[GENTLE ORCHESTRAL FANFARE] - YEAH, I'LL JUST GET IN THE VAN AND DRIVE ON DOWN TO CHEROKEE AND STICK THE NET OUT.

AND RIGHT BEFORE THAT FISH HITS THE OCONALUFTEE, I'LL NET IT.

HOW'S THAT?

- YOU MAY HAVE TO.

NAH, I THINK HE'S ABOUT READY TO GIVE UP.

- NICE FISH, THOUGH.

NICE FISH.

- OH, YEAH.

- NICE FISH.

- THAT'S WHAT I CAME TO DO.

COME ON IN HERE, BUDDY.

- NICE AND DAMP HERE.

JUST-- JUST SCOOTIN' ON IN.

- COME ON IN, BUDDY.

AH, GOOD NET.

- PRETTY FISH.

- GOOD NET.

YES, SIR.

- PRETTY FISH.

GOOD JOB, STEVE.

- WELL, GOOD JOB OF NETTING, THERE, ROBERT.

- LOOK AT THAT RAINBOW.

- I APPRECIATE IT.

- WHAT A PRETTY FISH.

- LOVELY, LOVELY.

- YOU WANT TO LET HIM GO?

- OH, YEAH.

LET'S LET HIM GET BACK IN THERE AND GROW ABOUT TWICE THAT SIZE.

I'VE SEEN SOME FISH IN HERE TWICE THAT SIZE.

- [laughs] GOOD JOB, FELLA.

- OH, THANK YOU.

- IT WAS FUN.

IT WAS FUN.

WAY TO PLAY 'EM.

- I APPRECIATE THAT GOOD NET.

ALL RIGHT, IT'S YOUR TURN.

- [ANNOUNCER] THE PRODUCTION OF CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER] WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA MAGAZINE.

NCWILDLIFE.ORG/WINC.

- [MALE ANNOUNCER] AND BY EZ BAIT & TACKLE, FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND ADVICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT & TACKLE.

[light instrumental music] ♪ - HELLO, WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM IS GONNA TAKE US TO THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA.

AND, JOE, WE'RE GONNA BE UP IN THE CHEROKEE AREA ON A VERY SPECIAL STREAM TODAY.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S ON THE CHEROKEE RESERVATION.

IT'S A NEW STREAM THEY RECENTLY OPENED UP TO CATCH-AND-RELEASE TROPHY FISHING FOR RAINBOWS AND BROWNS.

THEY'VE GOT-- AND BROOKIES TOO.

TODAY WE'RE CATCHING PRIMARILY RAINBOWS AND SOME GOOD SIZE.

THEY'VE GOT SOME RAINBOWS IN THE STREAM UP TO 6, 7 POUNDS.

A REALLY PRETTY STREAM, NICE HABITAT.

JUST HAD A GREAT DAY, CAUGHT A LOT OF FISH.

- NOW, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CATCHING A LOT OF FISH, WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT WE USED IN GEAR TIME TODAY.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

THE GUYS WILL TALK ABOUT THE FLIES THAT THEY USED TODAY THAT WERE SUCCESSFUL.

AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, YOU TRY TO MATCH THE HATCH, WHAT'S GOING ON ON ANY STREAM IN THE MOUNTAINS.

THAT MAKES THE FISHING A LOT BETTER.

BUT THEY'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN GEAR TIME.

- AND DONNA'S RECIPE TODAY IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES: FRIED VEGETABLES.

THIS IS GONNA BE A GOOD ONE.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT SHE USUALLY DOES.

USUALLY WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, GAME OR FISH.

BUT THIS IS STRICTLY VEGETABLES, AND IT'S GOOD FOR YOU.

- WELL, WE GOT A LOT GOING ON TODAY RIGHT HERE ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- ROBERT, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU INVITING ME UP HERE TO FISH WITH YOU TODAY.

I KNOW I'VE READ A LITTLE OF YOUR ARTICLES THAT YOU'VE DONE ON THIS PIECE OF WATER HERE, WHICH IS REALLY A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR A LOT OF FISHERMEN.

AND THIS HAS BEEN OPEN ACTUALLY UNDER A YEAR NOW.

- RIGHT.

- AND ANYWAY, TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY.

- YEAH, THE TRIBE HAS ALWAYS-- YEARS, HAS HAD THE CATCH AND KEEP.

YOU KNOW, YOU PAY YOUR PERMIT, AND YOU GET TO CATCH THE FISH AND KEEP 'EM.

NOW, THOUGH, SINCE LAST-- LAST OCTOBER, THEY CAME IN WITH THE IDEA OF 2 1/2 MILES OF CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY.

