Outdoors

By Patrick Mason

Just off the walking trail in Rocky Mount’s Battle Park, Henry James sat on a portable folding chair with one hand on a fishing rod.

His line was cast into the Tar River, hoping for a nibble.

“I’ve had some bites, but I’ve got a few more places to hit today” James said on the pier. “This is one of my spots. There’s another in Sunset Park up the river, too.”

James said he spends a couple days each week fishing off the shore on various waterways. And he isn’t alone. Those searching for outdoor adventures in Rocky Mount have plenty of options to choose from, including fishing, hunting and even a little climbing at one of the parks minutes away.

City Lake and the Rocky Mount Reservoir are popular destinations to drop in a line, through with 49 different lakes, reservoirs and rivers to utilize — if not willing to head a couple hours to coastal waterways — Rocky Mount holds its own as a fisherman’s paradise.

For those looking to fish from a boat, Sunset Park has a ramp that dips into the water for boating access.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission is also gearing up for hunting season. Hunting education courses must be completed before hunting, and classes are offered online or in-person. There are 18 classes happening in July, with more scheduled at various locations in August.

Deer hunting season opens in Sept., with archery from Sept. 8-28. Black powder from Sept. 29-Oct. 12 and gun from Oct. 13-Jan. 1, 2019.

Here’s some fishing info from the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission, including what types of species to expect in some of the more popular destinations: • Sunset Park: The main species of fish that can be found here are catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and sunfish. • Battle Park: American shad, catfish, crappie, hickory shad, largemouth bass, striped bass, sunfish. • Access off N.C. 97: american shad, catfish, crappie, hickory shad, largemouth bass, striped bass, sunfish.

2018 | LIVING HERE | 43