Author Archives: Laurie Thomas

Special Report for Sea Trail Fishing Club

August 25, 2025

By Laurie Thomas Vass

Sea Trail Fishing Club Member Helps New River Wildlife & Conservation Club, of Fries, Virginia, with Hurricane Helene River Cleanup

The New River Wildlife & Conservation Club, of Fries, Virginia, dedicated the month of August 2025 as Hurricane Helene River Cleanup month.

Forty citizen volunteers showed up on August 23, 2025, and worked in 6 teams to scour the river  for debris.

Each team pulled a flat bottom boat upstream, with the workers wading in the knee deep waters.

They pulled out over 100 tires and several tons of debris.

Laurie Thomas Vass, a member of the Sea Trail Fishing Club went to Fries to volunteer to help clean the river.

“I fish in the New River and love that mountain community,” said Vass. “Their little towns, like Fries and Mouth of Wilson were devastated by the storm and I wanted to do something to help them.”

I won the prize for finding the proverbial kitchen sink,” she said.

“We found tires, appliances and roof tops, said Vass, “including a fully functional porcelain toilet.”

“The force of the water flushed a lot of things down the river,” she noted dryly.

Keith Andrews, the President of the New River Wildlife & Conservation Club, expressed his appreciation to all the volunteers and noted that the club hopes to conduct a river cleanup, every August.

“I invite all the members of the Sea Trail Fishing Club to come up here next year, and camp in our 32 acre club park, next to the river, and help us recover from the hurricane,” he said.

About New River Wildlife & Conservation Club, Inc. The club is a 501c 3 that offers education programs including fly-fishing clinics, hunter education courses, field-to-table workshops, mountain crafts workshops, nature walks, kayaking lessons, river water chemical testing, and floats throughout the year. The club has been holding annual river cleanups since 2021. Located in Grayson County at 7107 Riverside Dr. Fries, Va. 24330.

North Carolina Vice President of Conservation Council of N. C. Describes Political Conflict In N. C. Fisheries Management

2020 CCA Civil Suit Against State of North Carolina Alleging “Mismanagement of Marine Resources” Still in Limbo

By Laurie Thomas Vass, Director of Public Relations

Sea Trail Fishing Club, Sunset Beach, N. C.

The Sea Trail Fishing Club hosted an address by Stuart Creighton, Vice President of the Coastal Conservation Association, on June 19, 2025, at the Pink Palace, in the Sea Trails Development.

Creighton began his address by expressing his reluctance to harm the livelihoods of North Carolina commercial fishermen.

“I do not sleep well at night over my concern about the threat to the way of life of the people who make their living from harvesting the sea,” Creighton said.

“But, he continued, “there are much better ways to harvest the bounty of our oceans that do not cause damage to the marine environment, or cause great conflict with the recreational anglers.”

The CCA civil suit alleges that the government of North Carolina has been an “abject failure” in managing the state’s marine resources.

The suit is based on the State’s longstanding, public-trust responsibilities to manage coastal fish stocks in a way that protects the public-trust rights of the public, as codified in the North Carolina Constitution, Article I, Section 38. Right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.

The State Constitution states, in part,

“The right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of the State’s heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good. The people have a right, including the right to use traditional methods, to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, subject only to laws enacted by the General Assembly and rules adopted pursuant to authority granted by the General Assembly to (i) promote wildlife conservation and management and (ii) preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Public hunting and fishing shall be a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.”

The five year delay in hearing the lawsuit is a testament to the deep political divisions in the state between the commercial fishing interests and the recreational and sports fishing interests.

For example, at the April 2025 Sea Trail Fishing Club meeting, Josh Reynolds, a charter captain at Maverick Charters, in Shallotte, N. C., said he doubts the accuracy and legitimacy of the North Carolina data used to prohibit fishing in North Carolina.

“I fish just about 365 days a year,” he said. “I see an abundance of sea trout, flounder and Blue Fish every day. The over-regulation is killing me financially,” he added. “I have had to target Sheepshead in order to stay alive financially, and the over-regulation in the other species is causing a decline of the Sheepshead population because that is the only fish anglers can keep.”

The political conflict over marine resources has generated legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly to provide greater oversight of how the Marine Resources Commission manages their responsibilities.

Creighton reviewed the House Bill 442, An Act to Restore Recreational Fishing For Flounder and Red Snapper,” with his observation that there are better methods for the commercial fishing industry to harvest marine resources, without causing a complete ban against recreational flounder fishing.

Creighton closed his comments to the members of the Sea Trail Fishing Club by noting that the long-standing abdication of the State’s responsibilities to manage the marine resources must be addressed soon, or else the future of recreational fishing will be in great jeopardy.

