From Pamlico-Tar River Foundation

 

Budding fisher-folk and transplants to eastern North Carolina expanded their knowledge by learning how to fish the Pamlico at the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation’s sold-out Beginners’ Fishing Clinic Saturday.

Local, experienced fishermen shared the basics of fishing with over 80 men, women and kids in the conference room of the Division of Marine Fisheries in Washington. Kelly Jochim of the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation emceed the affair.

Peter Boettger, author of Fishing the Western Pamlico, presented an illustrated primer on the various types of rods, reels, fishing lines, tackle and bait. Bath resident and long-time fisherman, Mack Simpson, explained where and when to fish and demonstrated the kind of equipment and gear that work well on the Pamlico. The presenters distributed printed materials of their main points for clinic goers to take home.

Pamlico-Tar Foundation Executive Director Harrison Marks reminded the crowd that fishermen have a larger stake in water quality than any other user group.

Kelly Jochim ended the clinic by saying, “Thank you to the Division of Marine Fisheries for being such a wonderful and helpful host, Eastside Bait & Tackle for their donation and providing all the baits displayed and Cotton Patch Landing Marina for the generous raffle items. The clinic was a success, in part because of the amazing community support we received. Now go fish!”

The Beginners’ Fishing Clinic is the Foundation’s fourth foray into teaching local residents how to fish in the Pamlico-Tar.  Persons interested in future workshops should contact the clinic director, Kelly Jochim, of PTRF, at 252-946-7211 to be included on its waiting list or to register for a similar clinic scheduled for March 15 in Tarboro.