Troutmasters
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Trout Masters is the name of an outfitting group and annual fishing tournament in the Wilson's Creek district of Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina. The invitation only tournament takes place in June. Entrants begin fishing Thursday morning through Saturday evening. Wilson's creek is stocked by the North Carolina Fish Hatcheries division of N.C Game and Wildlife Commission. The river is stocked with Rainbow, Brook, and Brown trout.
Unlike most fishing tournaments which judge by weight of catch, Troutmasters fish are judged by length from tip to tail. By catching the longest fish, the Troutmasters winning fisherman is awarded ownership of the coveted Troutmasters trophy until the next tournament. The trophy is engraved with the names of previous winners.
Other traditions unique to the tournament include the Mezcal opening ceremony, taking place on the Thursday evening prior to the fishing tournament. The ceremony begins with a reading of "The Mystique of Mezcal", followed by a sampling of the liquor. Tournament participants may also elect to read a short passage of their own.
A horseshoe tournament was added to the weekend's festivities in 2002. The Golden Horseshoe tournament is composed of two-man teams, competing in "best of three" matches. The rules include a beer can a top the post that count for additional points (5) if knocked off or pierced through. The tournament uses a double elimination format, with the championship match normally taking place on Saturday afternoon.
Trout Masters
[edit]2022 Derek Paige
2021 Derek Paige
2020 Jason "Winston" Osborne
2019 Derek Paige
2018 Jason "Bru" Smith
2017 Jason "Winston" Osborne
2016 Derek Paige
2015 Rob Horton
2014 Scott Perry
2013 Rob Horton
2012 Scott Perry
2011 Gibby Bates
2010 Jason "Winston" Osborne
2009 Rob Horton
2008 Jason "Winston" Osborne
2007 Jason "Bru" Smith
2006 Rob Horton
2005 Gibby Bates
2004 Jason "Bru" Smith
2003 Teddy P
2002 Teddy P
2001 Foo Foo
2000 Jason "Bru" Smith
Golden Horseshoe Champions
[edit]2020 Jeff Bernia and Tyler Owens
2019 Mother Nature
2018 Sean and Chris
2017 Jason "Winston" Osborne and Mark Del-Colle
2016 Bru and Hensley
2015 Jonathan Reekes and Tony Sweet Tea Watkins
2014 Winston and Rob Hensley
2013 Winston and Rob Hensley
2012 Scott Perry and Mark Del-Colle
2011 Scott Perry and Mark Del-Colle
2010 Brad Rice and Scott Franklin
2009 Scott Perry and Mark Del-Colle
2008 Bru and Rob Horton
2007 Bru and Rob Horton
2006 Franklin and Brad R
2005 Franklin and Tony G
2004 Franklin and Brad R
2003 Teddy P and Joe
2002
See also
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