From Headwaters Outfitters: The Aftermath of Helene

Posting for my friends at Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman, NC.  As you all know, I have fished with them for years, and consider these folks like family.  They are the most wonderful group of people, and seeing what they are going through is devastating.  However, this is a tough group.  All WNC folks are tough and resolute.  They’ll get through this, but they need our help, support, and prayers.  Note: if Headwaters isn’t your shop, then apply this feeling to your WNC headquarters.  They all need it.

Checking In!

This time last week, we were urgently watching river levels. Watching them rise, with more rain falling. Then we lost contact with our family; those at the shop that night and those at home. We waited long hours for Helene to pass, before we could safely make our way to the shop. Friday, late morning, we found our family safe and both buildings standing. We are so so thankful. At the time we had no idea the devastation downstream. We had no idea if our staff were okay, if our town was okay, or any idea of what as going on. Over the next 3 days we put pieces together.

We are all safe. All staff accounted for. That is such a blessing. Our food truck families are all safe as well.

It has been a week since Helene hit WNC. We are thankful for all the emails and messages checking in on us. Our Taproom took on water but our retail shop stood tall. The campground and compound took on significant damage. We are still without power and internet at the shop. So we have not been able to assess when we can reopen fully. Linemen have been working day and night to get our community up and running and we can’t thank them enough.

Again thank you! We hope you and your family are safe. We hope if this storm affected you or your loved ones, that you are know we are here. It is going to take years for all of WNC to be back on its feet. But now our family remains committed to bringing you professional and authentic experiences on the Upper French Broad River Watershed. We can’t wait to see you again.

Love ~ The Whitmire Family

(We are tired, so please overlook any grammar or misspellings)

Here is a current update:

• Our shop and Taproom remain closed until further notice. We hope to reopen in the next 2-3 weeks.
• Our paddling season will be closed for the year. We can’t wait to see you in April 2025!
• Fly Fishing- All public lands including Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest are currently closed. Many roads to our favorite trout streams are washed away and severely damaged. We are working to clean up Rachel’s but it took a hit as well. We might be able to run a limited number of trips starting next week. We will announce as soon as we can.
• Our campground will be closed until further notice. We hope to reopen by summer 2025. (Hard to believe less than two weeks ago we were dancing with llamas down there!)
• Forks of the River Fly Fishing Festival- we will reevaluate this year’s festival, and make announcements very soon.

Community Support:

In true fashion, you all stepped in immediately, asking how you can help and support our community during this time. Your concern, worry, and support mean more than you know. Our staff quickly jumped into action in Transylvania County. Organizing donations, search and rescue missions in neighboring communities, serving food, and organizing relief stations. This community is so strong, and how everyone has come together has been incredible to watch. We are #WNCSTRONG and we are #ROSMANSTRONG.

As of today, Rosman and surrounding communities have supplies to distribute and our gas situation is over. Gas stations are getting deliveries and the shortage has come to an end. WIFI is coming back, along with power and water. If you want to collect or bring donations, please consider waiting a week or two, as more needs arise and supplies dwindle.

Several community friends have created ways to aid with financial assistance throughout this community and WNC. We KNOW these funds will go to the residents of our mountain towns. There are many great ways to donate, but please research the organization first. If you would like to donate, please consider one of the following:

• Southern Culture On The Fly: Southern Culture on the Fly is raising money to help relieve fly shops in the Rosman/Asheville area. On top of all the structural damage and mess left by the historic floods in Western North Carolina these last few days, thousands of dollars in lost income will make recovering difficult for our friends who’ve been affected. We will be distributing the funds we raise to fly shops to support their employees to help soften some of the expenses they will incur as they clean up and rebuild after this truly catastrophic storm. If you can donate, please give what you can. If you can’t, prayers are always appreciated. We know the SCOF community is good for it.
• Rescue Carolina: Hurricane Helen devastated so many in our region. This fundraising platform is a conduit to help connect concerned individuals with organizations, businesses, and families who are in desperate need of financial support. The main goal of this effort is to use local/regional knowledge and relationships to ensure that the funding can be directly impactful to those who need it most.  Your generous contribution will go directly into these communities and will make a difference! #rescuecarolina  -Woody Platt Fundraiser

How to Support Small Businesses:

Thousands of small businesses have been affected by Helene. Some will not reopen. Many have asked how they can support our small business and others like us, during this time. Here are a few ideas:

• Purchase Gift Cards
• Shop Online (send a note saying, to ship when the time is right)
• Share their social media post
• Tell your friends about them
• Leave them a 5 5-star review on any and all review sites.
• Just let them know you are there.
• SHOP LOCAL this winter and Holiday Season.