Since I was an early teenager, I had as a goal to fish North Carolina’s Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament on my own boat. I had a chance over the years to be an angler on other people’s boats, and the goal was to fish the tournament on my own boat. I didn’t strive to […]
Offseason Camping at North State
Though nothing worthwhile to hunt is within season, taking the kids to North State is part of the effort to get them comfortable with going hunting during the colder months of deer season. We took friends, four wheelers, and dirt bikes to the camp this spring for some fun in camp, in the pond, and […]
Organized Dog Hunt for Deer at North State
The oldest organized deer hunt in North Carolina is the dog hunt at North State Game Club. Since 1906, the tradition has been carried on in eastern North Carolina. I’m privileged to be a part of this organization and hunt. I took Jane and Wilson on their first hunt at the annual boys and girls […]
Fall Red Drum Surf Fishing at Topsail Island
One of my favorite fishing activities is surf fishing for red drum in the fall at Topsail Island. The air cools down, the water is still warm, the bait are thick in the surf, and the drum schools come into inches of water to feed. I regard surf fishing for drum as a North Carolina […]
Fly Fishing Yellowstone
My first fly fishing trip out west. Went to Gardiner, MT with some experienced fisherman, and we spent several days hiking to parts of Yellowstone National Park to fish. Two days we went with guides, once on wade trip and once on a float trip, and then three days we self-guided. The more experienced fisherman […]
Trolling for Spanish & Blues with Kids
My first exposure to trolling as a kid was pulled Clark spoons on #1 planers for Spanish and Blues outside Beaufort Inlet, NC. Even as an adult, I enjoy the consistency and action of trolling for Spanish and Blues. They are easy to catch and can come in great numbers. A more important characteristic though, […]
Learning to Fly Fish – Foscoe, NC
I’ve grown up fishing in saltwater all of my life. My preferred fishing styles, in order, are the following: When I was invited to head out west for a fly fishing trip in Yellowstone, I was hesitant because I didn’t know how to fly fish, and it seemed to squarely fit into my least favorite […]
False Albacore Fishing at Cape Lookout
World class false albacore fishing occurs each fall at Cape Lookout. Albacore schools arrive near the shore, and when in a feeding frenzy, they demonstrate the ferocity of the albacore blitz. They are sporty game fish, powerful little tunas that rip line off the reel and will put on a long, powerful fight. A friend […]
Horseshoe Canyon – AT Thru-Hike Day 16
I left Shaw’s alone today around 2:00pm. I only had to hike eight miles to the next shelter. The Nerd Herd, as Tim calls them, a group that we met on the trail, left early in the morning for Moxie Bald. Tim and Eric returned to highway 15 to restart their hike. I decided to […]
Kayak Fishing and Camping Lea Island – Coastal NC near Wilmington
Kayaking and fishing around Lea Island, NC is a weekend kayak trip well worth it. Lea Island is a small island, about 3 miles long, and it is uninhabited. On weekends it can get a little crowded on the south and northern ends, but the middle of the island is visited more rarely and allows […]