Jan 19, 20233 min read

Exploring Life & Business with Charles Humphrey III of Beast Coast Anglers LLC

LOCAL STORIESJANUARY 19, 2023 Knoxville Voyager

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Humphrey III.

Hi Charles, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

Originally from Greenville, NC, I attended and graduated college at the University of Chapel Hill from 1995 to 1999. I moved to Asheville, NC, in 1999 to pursue a career as a songwriter and bluegrass musician. I formed Songs From The Road band with Mark Schimick and Sam Wharton. We put the band on the road full-time about 5 years ago. Although we already had 4 studio albums to our credit. Our latest album, “Pay Your Dues,” will be released in April 2023. James Schlender and Gabe Epstein round out the current version of the band. I’ve been blessed with many musical opportunities, from playing Carnegie Hall and winning a grammy to playing Dodger Stadium and having a song I co-wrote with Shawn Camp recorded by my hero Willie Nelson. All that being said, there is nothing that compares to stepping on the stage with Songs From The Road Band today! During covid, my love of fly fishing came to the forefront of my passions. After working for another outfitter, I established Beast Coast Anglers – guided fly fishing. We have a passionate, dedicated team of professional guides who go the extra mile to educate and create memories for our clients. We offer wade and float trips in East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and North Georgia.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Changing band members and survivingcovid were the latest challenges on the musical path. We came out in a good place, though. The shutdown allowed me time to devote to songwriting, where I co-wrote over 140 songs during that time that led to cuts by Bluegrass At The Cross Roads, Darren Nicholson, The Grascals, Songs From The Road Band, Nick Dauphinais, Josh Daniels, Willie Nelson, and others. The shutdown also gave me time to get Beast Coast Anglers – Guided Fly -Fishing up and running!

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Beast Coast Anglers LLC?

Although I have a long history in Bluegrass and Song Writing with Songs From The Road Band, Beast Coast Anglers – Guided Fly Fishing is my latest passion. Folks can wade or float on public or private water for all varieties of trout. Our guides also run smallmouth bass fishing trips. One of my favorite experiences that we offer is fishing for trophy trout in North Georgia. There we wade small water for huge fish. Clients can learn euro nymphing, dry fly, streamer, and indicator fishing techniques; we usually enjoy a grilled steak and veggie lunch. I am a proud ambassador for Can’d Aid organizations. They are a nonprofit organization that helps get instruments to kids that need them. They also do other amazing things like flood relief and trail maintenance, to name a few. I’m involved with them as a musician with Songs From The Road Band and recently as a fishing guide through their “fishing with a musician” program.

What was you like growing up?

I have one younger sister and a very supportive family. Growing up in Greenville, NC, I was involved in all sports and grew up surf fishing on the Outer Banks and in local bass ponds. My musical background began in the middle school orchestra, where I started on violin and transitioned to upright bass.