Cliffs of the Neuse to loan equipment
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on July 8, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/BECKY BARCLAY
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park now has a fishing tackle loaner program. Visitors to the park can check out fishing poles to use at the park any day of the week at no charge.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park has a river full of fish. But not everybody who goes there has fishing equipment.
So the Cliffs partnered with the Wildlife Resources Commission to start its first ever fishing tackle loaner program.
Through the commission, the Cliffs purchased fishing equipment at half price to lend out to visitors who go to the park.
"If somebody wants to learn how to fish or even if they just come to the park and forgot their fishing gear, they can come to the camp store, and we will loan the equipment to them," said park ranger Candace Rose. "There is a fishing pole and a goodie pack with some souvenir items in it."
Anyone checking out fishing equipment at the Cliffs must have someone 16 or older with them. Those under 18 need to have a parent sign for them.
Those interested in using the equipment will need to take their identification and a current fishing license.
However, anyone 16 or younger can fish with an adult who has a fishing license without having to get one of their own.
"You come to the camp store to get the fishing equipment," Ms. Rose said. "It's for anybody who comes to the park; you don't have to be camping here. But we do ask that you use the equipment only in the park."
Visitors to the park can check out the fishing equipment any day of the week.
Should someone interested in getting the equipment when the camp store is closed, they can go to the host campsite No. 34 to get someone to check out the fishing equipment.
There is someone at the host site 24 hours a day. Once whoever is using the equipment are done with it, they can return it to the camp store.
"You get a loaner card, sort of like a library card, that you can use here and at other sites in North Carolina with a fishing tackle loaner program" Ms. Rose said.
"There is some artificial bait in the tackle box they get to use. If they don't bring their own bait, then we refer them to the local store in Seven Springs."
There are regular size fishing poles and also smaller ones for children, and they are all in good working condition.
The Cliffs is not a catch-and-release site.
If you catch a fish that's within regulation size, you can take it home with you, Ms. Rose said.
She said this is the first time a program such as this has been done in Wayne County and the Cliffs is currently the only site loaning fishing equipment in the county.
"We wanted to do this because we do have the Neuse River as a fishing area," Ms. Rose said.
"We'd like to increase opportunities for park visitors when they come here who maybe aren't interested in hiking or camping. Fishing is something that anybody can do. It's a fun family activity, too."
For more information about the fishing tackle loaner program, call the Cliffs at 919-778-6234.