704 Manor St, Charlotte, NC 28211
Hunter Banks Company has been Charlotte's fly fishing headquarters since 1989, building a reputation as the mid-Atlantic and Piedmont South's most trusted full-service fly shop through decades of consistent expertise and an unshakable connection to the trout water of western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. Situated in the vibrant Dilworth neighborhood of Charlotte, the shop serves a large metropolitan angling community whose ambitions extend outward to the wild mountain streams of DuPont State Recreational Forest, the Davidson River corridor near Brevard, the Chattooga River headwaters, and the remote Watauga and South Holston tailwaters to the north. For Charlotte's anglers, Hunter Banks is the starting point for every mountain fishing trip and the place to debrief afterward.
The shop's floor space is efficiently organized around a comprehensive selection of rods, reels, and wading gear from the industry's leading manufacturers, with staff expertise that spans the full range from beginner-friendly Orvis Clearwater outfits to competitive-grade Sage X and Winston Boron series rods that demand proper casting technique to maximize their potential. The fly selection is extensive and region-specific — attractor dries for the mountain streams, technical sulfur and midge patterns for the tailwaters, and a strong streamer and warm-water section for the Catawba River bass fishing accessible from Charlotte's doorstep. The guided trip program connects clients with vetted local outfitters across western North Carolina, and the shop's casting pond and Saturday morning clinics make it an accessible entry point for beginners. Conservation commitment runs deep here, with long-standing partnerships with Trout Unlimited's western North Carolina chapters.
“Hunter Banks has been my fly shop for over a decade and it never disappoints. The staff turnover is remarkably low — the same people who helped me pick my first rod in 2013 are still there, now helping me select a new Winston. That continuity means deep institutional knowledge about the waters and conditions of western NC. The Davidson River reports are always current and accurate, and their advice on DuPont stream access has saved me hours of wasted hiking. Essential for any Charlotte-area fly angler.”
“Took the Saturday morning casting clinic before my first real mountain fishing trip and it genuinely transformed my technique. The instructor identified my casting flaw in about five minutes — I was breaking my wrist on the back cast — and had me throwing tight loops within the hour. Two weeks later on the Davidson I was fishing to rising fish with actual confidence for the first time. Worth every penny. The shop staff were welcoming and non-intimidating, which matters a lot to newer anglers.”
“Made the drive from Raleigh specifically to visit Hunter Banks before a big Davidson River trip and it was absolutely worth it. Staff member Luke spent 45 minutes with me covering the section I planned to fish — specific pools, access points, approach angles to avoid spooking fish in the catch-and-release water, and the current hatch schedule. He put me in exactly the right flies. Caught a 17-inch brown on a sulphur dry that afternoon. This is what a great fly shop does.”