AND THE THING ABOUT IT IS, NOT ONLY ARE SMALL FISH IN HERE, THERE ARE LARGE FISH IN HERE, BECAUSE WHEN YOU PUT 'EM BACK, THEY GET A CHANCE TO GROW.

SO IT'S BEEN UNIQUE.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY-- I KNOW IN THE SOUTH, BECAUSE PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER-- WHERE YOU CAN COME AND GET A CHANCE AT A 5- AND 6-POUND TROUT ON, IN A WAY, PUBLIC WATER.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A-- GO GET YOUR PERMIT UP HERE AT THE RESERVATION TO FISH, BUT ANYBODY CAN DO IT, AT A VERY REASONABLE COST TOO, YOU KNOW.

- SOUNDS REASONABLE TO ME.

I TELL YOU PARTICULARLY WHAT SOUNDS GOOD IS THE SIZE OF THE FISH.

I AM REALLY ANXIOUS TO CATCH SOME OF THESE BIG GUYS.

- WELL, I'M READY.

LET'S GO DO IT.

- AFTER YOU.

- I TELL YOU WHAT LET'S DO, YOU...

SINCE YOU'RE THE GUEST, WE'LL LET YOU CATCH THE FISH.

I'LL DO THE NET.

NOW, YOU CAN SEE THE RUN RIGHT UP HERE, THE HOLE IN HERE SHALLOWS OUT HERE.

AND THEY SHOULD BE, YOU KNOW-- SEE THE WHITE WATER RIGHT THERE?

IT BREAKS A LITTLE BIT AND COMES UP THERE WHERE IT'S A LITTLE FASTER.

THEY SHOULD BE HOLDING RIGHT IN THROUGH HERE.

THEY OUGHT TO BE.

IN FACT, I'M SO CONFIDENT, BUDDY, I'VE GOT MY NET READY.

GO GET 'EM, STEVE.

- WELL, I HOPE I DON'T DISAPPOINT YOU.

- GO GET 'EM, BUDDY.

YOU CAN DO IT.

- ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA CATCH ONE FISH, AND THEN YOU'RE GONNA CATCH ONE, OKAY?

- I LIKE THE WAY YOU TALK.

I LIKE THE WAY YOU TALK.

- IF I CAN GET OUT OF THESE BUSHES HERE, I'LL SEE IF I CAN CATCH ONE.

- BOY, IT IS A BEAUTIFUL TIME OF YEAR, THOUGH, ISN'T IT?

THIS IS NICE.

THIS IS NICE.

- WONDERFUL.

YOU COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER DAY.

THE WATER IS REALLY GOING.

I'M STILL NOT SURE WE'RE GETTING DOWN THERE FAR ENOUGH IN THIS DEEP WATER.

BUT WE KNOW THE FISH ARE THERE, IF WE CAN JUST GET ONE TO TAKE IT.

THAT'S WHAT WE CAME FOR RIGHT THERE.

- MY TROUT-RECOGNIZING SKILLS SAY THAT IS A RAINBOW.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

- I THINK THAT'S A JUMPING RAINBOW IS WHAT I THINK.

- A JUMPING RAINBOW.

- AH, HE'S BEAUTIFUL.

- GOOD JOB, GOOD JOB.

- OKAY.

- GOOD JOB.

ALL RIGHT, BUDDY, I AM READY WITH THE NET.

- WELL, I'M GONNA GIVE HIM-- - THE NET'S OUT.

YEAH, HEY, I'D LET THAT ONE FIGHT A LITTLE BIT IF WE CAN KEEP IT AWAY FROM OUR LEGS.

- HE'S GOT SOME PRETTY GOOD SHOULDERS ON HIM, AND I'M GONNA LET HIM WEAR THEM SHOULDERS DOWN FOR JUST A MINUTE.

OOH.

- WELL, THERE YOU GO.

DON'T YOU HATE THAT SOUND?

- OH, MAN, I TELL YOU, THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL SOUND.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

- [laughs] THAT'S WHAT YOU LIVE FOR.

YES, SIR.

- COME ON, BUDDY.

- NICE RAINBOW.

- OOH, I TELL YOU, HE-- AMAZING FIRE.

- YEAH, YOU DON'T WANT TO USE-- THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO USE LIGHT TACKLE.

IT REALLY ISN'T.

I MEAN, YOU...

I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT AT CAROLINA STREAMS, A FOUR--IF YOU NEED ONE ROD FOR A PERFECT ROD, A FOUR IS FINE, BUT HERE-- HERE YOU CAN USE A FIVE.

- MOST DEFINITELY.

- YOU CAN USE A FIVE.

- OR BIGGER.

