Segment 2, November 16th, 2024

When we last spoke with our next guest, we had a sneak preview of a proposed restoration project involving NC’s most prolific cold water fish hatchery, the  Bobby N. Setzer Hatchery in Pisgah forest. Of course Helene’s devastation brought unimaginable devastation to property, lives, & communities across parts of WNC.  It also has caused a possible change of plans to recreational fishing in the mountains.

Jake Rash is the Coldwater Research Coordinator for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, where he helps with the coordination of research and management of NC’s trout resources.  He recently spoke with Carolina Outdoor host, Bill Bartee, about the trout waters on North Carolina in 2024.

Show Highlights:

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• The Armstrong Fish Hatchery near Marion had the most damage during the Helene storm
  
• There is a revised trout stocking occurring for the rest of 2024.  The NC Wildlife Resource Commission is developing plans on how to properly move forward.
  
• The western region of North Carolina & its economy count on trout fishing and it was important to safely stock the streams for people.
  
• The Trout Page is the best resource to learn plans as they are announced and developed.
  
• Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture approved Jacob “Jake” Rash as its new Chairman in 2022.  He says that he’s anxious to find how the Brookies handle the storm in certain parts of the state.  They can handle lots of water but the landslides are another story.
  

Things You’ll Learn by Listening:

Jake Rash will be on-hand in Charlotte on Thursday, November 21st, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. as a part of the open Rocky River Trout Unlimited meeting at Jesse Brown’s.  Everyone is invited to come out and meet Jake and learn more about the cold water trout resources.

Trout Page: www.ncwildlife.org/trout

The Carolina Outdoors is powered by the Charlotte fly shop, Jesse Brown’s.  Get a 7 weight fly rod & take on a smallmouth bass in 2025 instead of that 3-weight rod for trout.