The Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s (LRCTU) mission is to conserve, protect, and restore the cold-water fisheries and their watersheds in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Our commitment to this mission has remained strong for over thirty-three years. More than seventy LRCTU members and guests attended the February Chapter meeting to show appreciation to the GSMNP Fisheries Department and our volunteers. The Chapter presented a $15,000 donation to the GSMNP Fisheries Department and eighteen members received the LRCTU Volunteer Medallion for contributing over 100 hours of volunteer service.
LRCTU volunteers have already contributed over 3,000 hours of volunteer service this fiscal year. Please remember to enter all of your volunteer hours on the lrctu.org website under the “Volunteer Hours” tab. These volunteer hours are more than just a number. Volunteer hours can be used for “in-kind” offsets for grants and demonstrate to our supporters that LRCTU members work hard to support conservation and education efforts in the local area.
If you have any questions or interest in our volunteer opportunities, contact any of the volunteer coordinators listed below.
Tennessee GSMNP Fisheries – Bernie Maloy (52bazzman@gmail.com)
Trout in the Classroom – Kim Emery (kim@topshelfedu.com)
Pistol Creek Clean-Up – Ernie Frey (ernest.frey@comcast.net)
Norton Creek Projects – Daniel Spradlin (danielspradlin93@gmail.com)
The March Chapter Meeting will include a feature presentation from local guides Ian and Charity Rutter of R & R Fly Fishing. The Rutters are longtime supporters of LRCTU through contributions to our on-line auction as well as participation in numerous LRCTU projects such as Trout in the Classroom and conservation efforts with GSMNP Fisheries.
A brief Annual Chapter Business Meeting will be held after the Rutter’s presentation and is limited to election of officers and board members and a financial summary. The point is, do not avoid the Chapter meeting because of the word “business.”
It was standing room only at the February meeting with Matt Kulp, GSMNP Supervisor Fishery Biologist. Thanks to everyone who came out!
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