As summer sets into fall, we decided it was the perfect time to load up our cars and head out for a weekend road trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Along the way we put our new Fall clothing collection to the test by fishing freshwater streams, hiking through the mountains, and concluding every night with whiskey, campfires, and music.

The Blue Ridge

Located only a few hours from our South Carolina hometown, Charleston, western North Carolina is filled with hundreds of miles of hiking trails, quaint mountain towns, and world-class trout fishing. No matter the season that you visit, you’ll find a region that provides some of the best public lands and outdoor recreation in the country. And a way of life that seems to slow down, relax, and enjoy the simple things in life.

 

Get Hooked

The Blue Ridge brings in anglers from all over the country in search of trout. We had a local Brookings Anglers’ guide, Captain Harrison Beckwith 'aka' the River Wizard, get us all set-up. He took us to some of his favorite hidden spots up in the mountains to try our luck. We managed to catch a couple of small brookies before we decided to head out for an afternoon hike.

 

Hike it Out

We've hiked the Tetons, the Rockies, and the Cascades; but the North Carolina mountains are truly breathtaking. Without a doubt, there is something mystique about those mountains that makes them of the finest ranges in the country. While exploring the Blue Ridge, it’s hard to just pick one hike to do and it seemed like we were stopping every few minutes to check out another vista or to hop down another trail. We ended up keeping it simple and hiking to Black Balsam Knob, one of the most scenic spots in southern Appalachia, which seemed like it was a seriously straight out of a scene in the Sound of Music. While we snapped a lot of shots, pictures simply don’t do it justice. 

After our hike, we ended up stopping for a picnic on the Blue Ridge and for a little longboard session. (It’s not everyday we find hills like these to ride since we live in Charleston). Afterwards, we stopped into Headwaters Outfitters to grab a beer and catch-up with one of western North Carolina's best outdoor stores. 

 

 

In-Town

Located on a high plateau in western North Carolina, Cashiers is a beautiful mountain village known as “The Heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.” If you ever find yourself in Cashiers, be sure to stop into Brookings Anglers, which is a legendary fly shop known for great guides and local knowledge. They’ll be happy to help you find the best places to pull your rods out and cast some flies.

We wrapped up our weekend Fall shoot by heading into Brevard for some local beers and pizza. Known as one of the best outdoor towns in the country, Brevard is a gateway to the Pisgah National Forest and home to world-class hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and fishing. A must stop is the Pisgah Tavern, which is full of local outdoor adventurer seekers, great beer, and an awesome outdoor patio. This mountain town is definitely a place we’ll be back to.

Overall, North Carolina was great to us and places like these are what dreams are made of. 

 

New Fall Collection:

Our new Fall collection is designed for crisp mornings in the mountains and cool evenings spent by the campfire. Versatile layers that allow you to stay warm for those early morning sunrise starts on the water and after those impromptu adventures on the trail. This season we bring you comfort for when you’re outside your comfort zone.

Our inspiration comes from our passions for the outdoors and our work as river guides and designers. Each product includes our unique bamboo blends and is designed with simplicity, comfort, and freedom in mind.