[PIANO INTRO] - YEAH, SEE, HE STILL JUST WANTS TO GO RIGHT BACK TO THE BOTTOM, WHICH IS WHERE HE WAS HOOKED.

- SURE, THEY ALL WANT-- THEY ALL SEEM LIKE THEY WANT TO SWIM UNDER THE BOAT FOR SOME REASON.

- THANK GOD I'VE GOT SOME ALBACORE TRAINING.

I KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY DO THAT.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

STICK THAT ROD TIP DOWN IN THAT WATER.

- COME ON, PARTNER.

WHERE'S MY COLOR-- - YOU'RE CLOSE THERE.

- YOU'RE ABOUT TO HAVE COLOR-- - REAL CLOSE THERE.

THERE'S THE LEADER.

- THERE'S THE LEADER.

- THE LEADER'S GOT ME.

COME ON, PARTNER.

- THERE HE IS.

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

A FISHING LICENSE GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

OVER 38,000 MILES OF MANAGED STREAMS AND RIVERS, AND 250,000 ACRES OF LAKES AND RESERVOIRS.

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

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND AD VICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT AND TACKLE.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NC VI EWERS LIKE YOU.

[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪ - HELLO.

WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

WELL, TODAY'S FISHING TRIP'S A LITTLE UNUSUAL.

JOE, WE'RE GOING FISHING FOR GAR.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING FOR LONGNOSE GAR, WHICH IS THE PREDOMINANT GAR SPECIES HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE'RE GONNA BE DOING IT DURING THE WINTERTIME, WHEN IT'S REALLY COLD IN MARCH, THE LATTER PART OF THE WINTER.

WATER TEMPERATURE'S STILL IN THE HIGH 40s, AND--BUT THESE GAR ARE CONGREGATED IN OUR RIVER SYSTEMS THERE.

WE CAN FIND 'EM IN ALL OF OUR RIVER SYSTEMS.

TODAY WE'RE FISHING THE CASHIE RIVER JUST OFF THE ALBEMARLE SOUND, LARGE CONCENTRATIONS OF FISH, USING FLY RODS, AND JUST HAD A LOT OF FUN.

- YOU MENTIONED FLY RODS.

WE'LL LEARN A LOT IN GEAR TIME TODAY.

- WELL, IT IS NOT SPECIALIZED.

YOU NEED SOME HEAVY GEAR JUST BECAUSE THESE ARE--CAN BE FAIRLY LARGE FISH, AND THEY'LL GO OVER THAT WITH YOU.

BUT HOW THEY FISHED USING SINKING LINES, THEY'LL GO OVER THAT IN GEAR TIME.

- AND DONNA'S RECIPE TODAY IS WITH A GROUPER.

- A REALLY TASTY GROUPER RECIPE FROM HER.

AND WE'LL JOIN HER IN THE KITCHEN, AND SHE'LL SHARE HOW TO PREPARE IT.

- ALL RIGHT.

LET'S HEAD UP TO THE CASHIE HERE TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

- MITCH, IT'S COLD, BUT WE'VE GOT THIS WIND BLOWING OUT THERE IN THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER.

SO WE'VE COME UP THIS CREEK.

BUT WE OUGHT TO FIND SOME GAR UP HERE, PROBABLY ROLLING, ESPECIALLY IF THE SUN WILL COME OUT, WON'T WE?

- IF THAT SUN POPS OUT, YEAH, THEY'LL COME UP AND ROLL.

I MEAN, WE'VE GOT SOME COOL TEMPERATURES TODAY, BUT THESE FISH-- IT'S A GREAT TIME OF YEAR TO CATCH THESE FISH ON THE FLY.

- WELL, I KNOW TOMMY AND I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.

I JUST HOPE THE SUN WILL COME OUT.

BUT I KNOW YOU'LL FIND 'EM.

WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THE SCREENS LIKE-- - OH, YEAH.

- THE FISH ARE HERE.

WE JUST WANT TO FIND A HAPPY, USER-FRIENDLY ONE.

- THAT'S IT.

- [laughs] - THAT'S IT.

TOMMY AND CHUCK, WE'VE GOT-- WE'VE GOT FISH THAT ARE MARKING RIGHT HERE.

WE'VE GOT 47-DEGREE WATER, 48.

HOPEFULLY, THE SUN WILL POP OUT AND GIVE US A LITTLE BIT--ANOTHER DEGREE OR TWO HERE ON THE WATER.

BUT WE'VE GOT A GOOD SCHOOL OF GAR.

MARKING 'EM FROM THE BOTTOM UP TO-- ABOVE TO THE BOTTOM ABOUT FIVE FEET, SO... - IT'S A GOOD THING CHUCK IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OVER THERE SO HE CAN'T SEE THIS.

- YEAH.

