Cherokee hosts free Talking Trees Children’s Fishing Derby

The Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby kicks off this weekend at the Oconaluftee River Islands Park in the heart of Cherokee County. The event, now in its 14th year, is free to children ages three to eleven, according to the town of Cherokee’s official website.

“The Trout Derby is more than an event; it’s a family tradition,” says Megan yates, who has worked in cooperation with the Derby for the past eight years. Talking Trees is the largest free children’s event in the Southeast, according to Yates, drawing approximately 2,000 children and their families annually.

Entrants are provided with free bait and equipment, in addition to an official t-shirt and hat. Organizers say that portable ponds—for use by children three to five— are heavily stocked to ensure that every child has the chance to catch a fish. Older participants fish in the shallow waters of the Oconaluftee River. There is a five fish maximum that each child can catch and take home, free of charge.

Official prizes for the biggest catch are awarded for four different age groups: 3-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 10-11. In addition, there’s is also a “grand prize” random drawing, which in past years has featured everything from a four wheeler to a camper.

Organizers say that overall, more than $20,000 in prizes are given out at the event. Fishing permits are also available for those twelve and older who wish to join in on the fun at fishcherokee.com.

Besides the fishing competition on Saturday, August 1, Talking Trees will feature a day events and activities on Friday, July 31, complete with a youth obstacle course and casting clinic hosted by the U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team, live presentations by state and local wildlife officials as well as a Cherokee stickball competition and activities with the Cherokee Fire Department.

Food booths will also be on-site Saturday and Sunday. Entrants in the Derby will be provided a free break fast and lunch Sunday during the competition.

“People are really thankful for the Talking Trees Trout Derby and we see the same families come back every year,” says Yates. “It’s been fun watching a lot of these kids grow up over the years, and to see little ones try fishing for the first time.”

For more information on the Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby, a schedule of events and how you can register, check out visitcherokeenc.com/blog/entry/talking-trees-childrens-trout-derby-free-for-kids-ages-3-to-11/ or see the events schedule below.

Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby Event Schedule:

Friday, July 31st

• 10 am – 6 pm. Pre-registration.
  During the day, kids can participate in casting clinics by the US Youth Fly Fishing Team and enjoy a zip line, selfie station, 40-foot obstacle course, inflatables, food booths, and snow cones.
• Animal and educational exhibiters from Pisgah Center Wild Life Education Division and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission will also be onsite.
• 2 pm; 4 pm. Indian stickball competitions take place between the Big Cove and Wolf Town communities, with live commentary about the traditional Cherokee sport. At 2 pm, the 6-9 year olds play, and then children aged 10-12 compete at 4 pm.
• As part of the annual tradition, the fire department is on site to talk about fire safety, and they release hundreds of keepsake ping pong balls stamped with the Trout Derby logo into the Oconaluftee River, which can be gathered in exchange for a prize.

Saturday, August 1st

• 7:00 am to 10 am. Registration with free breakfast and lunch provided.
• 8 am to noon. Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby! Registered children ages 3-11 can catch up to 5 fish at no cost.
• 1 pm. Awards and prizes.