- (252) 945-9715
- RICHARD@TARPAMGUIDE.COM
Andrews River Outfitters’ mission is to share with our guests our most sacred and special natural places. The Smallmouth Bass rivers of Southwest Virginia are clear and fertile, meandering through deep valleys in one of the most pristine regions of the Appalachian Mountains. The experience we sell is where we go, and the fish are the reason to go there. Come join us for a memorable and unforgettable experience!
Andrews River Outfitters offers river smallmouth bass float trips on the Clinch, Holston, and Powell Rivers in Southwest Virginia, in the Heart of Appalachia.
These rivers are limestone based rivers create, which creates a very diverse and prolific environment for the forage species that smallmouth eat.
High water quality and high food abundance enable a healthy smallmouth fishery. They are in very rural areas with very little development along the banks. On most floats, you won’t see another person, much less another fisherman.
Discovered river smallmouth fishing in 1997 and has spent nearly three decades as a fishing guide and over a decade exploring virtually every smallmouth river in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. He has over 300 river miles at his disposal.
Most guests choose to do 2 days of fishing and 3 nights at the lodge, driving home on the morning of day 3.
Choose full-day float trips or multi-day fishing packages with lodging on Southwest Virginia’s premier smallmouth rivers.
Southwest Virginia, known as the Heart of Appalachia, is home to three smallmouth bass rivers: the Holston, Clinch, and Powell. These rivers comprise the Upper Tennessee River watershed, originating in the high mountains of Virginia and flowing northeast to southwest into Tennessee, providing fertile waters that support abundant, wild smallmouth bass populations.
The North Fork of the Holston River is a top smallmouth bass fishery in Virginia, flowing 140 miles and providing ideal habitats.
The Clinch, the crown jewel of the mountain empire, hosts 50 species of mussels and over 100 fish species, feeding smallmouth, walleye, and musky.
The Powell River is the second most biodiverse in Appalachia. Its clear water and habitat offer great bass fishing with varied structures.
Eastern North Carolina native Capt. Richard Andrews has been guiding fishing trips and sharing his passion for the water with guests since graduating from college in 2001.
He began his professional career in Hatteras, North Carolina, pursuing blue marlin and other offshore gamefish while working out of the renowned Oregon Inlet Fishing Center alongside some of the top offshore captains in the industry.
In 2010 he launched Tar-Pam Guide Service on North Carolina’s Inner Banks.
But long before that, he discovered river smallmouth fishing in 1997 — and it quickly became an obsession. Over the years he has explored nearly every notable smallmouth river across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. After extensive research and years on the water, he chose the rivers of Southwest Virginia’s Heart of Appalachia as the home for Andrews River Outfitters.
Choose from full-day float trips or multi-day fishing packages with lodging on Southwest Virginia’s premier smallmouth rivers.
No. We provide all fly and spinning gear, flies, lures, and terminal tackle. If you prefer to fish your own rod, you’re welcome to bring it.
Yes. Virginia requires a fishing license. You can purchase one online through the Virginia DWR website before your trip.
The majority of the fish we catch are in the 10 to 17 inch range. Fish over 18 inches show up regularly, and 20-inch trophy fish are possible. A 20-inch river smallmouth can be 20 years old.
Comfortable clothes that can get wet, wading shoes or old sneakers, polarized sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket, water, snacks, and a camera. A detailed packing list is provided at booking.
Fishing is weather-dependent. If conditions are unsafe or rivers are unfishable, we’ll work with you to reschedule. Capt. Richard monitors conditions closely and communicates early.
Our season runs April through August. Prime weekends fill early. Give us a call to lock in your dates
