Picture this: It’s 8:30 on a crisp September morning in the Great Smoky Mountains, and I’m about to step into a pair of chest-high waders for the very first time. My hands are trembling slightly—not from the mountain air, but from pure anticipation. After 40+ years of wondering “what if,” I’m finally going to fly fish in the same mountains my father once loved.
If you’re a woman over 40 who’s ever felt like outdoor adventures might have passed you by, let me tell you something: this story is for you. Because sometimes the most transformative experiences happen when we finally say yes to the thing we’ve always wanted to try.
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A Dream Decades in the Making
Growing up, I watched my father disappear into his workshop for hours, carefully crafting custom fly-fishing rods with the patience of a monk and the precision of a surgeon. The sweet smell of varnish and the gentle scraping of sandpaper became the soundtrack of my childhood evenings. He’d emerge with these beautiful, hand-wrapped rods that seemed almost too perfect to use.
I always imagined joining him on one of his fishing trips—father and daughter casting lines together in some pristine mountain stream. But life happened, as it does. Dance lessons, school, college, career, marriage, kids. Before I knew it, Dad was gone, and those hand-crafted rods became cherished memories in my closet instead of tools for adventure.
When I received the invitation for this press trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and saw “fly fishing” on the itinerary, my heart skipped. This was it. My chance to honor Dad’s memory and finally experience what he’d found so magical about the sport.
The Perfect Setup: Embassy Suites’ Guide Room Experience
The beauty of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort’s Guide Room service is that it removes every possible barrier to saying yes to adventure. While I’d fished plenty over the years, I’d always avoided fly fishing trips because the gear seemed so specialized and cumbersome to travel with—especially when flying. The thought of packing rods, reels, Simms waders, and all those tiny flies felt overwhelming. But the Guide Room handles absolutely everything.
After breakfast at the resort’s restaurant, we met our guides who immediately put me at ease. They’d brought all the equipment—waders in my size, rods, reels, flies, nets, and even a hearty lunch from Tennessee Jed’s for later. The complete package meant I could focus entirely on the experience instead of worrying whether I’d forgotten something crucial.
This is exactly what we need more of, especially for women venturing into traditionally male-dominated outdoor sports. The Guide Room service recognizes that the biggest obstacle to trying something new isn’t usually interest—it’s logistics and intimidation. They’ve eliminated both.
Journey Through History: Jakes Creek Trail and Daisy Town
Our morning began with a fascinating walk through the historic Jakes Creek Trail area, starting near the preserved vacation cabins of Daisy Town. This collection of beautifully restored 1910s-era summer retreats is part of the Elkmont Historic District and represents the birthplace of tourism in the Smokies.
Walking past these rustic but elegant cabins, I couldn’t help but think about the women who once vacationed here—wealthy families from Knoxville who came to escape the summer heat and connect with nature. These women were pioneers in their own way, embracing outdoor recreation when it wasn’t expected of ladies. Seeing their restored cabins reminded me that adventure has always been available to women willing to reach for it, regardless of era or age.
The cabins struck me with how they balanced comfort with authentic mountain living. Large porches brought the outdoors in, while exposed wood ceilings and walls created that cozy cabin feeling we all crave. Some still contained original features like old kitchen stoves and stone fireplaces.
What moved me most was learning about the families who’d owned these cabins and later donated money to help establish Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They understood that some places are too precious to keep to ourselves—a sentiment that resonates deeply in our current conversation about conservation and access to nature.
After exploring Daisy Town, we loaded into the van to drive to our planned fishing destination. But as we often learn in outdoor adventures, flexibility is key.
When Plans Change: A Reminder of What Really Matters
As we arrived at the picnic area that would serve as our access point to the stream, we encountered something that put everything into perspective. A motorcyclist had been in an accident on the road just outside the picnic area, and our guides immediately sprang into action to help.
Watching these mountain professionals shift seamlessly from fishing guides to Good Samaritans reminded me why I trust outdoors experts. They assessed the situation, provided assistance, and ensured help was on the way. While this wasn’t their original fishing spot choice—the accident had blocked our exit route, meaning we’d need to fish closer to the picnic area—they adapted without missing a beat.
“Sometimes the mountains choose your fishing spot for you,” one guide said with a smile as we gathered our gear. “And that’s okay. The fish don’t know it wasn’t our first choice.”
This kind of grace under pressure and willingness to help others is exactly what you want in guides, and it set the tone for a day that would be about much more than just fishing.
A Short Walk to Paradise
From the picnic area, it was just a brief walk through the woods and over some rocks to reach our stream. The guides had us gear up right there in the parking area. It was a practical approach that I actually preferred to struggling with waders on uneven streamside rocks. Getting into waders for the first time is an experience unto itself. Imagine trying to put on the world’s longest, most ungainly pants while standing on uneven ground. My guides patiently helped me figure out the suspenders, adjust the boots, and understand how to move in what essentially amounts to waterproof overalls.
Then came the rod. Holding my first fly rod felt ceremonial, like I was finally completing a circle that began in Dad’s workshop decades earlier. The guides broke down the casting technique with remarkable patience, showing me how fly fishing is completely different from the spin casting I’d done since I was a kid.
“It’s not about power,” one guide explained. “It’s about rhythm and timing. The rod does the work; you just guide it.”
A Perfect Mountain Lunch
Before we even touched our fishing rods, we enjoyed a delicious lunch from Tennessee Jed’s at the picnic area. The sandwiches, fresh fruit, and homemade cookies provided the perfect fuel for our afternoon adventure, and gave us time to relax and get to know our guides better.
