cfrw.us Blog » boating

Junior Angler wanted for 2nd Annual Striper Tournament

Bill — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:13:17 +0000

Cape Fear River Watch has announced that, as part of its Second Annual Invitational Striper Tournament, it will set aside one entry slot (including boat and guide) for a young fisherman/woman to be selected from entrants to an essay contest. As the tournament is already fully subscribed this is the sole open slot for this year’s tournament. (A waiting list has been established in case space opens up.)

Since the goal of the tournament, and of CFRW’s Cape Fear River Striper Foundation, is the preservation and restoration of the Cape Fear River fishery for generations to come, it is only fitting that the tournament reach out to and include the next generation of anglers.

Junior Anglers (who will be between the ages of 12 and 16 on January 16, the day of the tournament) wishing to fish in the tournament are asked to submit a 500-1,000 word essay on the topic “How a Strong and Healthy Cape Fear River Fishery Will Benefit The Entire Region.” The winning essay will convey the angler’s passion for conservation minded fishing as well as his or her understanding of the special characteristics of the Cape Fear River fishery. Proper spelling and grammar are also strongly encouraged.

Entries may be submitted online at http://www.cfrw.us/striperessay.html until December 17th. The winner will be selected by the board of the Cape Fear River Striper Foundation, whose decision will be final.

The Cape Fear River Watch Invitational Striper Tournament is an annual tournament to celebrate the magnificent striped bass of the Cape Fear River and to raise awareness of the decline of the once bountiful fishery on the river. The fishermen and guides involved with the tournament hope to restore not only striped bass but the total fishery – including shad, river herring, and sturgeon populations as well. The Cape Fear Fishery Restoration Foundation has been established to receive funds and implement the goals of the tournament.

The tournament is held in partnership with NC Fish & Wildlife. All fish caught in the tournament will be tagged, measured and released to be caught again while providing important census data to State fisheries scientists.

Sturgeon Creek

Bill — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:13:19 +0000

Last Saturday’s “Day on the River” celebration in conjunction with the Town of Leland was a resounding success. Threatening clouds earlier in the day made way for light breezes, blue skies and moderate temperatures as more than 75 in every variety of canoe and kayak listened to Rob Maul describe the history and ecology of Sturgeon Creek before paddling their way down the creek to the Brunswick River at Eagles Island before returning on the incoming tide. Some went further, a few turned around earlier, nobody drowned. Nobody even fell out of a boat.

It was a tight fit getting all the boats launched and recovered at the site of Leland’s soon to open Environmental Education Center, but the new small boat ramp proved very kayak friendly (after a few last minute modifications) and the location was certainly beautiful. The crowd grew to over 100 as paddlers and non-paddlers alike enjoyed the music of The Barnraisers as they dug in to the spread provided by Middle of the Island Catering. Thanks to Kemp Burdette and Elise Rocks for organizing the event. More photos from the paddle are available here.

Floating The Length of the River

Bill — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:52:09 +0000

Fans of the Cape Fear River might want to pick up a copy of this month’s Snow’s Cut Monthly and read the article “River Runners.” The article tells the tale of an expedition by 5 teenage boys from Haw River, NC down the length of the Cape Fear in 1958.

The one tale that greatly captivated me was the challenge of floating in a flat-bottom river boat to the Cape Fear River, and then on to the Atlantic Ocean, some 200 miles by water from my home in Haw River. According to the town locals who hung out at the Pure Oil Station, known to some as the Haw River Country Club, there were rumors that a hearty band of men had indeed floated to the Atlantic Ocean back during the mid- ‘20s.

The boys saw the river in all its glory. From the idyllic . . .

A large sand bar had emerged and provided us with this unbelievable swimming hole and camping spot. There is nothing more fun than a dip in the cool waters of the Cape Fear and later feasting on some fried fish cooked on an open fire.

To the more realistic . . .

Around Riglewood,(sic) a pulp mill provided enough stench to keep us awake and the white pollution reflecting the moon’s glow made night navigation possible.

Compare this 1958 summer trip down the river to John Pugh’s 2006 November paddle down the river. Yes, one expedition relied on a 10hp outboard and the other was a paddle powered, and no, Pugh didn’t feel the need to take along a .22 for protection against gators and snakes like his predecessors, but there are more similarities than differences.

ALBERTSON BILL HIGHLIGHTS

Administrator — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 22:11:05 +0000

This bill is working its way through the state Senate
This Bill aims to help North Carolina’s commercial fishermen and increase public access to coastal waters
The Bill includes deep property tax discounts for working waterfronts used by commercial fishermen
The Waterfront Access Study Committee made 27 recommendations but only a handful of the recommendations are included in the bill
The bill would give working waterfronts used by fishermen the same tax breaks already applied to farmland, forest and horticultural areas
The property taxes on fish houses and dock areas would drop significantly because they would be taxed based on their present use, not on their potentially most valuable use
Some fear the tax breaks are too little, too late, since the money that waterfront owners can make from selling to developers dwarfs what they would save on their tax bill
The bill, which still has to be approved by the Senate finance committee and the House, also would modestly increase boat registration and title fees
The new funds generated by these increases could be used to add or improve existing waterfront access sites

BOATING AND POLLUTION

Administrator — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 22:28:57 +0000

Boating and Fishing

Boating and fishing are two of the terrific recreational opportunities we are lucky enough to be able to enjoy so close to home. When you are boating, please help protect our water resources so our children and grandchildren will still be able to enjoy our waters and the many animals that depend on them.

Hang onto your trash.

· Never throw trash overboard. Stow empty bottles, cans, food wrappers, and bait containers until you return to shore.

· Styrofoam and plastic do not break down. Pieces of styrofoam can look like food to animals. If an animal eats styrofoam, it can block their digestion and lead to starvation.

· Retrieve tangled fishing line and take it home—many water birds, sea turtles and other animals die from becoming entangled in fishing line.

· If you stop to enjoy any of the islands along the coastline or in the Cape Fear Estuary, please do not disturb birds or other wildlife and do not leave anything except footprints behind.

Practice responsible boating habits.

· Consider the ocean inhabitants when boating—watch your speed! Sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries from boats.

· Observe “no-wake” zones. Boat wakes can cause erosion along the shore and can stir up sediments.

· Don’t pollute.

Empty sewage into shoreline wastewater facilities.

Fuel-up carefully.

Keep motors tuned to prevent any leaks of fuel or lubricants.

Marina Area–Trash including sytrofoam, glass, and plastic containers floating in the water eventually wind up polluting water somewhere.

Boaters—Do Your Part to Keep Our Waters Pollution-Free Zones!