title: Troutmasters
text: # Troutmasters
  
  Trout Masters is the name of an NC outfitting group and annual fishing tournament taking place in the Wilson's Creek district of Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina. The invitation only tournament takes place on the opening day of trout fishing season, normally the first Saturday in April, but has since been moved to June due to extreme weather conditions in early April (snow, wind, lava, etc). 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
  
  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
  
  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
  
  