With whirling disease confirmed in North Carolina, the Tuckaseigee River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is planning an informational session on how anglers can stop its spread at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the United Community Bank in Sylva. 

Shannon Messer of Blackrock Outdoors will give the talk.

Caused by a parasite, the disease damages the cartilage and skeletal tissue of fish in the trout and salmon family, causing them to swim in circles. Whirling disease is often fatal to juvenile fish and can severely impact adult fish’s chance of competitive success in the environment, but it does not affect people or pets. The disease was confirmed in trout in the Watauga River near Foscoe this July. 

Dinner is $5, with the talk followed by a chance to win a fly rod from Whittier craftsman Jim Mills. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..