The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) was selected by the National Park Trust as one of only five national parks to host a fly fishing event for US military veterans and their families this year. This event was held Saturday, November 16 at Tremont Institute and included participants from Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). At the request of the National Park Service, the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (LRCTU) provided nine volunteers to assist with this event. Although fishing conditions may not have been ideal, it was a great day on the water with our veterans who have done so much to protect our nation. There were no less than seventeen service men and women fishing Middle Prong of Little River on Saturday. I’m sure most of the people driving Tremont Road yesterday did not realize the sacrifices the fishermen they were observing have made for our country. Saturday was a great reminder that fishing is so much more than about catching fish.
LRCTU had another group of volunteers working in GSMNP this Saturday supporting collection of water samples for acid deposition studies. There are not many Trout Unlimited Chapters that would have been able to support two events of this magnitude on a single day. Thank you to all our volunteers and the members who support them.
The 4th Annual LRCTU On-Line Auction will be held from November 23 thru December 8. At least 80% of the auction proceeds will be donated to the GSMNP Fisheries Department. Additional details regarding the auction are provided later in this newsletter. The December Chapter Meeting will feature a display of most auction items as well as a trivia contest with prizes.
Bob Bishop
President
Newsletter
