Highlights of the Carolina Outdoors

In the Carolinas, the spring season brings an influx of migrating birds to their breeding or wintering grounds. Bird watching offers a great opportunity to get outside, enjoy nature, and slow down. This week on the Carolina Outdoors, Bill shares which birds to look out for in the area, tips for a successful day of bird-watching, and more. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

Have you ever wondered about the history of the area where we live and work? Drew Thrasher co-founded the Urban Hike to encourage his kids to get outside and learn more about the history of the area. Now an annual event, the 2026 Urban Hike is coming up on Sunday, March 29th. Drew Thrasher is on the Carolina Outdoors this week to share about the hike, this year’s location of Matthews, and more. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

As temperatures rise and spring adventure approaches, Scott Wurtzbacher joins the Carolina Outdoors to share about his most recent trip to the W Trek in Patagonia. Host of the Inspire Campfire podcast and author of Campfire Within, Scott discusses weather, packing, gear, and more. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

How were you first introduced to adventure – whether that be fly fishing, hiking, or something else? Donna R. Gore is introducing children to fishing through her children’s book, Plugnose and the Fisherman. She joins the Carolina Outdoors this week to share the writing process, the meaning in the book, and more. In Part Two, Donna discusses technology, relationships, and her journey from Connecticut to the Carolinas. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

How were you first introduced to adventure – whether that be fly fishing, hiking, or something else? Donna R. Gore is introducing children to fishing through her children’s book, Plugnose and the Fisherman. She joins the Carolina Outdoors this week to share the writing process, the meaning in the book, and more. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

Bill Jewett, former president of the Carolina Fly Fishing Club, joins the Carolina Outdoors to share about his time as president, how he united fly fishing groups, and the upcoming Fly Fishing Film Tour on March 19th. Learn more about the Carolina Fly Fishing Club HERE. To learn more about the F3T and to get your ticket, click HERE! More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

MyOutdoorJoy was founded by James Smith with the goal of helping people learn how to be outdoors. People are exposed to the outdoors less and less due to changing cultural, situational, and generational circumstances. MyOutdoorJoy aims to change that with classes, adventure, and reflection. In Part Two of this week’s episode, James Smith discusses how the company has grown and adapted over the past few years, including rebranding, team building, and more. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

MyOutdoorJoy was founded by James Smith with the goal of helping people learn how to be outdoors. People are exposed to the outdoors less and less due to changing cultural, situational, and generational circumstances. MyOutdoorJoy aims to change that with classes, adventure, and reflection. Hear James Smith discuss his background, the importance of getting outside, and more on the Carolina Outdoors. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

In recent years, the game of Mahjongg has exploded in popularity in the United States. The Chinese tile game is becoming America’s favorite way to build connection and enjoy friendly competition. Kandy Steiner, a Mahjongg instructor, joins the Carolina Outdoors to teach us more about the game, its origins, and its rise in popularity. Kandy is hosting Mahjongg 101 at Jesse Brown’s on February 25th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Click HERE for more information & registration! More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

Nourish Up, a hunger relief organization, partners annually with local scout troops in a food drive in the Charlotte area. In 2025, approximately 185,000 pounds of food was collected by Mecklenburg County Scout Troops! Tina Postel, Executive Director of Nourish Up, joins the Carolina Outdoors to talk about the mission of Nourish Up, their partnership in Scouting for Food, and how to donate. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

For more than 25 years, North Carolina Outward Bound School has empowered young CMS students through the Charlotte Unity Project. Alexys Woods, a Unity Project alumni and current Program Director, shares more about the program, which includes a free 7-day wilderness course for students, complemented by a Unity Club on their school’s campus. Learn more about the Unity Project, its mission, and how it impacts the Charlotte community. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

Jake Rash, Coldwater Research Coordinator for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, works with the coordination of research and management of North Carolina’s trout resources. He joins the Carolina Outdoors this week to discuss delayed harvest, economic benefits, hatcheries, and more. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

Brian Hester is an artist, fly fisherman, and author of She Talks to Fish. He also recently retired from his role as an art teacher at Myers Park High School. Mr. Hester joins the Carolina Outdoors to talk about what his year has looked like since retiring, including book tours, writing movie scripts, and the upcoming Fly Fishing Film Tour on March 19th. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

As a winter storm approaches Charlotte, Bill and TJ talk about snow day activities and safety. From movies to card games to safe driving, the Carolina Outdoors covers what you need to be prepared for winter weather. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

Duck hunting season in North Carolina and South Carolina is currently in effect, ending on January 31st. Jimmy Dobes, president of Southeast Specialty Outdoors, joins the Carolina Outdoors to talk about the sport – from his own passion for the outdoors, to safety, to decoys and calls. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

As temperatures drop and snow flurries fall, it’s the perfect time to go skiing in the mountains of North Carolina. Gunther Jochl of Sugar Mountain Resort joins the Carolina Outdoors to talk the 2026 ski season and changes to Sugar Mountain over the years. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

As the Carolina Panthers head into their first playoff appearance since 2017, the Carolina Outdoors talks Panthers football over the years. Bill walks through some of the Panthers’ best playoff games, as ranked by Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer. Find his article here. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

Did you know that North Carolina is home to the nation’s 2nd larger Christmas tree industry? Our state has more than 53 million trees growing on 33,000 acres of land, and over 3 million trees harvested each year. Dr. Will Kohlway, Extension Specialist for Christmas Tree Production & Marketing at NC State University, shares more on Christmas trees in North Carolina, including their impacts on the economy and the effects of weather, pests, and disease. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

As December progresses and days get shorter, nights also get longer – and are filled with stars, galaxies, meteors, and more! Will Snyder, manager of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in St. Louis, Missouri, shares what to look for in the night sky this winter, including star clusters, galaxies, and nebulas. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

Taylor Piephoff, naturalist, member of the Mecklenburg Audubon Society, and the “bird whisperer” of Charlotte, discusses bird watching, the Christmas Bird Count, and more! Tune in to this week’s edition of the Carolina Outdoors for more on the birds seen in the Carolinas this winter. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

What connects two literary giants, Norman Maclean and Theodore Geisel aka “Dr. Seuss”? They were both authors, classmates, and friends – but not only that, they were both fishermen. Norman Maclean, the author of A River Runs Through It, and the famed Dr. Seuss shared a love for the outdoors. Tune in to hear their connection and history, more about the Carolina Fly Fishing Club, and more. For more information on the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) in Charlotte, click HERE! More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

Visit Jesse Brown’s at the Southern Christmas Show this year from November 13th-23rd! Christmas carols, treats, trees, and great holiday gift ideas can all be found at the Southern Christmas Show – the official start of the holiday season. Find your friends from Jesse Brown’s and buy tickets here. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s

The Carolina Fly Fishing Club, a local chapter of Fly Fishing International, was founded in North Carolina to promote, advocate for, and educate on the sport of fly fishing. Chapter President Bill Jewett, otherwise known as “Fly Tying Santa,” joins the Carolina Outdoors this week. Learn more about the CFFC, how Bill was coined “Fly Tying Santa,” and the impact of fly fishing. More Liner Notes are available online at Jesse Brown’s