2019 fishing tournaments and events
Bryson City and Cherokee
Cherokee’s Annual Opening Day Fishing Tournament
Saturday & Sunday, March 30-31 $11 entry fee plus $10 permit to compete for $20,000 in prizes. Hundreds of specially tagged fish in the rivers on the Qualla Boundary (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch-and-release waters). Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize. More info
West Swain Fire Department
Annual Bass Tournament
Saturday, May 4
$100 per boat, includes BBQ Dinner, big fish pool & launch fee. Launch from Almond Boat Park on Fontana Lake. All proceeds benefit the West Swain County Volunteer Fire Department (Bryson City area). Entry Fee 1st Place - $1,500 plus $1,775 in 9 additional cash prizes. Raffle prizes.
To register call Jim at 828-488-6423 or Chris at 828-488-2424 or by visiting Clampitt Ace Hardware (111 Main St., Bryson City), Smoky Mtn. Lakes & Marine (Hwy 74 West) or Almond Boat Park (Hwy 28 North).
Cherokee’s Memorial Day Trout Tournament
Saturday & Sunday, May 25-26
$11 entry fee and $10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters). Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize. More info
The Tim Hill Memorial Trout Tournament
Friday & Saturday, July 12-13
$11 entry fee and $10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters). Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize. More info
The Qualla Country Trout Tournament
Friday & Saturday, September 6 & 7
$11 entry fee and $20,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters). Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize. More info
Rumble in the Rhododendron Fly Fishing Tournament
Saturday - Sunday, November 2-3
$10,000 in prizes divided among top teams. A fly-fishing competition held on the 2.2 miles of trophy, catch-and-release waters in Cherokee. More info
