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An Event To Catch
Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: 2018/04 - April
You’d better register now for the 8th annual Three River Fly Fishing Festival, April 26–28 in Highlands, because registration ends April 15.
This charity event has become known as a fun-filled three days’ worth of fly fishing, and it’s all for a very worthy cause. Over the last seven years, the Three River Fly Fishing Festival has raised over $40,000 for the Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund to benefit local students in Highlands.
The festival starts on Thursday, April 26, with a casting clinic in the middle of town on Harris Lake. It’s a great way to practice your casts and is open to the public. It’s followed by a casting competition for registered teams, then an opening night reception at Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro.
The fishing takes place on Friday and Saturday and is open to teams of two with registration at any of the Highland Hiker stores in Highlands or Cashiers. Each team may choose to fish guided or unguided but must stay within the tournament map’s boundaries which include the Chattooga, the Cullasaja, and Nantahala Rivers. Teams are encouraged to fish a native stream, a delayed-harvest stream, and a hatchery-supported stream, and guides are available to hire for any team.
Friday and Saturday evenings, the Ugly Dog Pub and Cyprus International Cuisine will treat team members to the perfect setting for all those tall tales, and some great food and camaraderie too.
“We don’t give cash prizes but have lots of great awards donated by sponsors and vendors, are given for everything from the most fish caught to the best fish tale, even the ugliest fish,” says Festival Chairman Hilary Wilkes. “We also have a spirited live auction and every dollar raised from the auction and team entrance fees goes directly to the scholarship fund.”
The Three River Fly Fishing Festival is open to anglers of all skill levels and registration forms are available at Highland Hiker stores in Highlands and Cashiers. If you have questions or wish to become a sponsor, go by the Hiker and ask for Hilary or email her at [email protected]. Her phone number is (828) 526-0441. You may also find information on their Facebook page, Three River Fly Fishing Festival.
