President’s Corner
Mike Bryant (mjbryant1954@hotmail.com)
I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions.I guess subconsciously I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep them. But I normally do take a couple of minutes to think about the year ahead and set some goals. I find it helpful that a little thought an d planning goes a long way to staying focused on my priorities and not let the countless everyday demands that we all face get in the way. So making a kind of mental list of things I want to accomplish helps keep me on track. Regarding flyfishing, my goal is to lace up my wading boots to fish in the Park at least a hundred times this year. I plan to earnestly start exploring and fishing a couple of our local tailwaters (probably the Clinch, Holston or the South Holston). I plan to continue chasing brookies at least once at Greenbrier. And Jan and I will be expanding ourfishing opportunities with our fishing kayaks. This will be on top of trips planned to the Everglades and Alaska. Looks to be a busy year (just the way I like it)!
Regarding our Chapter plans, we will be expanding our activities from last year, including a Troutfest Banquet and Auction (April 25), expanded Chapter trips and developing a youth education program. By our very nature, folks who fish are optimists and we have a lot to be excited and optimistic about this coming year. We are building on our successes and but we can only be successful in the future with your help.
I mentioned earlier that Jan and I will be spending some time in the Everglades. I’ve bought several books on backcounty fly fishing and tying saltwater patterns. For those who like to tie their own flies, one book I would recommend is Drew Chicone’s “Feather Brain – Developing, Testing & Im proving Saltwater Fly Patterns”. Drew does a nice job of introducing some new techniques, new materials and fly patterns. Though aimed at saltwater flyfishing, much of the information is applicable to cold and warmwater fly designs we use in our part of the world. This isn’t a beginner’s book, but one worth having in your library.
The Troutfest Committee is busy planning the April 25 Troutfest Banquet and Auction. This will be our major fundraiser with proceeds going to the GSMNP. So hold that date, make sure you buy your tickets and bring a friend. Check out the article below for more information. I’m ready for Spring! I hope to see you at the February meeting.
Be safe.
Mike
!LOCATION CHANGE FOR FEBRUARY MEETING!
In the spirit of trying something new, our February 27 meeting will be held at Calhouns restaurant in Maryville (across from the Target store). Meeting at Calhouns will enable folks to have dinner before the meeting. This is a great opportunity for folks to come straight from work and / or folks who travel a bit longer distance. The food is good and reasonable.
Please note – you are not obligated to order dinner to attend the meeting. All are welcome whether you have dinner or not. The February meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. The back room will be open for TU members as early as 6:00 p.m. for dinner if you chose to eat there. Rick Murphree (Tennessee TU Council President) will be our program speaker discussing TU activities in our state. The restaurant is located in the same complex asTarget, in Maryville, at the intersection of Highway 129 & Highway 321 next to Smoky Mountain Brewery. Join us for dinner with our program beginning at 7 p.m.
The topic for this month’s meeting will be an update on Trout Unlimited activities in the state of Tennessee: Including, upcoming activities, conservation, brook trout restoration and other financially supported state programs.
Our speaker will be Rick Murphree. Rick has been involved with Trout Unlimited for 30 years. Over the past 18 months Rick has served as chairman of the Tennessee Council of Trout Unlimited. Rick has served as Tennessee’s representative to Trout Unlimited’s National Resource Board, the predecessor to the current National Leadership Council. From 2004-2010 he served as a grassroots member of the TU National Board of Trustees, was selected as one of the inaugural members to the Board.
Rick retired in 2013 from the First Tennessee Bank. He and his wife Gracie live in Knoxville and enjoy traveling in their camper and spending time with their 3 grandsons. Come and enjoy bbq and/or your favorite beverage and this Trout Unlimited update.
