Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited

The third annual LRCTU On-Line Auction Fundraiser is quickly approaching. At least 80% of the auction proceeds will be donated to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department. Please keep in mind the auction is more than just an opportunity to get a great deal. More importantly, it is a chance to make a significant contribution to the Fisheries Department while showing appreciation for the hard work involved by individuals donating their time and creating these one of a kind items. Auction bidding begins on November 20th.

At the September Chapter Meeting, thirty-seven (37) LRCTU members were recognized for their volunteer contributions. Our members have accomplished over 1,110 hours of volunteer labor since April 2023. Volunteers will continue to be recognized at each Chapter meeting as they reach key milestones. A special thanks to all of our members who supported the Little River Stream Clean-Up and the LRCTU Exhibit at the Townsend Fall Festival.

The LRCTU Exhibit at the Townsend Fall Festival allowed us to discuss the mission of the Little River Chapter with over 250 people. The enthusiasm of our members as they interacted with festival attendees was exceptional. Our fly tyers did a wonderful job of relating to people of all ages. My favorite memories from the festival were watching our fly tyers working with children and Jimmy Jones continuing to tie flies for a gentlemen as we were literally taking the exhibit down around him on Saturday evening.

Bob Bishop
President

September is shaping up to be a busy month for our Chapter. LRCTU has activities planned for three consecutive weekends this month starting with Water Sampling supporting the Acid Deposition Study in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). The following weekends include the Little River Clean-Up in GSMNP on September 23rd, the fall camping trip at Cataloochee September 22 – 24, and the Townsend Fall Festival on September 29 – 30. Combining the above events with the arrival of new eggs for our fall/winter session of Trout in the Classroom and the potential to begin Phase II of the Stream Barrier Survey Project should keep us busy.

The LRCTU exhibit at the Townsend Fall Festival will focus on the legacy of fly fishing in the Smokies and the importance of conserving our coldwater resources in and around GSMNP to preserve this fishery for future generations. Many of our members will be displaying their fly tying skills. We will also offer fly casting instruction and a display featuring our Chapter activities. This event is a great outreach opportunity for our Chapter.

The September Chapter Meeting will include a feature presentation by Sally Petrie of the Tennessee Wildlife Resouces Agency (TWRA) on brook trout restoration. We will also, for the first time, recognize our volunteers for their contributions since April.

I’m looking forward to getting caught up with our traveling members returning
from trips to Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. Remember to send some pictures to lrctu.newsletter@gmail.com so they can be shared with our Chapter.

Bob Bishop
President

The Little River Chapter Volunteer Recognition Program will recognize members for participation in any volunteer effort supported by LRCTU.  In addition to all GSMNP Fisheries Department activities, this expanded program recognizes Chapter members for participation in all volunteer efforts sponsored by our Chapter. To ensure you are properly recognized for your contributions and to more accurately report our volunteer hours to TU National, be sure and enter your volunteer hours in the Chapter database accessed at www.LRCTU.org.  Awards include LRCTU logo decals, safety vests, label pins, coffee mugs, T-Shirts, medallions, and a framed print.

LRCTU has been selected as an exhibitor for the Townsend Fall Festival on September 29 -30.  We will focus on the legacy of fly fishing in the Smokies and the importance of conserving our coldwater resources in and around GSMNP to preserve this fishery for future generations.  

Our annual on-line auction is scheduled from November 20 to December 3.  Proceeds from the auction support the GSMNP Fisheries Department.  If you are interested in volunteering to assist with either the auction or the Festival, contact me at bishmoose@sbcglobal.net.

A special thanks to Gary Pickens and Harry Fetterman for their work on a significant upgrade to the LRCTU Website (www.LRCTU.org).  The website has been updated to include current LRCTU projects, activities, and slide presentations from Monthly Chapter Meetings.  If you haven’t accessed the website in a while, now would be a good time to take a look.

It’s the time of year when some of our members travel to look for bigger fish, different fish, more fish, and/or a change of scenery.   If your traveling, be safe and remember to send some pictures to lrctu.newsletter@gmail.com so they can be shared with our Chapter.

Highlights of the August Chapter Meeting will include a feature presentation by Ian and Charity Rutter of R & R Fly Fishing, and details of the recently implemented Little River Chapter Volunteer Recognition Program.  This will be a great opportunity to get caught up with Chapter activities and socialize with your friends.

Bob Bishop,
President

August 2023 Newsletter