About the Conservation Council of North Carolina: CCA is truly grass roots, and our banquets are where our volunteer leaders, the local community, and generous sponsors come together to support our work to conserve, promote and enhance North Carolina’s marine resources. https://ccanc.org/

About the Sea Trail Fishing Club: The Sea Trail Fishing Club (STFC) is a non-profit organization focused on promoting fishing and fellowship amongst its members.  The Club accomplishes its mission through member social interactions, seminars, guest speakers, and Club outings. The club meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Pink Palace, in the Sea Trails Development, in Sunset Beach, N. C.  https://seatrailfishing.com/home/about-us-2/

North Carolina Marine Fisheries Regulations Threaten Financial Liveliehood of N. C. and S. C. Charter Captains and Fishing Guides.

coastalncApril 24, 2025, 5:27 PM

https://coastalanglermag.com/north-carolina-marine-fisheries-regulations-threaten-financial-liveliehood-of-n-c-and-s-c-charter-captains-and-fishing-guides/For Immediate Release

April 6, 2025

North Carolina Marine Fisheries Regulations Threaten Financial Liveliehood of N. C. and S. C. Charter Captains and Fishing Guides.
Contact Laurie Thomas Vass
ltvtoo@gmail.om
Sunset Beach, N. C.

Two charter fishing captains, one from Shallotte, North Carolina, and one from Little River,      S. C., expressed their disgust with the over-regulation of recreational fishing in North Carolina. “The over-regulation of fishing in North Carolina is damaging our fishing populations in South Carolina,” said Scotty Lambert, a charter captain and owner of Little River Fishing Fleet. Insert pic 1 Scotty Lambert, Little River Fishing Fleet.

“Anglers from all over North Carolina are overcrowding us in South Carolina because they are prohibited from catching trout, flounder, and have restrictive daily limits of 3 fish per day, on Blue Fish, in North Carolina” he added. Josh Reynolds, of Maverick Charters, in Shallotte, N. C., said he doubts the accuracy and legitimacy of the North Carolina data used to prohibit fishing in North Carolina.

“I fish just about 365 days a year,” he said. “I see an abundance of sea trout, flounder and Blue Fish every day. The over-regulation is killing me financially,” he added. “I have had to target Sheepshead in order to stay alive financially, and the over-regulation in the other species is causing a decline of the Sheepshead population because that is the only fish anglers can keep,” he added. Both charter captains were exhibiting their businesses at Daves Outpost, in Sunset Beach, N. C. , in the fifth annual South Brunswick celebration of recreational fishing.” Greg Bloom and Fletcher Frink, the executives of Daves Outpost, expressed their concern about the negative economic effects the over-regulation of fishing in North Carolina is having on the charter fishing business.

“We hold our event to promote the local recreational fishing industry in Southern Brunswick County,” said Frink. “We are trying to do whatever we can to help the charter captains survive, by hosting this event,” he added. Over 50 small businesses exhibited at the event, held on April 6, 2025. One of the small businesses at the event was Griffin Canady, the owner of Watermans Choice, an oyster farming operation, located AT Topsail Beach, N. C.“I worked for 6 years with state environmental agencies before I started my oyster farm,” Canady said. “I know first hand the beneficial effects our oyster farm has on the local marine environment, and can see the habitat improving to vibrant areas from the dead zones before we started farming area,” he said.

The event drew about 1000 visitors.

“I love North Carolina, and love the people who fish with me,” said Reynolds. “I cannot understand why the State Government is intent on harming my business with over-regulation” he added.

About Little River Fishing Fleet. We have 4 boats and full crews to do both inshore and offshore fishing. We accommodate whatever type of fishing our anglers desire. https://cptscottysfishingcharters.com

About Maverick Charters. We fish intercoastal creeks and target trophy Sheepshead. 910 477 3222.

About Daves Outpost. We are a full service one-stop shop for all your fishing needs. We have our own shrimp boat and feature live shrimp and minnows on a daily basis. https://davesoutpost.com/store-info. 910 579 2016.

Sea Trail Fishing Club Holds Extraordinary Fish Fry

Scenes from the happy, satiated crowd

April 7, 2025

Laurie Thomas Vass

The Sea Trail Fishing Club held its Spring Fish Fry on April 5, 2025, at the Pink Palace, in the Sea Trail development, in Sunset Beach, N. C.

The event was managed by Alan Trojan, the Club Events chairperson.

“We were pleased with our turnout and the amazing food that was brought by our members,” Trojan said.

“Our chefs extraodinaire, Mike Griffin and Gary Smith  cooked a massive amount of fish, French fries, hush puppies, and onions to feed the hungry masses,” Trojan commented.

Club Chefs Extraordinaire , Gary Smith, left, Mike Griffin, right.

Laurie Thomas Vass, the clubs Director of Public Relations noted that not one scrap of fish was left in the Pink Palace serving area when the event ended.

Shannon managed to hide a tray of fish from the starving masses to give to the local Sunset Beach Fire Department.

Vass estimated about 75 happy club members attended the free event.

“We hope to conduct our Fall Fish Fry in October or November, and will post the  date on our website, Trojan said.

Chomping down

Anxious members lining up

Beans, Beans, Good for your heart.

Happy club members at the Fish Fry