Elk Springs Resort

There is no phone service (within at least 50 miles), no WiFi in cabins (undisclosed on web site) and terrible WiFi in the lodge...if you need to be connected with work/family/the world, you’re out of luck. Also, generally unfriendly, disorganized and unprofessional staff...no orientation or generally help of any kind. Fly shop equally unfriendly/unhelpful. And bad food (including trout!) in the restaurant. Won’t be back.

Great place to relax and fish. Caught several Rainbows on tiny flies. Did see some large Mayflies but small wet ,dry and midges seem to be the what worked best. Cabins are nice but kitchen in the Ashley is a little small if you like to cook for a large party. Don’t cook? No problem, they have a restaurant. Will visit again this fall!

This review comes in three parts. Lodging first. We stayed in the lodge building. There are 6 units in this building. Each has a theme to it - we were in the "Oldies Room" and it was kind of funky. The central portion of this building is a really big common room - it looks like it might have been originally intended to be a dance hall, or a large restaurant. And it is noisy in this room, and the echos carry from the common room into our room. Overall, the room was comfortable, but not outstanding. This is not 5 star accommodations. Second is the food at Ellie Mae's restaurant. The food here is good. Good comfort food with steaks, salads, chicken, etc for dinner. Bacon, eggs, toast, sausage, etc. for breakfast. Again, not 5 star stuff, but it was good. They do have a full bar along with beer and wine. Third part of this review is the setting and location. Elk Springs is not centrally located to anything. But, it is a beautiful location. And the fishing in the Elk River, which runs right through the property, is excellent fishing, and incredibly picturesque! If you are looking for a low key, standard type of location, Elk Springs is a really good choice. Go there, fish, hang out, enjoy a beer (or whatever your drink of choice is), relax. Elk Springs is heavy on the relaxation. A note, there is no cell service, and the wifi at Elk Springs is not very strong or fast.

The Broadwater Lodge was absolutely beautiful. We loved fishing even though we didn't catch much since the water was low but no fault of the resort. The adults loved resting and relaxing in the lodge and on the decks. The staff was attentive to our every need & request. We didn't see staff very much in the lodge but I think that is a plus as it allowed guests to enjoy each other. This was one of my favorite getaways and it was close by and I never gave it a chance. I always thought we would have to travel hours to experience a great getaway and it was right around the corner the whole time. Stay a couple nights and I guarantee you will be glad you did.

My complaint is with the restaurant. Supposedly, since they raise trout here and it used to be a hatchery, you are supposed to get daily fresh caught trout. In December of 2014 we had a wonderful "fresh trout" dinner. Pricey but good. Since then I've been in this place 3 times and have walked out very disappointed because I'm getting freezer fish that isn't close to fresh. I've nicely mentioned it to the waitress before ordering and have been assured it's daily fresh caught. But it isn't. This past time I could see the cook& waitress staring at me,and exhibiting the usual look of contempt for people that don't live in the area,then after the meal the waitress disappeared and we had to pay our bill to someone else. I will never eat here again. At $23 or $26 for freezer fish it's a ripoff.

I've river and lake fished most of my life, and I've never even heard of anything like this. Stayed at the Lodge - highly recommended if you're not camping and want a more motel-like experience. Even in July - when the trout were finicky and the hatches late, it went as a wonder experience. Hired a guide to instruct on fly fishing - Randall - went well and was able to catch 2 trout the first time in my life I ever held a flyrod. Restaurant is really pretty good - only place that I've seen that if you order fish, it's trout! The hatchery runs all around the restaurant have some of the biggest trout I've ever seen as well. Fly shop is excellent. But oh, my, I've never seen so many trout in an accessible river in my entire life. By the hundred. It's all catch & release, but if you want to come to a spot to fly-fish and actually catch something, this is the place, and very comfortable to boot. If anything, what I'd read about it understated the entire experience. Only negative was we spent so long fishing that we missed closing at the restaurant and ended up driving to Snowshoe to eat - and that was a BIG mistake.

We came back yesterday from 5 days here, along with our daughter,son in law and 2 grandsons 7 and 5. We stayed in the 3 bedroom farmhouse cabin and it was spotless..all was there for meal prep, great washer, dryer, dishwasher. Nicely decorated in a rustic/country/Americana theme. The fishing was great, my hub, daughter and son in law all caught trout daily in the river even though it was everyone s first time, the water was muddy and it rained one day. The had great luck. My hub studied YouTube videos for a couple months and learned a lot and showed the kids. Me and the grandkids caught huge trout easily in the pay pond and had them cooking within an hour. Cell phone service was spotty and internet was non existent, and that I missed alot so I was grateful for TV there as I don't fly fish. The restaurant was good too. The water there was brown, in the toilet, sink, shower but we did bring our own for drinking, cooking and I recommend that. The closest store was at a gas station fourteen miles away through a narrow road I the woods so bring everything you need. Bring the kids toys, portable DVD player, sparklers and things to keep them occupied as the pay fishing can cost you a small fortune.This place is really rustic and rural. It was an experience , though me personally would not do it again, the family would though