ROCKY MOUNT —
Pamlico-Tar River Foundation presents a fishing clinic titled, “Beginner’s Guide to
Fishing the Pamlico” Saturday, February 16 at 8:30 am to 12:30 p.m. at the NC DENR Division of Marine Fisheries Conference Room, at 934 Washington Square Mall, in Washington, NC.
This fishing clinic will teach you basic information on terminology, different types of tackle and bait, knot tying, casting lessons, and overall fishing strategies.
PTRF members are free. Non-members cost is $30, and that will include a 1-year membership to PTRF. For more information contact Kelly Jochim at 252-946-7211 or e-mail at kelly@ptrf.org.
What a wonderful idea! Of course, I’m already thinking of how we could put something together similar to that for our potential Tar River anglers in Edgecombe County.
Pamlico-Tar-River Foundation does some very worthwhile work that largely benefits all of eastern NC. As the Tar River magically becomes the Pamlico River, as it flows under the NC 17 Bridge in Washington, I’m going to go out on a limb here and make the statement that what is good for the Pamlico River is equally good for the Tar River. So, my point is that we, Tar River lovers in Edgecombe County, should support and champion those causes and issues that are important to the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation. They may be headquartered in Little Washington, but they are working for me, you, and our beloved Tar River, too.
Save The Dates - A lot of good stuff for you to put on your fishing calendars.
Space does not allow me to go into details about each event, but ping me at carolinaangler@Gmail.com and I will be happy to share what info I possess for Saturday, March 16th – Saturday, March 23rd – TASS 12th Annual Hickory Shad Tourney
Saturday, April 27th – TASS 2013 John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo
Rick’s Hotspot – Shad bite is still a little slow starting. I have caught a few white shad, but nothing to write home about. The ONLY hickory shad I have seen caught on the Tar River in Tarboro this season so far was the one Wayne Harrell caught (and released, I might add!) to win the First Shad Contest Saturday morning. Of course, let’s not forget shad aficionados, dudes and dudettes, it’s still early February, and the shad bite “Peak” isn’t usually until mid-March.
Rick’s Soapbox – By now I’m sure you have heard that Wayne Harrell won the Tight Lines 2013 Tar River First Hickory Shad Contest. Good job Wayne-O! Wayne is a solid guy that has worked hard, and fished hard all his life. He’s good people, and I admire and respect him tremendously. He is truly a man’s man. When I grow up, I want to be just like him.
Wayne is surrounded by pretty ladies that love him to death. Wife, Peggy, is an animal activist that has dedicated her life to the proper and humane treatment of animals. Daughters Karen Cobb and Kelly Marie Cannon are happy, healthy, successful young ladies that make Wayne and Peggy proud every day of their lives. Grandson Cam doesn’t even know it yet, but he is in for some expert fishing instruction, advice, and a bunch of fishing fun in his young, promising future. Bottom line is that Wayne Harrell is a fortunate and blessed man in many ways, and he would be the first to graciously recognize, admit, and be thankful for that advantageous position. So, Wayne-O, congrats! You da man!
A reminder from those nice folks at NCWRC to help keep North Carolina wild when completing your N.C. State Income Tax Form this tax season by donating on line 31.
Care to share? Tight Lines welcomes your fishing intel, fish snaps, tall tales, and outrageous lies at CarolinaAngler@Gmail.com.
See you on the water, my friend!
Tight Lines
Beginner’s guide to fishing on the Pamlico
- Tight Lines
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Battle Park is a cornucopia of nature
Fifty-seven acre Battle Park, in the heart of Rocky Mount, is named after the Battle
family of Tarboro, founders of Rocky Mount Mills. Water-powered, the mill dam was hewn of the rocks of the Great Falls, past the westernmost point of Edgecombe County. -
Take a kid fishing this summer
As you put the final touches on your summer vacation plans, consider a fishing outing for the youngsters. They might not remember or appreciate that expensive beach cottage rental, or that high-dollar meal at that trendy waterfront restaurant, but I would bet a pretty penny they will recall every detail of a fun-filled family fishing experience.
