Testimonials & Kudos
Testimonials and kudos from participants at Mac Brown Fly Fish’s business which is located in the Smoky Mountains town of Bryson City, NC since 1987. We are flattered to have had so many friends leave kind comments on our Google my Business and our Facebook Business pages over the years. The best method for describing our company is through what others have left as reviews. Improve your personal skills for raising the bar of your efficiency and catch ratios on the water. For example, you will learn line control, fishing tactics, techniques, and strategies.
Many of the past clients claim they learned more in a single day than in the past decade with Mac Brown Fly Fish. This is flattering to hear for sure! We are humbled to be able to share our love of the great outdoors. Teaching others how to teach new folks interested in angling is most rewarding! I am blessed to carve out a living working in a field that I love!
In conclusion, we enjoy teaching the full spectrum of the sport. The art form of fly fishing is always evolving! In addition, the intrinsic value of what you come away with learning is the whole reason to enhance your journey! Therefore, we have assembled the most talented pool of outdoors educators in fly fishing in the Southeastern Region. These testimonials are here to provide you with reviews on these top levels of professionals. Testimonials and kudos
George Forster, Wodonga, Australia (2014)
“Mac Brown is the original fly fishing guide in the GSM region. I chose Mac because others had advised me of his willingness to teach beginners as well as more advanced fly fishers. I have recommended Mac Brown to many down under in Australia.”
Carolyn Emery, Atlanta, GA (2015)
“Fishing with Mac Brown has been an incredible experience! I enjoy fishing with a guide who educates me throughout the day. I’ve left both times being better on the water at the end of the day. I carry a notebook with me to keep the salient points he makes. I’ve found my mentor to make a better well-rounded fly fishing angler!” Testimonials and kudos
Dan Riffe (2020)
“If you want to improve your fly fishing skills, book with Mac! MAC was excellent and wildly exceeded our expectations. During our stay in Bryson City, our family was looking for a guide service that would get us pointed in the right direction, learn new waters, catch fish, and hopefully learn a few new tricks in casting! He over delivered on all the above. We loved Mac’s company and knowledge of fly fishing and the area. His knowledge of the sport, trout, and details of casting was impressive. We improved our casting and found a new appreciation for the sport. We will book again and thank you, Mac!”
Jared Tschirgi TX (2020)
“Was visiting Southwest NC for some R&R and wanted to go fly fishing in the area. I’m used to fishing the gulf coast but recently got hooked on the fly. I found Mac Brown online and gave him a call since he had a very professional website. He is a savant of fly fishing. Mac has dedicated a lot of time to learning the art of fly fishing and it shows. He has spent time around the world guiding trips and teaching at classes and expos. The dude wrote a textbook about the science and technique of the perfect cast and is involved in a lot of the history of fishing/development of the Nantahala region of North Carolina. He’s taught at several youth camps and has developed many young anglers.
Caught some wild rainbows and targeted some big brown trout in late June. Water was cooler than usual due to the Saharan Sands and there were still plenty cruising the rivers. I’m a novice with my own gear but still learned a great deal. My girlfriend has never cast a flyrod in her life but was casting 40 feet with only 5 minutes of direction. She reeled in a few nice rainbows but I caught more this trip =-) Again… Mac is an expert in his field and I’ll be fishing with him again if he makes it down to Southeast Texas or when I’m back in NC.”
Jeff Hathaway (2020)
“Very knowledgeable and the use of science and principles of physics in the use of a fly rod gives you the tools to truly understand the why behind what is being taught so you can correct your casting in the right place instead of putting band-aids on the problem. Just like golf – get to the right instructor and you will be able to improve with and without them!”
Marlene Huston, Rochester, MN (2019)
“Great day on the water with Mac, and guest Dale! Mac knows his home waters to a T! Fun day of catching fish, missing fish, fly casting discussions, telling stories, and learning about the area.”
Paul Barbour, Ohio (2018)
“Well Worth It!!
Like most beginning fly fishermen, I learned from friends. And, like most folks, I was reasonably successful at getting the fly to hit the water, or so I thought at the time anyway. The problem was that much of my fishing was on a nearby lake, and when the fish were rising, they were always ten feet farther than I could cast. After consulting with the internet, I endeavored to teach myself to double-haul. Instead, I taught myself to throw horrible, tailing loops. My leader had more knots than the USS Constitution!