- [laughs] - YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WE'VE GOT 'EM, CHUCK.

THIS IS THE SPOT.

- THAT WORRIES ME TO DEATH, BOY.

I TELL YOU, YOU KNOW, I'M READY TO GO.

SO I MEAN, JUST--YOU JUST TELL ME WHERE WE'RE GONNA START, MITCH.

- WE'RE JUST-- 300-GRAIN LINES.

I'LL GIVE 'EM A COUNTDOWN PROBABLY UP TO ABOUT 17, 18 AND START BACK.

AND THEN, WE'LL COUNT 'EM DOWN A LITTLE BIT FURTHER UNTIL WE--UNTIL WE GET PLENTY OF ACTIVITY ON THE SCREEN HERE.

LET'S SEE IF YOU GUYS CAN CONNECT.

- GOOD.

I NEED TO GET GOING.

I NEED TO GET WARMED UP HERE A LITTLE BIT.

ALL RIGHT.

HERE WE GO.

- WE ARE WET.

IT'S ALREADY-- IT'S STARTED NOW.

[chuckles] SO YOU'RE IN ABOUT 20 FEET OF WATER, MITCH, AND ABOUT HOW FAR NOW?

- I'M MARKING 15.

RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE COMING UP TO ABOUT 15 FEET.

- OKAY.

- AND WE'VE GOT ANOTHER GOOD GROUP DOWN AT ABOUT 18.

- OKAY, WE MIGHT GO AT ABOUT A 25 OR 30 COUNT MAYBE AND COME UP THROUGH-- - ALL RIGHT, MITCH.

I'VE GOT HIM, I BELIEVE.

- HOOKED UP TIGHT.

- I AM HOOKED UP, BUDDY ROWE.

- [laughs] - LET'S SEE.

A FEW FALSE ALARMS THERE WITH A SNAG, BUT I THINK THIS IS THE REAL DEAL.

HERE WE GO.

- PRETTY WORK, TOM-TOM.

- I WILL TAKE IT, CHUCK.

WE'VE JUST MOVED AROUND A CORNER, YOU KNOW, AND I'M SITTING HERE, LOOKING AT THE BOTTOM MACHINE.

- WELL, WE'VE MOVED, AIN'T WE?

- AND-- - THAT'S THE TARGET.

- WELL, THAT'S THE TARGET SPECIES.

- [chuckling] - SURE ENOUGH.

- MY BUDDY.

MITCH, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GONNA PUT THE GLOVES ON OR THE NET.

- [inaudible] Y'ALL.

- 'CAUSE I--AS I RECALL, THESE THINGS HAVE A LOT OF TEETH, AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH THOSE TEETH.

YOU AIN'T SUPPOSED TO COME UP HERE WITH A TEN-WEIGHT AND BEND IT LIKE THAT.

- YEAH, WELL, LET'S SEE HERE.

- THERE WE GO.

THERE'S THE LEADER.

ALL RIGHT, HERE HE GOES.

- OH, MY.

LORD, WHAT A FISH.

- OOH, THAT'S A NICE ONE.

THAT'S A NICE ONE.

- WHOO.

WE GET A PICTURE OF THAT ONE HERE.

- ALL RIGHT, MITCH.

HERE--HE'S GONNA-- HE'S COMING UP RIGHT THERE.

- OH, MY.

- HERE HE COMES.

COMING RIGHT TO YOU.

RIGHT TO YOU.

RIGHT TO YOU.

RIGHT TO YOU.

- PRETTY WORK, TOMMY BENNETT.

- ALL RIGHT.

- [chuckles] - ALL RIGHT, MITCH.

YES, SIR.

WE'LL TAKE HIM.

I GOT YOUR NET.

I GOT THE NET.

- MITCH, THAT FISH WEIGHS TEN POUNDS OR BETTER, DOESN'T HE?

- HE'S ACTUALLY 14.

- GOOD LORD, TOMMY.

- I'LL TAKE IT.

I'LL TAKE IT.

- PASS ME THOSE PLIERS RIGHT THERE, TOMMY.

- ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.

- COME ON, BABY.

- ALL THAT GOOD, FLASHY FLY THERE.

IT WAS THREE OR FOUR INCHES LONG.

LOOK AT THAT.

WE'LL TAKE IT.

- YOU SAID THAT WAS YOUR KING MACKEREL FLY?

- THAT WAS A KING MACKEREL FLY, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

- [chuckles] - LOOK AT THAT.

REALLY SOMETHING.

VERY NICE.

VERY NICE.

THANK YOU, MITCH.

- IT'S ENOUGH.

- IT'S A GOOD WAY TO BEND A POLE HERE IN EARLY MARCH.

- [inaudible] - JUST RIGHT.

HOW 'BOUT THAT?

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S LET HIM GO.

THAT'S RIGHT.

HOW'S THAT WATER FEELING, MITCH?

