Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Farewell and Best Wishes to Harry Fetterman

There are many members and board members who make LRCTU what it is today — strong, successful, and full of heart. One of those people is Harry Fetterman, our Treasurer, auction coordinator, grant seeker, and writer — just a few of the many hats he wears.

Harry and his lovely wife are moving to New York to be closer to their new granddaughter, Adeline Oakley Fetterman. His last meeting with us will be December 4. He’s far too humble to seek the spotlight, but this small note will have to do:

Harry, thank you for everything you’ve done for LRCTU, for the GSMNP Fisheries program, and for the future of the Brook Trout translocation study. Your work on the auction, your dedication to keeping our finances in top shape, and your steady presence behind the scenes have meant more than you’ll ever know. We wish you all the best in this next chapter — may it be your best adventure yet! 

Kim Emery
President

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Congratulations, Sara Bishop!

Being preoccupied with an upcoming trip while writing last month’s notes, I completely forgot to congratulate Sara Bishop for winning the Eddy George Award! This prestigious recognition is based on volunteer hours served in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).

Sara has risked life and limb to take part in many volunteer events most folks would never dare to do. In working alongside her (on events not risking life OR limb), I’ve learned she is deeply passionate about all things LRCTU and never hesitates to jump in wherever and whenever help is needed.

Thank you, Sara — and congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

It’s hard to believe another year is already coming to a close! We’ll be taking a break next month to enjoy Thanksgiving, but mark your calendar for Thursday, December 4 — our next meeting. Same place. Same time. Different week.

At the December meeting we’ll be showcasing auction items, so come check out the merchandise and get a sneak peek at what’s up for grabs. We already have donated items valued at over $8,500.

As in years past, Harry Fetterman and the various teams are doing a fantastic job getting us up and running for another successful event.

The auction will start on Saturday, November 22 at noon and end on Sunday evening, December 7 at 9:00 PM. We will highlight many of our Auction items at the December 4 Chapter meeting at the Blue Tick Tavern. 

Tight lines!
Kim Emery

“Fly fishing: because standing in a river and talking to yourself is more socially acceptable with a rod in your hand.”

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Happy fall, Friends!
If you spent your summer traveling – welcome back! It’s hard to believe fall is already upon us. With cooler weather comes fishing season (yay!), new Norton Creek fishing dates, and a full slate of projects for the Little River Chapter.

Trout in the Classroom
There were a few supply snags with tank supplies early on, but thanks to Dave Tolliver everything is now on track, and eggs will be distributed September 18. Some of the tanks have moved to new locations with unique purposes and audiences:

– Covey Farm Treeschool – Jenna Jackson (a former TIC program teacher) is the Director and Lead Teacher for a mix of preschool, kindergarten, and first-grade students. Along with Jenna, the students will take a truly hands-on approach to caring for the tank—feeding fish, checking water quality, and tracking their growth. We look forward to working with this school and wish them all the luck in their first season!

– Heritage Middle School – Julia Ross, formerly the hands-on teacher at Townsend Middle School, retired from teaching but couldn’t stay away from Trout in the Classroom. Together with Mr. Wieltlisbach, she has brought the Townsend Elementary tank to Heritage Middle School students. The Heritage High School AP Environmental students will be involved with managing the project as part of their coursework while also earning volunteer hours.

It’s great to see these new opportunities for education, stewardship, and youth involvement take root!

Other Fall Projects
Along with Trout in the Classroom, LRCTU has a busy fall schedule ahead:

– River Cleanups:
– Little River – with cookout Saturday, October 4 – Meet at Metcalf Bottoms
– Pistol Creek – Saturday, November 8 – Meet in the parking lot of Blount County Courthouse
– Townsend Fall Festival booth – September 26 – 27
– Norton Creek Fishing Days

September Chapter Meeting – Thursday, September 25
Join us as videographer Ben Fields takes us on a visual journey with some incredible footage and even better stories. This is one you won’t want to miss—I can personally vouch that it’s worth seeing! Want a sneak peek? Check out dorsaloutdoors.com. Just copy and paste link into your browser.

Your support is the heart of Little River Chapter. Whether you’re donating time, sharing your expertise, or simply showing up to lend a hand, you’re helping us make a difference for trout, rivers, and our community.

Thanks for all you do!
Kim Emery

“The best fisherman I know try not to make the same mistakes over and over again; instead they strive to make new and interesting mistakes and to remember what they learned from them.”
– John Gierach “Fly Fishing the High Country”

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