But the Roanoke River -- during the warm months, when it is not being stocked with trout -- is his go-to spot. Bailey said he estimates he has fished 13 miles of the river by foot.

North Carolina’s biggest blue catfish was a whopping 127 pounds, and it was caught in 2021 in the Roanoke River. (WATCH: Fisherman pulls massive catfish out of Lake Norman) ...