- OR BIGGER.

RIGHT.

EXACTLY.

YEAH, I'LL JUST GET IN THE VAN AND DRIVE ON DOWN TO CHEROKEE AND STICK THE NET OUT.

AND RIGHT BEFORE THAT FISH HITS THE OCONALUFTEE, I'LL NET IT.

HOW'S THAT?

- YOU MAY HAVE TO.

NAH, I THINK HE'S ABOUT READY TO GIVE UP.

- NICE FISH, THOUGH.

NICE FISH.

- OH, YEAH.

- NICE FISH.

- THAT'S WHAT I CAME TO DO.

COME ON IN HERE, BUDDY.

- NICE AND DAMP HERE.

JUST-- JUST SCOOTIN' ON IN.

- COME ON IN, BUDDY.

AH, GOOD NET.

- PRETTY FISH.

- GOOD NET.

- YES, SIR.

- PRETTY FISH.

GOOD JOB, STEVE.

- WELL, GOOD JOB OF NETTING, THERE, ROBERT.

- LOOK AT THAT RAINBOW.

- I APPRECIATE IT.

- WHAT A PRETTY FISH.

- LOVELY, LOVELY.

- YOU WANT TO LET HIM GO?

- OH, YEAH.

LET'S LET HIM GET BACK IN THERE AND GROW ABOUT TWICE THAT SIZE.

I'VE SEEN SOME FISH IN HERE TWICE THAT SIZE.

- [laughs] GOOD JOB, FELLA.

- OH, THANK YOU.

- IT WAS FUN.

IT WAS FUN.

WAY TO PLAY 'EM.

- I APPRECIATE THAT GOOD NET.

ALL RIGHT, IT'S YOUR TURN.

- GLAD TO DO IT.

WELL, I, YOU KNOW... - NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO CATCH ONE.

I'LL BE THE NET MAN.

- WELL, I HAD A-- I HAD A GOOD FIGHT WITH THAT LAUREL I HOOKED A WHILE AGO.

THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD FIGHT.

- NOW, HANG IN THERE.

YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

YOU'RE GETTING IT RIGHT ON THE BOTTOM, AND THAT'S WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

- COME ON, FISH.

- I HAVEN'T GOT A GOOD LOOK AT HIM YET, BUT HE SURE IS BENDIN' THAT ROD.

OOH, MAN, GOOD-- OOH.

THAT'S THE FISH OF THE DAY.

- HELLO, FISH.

HELLO, FISH.

- THAT IS THE FISH OF THE DAY.

- HELLO, FISH.

- MAN, WHAT A FISH.

- GOLLY.

[laughing] GEE.

- YEAH, YOU BETTER GET THAT FISH ON THE ROD AND LET HIM HAVE A LITTLE DRAG.

- DOES THIS FISH KNOW IT'S HOOKED YET?

OH, MAN.

HOW ABOUT A JUMP?

[laughter] - I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THAT FISH WILL FIT IN THIS NET OR NOT, ROBERT.

- OH, MAN, OH, MAN, OH, MAN.

- HAVE YOU GOT A BIGGER NET IN YOUR BACK POCKET SOMEWHERE?

- OH, YEAH, RIGHT.

[laughter] YEAH, SURE.

- I'M GONNA PUT THIS ROD DOWN.

YOU HOLD ONTO THAT FISH.

I MAY HAVE TO TWO-HAND THIS BABY.

- OH, MY GOSH.

WHAT A BEAUTY.

LOOK AT THAT.

I'LL HOP OUT THERE IN MIDSTREAM... - YEAH, RIGHT.

- AND I WILL SWING HIM BY YOU, BUDDY, 'CAUSE RIGHT NOW, RIGHT NOW, STEVE, THIS GUY IS DOING WHAT HE WANTS TO DO.

- WELL, YOU'RE GETTING HIM OVER HERE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, ANYWAY.

- I JUST DON'T WANT HIM TO SEE ME AND GET MAD AND ATTACK ME, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

- LET'S SEE IF WE CAN SNEAK UP ON HIM.

- I SUPPOSE THAT'S WHAT IT'S GONNA TAKE TO GET HIM IN THE NET.

- LET'S GET HIM IN THE NET HERE.

- COME ON, STAY UP.

STAY UP.

GEE WHIZ.

STAY UP, STAY UP, STAY UP.

DROP THAT BABY IN.

STAY UP, STAY UP, STAY UP, STAY UP, STAY UP.

OH, MY GOSH!

[laughter] - I DON'T THINK HE'S GONNA STAY IN THERE, JUST TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

- HOLY COW.

- THAT'S A 4-POUND FISH.

