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Talking Trout
Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: April 2023
The 2023 Jan Wyatt Symposium focuses on the intricacies of Trout Fishing in Western North Carolina, June 15 at Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley. For tickets or more information, visit cashiershistoricalsociety.org.
The rushing streams and ambling brooks that lace the Plateau are one reason that this corner of the Southern Appalachians is a natural fly-fishing destination. It’s why pros Matt Canter and Chris Wilkes write columns in this magazine. And there’s an article in this Issue devoted to the fishing opportunities at Lake Toxaway. That’s why it shouldn’t be a surprise that the topic of this year’s Cashiers Historical Society’s Jan Wyatt Symposium is “Talking Trout: The History and Evolution of Native Trout & Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina.” The symposium’s set for 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Thursday, June 15, at Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley. Sponsored by McKee Properties, Brookings Anglers, and Lonesome Valley, it’ll benefit the Cashiers Historical Society. Speakers include friend-of-The-Laurel Canter, who’s the co-owner of Brookings Anglers in Cashiers and Highlands; Sally Jennings Hudson of the Jennings family from Lonesome Valley and founder of Sunburst Trout Fish Hatchery; researcher Dennis Chastain, who has found evidence that our native brook trout species might have been established because of the efforts of Wade Hampton III bringing specimens across the Continental Divide to Cashiers Valley; and outdoorsman Herman Walker, who will dive deep into our native trout species, their habitat requirements, and the history of fly fishing. The afternoon will consist of six tents with activities for the participants to visit – Fly Fishing Exhibit; Casting Lessons with Brookings Guides; Bamboo Rods with John Hollifield; and City Lights with Chris Wilcox. by Luke Osteen
