Hunter Banks Fly Fishing first opened our doors in in February 1985. Our mission has remained true for the last 35+ years: foster the fly fishing community in Asheville and the surrounding mountains of Western North Carolina. The two key efforts that drive this mission are our products we offer to equip our community members with the best fly fishing gear along with the our services that are designed to ensure a great day on the water. All of this is backed by our brand's promise: offer industry-leading customer service and support for every angler every day.
We pride ourselves in creating an environment where we relish the opportunity to connect with beginning and advanced anglers alike. Whether you're a beginning angler curious about the sport and want to know how to get started or a seasoned veteran looking for a new wading boot to ensure you're wading confidently, our team of passionate and friendly fly fishing professionals take great satisfaction in providing the best support possible.
Along with the angler support our team members provide, we also believe that education is a key element to developing our fly fishing community. Tap into the experience of our team and learn more about fly fishing and fly tying through our educational offerings. Whether on the water or at the vise, we hope to connect with you and help propel your skills forward.
Additionally, each year we make considerable investments in several organizations that foster the sport of fly fishing. These include Land O' Sky Trout Unlimited, Casting Carolinas, Project Healing Waters, and many more. Join our community and help us preserve the environment we so dearly love and connect others with the joy we find on the water.
From those who love to fish and serve,
~ The Hunter Banks Fly Fishing Team
Frank Smith
Founder & Owner - World Angler
Frank started Hunter Banks in 1985 with the goal of offering professional fly fishing support to the anglers of Western North Carolina. He is an avid fisherman and you can often find him in the shop assisting anglers prepare for their next adventure. When away from the shop, you can find Frank fishing for trout in Kamchatka Russia and Argentina, chasing a variety of fish in Jupiter, Florida, or stalking bonefish on the flats of the Bahamas. His wealth of fly fishing knowledge through years of experience provides great trip insight to our community of Hunter Banks anglers.
Shane Buckner
General Manager
Shane is the General Manager of Hunter Banks. Born and raised a few miles up the road, Shane has fished many almost every river in the area. With his local knowledge, he tailors the shop's inventory for the WNC angler. He also offers fly tying classes and enjoys teaching beginners the nuances of fly fishing.
Miller Watson
Marketing & Communications Director
Miller is the Marketing & Communications Director for Hunter Banks. As a Charlotte native, Miller has spent the majority of his fishing career in Western North Carolina. With 15 years of guide experience and a Parks & Recreation Management degree from WCU, Miller has worked continuously to create innovative strategies and creative content development for our shop and website.
Forrest Dorsey
eCommerce & Marketing
Forrest was born and raised in Colorado where he spent endless hours fishing the South Platte River with his dad. He relocated to Asheville area four years ago and is excited to share his passion for fishing and photography with others.
Forrest has been fortunate enough to take his fly fishing addiction to the next level by traveling to many bucket list locations, including Alaska and Patagonia. Forrest is proud to be an Umpqua Feather Merchants fly designer and Regal Pro staff member. If Forrest isn't at Hunter Banks, fishing or tying flies he can be found hanging out at a local brewery with his wife and their miniature dachshund, Melody.
Westin Buchanan
Sales Associate & Guide
Westin is a North Carolina native and grew up in the Lake Norman area. He "caught" the fishing addiction from a very young age. His family heritage hails from Wyoming, so he has had a fly rod in his hand for as long as he can remember. He cut his teeth fishing for bass and blue gill on Lake Norman but has been fortunate enough to have traveled and fished all over the place!
He spent five years down in Tampa, FL earning his bachelors degree from the University of Tampa in Environmental Science. Since, moving back to WNC he has been guiding trout, small mouth and musky ever since!
Reid Mason
Sales Associate
Reid grew up just south of Charlotte, NC. He discovered his love for fishing on small golf course ponds and rivers of western NC. His passion for fishing and conservation continued in the Adirondack region of Upstate New York, where he studied Natural Resource management at Paul Smiths College. Reid enjoys exploring the back country and finding new water to fish on his free time.