- OH, MAN, I'LL TELL YOU, STEVE, THAT'S NICE.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST-- THAT'S THE BIGGEST TROUT I'VE EVER CAUGHT IN... WELL, IT'S THE BIGGEST TROUT OTHER THAN A STEELHEAD.

THAT'S STEELHEAD SIZE.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT THING.

- HE'S STILL GOT A LOT OF FIGHT LEFT IN HIM TOO.

- I KNOW.

WOW.

- OH, YEAH.

- OH, YEAH, THAT WAS FUN.

OH, THAT WAS FUN.

- OH, MAN, GOOD JOB.

- THAT WAS FUN.

- GOOD JOB.

I TELL YOU, THAT'S--THAT'S AMAZING TO GET THAT SIZE OF FISH FROM OVER THAT SIDE OF THE CREEK TO THIS SIDE OF THE CREEK AND PUT HIM IN THE NET.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

YOU DID WELL.

- WELL, THANK YOU.

YEAH, BECAUSE HE WAS RIGHT THERE RIGHT WHERE YOU SAID HE WAS, REALLY.

NICE-LOOKING FISH.

- OOH, HE'S PUTTING UP A REALLY NICE FIGHT.

- NICE-LOOKING FISH.

- A VERY NICE FIGHT.

- ARE YOU PLAYING WITH HIM, OR HE'S JUST THAT STRONG?

- AH, BELIEVE ME, HE'S GOT CONTROL RIGHT NOW.

- HE WAS RIGHT IN THAT CALM WATER ON THE OTHER SIDE, WASN'T HE?

- YEP, RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THAT FAST WATER, RIGHT WHERE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

- YUP, YUP, YUP.

- OKAY.

- ALL RIGHT, FELLA.

WHERE'D HE GO?

- YEAH, I THINK I'M GONNA HAVE TO LET HIM WEAR DOWN ANOTHER LITTLE WHILE HERE BEFORE HE'S GOING TO COME TO THE NET.

OOH, MAN.

- THEY DO HAVE SOME STRENGTH, DON'T THEY?

I TELL YOU, THIS-- WELL, THIS MOVING WATER LIKE THIS, IT'S JUST...

I MEAN, WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MAKES, YOU KNOW?

- I TELL YOU, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU CAN HAVE A BETTER EXPERIENCE IN ANY STREAM OUT WEST THAN WHAT YOU CAN HAVE RIGHT HERE.

- NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

I DON'T THINK SO.

- I'M GONNA TRY TO GET HIM OVER HERE ON THIS SIDE OF THE CREEK.

- YEAH.

[laughs] YEAH.

MY ARMS AREN'T QUITE THAT LONG, SO YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO.

YEAH, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO.

I DIDN'T BRING MY STEELHEAD NET HERE.

- OKAY, HERE WE GO.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET HIM ON THIS SIDE.

- PRETTY FISH.

THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL FISH.

THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL FISH.

- GOSH.

HE'S HEAVY.

HE IS A HEAVY FISH.

- YEAH, YEAH.

- COME ON, BUDDY.

ALL WE WANT TO DO IS GET THAT HOOK OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.

- IT'D MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR YOU.

BOY, OH, BOY.

- OKAY, MAYBE HE'S ABOUT READY HERE.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET HIM UP THERE CLOSE TO THE NET.

- BRING HIM UP A LITTLE BIT.

BRING HIM UP A LITTLE BIT.

- OKAY, THERE WE GO.

- OH, NICE FISH.

- OOP, YUP, THERE WE GO.

OKAY.

- YEAH, PRETTY FISH.

- OKAY.

I THINK I GOT YOUR... - [speaking incoherently] THANK YOU.

- THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

GOT HIM OUT.

MAN, THAT IS A HOSS.

I LOVE IT.

- PRETTY FISH.

LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK AT THAT.

- LOVE IT.

- NOW SAY BYE-BYE.

[laughs] THAT'S A NICE ONE.

- GO BACK IN AND MAKE ANOTHER FISHERMAN HAPPY.

- THAT IS A NICE FISH.

LET'S GET-- COME ON, CLOSE THE MOUTH THERE.

CLOSE THE MOUTH.

AND AWAY HE GOES.

- OH, YEAH, HE'S PLENTY-- HE'S PLENTY HEALTHY.

- GOOD JOB.

GOOD JOB.

- THANK YOU.

- YOU CAUGHT HIM RIGHT THERE.

- YUP, RIGHT ON THAT EDGE.

- OKAY, ROBERT.

- NOT QUITE--NOT QUITE THE SIZE OF THE OTHER ONE.

- GOOD JOB.

- BUT IT'S A FISH.

- THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD FISH.

