Beloved Fishing Contest

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: April 2024

When David Wilkes and Steve Perry launched the Three Rivers Fly Fishing Festival in 2013, they aimed to create a fun fishing event that would rally locals around a noble cause.

Their goal was to raise funds for the Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund.

What no one expected was that over the years the event would raise over $150,000.

Today the festival has become one of the most beloved fishing contests in the region, bringing together anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to share their passion for fly fishing amidst the beauty and serenity of the mountains and its waterways teeming with rainbow, brook, and rainbow trout.

Taking place over the weekend of May 2-4 when the rivers are at their prime, this one-of-a-kind, family-friendly festival offers a variety of opportunities to up your fly-fishing game. Beginner or expert, you’ll be able to learn everything you want about casting techniques, fly tying, and fish species.

Chris Wilkes, Pat Gleeson, Drew Townes, and Bryan Lewis, the festival’s organizers emphasize that, “The goal is to have fun, it’s a community event and we have a place for everybody.”

Wilkes, the owner of the Highlands Hiker, a well-known local outfitter for fishermen, is one of the festival’s sponsors. Pat Gleeson, an associate at Christie’s International Real Estate, sponsors the Saturday night gala, and Bryan Lewis’s Highlands Smokehouse hosts the Friday party. Other supporters include Old Edwards Inn and Spa, State Farm Insurance, and Coca-Cola.

Trophies, fly rods, fly reels, and more will be awarded to the top performing teams. Everyone leaves with something, and you shouldn’t miss the silent and live auction items worthy of all fly fisher-women (and men).

During the festival, participants test their skills on more than 2000 miles of fishing territory within the contest boundaries, which include some of the most scenic and diverse streams in Western NC. Competing in two-person teams, either guided or unguided, they must catch at least one fish each from a hatchery supported, a delayed harvest and a native stream (hence the festival’s name.) Fishing is open all day on Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, from sunup to sundown.

The festival kicks off on Thursday night with a cocktail party at Old Edwards Inn where teams receive gift bags with items donated by local vendors, including hats, t-shirts, koozies and flies, including a Jack Cabe hopper fly. Contestants check in on Friday and Saturday mornings at the Highland Hiker, declare their destinations and receive a lunch box provided by local restaurant The Secret Garden. On Friday night they gather at the Highlands Smokehouse to share their day’s results. There’s also a free fly-casting clinic at Harris Lake on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to noon. The highlight of the festival is the Saturday night wrap-up party at a private Highlands’ residence where the Jack Cabe Cup is awarded to the team with the highest total inches caught.

Other prizes are awarded to Ugliest Fish, Best Fish Story, Largest Fish, and Smallest Fish.