[laughter] IS IT CHILLY?

A GOOD DAY TO STAY INSIDE.

- THERE HE GO-- THERE HE GOES.

- HOW 'BOUT THAT?

- LET'S DO THAT AGAIN, MAN.

[chuckles] SO MITCH, WE TALKED ABOUT-- I'M FROM THE BEACH.

I DON'T--I DON'T DO THIS VERY MUCH.

I'M NOT VERY FAMILIAR WITH FISHING FRESHWATER.

BUT TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THESE GAR FISH.

I MEAN, CAN YOU-- CAN YOU EAT 'EM?

I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY IT'S ALL CATCH IT-- OR CATCH AND RELEASE, I GUESS, WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY.

BUT TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.

- YEAH, AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T-- THAT I KNOW OF DON'T EAT 'EM.

I MEAN, THEY'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE PRETTY BONY, HARD SCALES ON 'EM, REAL PLATY SCALES.

BUT THEY'RE IN EVERY RIVER SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE, I MEAN, FROM CASHIE, ROANOKE, RIGHT ON DOWN, PAMLICO AND NEUSE.

BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, WE JUST USE IT FOR-- TO COME OUT HERE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH CATCH AND RELEASE.

- YEAH, SPORTING FISH.

SURE DO PULL HARD, I TELL YOU WHAT.

- AND THEY'RE IN A GOOD SYSTEM, SO I MEAN, IT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING GOING ON IN THE DAY, AND-- - YOU'RE TALKING TOO MUCH.

I HAD ANOTHER SWING AND A MISS.

NO, I, YOU KNOW, THAT'S GREAT THEY-- YOU KNOW, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY, THEY SURE DO... - HOLD ON, BOYS.

- SURE DO PULL HARD.

- UH-OH!

WAIT A MINUTE.

LOOK THERE.

I TOLD YOU.

AS SOON AS YOU GET READY TO DO SOMETHING ELSE, MAKE A MOVE, OR GO GET A BOTTLE OF WATER, THERE'S A GOOD ENOUGH WAY-- - TOMMY, I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THIS ONE THINKS HE'D GET A BITE.

I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF HE KNOWS HE'S HOOKED YET.

I REALLY AM NOT, MITCH.

I MEAN, HE IS JUST-- - WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY PULL, CHUCK.

LOOK AT THAT.

[laughs] - MAN, HE--MAN, HE MOVES.

- THERE YOU GO.

- MITCH, HOW DEEP IS THAT TROLLING MOTOR?

- THERE YOU GO.

- TOMMY, I'M TRYING TO GET ALL THIS EXCESS FLY LINE UP HERE AND GET THIS FISH ON THE REEL.

I FEEL A LITTLE BIT MORE COMFORTABLE.

THANK YOU, JESUS.

- ALL RIGHT.

- THIS IS PUTTING A BEND ON A SEVEN-WEIGHT.

LIKE I SAY, HE'S-- - YES, SIR.

- I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF HE THINKS HE'S HOOKED.

BUT HE TOOK ME UNDER THAT BOAT A WHILE AGO WHEN I SAID... - YEAH, HE DID.

- I DIDN'T THINK HE KNEW HE WAS HOOKED.

- YOU KNOW, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THAT.

YOU KNOW, THEY SURE DO PULL HARD.

AND YOU'RE-- YOU HAVE NO EXCEPTION THERE.

HE'S-- - HE'S PULLED THE BOAT AROUND ABOUT TWICE.

- THERE HE IS.

THERE HE IS.

- THERE WE GO.

THERE WE GO.

THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT, MITCH.

WE GOT COLOR.

- THERE HE GOES.

- RIGHT AT THE END OF-- RIGHT AT THE END, THE SIDE OF THE JAW, BUDDY.

- [inaudible] DIRECTION THERE.

- ONE MORE SECOND.

LOOK AT THOSE TEETH.

HE'S OURS.

[laughs] - THERE YOU GO.

YES, SIR, BUDDY.

- GOOD JOB, CHUCK.

- [laughs] I WAS PAST DUE.

[both laughing] I MEAN, SEE, IF I WAS A LIBRARY BOOK, YOU'D HAVE TO HAVE A CO-SIGNER TO TURN ME IN.

- GET OUT OF HERE.

I TELL YOU.

- THAT LITTLE BITTY FLY... - YES, SIR.

- ON A PREHISTORIC FISH.

AND YOU COULD SEE THE BUBBLES COMING UP FROM HIS GILL THERE, TOMMY.

- YEAH.

- ALMOST LIKE A TARPON BLOWING.

- LOOK AT THAT.

- REALLY SOMETHING.

- I STILL THINK YOU'VE GOT ME, TOMMY, ON THE BIGGEST, AND YOU MIGHT HAVE ME ON THE-- - NO QUESTION.