The Art of the Cast: Learning to Speak the River’s Language
After lunch, we finally entered the stream for our fishing session. If you’ve never tried fly fishing, here’s what no one tells you: it’s meditation disguised as sport. The rhythm of cast, drift, retrieve becomes almost hypnotic. Your mind quiets as you focus on reading the water, watching for rises, and trying to place your fly exactly where a trout might be waiting.
My first few attempts were, let’s be honest, disasters. The line tangled, the fly landed in trees, and I’m pretty sure I created some entirely new knots that would confuse even seasoned anglers. But here’s the beautiful thing about fly fishing: every cast is a fresh start.
My guides never showed frustration, never made me feel foolish. Instead, they gently corrected my technique and celebrated small victories. When I finally managed a clean cast that placed the fly exactly where I’d aimed, the pride I felt was enormous.
“You’re getting it!” one guide exclaimed, and I realized he was right. I was starting to understand the language of the river.
Lessons in Patience, Presence, and Getting Wet
We spent several hours on the water that afternoon, and I learned something profound about success and failure. Despite careful fly selection, increasingly confident technique, and the guides’ patient instruction, I didn’t catch a single fish. Not one.
What I did catch was a thorough soaking when I slipped on a wet rock and tumbled into the stream. Thank goodness for those chest-high waders—though they couldn’t prevent the inevitable when gravity and slippery stones conspired against me. My colleagues’ laughter (and my own) echoed off the mountain walls as I stood up, wet but grinning.
And you know what? None of it mattered.
Somewhere between morning and afternoon, the goal had shifted from catching fish to simply being present in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I was learning to read water like a book, noticing subtle changes in current and depth that might hold fish. I was becoming attuned to the rhythms of the mountain stream and the wildlife around it.
My guides shared wisdom that went far beyond fishing technique. They talked about conservation, about the delicate balance of mountain ecosystems, about the privilege of access to places like this. They helped me understand that fishing is really about connection—to nature, to place, to the ancient practice of providing for ourselves from wild spaces.
More Than I Expected: The Complete Experience
What struck me most about this day was how seamlessly Embassy Suites had orchestrated every detail. From the perfectly timed pickup to the quality of equipment to the expertise of the guides, everything felt thoughtfully planned.
This wasn’t just a fishing trip—it was a comprehensive introduction to the Great Smoky Mountains and its history. The combination of hiking through historic areas, learning about conservation, and then experiencing the traditional mountain sport of fly fishing created a rich, layered experience that satisfied both body and mind.
For women who might feel intimidated about trying outdoor sports, this type of guided experience removes all the barriers. You don’t need to know anything, own anything, or be anything other than curious and willing to try.
The Drive Back: Processing the Day
As we rode back to Embassy Suites in the late afternoon, I felt profoundly changed. Not because I’d conquered fly fishing—I definitely hadn’t—but because I’d finally honored that long-held dream and discovered it was even better than I’d imagined.
I thought about my father and his beautiful handmade rods. I finally understood why he’d spent so many hours perfecting his craft. Fly fishing isn’t really about the fish; it’s about the pursuit of perfection in an imperfect world, the meditative rhythm of casting, and the deep satisfaction of connecting with wild places.
The guides had given me far more than fishing instruction. They’d given me confidence, knowledge, and most importantly, the understanding that outdoor adventures don’t have an expiration date.
Why Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Gets It Right
What makes Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort special isn’t just the comfortable accommodations or convenient location bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s their understanding that the best travel experiences combine comfort with authentic adventure.
The Guide Room service bridges the gap between wanting to try something and actually doing it. By handling all the logistics, providing expert instruction, and ensuring safety, they make outdoor adventures accessible to people like me—women over 45 who are ready for new challenges but need the right support to take the leap.
This is particularly important for women entering outdoor spaces that have traditionally been male-dominated. Having professional guides who are patient teachers and safety experts makes all the difference in building confidence and ensuring a positive first experience.
An Invitation to Your Own Adventure
Here’s what I want every woman reading this to know: it’s never too late to try something that calls to your heart. Whether it’s fly fishing, hiking, rock climbing, or any other outdoor pursuit you’ve wondered about, the right support and guidance can make it not just possible, but transformative.
The Great Smoky Mountains offer some of the most accessible outdoor adventures in the country, and Embassy Suites Gatlinburg provides the perfect base camp. Their Guide Room service proves that trying something new doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated.
I may not have caught any fish on my first fly-fishing adventure, but I caught something far more valuable: the understanding that the best adventures happen when we finally say yes to the experiences we’ve always dreamed about. Plus I would use my newly acquired fishing skills when I went drift fishing on the Hiwassee River on this 3 Days of Family Adventure along Tennessee’s Ocoee River.
My father would have been proud—not because I became an expert angler in one day, but because I finally stepped into those mountain waters he loved so much. And you know what? I’m already planning my next trip back.
Sometimes the best way to honor the past is to create new memories in the same beautiful places. The mountains are waiting, the water is calling, and your next adventure is just a “yes” away.
Ready to plan your own fly-fishing adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains? Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort’s Guide Room service provides everything you need for an unforgettable experience. Visit their website to learn more about available outdoor adventures, or call to speak with their adventure concierge about customizing the perfect mountain getaway for you.
I received hosted accommodations and experienced for this story from Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort. All opinions are my own.
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Nice post , Thanks for sharing.