Sam Nicholson
(Float and Wade)
A North Carolina native; Sam was enamored with everything fishing from a young age. With a heavy interest in carp & saltwater species initially, a love for trout came shortly later. Sam moved out of North Carolina in 2017 and refined his fishing and fly tying on western tailwaters in Colorado and on the tropical flats of the Florida Keys. He joined the TFS crew this year in 2023 and is eager to instruct as a guide and an obsessive fly tyer.
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Darrin Jordan
(wade)
During the week, Darrin is a criminal defense attorney in Salisbury (Rowan County), but on most Fridays (and some Thursdays), he’s making the three hour trip to Jackson County to spend as much time as he can on the streams and rivers of Western North Carolina.
He began fly fishing over 25 years ago when a North Carolina Superior Court Judge offered to take him fly fishing and to teach him how to fly fish. Needless to say, he was hooked and he has fished from North Carolina to Alaska.
He and his wife own what they hope will someday be their retirement home in Cullowhee. He is past President of the North Carolina State Bar, is a Board Certified Specialist in North Carolina State Criminal Law, a beekeeper and an inspiring private pilot. One of his favorite things he’s done in fly fishing has been to teach the Fly Fishing Merit Badge to Boy Scouts.
Like practicing law, fly fishing is a series of learning experiences, refinement of technique and adjustment to the conditions you are presented. He looks forward to every opportunity he has to be on a stream or river, as a guide or as a fisherman.
Nicolay Bell
(shop/wade)
After working as a chef on the Highlands-Cashiers plateau, I recently joined TFS hoping to turn a passion into a career. I originally got my start fly fishing after moving to Sylva in 2014. My wife and I decided to take a guided trip for something new to do, and after netting that first 20” rainbow on the Tuck I was hooked. My life as I knew it was over and down the rabbit hole I went! These days if I’m not spending time with my wife and 2 kids I’m most likely in the GSMNP backcountry chasing brookies with a glass rod.
Shannon Messer
A native of Haywood County, Shannon had the bug for fly fishing at an early age. After four years of service to our country in the U.S. Navy, Shannon returned home to continue scouring the waters of the Cataloochee Valley and the Great Smoky Mountains. Shannon started honing his skills using traditional mountain patterns that the Messer family is synonymous for. Shannon started tying traditional mountain patterns years ago and now has developed some of his own patterns that have taken trout from North Carolina to Montana.
When not on the water or the vise, Shannon enjoys giving back to the community volunteering as a baseball coach and helping with Trout Unlimited projects. Shannon enjoys fishing with his two sons and hanging out in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Shannon enjoys throwing dries to wild trout but he will adjust to fit any situation. Shannon enjoys hiking in and focusing on wild trout in our picturesque mountains.
Dale Collins
For me, fly fishing started as a college pastime in 2001 at WCU. Now, over 20 years later, I've made it my life's work. Together with my friend Bobby Bennett, I opened Tuckaseegee Fly Shop in 2014 to share our passion with the community. It was a bold move, but one that's been rewarded by the support of our customers and the joy they get from the sport. I love hosting our destination trips to Argentina to chase the fish of a lifetime in Patagonia. When I am not working in fly fishing I am either Coaching Soccer, working in real estate, or just being the best husband and father I can be.
Bobby Bennett
After robbing 17 banks, going on a spending spree, and spending a short spell in prison (I broke out), Bobby found himself hiding out in the mountains of Western NC. Where he fell in love with the women, music, and alcohol....
Okay, Okay, just wanted to get your attention. I’m just a boring person that grew up in Central NC and has always loved Fishing. After putting in almost 18 years working on Landscape Design and Installation for the Federal Government, Military, and Central NC residential areas I found myself looking for something more engaging and fun. With my very supportive and beautiful wife (Cara) we made the move from The Raleigh area. We made home in the Great Smoky Mountains area in 2015.
Being a resident of NC I have fished all over this wonderful state, but the mountains were always where my heart truly enjoyed. I have been fly fishing since 2007 and have grown my love of this sport from NC to Montana to Florida. I have been very fortunate to have great friends and family that supported me in making this sport a true second career, and something I enjoy on a daily basis. My true desire is to spread the joy and atmosphere that this lifelong sport provides. I hope in some way this is my mark I leave behind.
I look forward to seeing you in the shop or on the water!!!!!!