- FINALLY PULLED ONE OUT OF THERE, YOU KNOW.

- YEAH, I TELL YOU.

- THAT TOOK AWHILE.

- THAT FISH IS A LITTLE BIGGER THAN YOU THINK HE IS.

- IT TOOK AWHILE.

- IT SURE IS ACTING LIKE IT.

- YEAH, IT'S NO BABY.

- OH, NO.

THAT'S A GOOD TROUT.

- THE STRENGTH--THE STRENGTH IS WHAT JUST AMAZES ME.

I MEAN-- - A VERY GOOD TROUT.

- THE STRENGTH JUST AMAZES ME.

LOOK IT.

LOOK AT THAT, LOOK AT THAT.

HE HIT THAT LITTLE YELLOW WOOLLY BURGER.

- YOU GONNA NEED SOME HELP WITH HIM, ROBERT?

- I THINK-- YOU KNOW, IF CAN GET THE...

FAMOUS LAST WORDS, BUT I THINK, I THINK WE CAN GET THIS ONE.

COME HERE, SPORT.

SCOOT UP HERE, AND IN WE GO.

THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

CUTE LITTLE THING.

- GOOD JOB.

- WELL, THEY'RE ALL PRETTY, YOU KNOW.

THEY'RE ALL PRETTY.

LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK AT THE COLOR ON THAT THING.

- DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THE RED?

- BEAUTY, ISN'T SHE?

- YEAH.

- LOVELY COLOR.

BEAUTIFUL FISH.

- GOOD JOB.

- BOY.

- WELL, YOU'VE TAUGHT ME SOMETHING THERE, ROBERT.

I NEVER WOULD HAVE BELIEVED YOU WOULD'VE CAUGHT SOMETHING ON THAT YELLOW FLY.

- [laughs] WELL...

THEY SEE IT AND, UH... NOW I'M WITH YOU.

NORMALLY, I'D-- NORMALLY, I'D USE THE OLIVE ONE.

BUT YOU KNOW, I TRIED IT, AND I WASN'T-- I WASN'T GETTING THE HITS, SO WHEN THAT ISN'T WORKING, TRY SOMETHING ELSE.

- YOU'VE MADE A BELIEVER OUT OF ME.

- DO YOU NEED THE NET GUY SHOULD DROP BY?

- I THINK THIS ONE'S PROBABLY GONNA REQUIRE A NET.

- YOU NEED THE NET GUY.

ALL RIGHT.

THAT NET GUY IS ON HIS WAY.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

I DON'T MIND.

I'M NOT HOOKED UP YET.

GO AHEAD.

CATCH FISH.

- I DON'T THINK HE'S GONNA-- - HUH?

- I DON'T THINK HE'S GONNA BEAT YOUR BIG FISH FOR THE DAY, BUT HE'S A GOOD ONE.

OH, YEAH.

- DON'T-- [laughs] THAT STONE FLY TOOK AWHILE FOR HIM TO FIND THAT.

DIDN'T IT?

WHAT WAS THAT, THE FIRST CAST?

- NO, I THINK IT WAS THE SECOND, ACTUALLY.

- OH, SORRY.

[laughter] GEE, I HATE TO HEAR IT, THERE, GUY.

YOU'RE BREAKING MY HEART, STEVE.

- OH, MAN.

MM.

- I TELL YOU, THE STRENGTH IS SOMETHING ELSE, ISN'T IT?

- IT'S WONDERFUL.

- THE STRENGTH IS SOMETHING ELSE.

- I LOVE IT - IT'S SO MUCH FUN TO GET A FISH THAT'S GOT THAT-- LOOK AT THAT.

- OH, HE'S GOT THE CURRENT WORKING IN HIS FAVOR NOW.

IF I CAN GET HIM ON THIS SIDE OF THE CREEK... - I SHOULD HAVE STAYED THERE.

YOU COULD'VE SWUNG HIM BY ME.

- ALL RIGHT, I GOT HIM BACK ON THIS SIDE OF THE CREEK.

I'M GONNA SEE IF I CAN KEEP HIM OVER HERE.

I TELL YOU, IF HE GETS IN THAT SWIFT WATER, HE'S GONNA TAKE ME DOWNSTREAM.

- I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

HE BETTER GET BACK ON THIS SIDE OF THE CREEK, 'CAUSE I'M NOT GOING THE OTHER SIDE.

- AND I GOT THIS BUSH HERE ABOVE ME TO CONTEND WITH.

- HE KEEPS TAKING DRAG OUT.

IT KIND OF CAUSES A PROBLEM, DOESN'T IT?

LOOK AT THAT THING FIGHT.

