Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited

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!

Newsletter

The February 27^th LRCTU Meeting will be one of the more significant events for our Chapter this year.  Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) Supervisory Fisheries Biologist, Matt Kulp, will be the featured speaker and will present information regarding the state of the GSMNP fishery.  Matt’s conclusions rely heavily on data gathered by LRCTU volunteers over the past thirty-three (33) years.  

Following Matt’s presentation our Chapter will present a $15,000 donation to the GSMNP Fisheries Department.  This donation would not have been possible without the hard work and contributions of our members.   We will also recognize all LRCTU members who have contributed at least 125 hours of volunteer service through any Chapter sponsored activity since April 2023.  Members with 125 or more hours of service will be presented with the newly minted LRCTU Volunteer Medallion.  Please join us at the February LRCTU meeting to show our appreciation to Matt and his Fisheries Team as well as our LRCTU volunteers.

The Little River Chapter is pleased to announce we will sponsor Avery Mead at the 2025 John Thurman Trout Adventure Camp held at Tremont Institute from June 16 – 21.  Avery will also be awarded a $400 scholarship from our Chapter.  Avery is a resident of Maryville and has participated in Trout in the Classroom.  She is passionate about conservation and has a genuine willingness to share her enthusiasm with others.  She has also demonstrated her fly tying skills at Little River Outfitters along with her father.  

Trout Camp is only possible with the dedicated work of TU volunteers across the state of Tennessee.  Many of you have worked as Trout Camp volunteers in the past and once again your support is needed to make this year’s camp a success.  If you are interested in assisting with Trout Camp, contact Bob Bishop at bishmoose@sbcglobal.net or Sean Avery, TNTU Camp Director, at tutntroutcamp@gmail.com.

The results from the work of our Stream Barrier Survey teams data collection efforts are becoming more evident.   The photos below show the removal of the existing double culvert on Rock Creek along the Cosby Entrance Road.  The double culvert will be replaced with a single open bottom metal arch that will improve aquatic organism passage between Cosby Creek and Rock Creek.

Bob Bishop
President

Newsletter

The LRCTU Board of Directors approved a $15,000 donation to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) Fisheries Department. Over $13,500 of this donation are proceeds from the LRCTU Auction and the remaining amount is from monetary contributions from members. The success of the auction would not have been possible without the support of LRCTU members, local businesses, guides who donated goods and services, volunteers willing to collect and deliver auction items, and members bidding generously. Thanks to everyone for supporting the auction.

Our Chapter is located in an area with numerous opportunities to volunteer for conservation, community science, and youth education projects. Opportunities include assisting the GSMNP Fisheries Department with their work in the national park, Stream Cleanups, Trout in the Classroom, and the John Thurman Trout Adventure Camp. Matt Kulp, GSMNP Supervisory Fisheries Biologist, will be holding the annual Fisheries Department volunteer meeting at the Old Oconaluftee Visitor Center on February 22 at 9:00 a.m. Contact Bernie Maloy (52bazzman@gmail.com), GSMNP Fisheries Volunteer Coordinator for Tennessee, if you are interested in attending this meeting.

The annual Tennessee Coldwater Summit, sponsored by the Tennessee Council of Trout Unlimited, is being held on February 1 at the Concord Yacht Club. This event is open to all Trout Unlimited members. If you are interested in attending this event, please refer to the instructions listed under Volunteer Opportunities discussed later in the Newsletter.

The January Chapter meeting will feature presentations from local teachers who are participating in our Trout in the Classroom program. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about Trout in the Classroom and the positive effect this program has on young people in the local community.

Bob Bishop
President

Newsletter