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Fly Fishing Festival
Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2017/04 - April
If you want to support the students at Highlands School and have a great time, sign up now for the Three River Fly Fishing Festival, April 27-29. All proceeds go to the Highlands School Scholarship Fund and sponsorships are encouraged as a way to help out our area youth.
Interested in entering a team but don’t know a thing about how to dress or how to cast? Don’t worry, you need not be fully equipped or experienced in the art of fly fishing, this is a festival for novices as well as those who know what they’re doing. You’ll even be able to rent everything you need.
On Thursday, April 27, there will be a casting clinic held at Harris Lake in downtown Highlands. During the clinic, which is free and open to the public, novice fishers will be given casting instructions by experts and more seasoned casters can hone their skills.
Event co-chair Hilary Wilkes explains that it’s not meant to be too serious.
“This is a fun weekend,” he says. “We don’t give cash awards but have lots of great prizes donated by sponsors and vendors for everything from the most fish caught to the best fish tale, even the ugliest fish. The community has really pitched in to keep expenses minimal, and we really appreciate that.”
The fishing will be held 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 either 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.
Think of all the swag you’ll take home and the tall tales you’ll share! The $500 team entry fee covers streamside lunch both days from Mountain Fresh, an opening night reception at Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro, the closing night winners’ dinner at Cyprus International Cuisine, and happy hour at The Ugly Dog Pub.
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.
