Catch of the day

May 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Jordan Grant holds up a Brown Trout that he caught in a stretch of the Tuckasegee River managed under delayed-harvest regulations

It’s a mid-April weekend in Cullowhee and the Tuckasegee River has been stocked with different types of trout, bass and crappie. Along with the fish, the river is filled with fly-fisherman trying to catch them, one of them is Jordan Grant. With sunglasses and a visor covering his face, he stands out in the water as he fly-fishes.

Grant is a 21-year-old junior at Western Carolina University and an experienced fisherman. Having tried the waters from the coast to the ponds of his hometown in High Point, N.C., he says the mountains of Western North Carolina are by far his favorite place to cast his reel.

“I love fishing in the mountains. I’ve fished in several different places but the mountains have beautiful scenery and the fact that I can fish just off campus makes it even better,” Grant said.

At 3-years-old, Grant’s father introduced him to fishing.

“My dad got me involved pretty early and it’s something that we did together,” said Grant.

When Grant was 9-years-old his dad passed away from colon cancer. He was a Battalion Chief of High Point Fire Department at the time of his death.

“When I go fishing, it’s a way for me to still feel a connection with him.”

Grant is just one of many students and local residents who enjoy the quiet fishing environment that the North Carolina Mountains provide. Brown, Brook, and Rainbow trout can be found in almost any of the waters of Western North Carolina. The Tuckasegee River begins in the North Carolina Mountains from several tributary streams. The popular delayed harvest section is roughly five miles long in the small towns of Sylva and Dillsboro, N.C.

The delayed harvest season is from Oct. 1 through June 5 and fishing on the water is only allowed under certain regulations. A trout fishing license must be present while fishing, only artificial lures may be used, no bait is allowed, and catch and release fishing only. “While the spring is great fishing weather, the fall is the best time to fish the Tuckasegee,” says Grant.

Check out this video for the steps Grant takes before and while he fly-fishes.

For general fishing information in North Carolina visit the website of the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission

Fishing in Jackson County visit the website of Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

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Pennsylvania flooding effects north east fly fishing team USA regional

March 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

State College, PA— Anglers from across the United States and Canada gathered in Central Pennsylvania in hopes of securing a spot in the National Fly Fishing Championship, which will be held in Cherokee, NC from May 19-22, 2011.

Snowstorms on Monday dropped between 10 and 15 inches of wet snow throughout Central Pennsylvania. Tuesday’s unseasonably warm temperatures began to melt the snow that created run-off, which ended up in local streams and rivers. Originally the event was supposed to take place on 4 separate venues, however after the snowmelt and rain, flooding caused the event to be moved to, 2 separate venues on Spring Creek.

The Little Juniata River was the affected more than the other rivers and it crested around 8 feet over normal stage, around 3 feet higher than the flood stage.

“We had to make a decision to ensure the safety of our competitors and judges,” said Bill Stuedler, the event organizer.

It was decided to move all of the sectors on to Spring Creek, the river that was least affected by the blown out conditions.

The event took place near the Benner Springs and McCoy Dam portions of Spring Creek.

“The fishing was very difficult, it really leveled the playing field,” said Chris Lee, a competitor from North Carolina. “It helped the anglers who came from far away because nobody really knew what would be working.”

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National Fly Fishing Championship coming in May

February 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The North Carolina Fly Fishing Team is the host of the Fly Fishing Team USA National Championships, held May 19-22, 2011 and based on the Reservation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

This is a fly fishing tournament with invitations going to competitors who finish in the top 5 places in at least one of the Team USA Regional qualifiers. These are being held on various dates and various locations around the United States. Team USA members get an automatic bid to the National Championship and they will compete against the individuals who get a bid through regional qualification.

This is the first time the event has been hosted in the South East. May brings some of the best fly-fishing in the region and spectators will be treated to southern hospitality. Competitors and judges will be treated to a 50 percent discount when booking their hotel at the Holiday Inn- Cherokee. The tribe will be providing Simms shirts and hats for all competitors and judges who judge each session. Rivers Edge Outfitters will provide the space for the conservation symposium and other support has poured in from other local and national businesses.

Judges are needed to help make the event run smoothly. This is your chance to get to know, and learn from the best fly anglers from around the country. There is no experience necessary; all that is required is a pair of waders. Judges will receive $120 worth of Simms National Championship logo gear.

The regional dates that can qualify an angler for the National Championship are as follows:

SW Regional, Santa Fe, NM- Nov 7th- 8th, 2010

SE Regional, Nantahala, NC- Feb. 19th-20th, 2011

NE Regional, State College, PA- Mar 12th -13th, 2011

NW Regional, Bend, Ore- Mar 26th -27th, 2011

Competitors will follow rules set fourth by the international regulatory body for sport fly-fishing, Fips-Mouche. For more information, you can “Like” the North Carolina Fly Fishing Team and Fly Fishing Team USA on Facebook. You can also follow the North Carolina Fly Fishing Team on Twitter @NCFFT.

If you have questions, contact event organizer Paul Bourcq at 828-371-7297 or by email at Pbourcq@yahoo.com

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