all your fishing gear and clothing needs, book a trip with an expert guide, and have a cold beer waiting for you when you get out of the water.

For more information or to book a guided trip visit: brookingsonline.com