P r e s i d e n t ’ s C o r n e r
Newsletter
By most, if not all accounts, the Little River Chapter had a very good year. Our volunteer base of support for the Park was strong. We brought back the Troutfest Banquet and Auction that surpassed everyone’s expectations. A total of $25,000 was donated to the GSMNP (see further details in this month’s newsletter below). As a tribute and recognition to Steve Moore’s long and storied career with the Park Service, we established the Steve Moore Youth Education Fund. With your generosity, the fund was seeded with $5,000 that is being used to start three Trout-in-the-Classroom programs and provide assistance for kids to attend Trout Camp.
I want to thank the Board of Directors and other key leaders for all their behind the scenes effort. They deserve a lot of credit. And I want thank all of you for your continued efforts and belief in our mission to support the GSMNP. I am truly looking forward to 2015!!
Personally, 2014 was a good year for me in regards to fishing. I had a goal of strapping on my wading boots at least one hundred times this year. I came close to that goal. I failed miserably to start learning to fish our great tailwaters. I’m renewing my resolve to do a better job of hitting the tailwaters next year. Anyone who wants to take this tailwater notice under his / her wing, please give me a call. My fishing experience in the Park was good overall despite the usual weather / nature challenges. I fished the horseshoe in Abrams Creek for the first time, made my annual trip to Greenbrier to catch brookies, and caught more browns than I ever have in the past. Our month long trip of a lifetime to Alaska last fall was phenomenal. The place is stunning and huge, and I was able to catch some really nice coho’s, Dolly Verdens and rainbows.
At our meeting Thursday, after a short business meeting to elect the 2015 Board of Directors, we will again have fly tying demonstrations and a swap meet. I have a pair of Orvis Clearwater size XXL waders that I will be selling. I bought the waders several years ago for a Casting For Recovery retreat. The waders were worn for less than two hours. I will donate any proceeds from the waders to our Chapter. It’s a great time to clean out your closets, garages and basements for fishing stuff you no longer want or need.
The slate of Little River Chapter Officers / Board members is listed below. I’m thankful to those who are continuing to serve and lead our Chapter. Equally, I am thrilled to add James Locke and Steve Young to the slate. We will have a great Board in 2015. And I want to personally thank Joe McGroom. Joe will be stepping down as Vice President to spend time with a growing family and busy career. Joe was our 2014 Troutfest Chairman and did a fantastic job. We will miss his leadership, but we won’t let him get too far away. Thanks again to everyone for a great year. At this time of year when we stop to give thanks, remember all the great natural resources we are blessed with so close to home.
Thanks,
Mike
Fly Tying Demo & Swap Meet on for December 4 Meeting
Our Next Little River Chapter Trout Unlimited meeting will be held Thursday, December 4, 2014, 7PM at the MONTE VISTA BAPTIST CHURCH located at 1735 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville, TN 37803-5505. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN LOCATION. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall. As you are facing the Church the entrance is on the right side of the building.
Two big events: Fly Tying Demo’s and Swap / Sell Program.
This will be one fun meeting that everyone should attend. We are going to have three of the regions best fly tyer’s: Walter Babb, Rob Fight master and Josh Pfeiffer. Walter has been fishing and tying flies for more then 50 years and teaches fly tying at Little River Outfitters. He has tied flies professionally for more then 40 years. Rob Fightmaster has been fishing and guiding in the Great Smoky Mountains for many years. Rob was the Fly Fishing Program Director for Blackberry Farms for six years. Rob currently operates Fightmaster Fly Fishing Guide Service. Josh Pfeiffer started fishing with his dad at the age of 10. Every since he has been consumed by the sport and operates Frontier
Anglers
