Herring--redneck salmon. Late each winter these boney fish leave their usual ocean abode and venture up the creeks and swamps of the mid-Atlantic US to spawn in the flooded swamps of the low lands. For years, they were a staple crop in eastern North Carolina. I remember pick-up trucks loaded to spilling with herring dipped from local streams barely more than six feet wide. Today, the fishery here is largely dead due to deteriorated environment, flood control damming, and over fishing. Only a token fishing season on herring is allowed today.

It has been said, “You’re not a a real man in northeastern North Carolina until you’ve had a Sunday morning breakfast of cold herring and hot Budweiser.”

I dropped by Jamesville last Saturday to get my annual fix of fresh herring before I remembered that it was Festival time.

Ate at my favorite fry spot, the seasonal Cypress Grill down by the river.

A few sights from the festival are shared here.