Happy anglers at the awards celebration.

Located on Lockwood Folly Inlet, based in a vintage sportsmen club building in tune with its idyllic setting, The Brunswick County Fishing Club has been home for generations of like-minded lovers of the outdoors. Founded in 1971, they gained non-profit status about 20 years ago to be able to open their doors to more members. Because they own the property and building outright, they can offer annual individual memberships as low as $10, and family memberships for $40.

Club President Andrew Imes tells us about their signature event, The Free Youth Fishing Tournament, open to any child in Brunswick County.

This is my favorite event of the year by far, it is just so much fun. The idea is to get kids excited about spending time outdoors, and of course, fishing. It’s free and open to kids 6 to 15 years old, with a parent or guardian being present. We have a quick meeting with everyone at the clubhouse on Thursday to go over guidelines, then Friday and Saturday they fish! On Sunday we meet for pizza at the clubhouse and give awards and prizes.

The young anglers can fish anywhere in Brunswick County that is open to the public; saltwater, fresh water, from a boat, off a pier. They must use a rod and reel, can catch any type of species, and scoring is done by length, by submitting a photo of the fish next to a ruler. Parents often call me during the tournament, asking how to do something, and they sound so happy, they’re just having a great time together. Then they send me photos of their kids fishing, and they have the hugest smiles!

We have all kinds of prizes, including daily winners and biggest overall for every species, from bass and barracuda to king mackerel, so many that every kid wins something awesome. Watching them cheer each other on, during the tournament and on Sunday, is just incredible. Last year, one boy had a surf rod that was going off like crazy; he was fighting it, and the crowd watching was cheering like mad. It got away, but the kids were really behind him.

It’s all about preserving this beautiful, important natural environment – and getting out and enjoying it!

We hold a bunch of events each year, including a series of fishing tournaments, a chili cook-off, bingo, and a Fourth of July golf cart parade, which helps fund the Youth Fishing Tournament, along with grants like the one from BEMC. We also hold four to six free educational seminars each year, related to the environment and fishing techniques.

Our club members have been instrumental in getting several local reefs established and are currently advocating for Lockwood Folly to be dredged consistently. It’s all about preserving this beautiful, important natural environment – and getting out and enjoying it!