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Blowing Rock’s 37th Annual Trout Derby Will Return to the High Country Saturday, April 2

For over three decades, we’ve been celebrating the opening of Trout Season with friendly competition and prizes! The annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby is a much-anticipated early springtime event in the village. We have some of the best trout fishing anywhere in the Southeast, so the combination of the Derby and our lovely springtime makes for a great reason to visit. Fishing is a sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime and the Derby is a great way to be together as a family.

2016 brings the 37th Annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby on Saturday, April 2.

The basics:

  • Derby hours begin at sunrise on Saturday, April 2, 2016, and end at 4pm on the same day.
  • Catches should be taken to the official Derby Headquarters to enter for measuring. Headquarters: : The Blowing Rock Clubhouse, 108 Lakeside Drive, Blowing Rock, NC 28605.
  • Trout caught in any Watauga County body of water are eligible.
  • Prizes are awarded at 4:30pm at Derby Headquarters.
  • Broyhill Lake in Blowing Rock is restricted to fishing by children and persons with disabilities. No fishing license is required for Broyhill Lake. There is a limit of three fish per person from Broyhill Lake.
  • All Fishing and Wildlife laws should be followed for Watauga County public waters, including possession of valid fishing license and following all posted regulations.
  • No entry fees are required and no pre-registration is necessary.

Want more details?
Broyhill Lake in downtown Blowing Rock will be stocked with hundreds of fish in the days leading up to the derby, and other local bodies of water are stocked for the season as well. Kids are especially invited to fish at Broyhill Lake, where some of the stocked fish are tagged for special prizes!
Speaking of kids, there’s some great fun for the little ones. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission supports the Blowing Rock Trout Derby with free “Fish for Fun” bags complete with a tackle box, regulation book, bumper sticker, stringer and bobber. Be sure to bring the kids by the Derby Headquarters early for their bags, and to collect an official Derby T-shirt, free! While they’re there, they can create a work of art and compete for the chance to have that art featured on next year’s Event Poster and T-Shirt.  Supplies are provided, and all art submissions are hung on the walls inside the Clubhouse (by the Blowing Rock Pool and Broyhill Park parking area), where local judges select the winner at the end of the Derby.

Trout caught in any Watauga County public waters on derby day are eligible for measurement and prizes. On the day of the derby grab your fishing license and your fishing gear and hit local waters for brown, speckled, or rainbow trout. Favorite nearby spots include Price Lake, Bass Lake, Trout Lake and the Middle Fork River along Highway 321.
**Follow this link and select Watauga County on this map of NC fishing waters to see public fishing areas. Note that Blue Ridge Parkway waters are not included, but fishing is allowed on the Parkway- just obey posted signage. You can also pick up a NC Wildlife Regulation Guide from anywhere that sells fishing licenses. Don’t have a license, guide, or tackle? Check out Village Hardware on Green Street in Blowing Rock- they’ll get you all set up!

Once you’ve caught your prize-winning trout, take it to the Derby Headquarters at the The Blowing Rock Clubhouse  (before 4pm). There, derby staff will measure your catch and record the length. Take some time to browse the prizes inside- there are lots of great items donated by sponsors, usually things like fishing and camping gear, sporting equipment, cash and gift certificates.  Prizes and trophies are awarded in five divisions: Men, Women, Girls (12-14) Boys (12-14) and Small Fries (11 and under).

For more information
on the Trout Derby and overnight accommodations in the Blowing Rock area, contact the Blowing Rock Visitor Center at 877.750.4636 or 828-295-4636 or info@visitblowingrock.com.