Whirling disease has been discovered in North Carolina in both the Wautauga River near Foscoe and the Elk River near Blowing Rock. (Note this is not Elk Creek NE of Lenoir that many of us fish.) Whirling disease can be devastating to the trout and with it this nearby, we need to do all we can to keep it from spreading. The following guidelines for fishermen have been issued by the NCWRC:
CLEAN equipment of all aquatic plants, animals, and mud
DRAIN water from boats, live wells, and equipment
DRY equipment thoroughly
NEVER MOVE fish, plants, or other organisms from one body of water to another