Each year, 3 Rivers Angler organizes the Carp Cup, a tournament highly anticipated by fishermen from throughout the region. These fishermen come out for tons of fun and feet of fish, but at the heart of it is their care for our region’s natural resources. Proceeds from the event go back to Legacy Parks to support our work to increase access to our waterways in East Tennessee.
This year’s 3 Rivers Carp Cup (3RCC) is to be held on Saturday, July 29th on the French Broad, Holston, and Tennessee Rivers located throughout the greater Knoxville area. The 3 Rivers Carp Cup is a one day, fly fishing only tournament to benefit the Legacy Parks Foundation and its work to assure that our community enjoys exceptional recreational opportunities, natural beauty and open spaces, and that those assets exist for generations to come.
One of the primary areas of focus of Legacy Parks is to maintain the health of and access to our local waterways. Knoxville’s history and growth is tied to our waterways and our rivers continue to define much of our region. The 3RCC is a fundraiser to support the continued development of recreational opportunities along the Holston and French Broad Rivers located below Cherokee (Holston River) and Douglas (French Broad River) Dams respectively.
At present, access along the French Broad Blueway is adequate but incomplete while public access along the Holston River is extremely limited and as a result this unique outdoor asset is currently underutilized by a variety of users. All proceeds from the 3 Rivers Carp Cup will go to support increased access opportunities on both rivers for a variety of users including fishermen, recreational paddlers, and wildlife enthusiasts.
Legacy Parks Foundation, 3 Rivers Angler, and the Great Smoky Mountains Chapter of Trout Unlimited are all excited about our partnership as well as the prospects of improved access to these fantastic assets located so close to our esteemed city.
The 3RCC allows anglers to fish for the elusive carp along some of East Tennessee’s most scenic waterways. The carp may be the most difficult fish to take on a fly and provides real challenges to the fly angler. Last year’s tournament saw 78 anglers from all over the United States chasing carp in support of the Legacy Parks Foundation. People traveled from far and wide to join us. Folks from Louisiana, Illinois, Georgia, SC, Kentucky, and even as far away as Idaho have joined us in years past.
The momentum and enthusiasm for the 3 Rivers Carp Cup grows each year as its become a staple weekend on every fly junkie’s calendar.
More information and registration can be found here. Join in on the fun!
