[Guest Post] Charleston Anglers – A Passionate Community

John and Caroline Irwin enjoy a day on Charleston’s waterways (Photo by Jason Stemple)

Some folks may think of Charleston Angler as merely a store, but I like to look at our local tackle shops as a community. True for so many industries in our town, visiting fishing enthusiasts are just as important to our angling community as the locals. Which is why Charleston Waterkeeper’s Junior Council found it important to raise awareness of the organization’s mission to the customers of Charleston Angler.

On Saturday, June 7th, we hosted the first ever “Charleston Waterkeeper Day” at Charleston Angler’s Mount Pleasant store. We were able to connect with Charleston’s passionate angling community by sharing information about Charleston Waterkeeper’s mission, including results from our Water Quality Monitoring Program and details about our Mobile Pumpout Program. We were able to connect with many new supporters who already share Charleston Waterkeeper’s vision to keep our waters safe, clean, swimmable, and, of course, fishable! In addition, the Charleston Angler donated a portion of the day’s merchandise sales to the organization! All in all, it was great progress to help sustain our mission to not only advocate for Charleston’s waterways but to educate about the ways to care for it.

My name is Caroline, and to be a member of Charleston Waterkeeper’s Junior Council means a lot to me. It means the sky is the limit! No idea is too big when it comes to helping keep our waterways clean and safe. My family has put on fishing tournaments for the past four decades, and we are planning to continue as a means to raise money for conservation. As users of these waters, we bear a great level of responsibility to serve as stewards of this natural resource. I also happen to be married to a fishing guide in town, John Irwin of Fly Right Charters–lending much of our personal quality time to be spent on the water. For us, it’s a matter of our occupations and our avocations! I think we can relate to a lot of you in that respect.

Therefore, go out and love the water. It is yours to enjoy and yours to safeguard.

Lastly, a special thanks to Caroline Rhodes and the entire staff of the Charleston Angler for hosting us earlier this month!

Best Fishes,
Caroline Smith Irwin
Founding Member of Charleston Waterkeeper’s Junior Council