NO QUESTION.

- YOU GOT ME ON THE FIRST.

- NO QUESTION.

- BUT AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS FISH.

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.

- YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN [inaudible].

- LOOK AT THOSE TEETH.

I TELL YOU, THAT'S HARD TO BEAT THOUGH.

DOWN HERE, IT'S AS COLD AS THE DICKENS.

WATER TEMPERATURE IS COLD, AND WE'RE CATCHING FISH ON FLY RODS.

THIS LITTLE SEVEN-WEIGHT, HE GAVE ME A FIT.

I--LIKE I SAY, THE FISH NEVER KNEW HE WAS HOOKED FOR A LONG TIME.

- YEAH, AND I MEAN, IT'S AVAILABLE IN EVERY RIVER SYSTEM-- NEUSE, PAMLICO, PUNGO, ROANOKE, CASHIE.

I MEAN-- - AND YEAR-ROUND, TO BOOT.

- YEAR-ROUND.

YEAR-ROUND.

- SEND HIM-- SEND HIM HOME, BUDDY.

LET'S TRY ANOTHER ONE.

- GET HIM.

- ALL RIGHT.

IT'S A GOOD THING WE WERE GETTING READY TO MOVE 'CAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN OF WHERE TO CATCH ONE.

ALL RIGHT, MITCH.

YOU GOT HIM.

- YEAH.

- LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT DOWN THERE.

PRETTY WORK.

- THAT KING MACKEREL FLY DOES IT AGAIN.

YOU KNOW, SUPER FLIES.

THAT'S, YOU KNOW-- - KING MACKEREL FLY.

- YOU KNOW, CHUCK, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THESE THINGS A LITTLE WHILE AGO.

THEY'RE DANG PREHISTORIC LOOKING.

- THEY'VE GOT AN AIR BLADDER IN THERE, TOMMY, JUST LIKE A BOWFIN OR A TARPON.

- YEAH.

- BUT THEY'LL COME UP AND GO UP AIR.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN-- YOU KNOW, I GREW UP ON A BEACH.

I'M A SALTWATER PERSON.

AND DOING THIS IS JUST A VERY INTERESTING EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

SO ALL THIS STUFF IS KIND OF NEW TO ME, BUT IT'S FASCINATING.

ACTUALLY, IT'S VERY-- - AND IT'S FUNNY.

YOU WERE USING A SALTWATER FLY AND CATCHING A FRESHWATER FISH.

- REALLY SOMETHING.

REALLY SOMETHING.

- IT'S NOT AS BIG AS YOUR OTHER ONES, BUT THAT IS A NICE-- THAT'S A GORGEOUS FISH.

- JUST WILLING IS WHAT COUNTS, RIGHT?

- PRETTY WORK.

- YES, SIR, THANK YOU.

- ALWAYS BE WILLING.

- GOT TO BE TOUGH ON THE HOOKS THOUGH.

THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF BONE AND A LOT OF ARMOR UP AROUND THE-- AROUND THEIR MOUTH SECTION.

SO IT'S-- WHEN YOU FEEL 'EM STRIKE, YOU'VE GOT TO SET THE HOOK KIND OF HARD.

- I HEAR YOU.

WELL, THEY'VE GOT SOME TEETH, TOO.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN TOO MANY OF THEM TODAY, WHICH IS FINE.

[laughter] - AND HE'S GOT HIS HANDS ON THE BUSINESS END OF THAT, NOT ME.

GREAT JOB, CHUCK.

- WHOA, PARTNER.

- LET ME GET OUT YOUR WAY HERE.

- PARTNER.

SEE WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO WITH THIS FISH.

- NOW, CHUCK, ARE YOU USING THE LITTLE FLY THERE AGAIN?

- YEAH, A SMALLER FLY, TOMMY.

AND GET THIS ON THE REEL, MAYBE ON THIS SEVEN-WEIGHT.

AND I FEEL A LITTLE BETTER NOW.

- YES, SIR.

- I KNOW YOU'RE HAPPY.

- HAPPY?

YOU'RE ALWAYS HAPPY ANYTIME I'M ON THE BOAT WITH YOU.

BUT I LOVE TO SEE THESE FLY RODS BENT LIKE THIS.

- IT'S ALWAYS BENT.

- I HATE TO SEE 'EM STRAIGHT.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

- NOW YOU GOT A LITTLE DRAG, MITCH.

- YEAH.

- WE'RE CLEAR.

- ARE YOU GOOD TO GO?

- WE'RE CLEAR.

- ALL RIGHT?

- I DON'T THINK THIS IS AS BIG AS I'D LIKE, BUT HE WAS WILLING TO EAT.

- WELL, THERE'S COLOR.

- LOOK AT HIM, MITCH.

- THERE YOU GO.

VERY GOOD.

