Fishing 101
Never fished before? We’ll help you get started By Damien Chambers WNC Parent writer Summer is here, and fishing season is upon us. WNC Parent gathered tips from the experts on equipment, technique and fishing locations to get the most out of your outdoor excursions. Aspiring anglers will need a fishing license and what is known as a “trout stamp” if they plan to catch trout. These licenses can be obtained at most hardware stores, Wal-Mart and tackle shops. Shane Buckner, manager of Hunter Banks Co., which specializes in fly-fishing, elaborated on the differences between bait fishing and fly-fishing. “In fly-fishing, the line on the rod is heavier, and you have to learn to guide it correctly to effectively lure the fish to you,” he said. “In bait fishing, the line automatically goes where it needs to.” Depending on whether you plan to fly-fish or use live bait, checking in with the employees at your location might be a good idea because some streams are for fly-fishing only. For more traditional bait fishing, specialty stores like Franklin’s Outdoor Sports offer various rods, bait and equipment to get you started. Franklin’s offers spin cast rods and reels for beginners for around $20-$25. Equipment can also be found at other sporting goods retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart. Good bait to use for bait fishing is the live variety. Minnows, night crawlers and chicken livers seem to work best. For easier bait, fishing try a stocked pond. Morgan Mill Trout Farm, with locations in Brevard and Cherokee, offers fishing for a small entry fee. Fishers pay by the pound to take home what they catch. Terrell Finley, of the Mountain Gate-
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PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKIS
Anderson Adams, 3, of Raleigh, reels in a fish that shook itself off while fishing at Beaver Lake with her grandfather Tim Galvin, of Asheville. way Museum in Old Fort, offered some advice to beginners in fly-fishing. Each body of water has its own peak periods and conditions and can be considered the best, or worst, fishing spot depending on the time of year, he said. “There are several different categories of trout streams in North Carolina,” Finley said. “Some require special equip-
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ment, such as light, freshwater tackle, the most common of which is known as Hatchery Support Stock.” Another difference between fly-fishing and regular fishing is that the lures and bait, as well as the way in which a fisherman casts a rod and baits the fish, closely resemble stream life and its movements.