Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited

My life has been filled with serendipity.  Many years ago, my brother asked if I wanted to split the cost of a casting lesson with him and on that day fly fishing became one of those serendipitous events. That day began a journey for both of us and we were able to share a gift of some amazing days on the water.

Fly fishing isn’t just fishing.  It takes you places.  It exposes you to some of the most beautiful scenery you could ever hope to see, even if it is just being on The Little River on a beautiful day, while feeling that burning hope for the big one.  As a friend of mine always says, “the tug is the drug!”  This spring I found that to be true even when catching a stick while floating on the Tuckaseegee!

Serendipity also brought me to the Little River Chapter where I have found more passions; Tie and Lie, Trout in the Classroom, or even getting some good exercise while picking up trash. There is an added bonus of spending time with amazing people and building friendships while sharing the common purpose of caring for the park, its fisheries, and the beauty that surrounds us.

As president, I share a responsibility to keep LRCTU strong and healthy.  I can’t believe my fortune of being surrounded by so many passionate people willing to give their time and talents to help along the way.  I am always in awe of how many volunteers and volunteer hours we have each year.

Our newsletter editor, Joyce Frey, does a great job with dates, descriptions, and goings on, so please do some scrolling and see what ’s coming up!  I do know we could use a few more volunteers for our Trout in the Classroom releases and there are a couple of more dates open for Norton Creek.  Man, talk about some great fishing!

Here fishy, fishy, fishy!

Kim Emery
President

Newsletter

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