WATERWAYS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 75
where people walk in and it’s gotten pretty busy. But a lot of volume depends upon weather,” Kolodziej of Wahoo’s explains. “If the day is going to be nice, we can expect a lot of walk-ins. Generally on a weekday when it’s busy we’ll send out 200 to 250 people at our Todd-New River location. A lot of people will book in advance, but those depend on the weather, as well as how long they are here on vacation, and factors like that. When customers have a day planned and it’s raining, we try our best to accommodate them as best we can.” Even with the substantial business, however, area adventure groups not only can handle the volume, but are able to provide a top-level experience that will leave customers yearning to return. “Every person that comes on our trips, whether kids going rafting for the first time on the Watauga River or some of the crews that go every year with us, they’ll have a blast,” Leonard with High Mountain Expeditions stated. “We have the same returning staff just about every year, and a lot of the guys have been with us for 10 or 20 years, so our staff and experience really sets us apart as well.” “We’ve been in business since 1981 and have the reputation of being the best rafting company in the High Country,” Barrow from Edge of the World noted. “We pride ourselves in our customer service and go far beyond what a typical rafting company would do for their tours. We make memories that last a lifetime and we have the most repeat customers out of any other company.” “We’ve been in business for 45 years and we appreciate being able to serve our customers. We have a kayak and fly shop for those interested in fly fishing. we have gear for them, as well as a fly fishing guide who will offer guided trips for either half-day or full-day trips,” Ashley of Zaloo’s Canoes said. “We also offer a group camping area on Grassy Creek with a bath house and showers right on the river for families, groups or churches wanting to have a weekend retreat, and we have a large field for group camping.” Although many of the area outdoor adventure companies accept walk-ins, making reservations in advance are often preferred. Outdoor excursion company offerings, rates and dates of operation vary by company, so it’s best to call in advance to book the water adventure of a lifetime. 76
Go jump (or boat, or play) in the lake Watauga Lake offers varied local recreation alternative BY JAMIE SHELL
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popular pastime for old and young alike is a trip to the beach. However, to reach the nearest ocean to the High Country involves either driving several hours or hopping a short flight from a regional airport. Instead many locals opt for a place that provides a place to go that offers swimming, boating, camping, fishing and more without the exorbitant travel time, oppressive heat and hefty hotel bill: Watauga Lake. Since 1949, Watauga Lake has been a destination for countless anglers and recreation enthusiasts seeking to get away from the daily grind, put out into the water for some boat time, or simply to take a dip and swim on a warm summer day. Among the High Country, one would be hard pressed to find a more inspiring location to enjoy the great outdoors. With areas to swim, miles of trails to hike,
PHOTO COURTESY FISH SPRINGS MARINA Fish Springs Marina on Watauga Lake is the oldest marina on the lakefront, opening on the first day the lake was open to the public in 1949.
numerous campsites, marinas and fishing holes to choose from, Watauga Lake literally offers something for everyone.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LAKE
Interestingly enough, Watauga Lake, consisting of 6,430 acres and 105 miles of shoreline, was born at the expense of a nearby town named Butler. In 1948, the Ten-
nessee Valley Authority finished its construction on the Watauga Dam, erected to provide protection from flooding in the area. The devastating flood of 1940 that caused irreparable damage to the ET&WNC Railroad that ran through the region also damaged numerous homes and businesses in a time when the region was just beginning to bounce back from the
crippling effects of the Great Depression. The Watauga Dam allowed authorities to control the water flow from the Tennessee River. A difficult side effect of the dam project, however, was the resulting deluging of the town of Butler, which had to be relocated to a higher elevation as 55 miles of new roads SEE LAKE ON PAGE 77
AUTUMN TIMES 2021
