Trout Fishing Tips

Looking for something fun to do on July 4th? Why not fish?! It's an activity the whole family can enjoy. Even folks who don't like to fish will enjoy the time outdoors with picnic or BBQ while the kids fish.

If you live in North Carolina, you can fish for free on July 4th ... no fishing license or trout stamp is required. All other fishing regulations, such as fish length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions and park-use fees, apply.

Already have plans this year? There's always next year then. Every year North Carolina designates July 4th as a free fishing day in an effort to raise interest in the sport.

For more information about North Carolina's free fishing day, click here.

Want to know where the best fishing spots in North Carolina are, click here.

Labels: North Carolina, North Carolina Fishing, North Carolina Trout Fishing

There's an upcoming fly fishing clinic in Wasynesville, North Carolina for kids 10 -15 years old. The clinic is on March 24, 2009. It's limited to 10 kids so if you're interested, you'll want to register as soon as possible. Cost is $8/kid.

The six hour clinic will introduce kids to the basics of fly fishing including equipment, knots, casting techniques, and more. Following the instruction period, kids will have a chance to fly fish in the Davidson River. Transportation, equipment and materials, including waders, will be provided.

Kids will need to bring a lunch and non-slip shoes. The group will depart from the Waynesville Recreation Center at 9 a.m. and go to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. The group will return to the Waynesville Recreation Center at 4:30 p.m.

Contact Mike at 456-2030 at the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department for more information.

Labels: fishing for kids, fly fishing, Fly fishing clinic, North Carolina

The 2008 Pisgah Fly Masters tournament will take place March 29-30 on the Davidson River in North Carolina.

The Fly Masters tournament will consist of casting for distance and accuracy on Saturday at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. On Sunday, the top 10 finishers will compete on a private portion of the Davidson River.

First place will take home a Sage 8-foot, six-inch Z Axis rod, Lamson Velocity reel with Rio fly line — and bragging rights.

You must register by February 15 to participate in the Pisgah Fly Masters Tournament. There is a $50 registration fee. Competition is limited to the first 125 entrants. For more information, contact Emilie Johnson at (828) 877-4423.

Proceeds from the event will be used to benefit classroom construction at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education ( a visitor and learning facility near Brevard). The planned classroom will be used for educational programs including aquatic habitats, fly fishing and fly tying.

You can check out the rules for the Pisgah Fly Masters Tournament by clicking here.

Labels: Fly Fishing Tournament, North Carolina, Pisgah Fly Masters

If you live in or near Fayetteville, North Carolina you might like to take advantage of the fly fishing clinics being offered at the John E. Pechmann Education Center. The clinics are scheduled for Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 16. The first three clinics are open to first-time participants only. The last clinic will be for anglers with advanced fly-fishing skills.

Additional clinics are set March 1 and March 8 for Boy Scouts seeking to earn fly-fishing merit badges.

If you wish to attend a clinic, you must pre-register and pay a $5 fee. Clinics are limited to 40 participants. To register phone 910-424-6134.

Fishing equipment will be available for those who need it.

For more information, visit the North Carolina Wildlife web site.

Labels: Fly fishing clinic, North Carolina

Ever wanted to learn how to fish but didn't have the equipment? Feel too overwhelmed by choices to go out and buy your own?

North Carolina is offering beginner anglers a solution to these problems. They've started a Fishing Tackle Loaner Program, where novice anglers can borrow rods, reels and other tackle.

First-time and novice anglers in North Carolina are encouraged to borrow rods and reels free of charge to join in the fishing fun this year. The loaner rods and reels are provided by various city and county parks statewide and by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

The program works much like the library system. Anglers of all ages register at participating parks to receive a tackle loaner ID card, which allows them to check out a rod and reel. Anglers under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian complete the registration form.

After returning the loaner rods and reels to the park office, first-time participants under 16 years of age will receive a free mini-tackle box containing hooks, bobbers, sinkers, and a stringer. Tackle loaner ID cards can be used at other participating sites in North Carolina, but rods and reels must be returned to the original loaner site.

For more information about the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program, click here.

Labels: Fishing Tackle Loaner Program, North Carolina