NORTH CAROLINA COUNCIL OF TROUT UNLIMITED — Serving TU members in the Old North State
TheMend Land and Water Public Access Panel Discussion Members of the trout fishing and outdoors communities in North Carolina have become alarmed at the loss of public access to large areas of NC rivers and streams. Many factors seem to contribute to this problem. On March 19, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., the Hickory Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU) will hold an expert panel discussion about how to deal with the loss of public access to trout fisheries; from causalities to practical solutions.
The discussion will take place at the Market on Main Cellar in downtown Hickory as part of Hickory TU’s regular monthly meeting. Free parking is available at 325 1st Ave. SW and the entrance to the Cellar is across the street. A $10 optional buffet dinner is available for purchase prior to the meeting at 5:30 p.m. The panel discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and members of other TU chapters, conservation organizations,
and outdoor advocacy groups are encouraged to attend. The panel will include Ron Beane, Board Chairman of the Foothills Conservancy; Doug Besler, Mountain Region Fishery Supervisor for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC); Andy Brown, Southern Appalachian Stream Restoration Manager for TU; Mike Johnson, Commissioner, NCWRC; and Jacob Rash, Coldwater Research Coordinator, NCWRC.
How This Panel Discussion Happened, and Why It Matters “When you come to a fork in the road, take it!” This is one of my favorite Yogisms. If you’re very young or just not into sports, that’s the Hall of Fame baseball catcher, Yogi Berra. He’s famous for witty sayings that make you scratch your head before you realize how much truth they hold. Well, as trout anglers, we’ve come to a big fork in the road, or, in our case, river. Last August I wrote about the trip Editor Chick and I took to follow the course of the three great rivers in the High Country: Watauga, Elk, and Linville. I recounted how shocked we were by how much of the water on those great fisheries was now closed to the public. Private water fishing clubs,
high-dollar developments with fishing access limited to the residents, landowners with “No Trespassing” signs on every tree, and other factors have taken much of our public trout water away.
by those who have influence. We’ve invited neighboring chapters, other conservation groups, and outdoor advocates. We have reached a crucial fork in the river of public trout waters, and we better take it!
The ball that started rolling during our trip has led to the panel discussion we’ll have at the March Hickory TU meeting. (See details above.) I have assembled an impressive panel of experts who understand the problem and have the knowledge and wherewithal to begin to affect some fixes. We will discuss how serious the problem is now and explore possible solutions. You need to be there. Bring anyone you know who shares our concerns or needs to. We have an opportunity to be heard
One of the other great Yogisms says, “Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded!” If we don’t find ways to preserve public access to trout waters, we may well find the few that are left are so crowded there is no need to go. See you on March 19. Dr. Joel Miller, Hickory TU Panel Organizer
Image courtesy of Due South Outfitters
VOLUME 1 • NUMBER 2 • MARCH 2019
WHAT’S INSIDE • Panel Discussion • Natural Resources Management Act • DH Stocking Resumes • Budget Process Wrapping Up • Southeast Regional Rendezvous • Rivercourse • Fly Fishing Museum • DRO Offers Free “Getting Started” Classes • Chapter News About “The Mend” “The Mend” is the monthly newsletter and update of the North Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited. It is meant to work in concert with our quarterly feature magazine, “The Drift” to keep our membership informed about and engaged in what’s happening with Trout Unlimited here in the Old North State. Connect with the North Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited On the web: https://northcarolinatu.org On Facebook: https://facebook.com/ northcarolinatu Via Email: news@northcarolinatu.org The North Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited P.O. Box 2351 Brevard, NC 28172