LOOK AT THAT FISH GO.

MAN, OH, MAN, OH, MAN.

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL ONE.

- YEAH.

BIG OLD RAINBOW.

- OH, THE COLORS OF THAT FISH.

LOOK AT THE COLOR OF THAT FISH.

- OKAY, I'M GONNA TRY TO GET HIM UP HERE CLOSE TO YOUR NET THROUGH THIS BUSH.

- YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB.

JUST LET IT WORK ON DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WE'RE PLAYING FOOTSIES HERE ON THE BOTTOM.

- LET ME... [laughs] ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.

I'M GONNA TRY TO GET HIM UP THERE.

- OKAY.

LOOKIT THAT.

BOY, THIS IS A BEAUTY.

- ALL RIGHT.

HERE WE GO.

- THIS IS A BEAUTY.

YOU ALL SEE THAT?

THEY KNOW WHAT THAT NET IS.

THEY KNOW... GOLLY.

COME ON, FELLA.

THEY KNOW THEY DON'T WANT IT.

I'M GOIN' SWIMMING IN A MINUTE.

- THIS IS ABOUT AS GOOD AS I CAN DO, ROBERT.

I'M HUNG UP IN THE BUSH.

- THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

HERE WE GO.

GEE.

- OKAY.

- NO WONDER THAT THING WAS A PROBLEM.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THE FISH.

- THAT LOOKS LIKE A STREAM-BRED FISH THERE.

- IT REALLY DOES.

BEAUTIFUL FISH.

- I DON'T KNOW WHETHER HE IS OR NOT, BUT HE SURE LOOKS LIKE IT.

- BEAUTIFUL.

LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK AT THE COLORS.

LOOK AT THE COLORS.

- THAT'S AS PRETTY A RAINBOW AS YOU'LL FIND ANYWHERE IN THIS COUNTRY.

- I KNOW.

I MEAN, LOOK AT THAT.

GOLLY.

- LOVELY FISH.

- OH, MAN.

GOOD JOB.

WHAT A BEAUTY.

WHAT A BEAUTY.

LOOK AT THE FIGHT-- YEAH, THAT THING IS, YOU KNOW, THAT FISH IS NOT VERY WORN OUT.

- HE'S STILL GOT PLENTY OF SPUNK LEFT IN HIM.

LET'S LET HIM GO, OKAY?

- WHAT A BEAUTY.

WHAT A BEAUTY.

GOOD JOB, FELLA.

COME ON.

THERE WE GO.

- YEAH, OH, YEAH.

HE'S GOT PLENTY OF SPUNK.

- GOOD JOB.

- THANK YOU, MAN.

- JOE, WE HAD A GOOD DAY OF FISHING, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW EFFECTIVE THAT CATCH AND RELEASE PROGRAM IS.

- YEAH, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY STARTED WITH THE INTENTION OF REALLY OFFERING QUALITY, THE OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH A TROPHY FISH, WHICH IS CERTAINLY THERE.

IT IS A PERMIT SYSTEM, SO YOU HAVE TO GO IN AND GET A PERMIT TO FISH IT.

BUT I THINK THE FUTURE REALLY IS GOOD FOR THAT UP THERE.

WE'VE GOT TROPHY STREAMS THROUGHOUT THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA, BUT ON THE RESERVATION, THEY REALLY PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO IT.

AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO EXPAND IT, SO HOPEFULLY, IN THE YEARS TO COME, THERE'LL BE EVEN MORE STREAM TO FISH.

BUT JUST A GREAT, QUALITY FLY-FISHING EXPERIENCE.

- AND FLY-FISHING IS-- AS WE'VE SAID BEFORE, IT IS AN ART.

LET'S FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT WE USED THIS PARTICULAR DAY.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - WELL, ROBERT, THANKS AGAIN FOR INVITING ME OVER HERE TODAY.

I TELL YOU, IT'S BEEN A GREAT DAY.

WE'VE CAUGHT SOME BEAUTIFUL FISH TODAY, SOME OF THE BEST FISH THAT YOU'LL FIND ANYWHERE IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STRATEGY WE USED TODAY TO DO THAT.

- STEVE, HOW CAN YOU COME TO A PLACE LIKE THIS AND NOT HAVE A GREAT DAY?

- IT'S BEAUTIFUL, ISN'T IT, REALLY?

- WELL, WE KNEW THE WATER WAS FLOWING.

IT HAD RAINED.

WATER'S GOING FAST.

SO WE'VE GOT TO PUT SOME WEIGHT ON AND GET THE FLIES DOWN TO WHERE THE FISH ARE.

AND YOU SAID THAT POOL HERE YOU FIGURED WAS AROUND 7, 8 FEET DEEP.

