Ian & Charity Rutter
Townsend, Tennesssee
(866) SMOKY-FLY

Ian began fly fishing while attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Upon graduation Ian decided to do what he loved, fly fishing. In 1995 he moved to Townsend and began guiding and fishing days while working nights at a local hotel. Ian later managed Little River Outfitters fly shop. In 2001 Ian struck out on his own as an independent fly fishing guide and began to seriously pursue outdoor writing and photography. His articles have appeared in Fly Rod & Reel, American Angler, Fish & Fly, Art of Angling Journal, and Appalachian Life. His first two books have been a great success. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Angler's Companion and Tennessee Trout Waters: A Blue Ribbon Fly Fishing Guide have both garnered excellent reviews from fishermen. Ian has fished all over the Southeast as well as many of the famed trout waters of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. His latest fishing obsession has been in saltwater, chasing redfish, snook, tarpon, and bonefish.

Charity is a native Oklahoman and moved to Townsend in 1998. She met Ian at that time and took up fly fishing a short time after. Charity was captivated by the sport and thanks to her close proximity to the Smokies got more practice in her first few years than most fishermen get in as many decades. Charity has also fished the many mountain streams and tailwaters of the Southeast and also enjoyed success in the rivers of the northern Rockies. She is no less addicted to saltwater flats fishing than Ian with a pronounced weakness for tarpon. Her favorite spots to fish are still in the Smokies and she favors these wild fish over any others. Charity holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design and has her own business, Charity Designs. When she's not on the water, she's designing logos, brochures and other print materials.

There are a number of occasions when we have requests to guide on days when we are already booked. We will book you with other full time guides who work with us regularly. All of these guides also work with Blackberry Farm, an Orvis endorsed lodge, named the best fly fishing lodge for 2003 and 2004.

Together Ian & Charity are a great team. They also guide at Blackberry Farm, Orvis Lodge of the year for 2003 and 2004. Charity did most of the graphic design in Ian's books and contributed about half the photographs. Her photographs also appear in Ian's articles. Ian and Charity frequently volunteer to assist fisheries biologists in the Smokies and have helped in brook trout restoration efforts. Ian and Charity have also begun hosting trips to such fly fishing destinations as Belize and Montana in addition to their home water in the Smokies. Both are active members of Trout Unlimited and serve on the board of the Little River Chapter.