Fishing the French Broad: Smallmouth, Storms, and Hope

Sometimes, the stories we set out to tell take an unexpected turn. I recently sat down for a podcast with guide and podcast host David Perry of the Southeastern Fly Podcast to talk about the French Broad River, a place that holds so much beauty and life. We recorded the episode about a month and half or so before Hurricane Helene came through, sharing stories about the river’s history, the joy of fishing its waters, and what makes it such a special place. The podcast was scheduled for release the week after Helene.

After the storm hit and left its mark on the river, we felt we needed to come back and talk about it again. So we recorded a follow-up conversation that now plays before the original episode. It’s a different kind of story now—one of loss, but also one of resilience. The French Broad has been through a lot, and so have the people who love it. But there’s hope. There’s always hope.
I invite you to listen to the episode. It’s a reflection on the power of nature, the unexpected twists in life, and the strength we find together when things don’t go as planned.

Listen here, and let’s keep looking forward as we work to rebuild and restore the places that matter.