WE'VE BEEN FISHING POOLS THAT ARE ANYWHERE FROM 4 FEET DOWN.

SO WE'VE HAD TO USE RODS THAT ARE STOUTER THAN I NORMALLY USE IN A CAROLINA STREAM, BUT WE'VE CAUGHT SOME FISH THAT ARE BIGGER THAN WE WOULD NORMALLY CATCH IN A REGULAR NORTH CAROLINA STREAM.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT THE IDEAS YOU HAD ON CHANGING THE FLIES, 'CAUSE YOU PUT ME ON SOME GOOD ONES THAT I DON'T NORMALLY USE.

- WELL, OBVIOUSLY, WE LEARNED REAL QUICK WE WAS GONNA HAVE TO GET DOWN, AND WE HAD TO GET SOMETHING BIG THAT THE FISH COULD REALLY PICK OUT.

SO WE STARTED WITH STREAMERS, OR I DID.

I STARTED WITH A STREAMER, AND I KNOW YOU STARTED WITH A LARGE NYMPH, THE EGG PATTERN AND SO FORTH, AND WE CAUGHT SOME FISH.

BUT PROBABLY THE BEST FLY NYMPH FOR THE DAY, FOR ME ANYWAY, WAS THE STONE FLY, THE LARGE STONE FLY.

BUT WE HAD TO GET A LOT OF WEIGHT TO GET 'EM DOWN THERE, BOUNCE IT OFF THE BOTTOM, AND BASICALLY HIT THE FISH IN THE HEAD WITH THE NYMPHS.

SO IF YOU COULD DO THAT MORE, I TELL YOU, YOU COULD CATCH SOME NICE FISH.

- THE FORCE OF THIS WATER AND THOSE FISH IS JUST SOMETHING ELSE.

I'M AMAZED AT THE STRENGTH OF THE FISH.

- THEY WERE JUMPERS.

- YEAH, THEY'RE JUMPERS.

- MM-HMM.

- IT WAS FUN, JUST FUN.

- WELL, THANKS AGAIN.

I APPRECIATE IT, AND I HOPE WE CAN DO THIS AGAIN SOMETIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

- LET'S DO IT, BUDDY.

- THANKS, ROBERT.

APPRECIATE IT.

- ENJOY.

- WE HOPE YOU CAN USE THAT INFORMATION ON YOUR NEXT FISHING OUTING.

NOW LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.

SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN, AND SHE'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY FOR FRIED VEGGIES.

[light instrumental music] ♪ ♪ - HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE GONNA FRY SOME VEGETABLES.

AND WE'RE GONNA USE OUR PORK BREADER TODAY TO FRY THOSE VEGETABLES.

IT'S GONNA ADD LOTS OF GREAT FLAVORS TO IT, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT TO ADD, AND THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF INGREDIENTS, WHICH IS GREAT AS WELL.

YOU CAN USE GREAT VEGETABLES OUT OF YOUR GARDEN OR OUT OF THE GROCERY.

WE'RE GONNA FRY A VARIETY OF THINGS TODAY.

YOU CAN USE--IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN USE YOUR DEEP FRYER.

MINE I DON'T THINK IS WORKING THAT WELL, SO IT'S NOT GETTING AS HOT AS IT NEEDS TO, SO...

WHICH, YOU KNOW, WOULD MAKE MY VEGETABLES GREASY, WHICH IS NOT WHAT I WANT.

SO I'M GONNA USE MY PAN, AND I'VE JUST ADDED ENOUGH OIL TO GIVE IT ABOUT 1/2 INCH FULL OF OIL IN THERE.

AND I'VE GOT IT NICE AND HOT.

I WANT IT TO BE ABOUT 375 TO 400 DEGREES.

SO I'M GONNA TAKE MY BREADER, AND I'M JUST GONNA USE ONE OF THE PACKETS, A PACKET, AND PUT IT ON MY WAX PAPER.

AND THEN I AM GOING TO GET MY VEGETABLES READY.

AND I AM USING JUST SOME SQUASH, SOME ZUCCHINI.

YOU CAN DO MUSHROOMS.

YOU CAN DO ONION RINGS, WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF WHEN THEY'RE FRYING.

AND THEN I'M ALSO GONNA DO SWEET POTATOES, 'CAUSE SWEET POTATOES ARE SO YUMMY, AND THEY HAVE LOTS OF VITAMINS, AND THEY'RE JUST REALLY YUMMY AND SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

AND WITH THE BREADER, YOU'RE GONNA GET A NICE LIGHT COATING, BUT IT'S NOT GONNA BE TOO HEAVY, SO YOU'RE GONNA ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO TASTE THE VEGETABLES.