VERY GOOD.

- LOOKIE HERE.

[laughs] - LOOK AT THAT.

- HE AIN'T DONE YET.

LOOK AT HIM.

RIGHT IN-- THERE, HE WOKE UP.

HE WOKE UP.

- CHUCK, HE CAME OUT OF THE WATER THERE.

THAT BIG OLD TAIL.

- I'LL TELL YA.

- HE SORT OF TAIL-WALKED RIGHT ACROSS THE SURFACE.

- LOOK AT THAT LITTLE WHITE FLY RIGHT THERE IN THE CORNER OF HIS JAW.

JUST RIGHT.

TURN HIS HEAD, MITCH, AND HE IS YOURS, BUDDY.

- HOT DOG.

- VERY NICE, CHUCK.

VERY NICE.

- OH, MAN.

- I THINK THAT SUNSHINE CAME OUT JUST IN THE RIGHT TIME.

- LOOK AT THE SUN SHINE.

- THANK GOODNESS, 'CAUSE I WAS ABOUT TO GET SCARED THAT IT DIDN'T SHINE ON THE SAME DOG'S HIND PARTS ALL THE TIME WHEN YOU WERE CATCHING ALL THEM FISH THIS MORNING.

[laughter] - HOW 'BOUT THAT?

- THAT'S THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DONE, BUD.

- LOOK AT THAT.

- I'LL TELL YOU.

THAT'S SOMETHING.

- WITH A LITTLE, TINY FLY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY, CHUCK.

I MEAN, WE'RE USING A LITTLE FLY AND A GREAT BIG FLY, AND HE ATE THAT LITTLE THING.

- ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?

- HE HIT IT RIGHT THERE.

RIGHT IN THE CORNER.

RIGHT THERE IN THE CORNER WHERE HIS JAW HINGE IS JUST TO THE-- - THAT SOFT SPOT RIGHT THERE.

- JUST TO THE EAST OF HIS EYEBALL.

- SEE, YOU'LL GET A--YOU'LL RIGHT MANY STRIKES ON THESE, YOU KNOW, WHEN-- BUT THERE'S ENOUGH OF THEM OUT HERE THAT YOU CAN CONNECT.

- WELL, I'LL TELL YOU, ON A SEVEN-WEIGHT FLY ROD, A, YOU KNOW, 300-GRAIN LINE.

I--IF YOU CAN GET BY WITH A SIX, I CAN'T IMAGINE-- BUT THIS SEVEN-WEIGHT, I HAD--I MEAN, THEY GIVE YOU ALL YOU WANT.

OUTSTANDING LITTLE FISHERY DOWN HERE, MITCH.

- WAIT A MINUTE.

WAIT A MINUTE.

- LET ME GET OUT OF YOUR WAY.

- WE'RE ALREADY ON THE REEL, TOMMY.

COME ON, FISH.

HANG ON, NOW.

- THERE YOU GO.

- LOOK AT THIS LITTLE SEVEN-WEIGHT.

- HE BOWED UP AGAIN, WHICH I KNOW YOU LIKE TO DO.

- LOOK AT THIS LITTLE SEVEN-WEIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S GOTTEN ME YET.

AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW IF HE REALLY KNOWS HE'S HOOKED YET.

HANG ON, PARTNER.

- GET IN AND GET OUT YOUR WAY FOR SURE.

- THAT'S THE BLACK PART OF THAT 30-FOOT SINKING TIP.

TOMMY, THIS IS STILL NOT BAD.

MOST FOLKS ARE SITTING AT HOME BY THE FIREPLACE, AND WE'RE CATCHING BIG FISH.

- I KNOW.

I KNOW.

IT'S REALLY SOMETHING.

AND IT TURNS OUT, CHUCK, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN DO THIS ALL THE TIME.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE COME UP HERE, WHAT NOW?

TWO OR THREE TIMES.

IT'S BEEN COLD, IT'S BEEN HOT, AND MOSTLY... - ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD-- - THE FISHING HAS BEEN HOT, WHICH IS GREAT.

- ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH CAPTAIN MITCH.

AND I AIN'T SURE I DON'T ENJOY THIS MORE THAN I DO 105-DEGREE HEAT INDEX.

[laughter] MITCH, HE STILL JUST WANTS TO GO RIGHT BACK TO THE BOTTOM, WHICH IS WHERE HE WAS HOOKED.

- CHUCK, THEY ALL WANT-- THEY ALL SEEM LIKE THEY WANT TO SWIM UNDER THE BOAT FOR SOME REASON.

- THANK GOD I'VE GOT SOME ALBACORE TRAINING.

I KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY DO THAT.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

STICK THAT ROD TIP DOWN IN THAT WATER.

- COME ON, PARTNER.

WHERE'S MY COLOR-- - YOU'RE CLOSE THERE.

