Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced the reopening of Lynn Camp Prong to fishing effective March 6, 2015 following a seven-year native, brook trout restoration project. The reopening of the 8.5 mile-stream sections marks the first time, since the park’s establishment in 1934, that all streams in the park are open to fishing.

T.U. Member time to take action today to prevent damage to Tennessee streams from mechanized gold prospecting.

A permit has been requested from the Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) to allow  by both manual (non-mechanized) and mechanized methods. TDEC has determined that the mechanized prospecting with dredges will degrade water quality, while non-mechanized prospecting with pans and hand tools will result in minimal degradation.

Why We Care

Of particular concern is the potential for mechanized prospecting for gold in several tributaries in the Tellico watershed. As an organization, TU will comment on this application before March 12, meeting the 30-day deadline for written comments. Letters from individual TU members will significantly strengthen the effort to prevent stream damage from mechanized prospecting.

What You Can Do

• By March 12, write a letter commenting on the potential for water quality degradation if mechanized gold prospecting is allowed in Tennessee streams; send a second copy of your letter to the Tennessee Council TU.
• Be sure to include in the letter the name of the permit applicant, Gold Prospector’s Association of America, and the file number, NRS14.341.
• Mail your letter to: Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation; Division of Water Resources, Natural Resources Unit; William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower; 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., 11th Floor; Nashville, TN 37243.
• Mail a copy of your letter to: Dick Geiger, Tennessee Council Chair, 265 Andorra Lane, Clinton, TN 37716.

You can read the entire TDEC notice regarding the application at the link below (scroll down to “Water Resources”; under the date February 12, 2015, click on file number NRS14.341, Gold Prospector’s Association of America).

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/ppo/

Sincerely,

Dick Geiger
Chair
Tennessee Council 9TN
geiger3892@gmail.com
(865) 599-2604

Meeting is  Canceled  due to the weather.

Hope to see you at our next month meeting.

P r e s i d e n t ’ s C o r n e r
Mike Bryant (mjbryant1954@hotmail.com)

Newsletter

After watching the weather and heavy snow falls up in the Northeast, I realize how fortunate we have been. Having said hat, I’m ready for spring. Jan and I will have the opportunity to spend some time in southern Florida. With any luck (and determination), I hope to chase some snook, baby tarpon, and redfish with my trusty 8 weight. When we return, not only will we be gearing up for better trout fishing in the Park, we will also be busy working details for Troutfest, monthly meetings, river clean-ups and new monthly education classes. I can’t wait!

Our 2015 Troutfest Banquet & Auction plans are in full swing. The basic format will follow last year’s event with several improvements. Check out the article in the Newsletter for additional information. It’s important to remember the date, Friday, April 24 and bring a friend. Also check out the new updated website (www.troutfest.org). Many thanks to Joe Hatton for all his time and efforts in updating the website.

Our Little River Chapter TU Coordinators picked up their trout eggs from the hatchery and all four schools have their Trout-in-the-Classroom programs up and running this winter / spring session. We are off to a great start with the TIC programs this year, and have plans to expand. As I have stated in the past, we have a responsibility to engage our youth with nature and the outdoors. TIC is one of the great ways to connect our kids with the great outdoors. More good  things to come!

One request we often hear from our members and visitors is how to fish for trout up in the mountains. We all know how hard it can be to “crack the code” chasing wild trout in the Park. To help with this need, the Chapter is starting a new LRCTU Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing Education Program. You can read more about the program below in this newsletter.

Thanks to Matt Kulp for another great program at the January meeting. We had the largest attendance that I’ve seen in the last several years with standing room only during Matt’s presentation. Matt covered multiple topics regarding activities in the Park including the future opening of Lynn Camp Prong. Also, thanks to Willow for her great review of the TIC program at Townsend Elementary!

Finally, I hope you will attend the February 26 Chapter Meeting. Alex Bell will be providing a presentation the “Western North Carolina Fishing Trail.” This is a great opportunity to learn about new fishing opportunities in our region. So much water, so little time!!

Stay warm, be safe!

Mike Bryant