Archive for the ‘Latest News’ Category
2018 Fish Fry a Big Success!
In the midst of a monthly summer pattern of daily afternoon showers, the weather declared an armistice July 20 for our Fish Fry: Sunny skies and pleasant temperatures put the final touch on a sold-out event that many declared was a highlight of the season.
Some 270 club members and their guests gathered in Atagahi Park to enjoy a feast for the eyes and tummy. Deep-fried catfish filets that were so big they spilled off the edges of the plates were on the menu, along with baked cod, pulled pork, roasted corn-on-the-cob and all the usual picnic trimmings.
And as if that wasn’t enough, you could amble up to the open bar for two different kinds of draught beer, one a local craft brew, and barrels full of soda pop and lemonade.
Socializing with friends was what the annual Fish Fry is all about and much of that was centered in the 20- by 40-foot tent that contained a variety of gifts in the raffle and silent auction. In the middle was a stack of more than 40 bottles of wine in our Wine Bonanza, a separate raffle open to all of Connestee.
The crowd spilled over from the gaily decorated park pavilion, with a number of people setting up folding chairs on the grass and in the park’s picnic pavilions nearby.
Afterward, George Hewertson, club president, thanked those attending and the corps of volunteers who ran the event. The next day, George wrote on the Next Door social media platform, “A huge Thank You to the organizers, army of volunteers and especially you, our Fishing Club members, for making yesterday’s Fish Fry another successful, sell-out event.”
Three cheers to former Club President Steve Seelinger and to Kevin Henebry, co-chairs of the Fry, for the months of hard work they put in planning the event. There isn’t room here to mention all the other hard workers, those who cooked and served and set-up and cleaned, but a special thanks to Chris Wunder and his teams for rallying a cadre of generous donors for our giant raffle, silent auction and Wine Bonanza.
Proceeds from the Fry help support the club’s many activities for the community, such as stocking the lakes, donations to Connestee improvement projects, and our popular Outreach Program which hosts outside groups for half-day fishing excursions at Lake Atagahi.
Great Fun at Fish-A-Rama 2018
The Fishing Club’s 2018 Fish-A-Rama was held on Saturday, June 23rd, at Lake Atagahi. The weather was great, and we had 41 children and adults enjoying fishing. After a fun morning of fishing, we adjourned to the pavilion for our famous hot dog lunch and an awards ceremony.
During the lunch we also held a 50/50 raffle which netted $270 for the Connestee Scholarship Fund.
The results for the Fish-A-Rama were as follows:
Ages 1-6:
Most Fish Caught – Brent Tibstra – 2
– Alden Singer – 2
– Elijah Columbo – 2
– Jared Ackerman – 2
Largest Fish: Elijah Columbo – 12″ Bass
Smallest Fish: Bently Tibstra – 6″ Bass
Ages 7-9:
Most Fish Caught: Titus Walters – 12
Largest Fish: Robbie Halstead – 11″ Bass
Smallest Fish: Ella Ackerman – 7 1/2″ Blue Gill
Ages 10-12:
Most Fish Caught: Lila Waters – 7
Largest Fish: Jayden Smith – 12″ Blue Gill
Smallest Fish: George Hensley – 8 1/2″ Sun Fish
Ages 13-17:
Most Fish Caught: Marshall Motts – 5
Largest Fish: Marshall Motts – 17 1/2″ Trout
Smallest Fish: Marshall Motts – 9″ Blue Gill
Ages 18 – Plus:
Most Fish Caught: Kevin Singer – 2
Largest Fish: Kevin Singer – 11″ Blue Gill
Smallest Fish: Reed Rosborough – 8″ Brim
SUMMARY: Great Day for Fishing! There were 57 Blue Gills, 1 trout and 5 Bass caught…….bringing the day’s total to 63 Fish.
Threadfin Shad Stocked
Threadfin shad were finally delivered after a three month delay by Southeastern Pond Management. They survived the 328 mile trip from Alabama very well with only a very small number of fatalities. Southeastern has very good equipment.