- YOU'RE ABOUT TO HAVE COLOR-- - REAL CLOSE THERE.

THERE'S THE LEADER.

- THERE'S THE LEADER.

I'M GLAD HE'S GOT ME.

- THERE'S THE LEADER.

- COME ON, PARTNER.

- THERE HE IS.

COMING TO YOU, MITCH.

- LOOKIE HERE.

I'M STEPPING BACK RIGHT TO THE HEAD.

- YOU'VE GOT HIM.

- PRETTY WORK, CAP'N.

- PERFECT.

- PRETTY WORK.

- PERFECT.

- GOOD JOB, CHUCK.

- HOT DOG.

- ALL RIGHT, MITCH.

YOU GET THAT HOOK OUT OF THAT LITTLE SWEET SPOT, BUDDY.

THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE CAUGHT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE FISH TODAY, RIGHT IN THAT LITTLE SWEET SPOT, RIGHT THERE BY THE EYEBALL, ALMOST TO THE HINGE OF THE JAW.

- THAT'S THE SPOT.

- THE BARBLESS HOOK POPS RIGHT OUT.

LOOK AT THE COLORATION OF THE TAIL, TOMMY.

- YEAH.

- THE BELLY'S GOING TO PINK.

- IT'S GOT A PINK BELLY, YEAH.

- ALMOST TO ORANGE.

PINKISH KIND OF TAIL WITH THOSE BLACK SPOTS.

- A BIG, POWERFUL TAIL, YOU KNOW, WE SAW THAT.

HE BOWED THAT ROD RIGHT UP.

- BOWED THIS BIG--THESE BIGGER RODS RIGHT UP TOO.

- A POWERFUL FISH.

- THEY'RE A POWERFUL LITTLE FISH, NO DOUBT.

- THEY ARE.

- JOE, IT'S ALL ABOUT CATCH AND RELEASE, BUT IT GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO DO IN THE WINTER.

- WELL, IT DOES.

IT KIND OF-- IF YOU LIKE TO FLY FISH, AND YOU'VE NEVER CAUGHT THAT FISH BEFORE, IT'S THE TIME OF YEAR TO DO IT.

THEY'RE CONCENTRATED WHERE THEY-- AS IT WARMS UP, THEY'LL SPREAD OUT.

BUT AT THIS TIME OF YEAR THEY'RE-- AS YOU SAW IN THE DEPTH FINDER, IT'S FAIRLY LARGE CONCENTRATIONS OF FISH.

AND AGAIN, SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO ADD TO YOUR LIST OF SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE CAUGHT WITH A FLY ROD.

AND THEY'RE READILY AVAILABLE.

- IT'S ALWAYS FUN FISHING WITH A FLY ROD.

- THAT'S RIGHT.

- LET'S GET MORE INFORMATION.

LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.

- TOMMY, WE'VE NEVER HAD A BAD TRIP WITH CAPTAIN MITCH, AND WE'VE BEEN DOWN HERE IN THE HEAT OF THE SUMMERTIME.

WE'VE BEEN HERE IN DEAD OF THE WINTER.

AND TODAY, WE'RE ACTUALLY TARGETING A FISH THAT MOST OF THE TIME, FOLKS CATCH BY ACCIDENT DOWN HERE WHILE THEY'RE CHASING ROCKFISH OR SOMETHING ELSE.

BUT WE'VE LOOKED AT THROWING FLIES AT LONGNOSE GAR NOW FOR A LONG TIME, AND MITCH PUT THIS TOGETHER FOR US.

AND WE'VE COME DOWN HERE, AND WE'VE JUST HAD A WHALE OF A TIME CATCHING FISH UP TO 14 POUNDS.

- HAD A GREAT TIME AGAIN, AND LIKE YOU SAY, IT'S BEEN COLD WHEN WE'VE BEEN HERE.

IT'S BEEN HOT WHEN WE'VE BEEN HERE.

I THINK I'D MUCH RATHER HAVE THE HOT.

BUT THE FISHING WAS VERY HOT TODAY.

I MEAN, IT WAS GOOD, AND LIKE YOU SAY, WE WERE TARGETING A FISH THAT, YOU KNOW, A GREAT FIGHTING FISH.

A LOT OF FUN TO CATCH.

AGAIN, WE'RE USING HEAVY SINKING LINES AGAIN.

I MEAN, THIS A 25-FOOT-DEEP AREA.

FISH ARE STACKED FROM THE BOTTOM UP TO ABOUT 20 FEET DEEP, SO THERE'S 5- OR 6-FOOT LAYER OF FISH DOWN THERE AT THE BOTTOM.

YOU KNOW, CHUCK, I KNOW YOU WERE USING A SEVEN-WEIGHT WITH A 300-GRAIN LINE.