Just about anywhere you chose to go this summer will offer fishing -
Shad Season in Review
All things considered, 2013 was a good shad season, thoroughly enjoyed the fishing activity and usual camaraderie among shad fishing friends. Shad fishing to me is about so much more than just catching fish. It’s a total package of enjoyment as it captivates and dominates my life February through May.
Wayne Harrell kicked off the season winning the first shad contest catching his hickory shad on a cold 19-degree Saturday morning, February 2.
The shad hole on East River Road in Tarboro was a little disappointing this year. Untimely flood waters might have limited our regular peak run. Fish were caught and we had some good days, but not the action we have experienced in past years. -
Banner Day at Battle Park
Sunday was Mother’s Day. I am not a mother, but I played one in a school play years ago, so I figured that entitled me to go fishing on Mother’s Day. Need an excuse or rationalization to go fishing? Check with me, I’ve got plenty!
After suffering through 2-3 days of a rain induced swollen, unfishable Tar River at Battle Park in Rocky Mount, it was jackpot time on Sunday. Without a doubt, I had my best white shad fishing day ever, fishing from sunrise to early evening. Action was good all day, with a little lull for about 2-hours in the heat of the afternoon.
I am proud to report to you that I enjoyed a 50-fish day. I caught a personal best 46 white shad, 3 hickory shad, and foul-hooked a very angry, upset 3-foot gar. I thought I had two large white shad, or maybe a big rockfish, so I was a little surprised to see Mr. Gar. It was like reeling in an uncooperative 2x4 piece of lumber. -
NCWRC enforcement officers doing a great job
North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission has two enforcement officers assigned to each county. That’s 200 dedicated, educated, and highly trained individuals protecting our North Carolina environment and natural resources. To become an enforcement officer applicant, one must participate in a highly competitive selection process. A typical candidate is required to pass extensive background and psychological screening. Also included is a vigorous 19-week training academy that is patterned after a military boot camp, with an emphasis on physical fitness.
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Tight Lines declares Ginger Perry of Nashville the shad queen
One of my favorite places to bank fish is the boat ramp at Battle Park in Rocky Mount. I have met a lot of interesting people there. Three or four times this season, I have watched this amazing lady, Ginger Perry, fishing with her friend, Big Kelly, for white shad. Simply put, she is one good angler! She casts and retrieves like a pro, and always catches her fair share of fish. Maybe a few more than her fair share! This lady can flat-out fish!
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Time for the John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo on the Tar river
Tarboro Association of Saltwater Sportsman (TASS) presents the annual John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo on the Tar on Saturday, April 27th. Entry fee is $100 per boat.
Registration and information is available daily at Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store, Main Street, Tarboro. The absolute registration deadline is Friday, April 26, by 8 p.m., at the boat landing on River Road, or when the maximum limit 40 boats have been signed-up. Attendance at the Captain’s meeting Friday night, 7 p.m. at the boat landing on River Road, is highly recommended. Rules will be read, questions answered, and you will receive your Captain’s Bag, tournament t-shirt, and other goodies. Each boat is allowed to weigh-in 2 of their largest rockfish, as chosen by the Captain. -
Sign-up this Saturday for John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo
One of the TASS premier events that local anglers always enjoy is the annual John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo. Registration is limited to the first 40 boats. Full grown men, me included, will be standing in line like giddy teeny-boppers looking concert tickets early Saturday morning waiting for Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store to open at 9 am to plunk down that registration fee.
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Bottoms Up! Greg Bottoms Wins TASS Shad Tournament
To my knowledge, Greg Bottoms does not smoke or drink, but he does have another habit, and an enviable one at that. Greg wins fishing tournaments. He won the Fall Speckled Trout Tournament, and last week claimed top honors in the shad tournament. Obviously, the man knows his way around a rod & reel. Greg is a skilled angler, and a nice guy, deserving of that success.
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Shad Tournament participants weighing-in some good fish
All indications are that this will be a banner year for the 12th Annual TASS Hickory
Shad Tournament. The timing is perfect because the shad “bite” has turned on
considerably everywhere. At the halfway point through the week-long tournament, the leader board is already showing some impressive fish weights. Charles Strickland leads the top tier adult category with a healthy 2.56 Hickory Shad. That will be a hard “Hick” to beat! - More Tight Lines Headlines
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Battle Park is a cornucopia of nature
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