Anticipating a greater fatality rate and the presence of some smaller than 3 inch shad, the driver said they loaded about 80 pounds per tank instead of 60 pounds per tank (normally a tank is said to be one load of 8,000 shad) . We ordered three loads, that’s 24,000 shad, and we may have actually received about 32,000, 2-4 inch shad. Wanteska got two loads (est. 21,300 shad) and Tiaroga got one load (est. 10,700 shad).
Unloading the tanks was done thru large flexible hoses. Soon after the shad could be seen actively swimming and schooling far off shore.
Rick Hybil
Fishery Management Committee
Lunker Trout Caught
On July 2 Chris Wunder, fishing with Jeff Peters, caught a 21 1/2”, 3 lb lunker trout in Lake Ticoa. Chris was using an ultralite spinning rod with a Berkley natural colored pinched night crawler.
Another Trout Contest Winner
Congratulations to the latest winner in the Fishing Club’s Trout Contest for holders of CF fishing licenses: Dan Hartley, of Oakanoah Court, caught an 18 ½-inch trout June 23 off the shore near the dam at Lake Ticoa. The fish was from 2017’s stocking and carried a green tag; this year’s tag color is blue. Dan caught it using chicken skin and garlic. As a non-club member, he gets a $25 clubhouse dining certificate, plus a free Fishing Club membership for one year. If you catch a tagged trout, report it to Ray Tuers, 877 5572
Trout Contest Winner
Congratulations to the latest winner in the Fishing Club’s Trout Contest for holders of CF fishing licenses: Steve Pyle, of Ayugidv Ct. He landed a blue-tagged rainbow on 6/8 in Lake Wanteska. As a club member, Steve gets a $50 gift certificate for our Overlook restaurants. Non-members get a $25 certificate, plus free club membership for one year, if eligible. If you catch a tagged trout, report it to Ray Tuers, 877 5572.
First Outreach event of the season
Last Friday (April 27th) the Fishing Club had its first Outreach event of the season, hosting 12 young people from Black Mountain Home for Children. One of the anglers even caught a feisty 20 1/2″ trout. This was also the first group to receive our new hats. (Note the hats in the group photo).
Thanks to Jeff Brewer for the photos.
Another Lunker Trout!
On 4/1/2018, Ron Silverman was out fishing with Bill Roehrich and landed a 23″ – 6 lb rainbow. Ron was fishing on Lake Ticoa using a crawfish imitation.
Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing School – Saturday 4/28/2018
If you’re interested in learning to fly fish, the Pisgah Chapter of Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing School is an excellent way to get your feet wet. The $150 fee includes a whole day of hands-on and seminar instruction in all of the critical elements of the sport plus a half day of mentored fishing on a trout stream.
By the end of the school, you’ll be ready to hit the river on your own with confidence. All equipment is provided, and lunch and a course book are included in the cost. All proceeds from the school go toward Pisgah TU’s ongoing education and conservation programs in western North Carolina.
For more information or to register, visit: https://pisgahTU.org/FlyFishingSchool
Lake Stocking 3/9/2018
Morgan Mill Trout Farm delivered 14 -16 inch rainbow trout ,Friday 3/9/18, and stocked all four lakes.
Thanks go to Bill Roehrich and Rob Amato who tagged (blue this year) 35 fish.
As usual, distribution was by lake surface area percentage:
Lake Atagahi (35%) got 490 lbs. (approximately 327 fish) and 12 tagged.
Lake Ticoa (32%) got 448 lbs. (approximately 299 fish) and 11 tagged.
Lake Wanteska (19%) got 266 lbs. (approximately 177 fish) and 7 tagged.
Lake Tiaroga (14%) got 196 lbs. (approximately 131 fish) and 5 tagged.
Total = 1,400 lbs. (approximately 934 fish) and 35 tagged.