A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT adopting jackson county as the trout capital of the state of north carolina.
Whereas, Jackson County is home to the nation's First Fly Fishing Trail with 15 designated public spaces for fly fishing mapping prime spots to catch brown, rainbow, and brook trout in the crystal clear streams of Jackson County; and
Whereas, Jackson County has the longest contiguous stretch of waters that have been designated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as North Carolina Mountain Heritage Trout Waters, comprised of three cities of the 13 in the State with the distinction, making up 25% of the State's designated waters, with numerous unnamed waters also comprising the richest, most diverse, productive trout fisheries in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the waters of Jackson County are excellent resources for trout fishing and other enjoyable aquatic pastimes, with over 4,600 miles of beautiful water, and are annually stocked with 92,800 fish each year, the most of any county in North Carolina; and
Whereas, Jackson County is the location for one of the three largest rainbow trout ever caught and recorded in North Carolina; and
Whereas, people from around the country travel to fish the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County, which is the largest body of water in the county, flowing some 40 miles from southeast to northwest; and
Whereas, the Tuckasegee River's splendid all‑season tailwater fishery has the conditions which provide a superior habitat for invertebrate and other trout prey and is regularly stocked with brown, rainbow, and brook trout; and
Whereas, the all‑season fishing available in the Tuckasegee River and on the Qualla Boundary provides a varied alternative from other fisheries in North Carolina, with winter fishing providing the opportunity for bigger catches during colder months; and
Whereas, the miles of streams in Jackson County support the area's only native species, the eastern brook trout, which has been preserved, protected, and restored on public lands by the Department of Natural Resources, the United States Forest Service, and by conservation‑minded groups like Trout Unlimited and Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture; and
Whereas, a significant portion of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation resides in Jackson County, which is the home of the famous trophy trout waters of the Raven Fork River featured on the WNC Fly Fishing Trail; and
Whereas, Jackson County is home to several trout ponds and farms, and many local restaurants proudly feature trout on their menus, in a gracious and friendly community environment; and
Whereas, Jackson County is blessed with significant aquatic waters for fishing, boating, and outdoor adventure, which encourages second home destinations, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts to the lovely State of North Carolina; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 145‑49.  Official trout capital of the State of North Carolina.
Jackson County is adopted as the official trout capital of the State of North Carolina."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.