Once more, I turned to the internet for help. This time, I discovered Mac Brown and his book Casting Angles. Now, Mac’s book isn’t a bunch of pretty pictures and big fish, but it is the most accurate text I have found on what is really, physically happening when a fly line is cast. I knew after reading it that I had to meet the man himself, so I wrapped a Smokey Mountain vacation around a lesson with Mac. He fixed what I asked, but more importantly, he taught me why it was happening in the first place. Mac’s philosophy is to get you to understand what’s really going on, even if that understanding turns an hour-long lesson into three and a half.
Paul Barbour, Ohio (2018)-continued
I was so astounded at what I learned that I signed up for his two-day Advanced Fly Casting School, which brings Master Casting instructors (four, in our case) together in one place for an intensive class on the physics of casting, performance of the casts, and diagnosing unintended outcomes. While the seminar is aimed at passing the Casting Instructor Certification, anyone can benefit from the instruction. Be sure to bring a notebook; the information flies at you with an amazing depth. I watched in awe as three of the best casting instructors in the country helped a student with a bad case of creep, each of them offering help until they were satisfied the problem was understood and improved. In what other disciplines can you imagine the best in the sport even talking to students, much less spending all the time required to assess and correct an issue?
Do yourself a huge favor, and instead of buying that new fly rod that’s carved out of unicorn horn, or the new reel that’s milled from fairy wings, try attending Mac’s seminar. You will see much more improvement with Mac than any new gear could possibly offer. It’s a fabulous value— great people, a gorgeous setting, and world-class instruction.
I could not recommend it more!” Testimonials and kudos
Beau McLeod, Columbia, SC (2017)
“An amazing learning experience! Mac teaches you how to be a better fisherman. I learned more with one day with Mac than I have in the last five years on my own. Great guide and teacher!!”
Athletic Director, Western Carolina University, (1996)
“Associate Professor Mac Brown has had the most popular class ever teaching fly fishing at Western Carolina University. The Delayed Harvest program on the Tuckasegee River near the campus is a direct result of this successful collegiate program.”
Southern Appalachia Fly Fishing Museum, August (2017)
“Mac Brown was inducted into the Southern Appalachia Fly Fishing Museum Hall of Fame for Recreation on August 26, 2017.”
Field and Stream Angler of the Year, Fall (1999)
“Field and Stream nominates Mac Brown Angler of the Year in the fall 1999 issue.”
Jonathan Dietz, Fly Fishing Team USA Member, Erie, PA (2016)
“Mac Brown is undoubtedly one of the best casters in the United States, even more so an angler. He has fished just about anywhere and everywhere. His ability to instruct is superb. He is also by far one of the best dry fly fishermen in the country.”
Jim Zifer, Cincinnati, OH (2006)
“Mac has an extraordinary knowledge of casting, aquatic entomology, and new techniques to improve anyone’s fishing skills. He is among the top fly fishing experts in the country. I never fail to learn from him. These techniques are the best tips I have received to enhance my abilities.”
Lindy Maracic, Hollywood, FL (1999)
“It is rare to see someone so dedicated and so in love with their occupation. As beginners in this sport, you motivated us to further ourselves in the art of fly fishing. I was energized by your wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm. I am truly appreciative of the way in which you shared this knowledge.”
Michael McLure, Chattanooga, TN (1997)
“Mac is certainly a professional with the art of fly fishing. The day was very informative and through his detailed and sequential instruction, I look forward to ongoing education about fly fishing and the many challenges of the sport.”
Gene Armstrong, Cincinnati, OH (1995)
“The backcountry trip was excellent and the fishing was wonderful. Your many tips and techniques have helped me a lot since then and I am grateful.”
Serge Hayez, Brussels, Belgium (1993)
“Mac is by far the most knowledgeable guide I have fished with anywhere in the world.”
Miranda Wolf, Springfield, MO
“Flyfisher Mac Brown is at the top when comes to guiding on the 2000 miles of trout streams around his home in Bryson City, NC. I would highly recommend any opportunity to experience a day on the water with Mac.”
Ursula Whalen-Winston-Salem, NC
“Mac Brown is a gifted teacher and exceptionally patient with children. He knows where to find fish. He spends time teaching techniques and how to crack the code. The best!” Testimonials and kudos
Tommy Bradford, Fayetteville, NC (1994)
“Mac’s insights and techniques of the world of fly fishing are endless. His knowledge and expertise as an instructor and guide are only outdistanced by his ability as an angler and innovative fly tier.”
Frank Conlon, Raleigh, NC (2015)
“The best fly fishing experience. I have been going out with Mac a number of times over a year and a half. This is simply the best fly fishing experience you will have. Great fishing but much more. Always learning with Mac, always- on casting, reading water, choosing flies, presentation, hook setting, and more. One of the best days you will have on the water.” Testimonials and kudos