I HAD A LITTLE MORE SUCCESS TODAY WITH A TEN-WEIGHT ROD WITH A 450-GRAIN SINKING LINE.

YOU KNOW, FLIES--YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE FLIES HERE.

THE FLASHY FLY SEEMED TO WORK GOOD WITH OVERCAST SKIES.

IT'S BETTER, I THINK, TO HAVE SOME SUNSHINE.

I THINK WE PROVED THAT THIS AFTERNOON, RIGHT, MITCH?

AND MAYBE SOME OF THE LIGHTER-COLORED FLIES WORKED A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE AFTERNOON.

BUT YEAH, WE'VE HAD ANOTHER GREAT TRIP WITH MITCH, YOU KNOW, HERE IN-- ON THE CASHIE RIVER SYSTEM.

SO THIS--IT'S BEEN GREAT FUN AGAIN, ABSOLUTELY.

- WELL, IT'S DEFINITELY A YEAR-ROUND FISHERY DOWN HERE, MITCH.

SOMETHING IS GOING ON DOWN HERE 12 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR.

- SOMETHING'S GOING ON, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GREAT FLY ROD OPPORTUNITY.

STRIPED BASS SEASON'S RIGHT AROUND HERE.

YOU KNOW, WELL, ACTUALLY, WE'RE LOOKING AT IT.

IT'S OPEN NOW.

SO THERE'S DEFINITELY A MIX OF THINGS YOU CAN DO ON THE FLY ROD.

THE SAME FLIES WE USE STRIPER FISHING WE CAN USE ON THESE LONGNOSE GAR.

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, YOU KNOW, TO GET SOMEONE ON THE WATER.

- GREAT.

WELL, GUYS, IT'S BEEN A GREAT TRIP.

TOMMY, I ALWAYS ENJOY BEING WITH YOU.

- [chuckles] DON'T YOU KNOW IT.

- AND CAPTAIN MITCH, WE BOTH ENJOY BEING WITH YOU.

- I APPRECIATE Y'ALL COMING OUT.

- MITCH, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU AGAIN... - YES, SIR.

- FOR ANOTHER GREAT DAY.

- IT'S ALL ABOUT CATCH AND RELEASE, BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET UP WITH CAPTAIN MITCHELL BLAKE, GIVE HIM A CALL.

HERE'S YOUR NUMBER.

AND HE'LL PUT YOU RIGHT ON SOME FISH, AND YOU CAN HAVE SOME FUN WITH YOUR FLY ROD.

NOW, LET'S HAVE SOME FUN IN THE KITCHEN.

DONNA'S GOT A RECIPE YOU'RE GONNA LIKE.

IT'S USING A GROUPER TODAY.

- HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN, WE'RE MAKING GROUPER WITH A ROASTED PEPPER SALAD.

IT GOES TOGETHER QUICK AND EASY, AND YOUR FRIENDS WILL BE SO IMPRESSED.

WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND START OUT.

I HAVE MY GROUPER THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN CLEANED AND CUT INTO SERVING SIZES.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR BAG AND OUR BREADER, AND WE'RE GONNA PLACE OUR BREADER INTO OUR BAG.

WE'RE JUST GONNA POUR THAT IN.

IT GOES IN REALLY QUICK.

AND IN YOUR BOX, YOU'RE GONNA GET TWO BAGS-- AND TWO BAGS OF BREADER.

SO WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUR GROUPER.

WE'RE GONNA PLACE THAT IN.

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA GIVE THIS A TOSS, JUST TO COAT IT WELL.

WE'RE GONNA PLACE THIS ON A PIECE OF FOIL THAT IS NONSTICK FOIL, PLACE THAT IN OUR OVEN AT ABOUT 425 DEGREES FOR ABOUT FIVE TO SIX MINUTES.

IT WON'T TAKE LONG AT ALL.

DEPENDING ON THE THICKNESS OF YOUR FISH, YOU--IT MAY TAKE JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

BUT REMEMBER, IT WILL CONTINUE TO COOK JUST SLIGHTLY AFTER YOU BRING IT OUT.

SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO PLACE IT ONTO OUR FOIL.

AND YOU CAN SEE THAT GIVES IT A NICE COATING.

IT'S GONNA BE REALLY NICE AND CRUNCHY ON THE OUTSIDE BUT NICE AND TENDER ON THE INSIDE, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

SO WE'RE GONNA POP THAT IN THE OVEN AT 325 FOR ABOUT SIX TO SEVEN MINUTES.

MEANWHILE, WE'RE GONNA MAKE OUR SALAD.

AND I HAVE SOME ONIONS THAT I HAVE SAUTE--CUT UP REALLY THIN.

AND WE'RE GONNA POP THOSE INTO OUR SKILLET.

THEN WE'RE GONNA TOSS IN SOME MUSHROOMS.

AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE MUSHROOMS, YOU CAN LEAVE THOSE OUT.