SO WE'RE GONNA JUST HAVE OUR BREADER HERE.

AND WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR VEGETABLES.

WE'RE GONNA DO SOME SQUASH RIGHT NOW, AND WE'RE GONNA PLACE THAT IN SOME WATER, AND JUST TO MOISTEN UP YOUR VEGGIES, AND THEN PLACE IT IN OUR BREADER.

AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO COAT THIS LIGHTLY.

YOU CAN DO THIS IN A ZIPPY BAG IF YOU WANT TO OR IN A PAPER BAG FOR EASY-- OR YOU CAN USE A BOWL IF YOU WANT TO, HOWEVER YOU LIKE IT.

I LIKE TO DO EASY CLEANUP 'CAUSE I DON'T LIKE TO CLEAN UP IN THE HOUSE.

SO...AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA MAKE SURE OUR OIL IS READY.

AND YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE JUST GONNA GET SOME NICE BUBBLES GOING HERE.

AND WE'RE READY TO GO.

WE'RE JUST GONNA COOK THOSE FOR A COUPLE MINUTES.

AND IF YOU ARE USING A DEEP FRYER, YOU WILL SUBMERGE THESE, BUT I JUST KIND OF SHAKE MY PAN A LITTLE BIT, AND YOU'LL BE FINE.

YOU CAN PUT A LITTLE MORE OIL IF YOU WANT.

BUT YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE-- IN BETWEEN BATCHES, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR OIL HEATS BACK UP TO THE PROPER TEMPERATURE, OR YOU WON'T GET THAT NICE CRISPNESS ON THE OUTSIDE.

AND WE'RE GONNA DO SOME SWEET POTATOES.

THESE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS AT OUR HOUSE.

AND YOU CAN DO THE SWEET POTATOES WITH OTHER BREADINGS TOO.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THEM SAVORY, YOU CAN USE THE PORK BREADER, OR YOU CAN USE SEAFOOD BREADER TOO, IF YOU WOULD LIKE, WHICH WOULD BE YUMMY AS WELL.

AND THESE ARE JUST GREAT ACCOMPANYING DISHES, YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT YOU CAN JUST PUT ON A PLATE.

THEY'D BE GREAT WITH SOME FISH SANDWICHES OR--WHOOP-- OR A VENISON BURGER TOO.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA COOK THOSE UNTIL THEY'RE GOLDEN BROWN, AND I WOULD DRAIN THEM ON A PAPER TOWEL AND THEN SERVE THEM IMMEDIATELY.

AND IF THEY DO GO A LITTLE BIT LIMP ON YOU, YOU CAN JUST POP 'EM ON A COOKIE SHEET UNDERNEATH THE BROILER AND CRISP THEM BACK UP.

SO LET'S SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE.

I'VE GOT MY SWEET POTATOES, MY SQUASH AND ZUCCHINIS AND SOME ONION RINGS.

AND YOU CAN SEE, IT GETS NICE AND TENDER ON THE INSIDE, BUT YOU GET THIS NICE CRUNCH ON THE OUTSIDE.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE FRIED VEGETABLES.

JUST EXPERIMENT AND SEE WHAT YOU COME UP WITH.

AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY 'EM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.

- THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DONNA.

ANOTHER GREAT RECIPE.

JOE, I WANT TO GO BACK.

YOU MENTIONED THE FACT THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO EXPAND THIS PROGRAM.

- RIGHT, THEY'RE LOOKING AT EXPANDING THE LENGTH OF THIS PARTICULAR STREAM, THE DISTANCE THAT YOU CAN FISH LIKE THIS AND HAVE IT CONTROLLED.

AND THE GENTLEMAN THAT'S IN CHARGE OF THE FISHERIES UP THERE HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH STOCKING AND TROUT OUT WEST, UP IN ALASKA.

AND SO HE'S GOT A REAL KEEN KNOWLEDGE OF HOW A REALLY QUALITY OPERATION SHOULD BE RUN.

AND FROM WHAT WE EXPERIENCED, I THINK THEY'RE WELL ON THE WAY TO DOING THAT.

- AND CATCH AND RELEASE IS THE WAY TO GO?

- ABSOLUTELY.

- WELL, ANOTHER GREAT DAY OF FISHING IN NORTH CAROLINA.

FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- [ANNOUNCER] MAKE SURE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

- [ANNOUNCER] THE PRODUCTION OF CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER] WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA MAGAZINE.

NCWILDLIFE.ORG/WINC.

- [MALE ANNOUNCER] AND BY EZ BAIT & TACKLE, FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND ADVICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT & TACKLE.

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