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Cape Fear River Watch, Inc.
617 Surry St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: (910) 762-5606 |
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2012 Invitational Striper Tournament and Banquet
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THE CAPE FEAR
FISHERY RESTORATION
FOUNDATION IS
WORKING TO RESTORE
THE ONCE BOUNTIFUL
CAPE FEAR RIVER FISHERY
TO ITS FORMER GLORY.
Key Objectives:
- Expedite construction
of rock weirs to allow
striped bass, shad,
river herring & sturgeon
access to historical
spawning grounds.
- Publicize the tremendous
environmental, recreational
and financial benefits
of a healthy fishery
to citizens, businesses,
agencies and other public
and private organizations.
- Recognize individuals,
agencies and officials
whose support moves
this initiative forward.
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HOW CAN I HELP?
- Fish in the 2012 Tournament. A few angler slots are still available. Click here for more information about entry.
- Attend the Kick Off Banquet and Auction at the Coastline Convention Center on Friday, January 13th.
- Become a Sponsor of the Tournament and Banquet. Click here for details.
- Donate an item or a service to the Striper Banquet's Live and Silent Auctions. Click here for a selection of items from 2009's auction. These are just a few examples - be as creative as you are generous.
- Bid on an item or service at the Striper Banquet's Auctions.
- Volunteer at the Tournament or Banquet. These are big events and we need lots of help. Click here to volunteer.
What will you do to help Cape Fear River?
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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 will be catch & release in format:
providing valuable census data to NC Fish & Wildlife
while preserving the excitement of a traditional
weigh-at-the-dock tournament. All caught fish will be tagged before being released. In addition to
recognizing the achievements of the anglers and
captains, the agency or individual that has contributed
the most to Cape Fear fisheries restoration will also
be recognized as a "winner" of the tournament.
Returning to this year's tournament is the Junior Angler contest. As the long term goal of the Fishery Restoration Foundation is to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to fish the river, Cape Fear River Watch is sponsoring an essay contest for young fishermen/women between 12 and 16 years of age. The author of the winning essay (accompanied by an adult chaperone) gains entry to the tournament. In 2009 Dustin Chambers, a student at Isaac Bear Early College High School, thrilled onlookers as he caught, tagged and released a contending striper in view of the dock in the closing minutes of the tournament.
Click here for more information about the Junior Angler program or to enter an essay.
This 4th Annual Cape Fear River Invitational Striper
Tournament is sponsored by Cape Fear River Watch
in partnership with local businesses, organizations,
and individuals. Restoring the fishery to the length of
the river requires a community effort. You don't have
to be fisherman to help and be a part of what will be
North Carolina's greatest ecological success story.
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Young Anglers are invited to compete for a spot in the 2012 StiperFest Catch, Tag and Release Tournament to be held January 14th on the Cape Fear River by submitting an essay! Entry normally costs $1000 and all proceeds go to the preservation of Striped Bass. The winner gains free entry into the tournament and is given a boat and a captain. Striped bass will be tagged and then released. Here are the details:
- Contestants must be in 9th grade up to 12th grade.
- The essay should be between 500 and 1,000 words in length.
- The topic of the essay is "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.
- Entries must be received by 5:00pm, January 6th, 2012.
- Entries will be judged by the Cape Fear River Striper Foundation whose decision will be final.
Click here for more information about the Junior Angler program or to enter an essay.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Captains Banquet and Auction- Friday, January 13, 6-9PM CFRW will host a dinner with live and silent auctions the evening before the tournament. Auction items will include fine art, fine fishing gear, fine vacation packages and more. Tickets are $50 per person.
The Tournament- Saturday, January 14, 9AM-3PM 24 anglers in 12 boats with 12 of the finest fishing guides in the region will set out to see who can catch, tag and release the most and the largest Striped Bass in one day. Join us dockside (next to the Best Western Coastline Inn) at 7AM for a complimentary pancake breakfast as we send the anglers on their way. Tours aboard the fast catamaran Wilmington to see the river and watch some of the fishing action will be available ($15 per person, $25 per person for the special lunch tour)
Educational Activities- Saturday, January 14, 10AM-3PM Speakers and children's activities will run throughout the day by the dock. Bring the family down for fish print painting and more.
Tournament Award Ceremony- Saturday, January 14, 4-6PM CFRW's Board of Directors will host the returning anglers and spectators for appetizers and drinks at the presentation of awards. Who will win? Who will catch the biggest Striper? Who will catch the most? Who will tell the biggest tales?
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