THERE'S JUST-- WE LIKE 'EM, AND THEY ADD A LITTLE BIT OF BODY TO IT.

WE'RE JUST GONNA SAUTE THAT UNTIL YOUR ONIONS START TO CARAMELIZE.

AND YOUR MUSHROOMS WILL BEGIN TO KIND OF SWEAT A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WE'RE KIND OF PUSHED ON TIME, SO WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE ON WITH OUR RECIPE.

WE'RE GONNA ALSO ADD IN SOME GARLIC.

AND YOU CAN USE FRESH GARLIC THAT YOU CUT YOURSELF, OR, YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO DO MINE EASILY, SO I ALWAYS KEEP SOME IN THE JAR ON HAND.

AND IT'S STARTING TO SMELL REALLY NICE IN HERE.

THE COMBINATION OF THE ONIONS AND THE MUSHROOMS AND THE GARLIC IS REALLY NICE.

THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD IN SOME ROASTED RED PEPPERS.

AND YOU CAN BUY THESE IN A JAR AND JUST KIND OF DRAIN THEM, OR IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN ROAST YOUR OWN AT HOME WHERE YOU PUT IT OVER THE FIRE.

THEN PUT IT IN A PAPER BAG, PEEL OFF THE SKINS, AND SLICE 'EM.

BUT I FIND IT EASIER JUST TO BUY 'EM IN A JAR FOR WHAT I LIKE TO DO.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA TOSS THOSE ALL TOGETHER.

THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD IN A LITTLE BIT OF RED PEPPER FLAKES, A LITTLE BIT OF GROUND CUMIN, JUST A PINCH OF SOME CORIANDER, AND SOME CAPERS.

AND I'M JUST GONNA PUT THOSE IN THERE AND A LITTLE BIT OF SOME SHERRY VINEGAR.

WHOOP!

AND THEN WE'RE JUST GONNA LET THAT COOK UNTIL EVERYTHING IS SOFT AND TENDER AND KIND OF THICKENED A LITTLE BIT.

YOU SEE HOW PRETTY THAT IS?

AND IT HAS A GREAT FLAVOR AND A GREAT SCENT TO IT AS WELL.

IT MAKES YOUR HOUSE SMELL REALLY GOOD.

AND BY THE TIME YOUR SALAD IS DONE, YOUR FISH HAS COME OUT OF THE OVEN, AND YOU'RE READY TO SERVE YOUR DINNER.

SO YOU CAN SEE THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

I JUST KIND OF DECORATED MY PLATE.

I PUT MY GROUPER DOWN.

THEN I POURED MY SALAD ON THE TOP AND JUST KIND OF SPRINKLED IT WITH SOME RED PEPPER FLAKES, JUST TO GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT OF A FLAIR, MAYBE LIKE YOU'RE SERVING IT FROM A RESTAURANT.

SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE GROUPER WITH THE RED PEPPER SALAD, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU HERE NEXT TIME ON SIMPLE COOKING.

- WE THANK YOU FOR THAT RECIPE, DONNA.

NOW, JOE, LET'S GO BACK TO THE CASHIE.

JUST SOMETHING TO ADD TO YOUR LIST WITH A FLY ROD.

- EXACTLY.

AND WE DO-- WE HAVE A LOT OF GAR HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, THEY'RE IN CONCENTRATED FORM.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FISH IN THESE RIVERS, AND AS THE WATER WARMS, THEY'RE GONNA SPREAD OUT.

THEY'RE AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND.

BUT THIS TIME OF YEAR, MITCH IS TARGETING STRIPED BASS AT THE SAME TIME.

AND SO HE KNOWS, ESPECIALLY IN THAT AREA THAT HE FISHES A LOT, THE CASHIE AND THE ROANOKE RIVER, HE KNOWS WHERE THESE FISH HANG OUT.

SO IF YOU'VE NEVER CAUGHT ONE, GIVE IT A TRY.

THEY REALLY ARE A REALLY GOOD SPORT FISH.

IT IS A CATCH AND RELEASE FISHERY.

THEY'RE NOT REALLY TABLE FARE.

BUT IF YOU'VE NEVER CAUGHT ONE, GIVE IT A SHOT.

- IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD CHANCE TO USE YOUR FLY ROD ALSO.

- ABSOLUTELY.

- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.

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

- [MALE ANNOUNCER]: THE PRODUCTION OF CAROLINA OU TDOOR JOURNAL IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER]: THE NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESCOURCES COMMISSION.

A FISHING LICENSE GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

OVER 38,000 MILES OF MANAGED STREAMS AND RIVERS, AND 250,000 ACRES OF LAKES AND RESERVOIRS.

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

WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.

WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND AD VICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.

FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT AND TACKLE.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NC VI EWERS LIKE YOU.

[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