Help! Our Water Sampling is Growing

Posted on February 2, 2015 by lrctu644

Your help is needed in 2015. Our Acid Deposition Sampling Program that began in 1993 will add another sample route on the Tennessee side of the Park (Middle Prong Little Pigeon River).

Why is the Program Important?

  • Because of our data and other air policy, over the past three decades, TVA and other eastern U.S. power producers, have decreased sulfate deposition by 57% and nitrate deposition has decreased by 23%.
  • However, there is a puzzle to be solved. Stream acid levels at most elevations have not improved as expected and brook trout continue to lose habitat, so more study is needed.
  • Air regulators and policy makers would like to see additional stream response data across the park and how park plants and animals respond to the improving air emissions.

Why is Another Sample Route Being Added?

  • To solve the puzzle, NPS plant, soil, and stream experts are working together and expanding their joint efforts to collocate sites around the park as well sample all elevations. This means we are setting up an additional watershed where soil, plant and stream samples are taken.

How Do I Sign Up to Learn More and To Help?

A meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 9:00 AM at Park Headquarters.

  • A free breakfast will be provided, so please notify Charlie ahead of the meeting so enough food will be available.
  • At the meeting, we will provide up to date data results, show the routes, conduct training, organize the sample teams, and develop the schedule for the next year of sampling.

Field & Stream magazine recognized Charlie Chmieliewski

The recognition is a result of his devoted work in preserving and restoring native brook trout in GSMNP. Congratulate him the next time you see him.

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January Meeting

Posted on January 8, 2015 by lrctu644

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

Newsletter

I’ve never liked winter and cold weather. And even though we have the opportunity to fish for trout in the winter, I have to admit I find mysMikeelf inside the house tying flies versus fishing more often than not. At least I’m rebuilding my fly inventory. Jan and I will be in Florida again this winter, so I’ve been busy preparing for saltwater fishing, including tying flies and practicing long distance casting. Future Chapter Business With 2014 behind us, it’s time to look forward to 2015. And I’m excited about our opportunities to continue building on our successes.

• We will again hold our Troutfest Banquet and Auction in April. Mark your calendars for Friday night, April 24. We are planning yet another great Troutfest Banquet & Auction. Last year’s Troutfest was phenomenal and we plan to build
on that success.

• Our Trout-in the Classroom programs will expand to four schools! The two trout releases in December were fantastic. We were able to already touch the lives of more than 70 children, with more to come!!

• We will support Trout Camp in June. Do you know any kids ages 12-15 who enjoy the outdoors? Consider enrolling a child in the 2015 Trout Camp (full name – Trout Unlimited Great Smoky Mountains 2015 Trout Adventure Camp). The Camp is schedule for June 15-20. You can find more information and a registration form at www.tntroutadventure.org .

• We will continue to support critically important Park Service efforts with our volunteer efforts.

• We will continue to work on fishing trips• We will start a more concerted effort on membership education. All of these efforts are possible only because of the volunteer efforts by you and our chapter members.

Monthly Meeting
January Membership Meeting (Thursday, January 22), at Calhoun’s Restaurant, 751 Watkins Rd Maryville. We meet at 6pm for dinner and fellowship, followed by a short business meeting at 7pm.  Then our speaker. Kulp (Supervisory Fishery Biologist-Great Smoky Mountain National Park) will present another program laying out the plans for the Fisheries Department in 2015. Matt is an excellent speaker capable of explaining the direction and challenges facing our Park and how we can continue to play a vital role in their efforts. This is a presentation you don’t want to miss.

Stay warm and safe. I hope to see you at the January meeting.

Thanks,
Mike

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Little River Chapter Supports National Park’s Brook Trout

Posted on December 7, 2014 by lrctu644
Gre111414_TroutUnlimitedPresentation1smat Smoky Mountains National Park Acting Superintendent Clay Jordan was presented with a $20,000 gift from the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited as part of their continuing efforts to support the park’s fisheries program. The donation includes $10,000 raised by the Little River Chapter at the 2014 Troutfest Banquet and $10,000 given by the Tennessee Council of Trout Unlimited through the conservation license plate fund.
The donated funds will support brook trout restoration efforts and brook trout genetic studies. Since 1987, the park has actively worked to restore native brook trout populations to their native range. Brook trout, the only trout species native to the Smokies, lost up to 75 percent of their historic range in the early 1900s due to destructive logging practices and competition from non-native rainbow and brown trout. Working with cooperators and volunteers, the park has restored over 14 miles of streams to brook trout habitat.
“Trout Unlimited continues to be a champion of brook trout restoration in the Smokies,” said Acting Superintendent Clay Jordan. “We are grateful not only for this generous donation, but also for the countless hours of hands-on volunteer labor served in the park.”
The Little River Chapter is also supporting an additional brook trout genetic study through a $5,000 ‘Embrace-a-Stream’ Trout’ program grant and a $5,000 youth education program through the Steve Moore Youth Education Fund. This education fund was established in 2014 to recognize retired National Park Service Fisheries Biologist Steve Moore for his efforts in creating future conservation leaders. The funds are being used this year to establish the Trout-in-the-Classroom program in three east Tennessee schools.
“The Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is pleased to make these donations in our continual efforts to support our national treasure – the Great Smoky Mountain National Park,” said Mike Bryant, President of the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. “We believe these donations will make a difference protecting and preserving the park for generations to come.  The Little River Chapter has had a special relationship with the Park Service for over twenty years.  As a non-profit organization, our mission is to protect and restore cold water resources and watersheds in and around the GSMNP. We continue to do this through our monetary donations as well as with our volunteer efforts.”
For more information about brook trout restoration, please visit the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/dff409-focusnps1.htm.
-NPS-
Photo Caption:
Front Row: Acting Superintendent Clay Jordan, TU President Mike Bryant, Sheila Bolinger, and Fisheries Biologist Matt Kulp
Back Row: Chuck James, Gary Verholek, Bill Bolinger, Davy Ezell, and retired Fisheries Biologist Steve Moore

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