The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Sports

October 29, 2012

60 million potential outdoorsman votes should get politicians attention

Tight Lines Rick Goines

TARBORO — The fishing community is a big part of those potential 60 million voters comprised of outdoor enthusiasts that also include hunters, shooters, and conservationists. Statistics prove that fishing is the largest participation sport in the USA. We are a force to be reckoned with, and need to use it to our political advantage. Let’s support and vote for those candidates that have our best (fishing) interests at heart.

I remember my 9th grade civics teacher telling us that it was our obligation as citizens to be an informed, educated voter. See, Mr. Dwight Mackenzie, I WAS listening!

I encourage you to educate yourself about where candidates stand on issues that affect the outdoor activities we love and enjoy. The media is inundated with more information than you want or probably need. I prefer to get my information from places other than paid political ads. If you are an outdoors person planning to vote, you might check some of the current fishing and hunting magazines, blogs, and web sites. They are addressing specifically and directly the viewpoints of the candidates as they pertain to outdoorsmen related issues.

Neither presidential candidate fishes nor hunts, but their future executive action will certainly impact those of us that do.

Please seek accurate information and vote, and encourage others to join you. It’s a privilege, and the American way.

Hotspot of the Week: Still getting great reports that inland waterway fishermen are enjoying success catching Speckled Trout. Keep your legal limit if you must, then please catch and gently release to preserve the fish population for the future.

I have learned that some of those rude, inconsiderate, selfish buttheads that are ignoring rules, regulations, and limits go to great extremes to catch and keep more than their fair share. Some are very sneaky and deceptive. They catch their legal limit, come ashore to offload, change clothes, switch boats, and go back out looking like a different person to catch more. My guess is that these jerks and jerkettes are selling their illegal fish to markets and restaurants. I hope they ALL get caught, and slapped with maximum fines.

Take away fishing licenses from some of these yahoos for a year or two, and you might get their attention.

Rick’s Soapbox: I just finished a new book by the legendary fly fisherman, Lefty Kreh, titled “101 Fish, A Fly Fisher’s Life List.” Lefty has spent many of his 80-something years fishing, and writing about it. Maryland was his home base for 30 years.

Being a Marylander, born and raised, as a youngster I read many of his articles, and enjoyed some of his books, and held him and his fishing knowledge in high esteem. In his latest book, he relates world-wide fishing experiences and outings, devoting each chapter to a specific fish.

In the chapter on Hickory Shad, he speaks very highly of the Roanoke River at Roanoke Rapids, NC. Describing his boat launching and fishing location, he was actually in Weldon, but I think you get the point. This world renowned fishing expert and writer is extolling the virtues of abundant shad fishing, less than one hour from my driveway. I’m impressed and excited about that.

Maybe we should invite him to come to Tarboro, and try out the Tar River about mid-March. For several weeks during the peak of the shad run, I think the Tar River at Tarboro can stack-up against the best of ‘em as a top notch shad fishery.

You don’t have to be a fly fisherman to enjoy this book. I’m thrifty these days and got mine at the library, but certainly you can find it in most book stores. It might make a good Christmas gift for the fisherman on your list.

Care to share? Tight Lines welcomes your fishy snaps, tall tales, and outrageous lies at CarolinaAngler@Gmail.com.

See you on the water, my friend!

Text Only
Sports
  • THS-Relay-Teams.jpg Six Tarboro girls to compete in track finals

    Motivation is a big part of the Tarboro Viking girl's track team's success this season. They enjoy working hard during practice for their coach Rickie Dozier and get fulfillment when they compete in events. Friday will be no different for the six girls that are headed to Greensboro to compete in the NCHSAA 2-A state championship meet at North Carolina A&T State University. They will compete in three relay events and the long jump.

    May 16, 2013 2 Photos

  • 10lb-Carp.jpg BIG FISH

    Camden Grant and her boyfriend Ricky Davis, Jr. caught a 10 pound carp at a state wildlife pond Wednesday morning off of Highway 33 just outside of Tarboro. Grant said she caught the fish on a piece of shrimp around 10:30 a.m.

    May 16, 2013 1 Photo

  • Trey-Radford.jpg Vikings ousted from playoffs by Jaguars

    CARRBORO – After defeating the No. 1 seed in the playoffs Friday, the Tarboro Vikings forgot one thing, they had to hit the ball again Tuesday against the Carrboro Jaguars or their season would be over.
    Tarboro failed to be productive at the plate and were eliminated from the NCHSAA 2-A playoffs after losing 8-0 in the second round. Tarboro never gave in after getting down early, but they just couldn't catch a break offensively and get anything going after trailing by five runs after the second inning.

    May 15, 2013 2 Photos

  • Cougars finish 7th in state golf match

    The SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars went through the regionals and won by four strokes. They just couldn't get it going in the state golf championships Monday or Tuesday at Longleaf Golf and Country Club in Southern Pines. The Cougars finished seventh as a team after shooting 658 over the two day period.

    May 15, 2013

  • Trey-Radford.jpg Vikings advance to second round after defeating Bunn

    BUNN – The Tarboro Vikings brought their "A" game and some lively bats with them Friday night when they defeated the Bunn Wildcats 7-5 in the first round of the 2-A NCHSAA state baseball playoffs. The last time the Vikings won a playoff game it was at the same location five years ago.

    May 13, 2013 2 Photos

  • Reggie-Bess.jpg Bess hired as new Vikings basketball coach

    The Tarboro Vikings have made a coaching change in boy's basketball. They hired Reggie Bess as the new Vikings skipper April 26. Bess is a former Viking basketball star who played for Tarboro in 1995-96. He was part of a team that went to the Eastern Regional finals in 95.

    May 10, 2013 1 Photo

  • Glen-Sasser.jpg Tarboro native inducted into Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame

    Tarboro native and Tarboro High graduate Martin "Glenn" Sasser was inducted into The Greater Wilimington Sports Hall of Fame Sunday.
    Sasser was named to the All-Conference and All-State teams during his high school career. He was also selected to play in the Shrine Bowl game in 1960 and then played in the East-West game in 1961.

    May 10, 2013 1 Photo

  • 16 under softball tryouts

    The Tarboro Parks and Recreation Department and Edgecombe County Girls Softball League will be holding tryouts for 16-under girls fast-pitch softball. The tryouts will takes place Monday and wednesday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Indian Lake Sports Complex on field three.

    May 10, 2013

  • Coach-Jenkins.jpg Lady Vikings ousted from playoffs by Pirates

    WENDELL – After beating teams handily all season, the Tarboro Lady Vikings had the rolls reversed against them Wednesday in the first round of the 2-A NCHSAA state playoffs. The Corinth Holders Lady Pirates controlled the ball the entire match and had a fast paced offense that seemed to be unstoppable. They knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs by beating them 9-0 in only 43 minutes of action.

    May 9, 2013 1 Photo

  • East-Coast-Celtics.jpg AAU BASKETBALL

    The East Coast Celtics 15-under AAU basketball team went undefeated in USBA Spring Shootout tournament in Durham April 5-7. The Celtics went 5-0 and this was the third tournament they won. They play May 17-19 in Fayetteville. The Celtics are a combination of players from Tarboro, Rocky Mount and Wilson. They will have a car wash in June in Tarboro and location is to be determined. Senior citizens 60-years of age or older will get their cars washed for free. If you are interested contact Coach Ryan Jones at 252-907-2893.

    May 9, 2013 1 Photo