Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited

President’s Corner

Mike Bryant (mjbryant1954@hotmail.com)

 Newsletter

Obviously the rain continues to be a factor in fishing this year. I have had to work harder to find fishable water in the Park. Even the hit-or-miss thunderstorms have me guessing. A couple of weeks ago, I ended up with some free time and decided to head up to the Middle Prong above Tremont for a couple of hours of late afternoon fishing. The sun was out at our home in Townsend with no signs of storms or local showers. When I turned onto Tremont Road paralleling the Middle Prong I noticed that the water had that chalky white color caused by rain runoff from the gravel road. By the time I reached the Tremont Institute it was obvious that it had poured only minutes earlier. I had to drive up almost to the Lynn Camp trailhead parking lot before the water had its normal color.

My son, Kiel stayed with us for a couple of days over the Fourth of July weekend. Rain and other family matters kept us from fishing together during his visit. But we had the opportunity to talk our fishing trips on the Nantahala when he was between 10 – 13 years old. I still have great memories of those trips. These days I’m helping my 2-1/2 year old granddaughter catch bluegill and little bass on her Barbie fishing rod. When fishing off our dock a couple of weeks ago we were surprised when a rather large bullfrog attacked her red & white bobber. She may too young to remember it, but I won’t forget. I hope to continue to have great experiences with our kids and grandkids on the water.

Many thanks to Josh Pfeiffer (Frontier Anglers in Maryville) for a great fly tying demonstration at last month’s meeting. Josh is an excellent guide and knowledgeable fly tier. The smallmouth patterns he tied and the techniques he demonstrated were really cool. We used our video camera / projector system for the first time and by most accounts it worked well. We will continue to work out the improvements. I’d like to use the system for possible Chapter fly tying classes this coming winter. Hopefully more to come on this educational event in the future.

If you haven’t read it yet, check out the great article on GSMNP’s Steve Moore in TU’s Summer 2013 Trout magazine. Chris Camuto wrote a great article on Steve’s career, and his passion for the Park and brook trout restoration. Chris outlines the incredible volunteer efforts from members of the Little River, Clinch and Great Smoky Mountain Chapters, and the strong relationship that has developed between the Park Service and members of our local chapters over the last several decades. We owe a debt of gratitude to Steve, Matt and other Park Service personnel. Many thanks to all the TU members who have given time as well.

Smokemont Fishing Trip

We are planning a LRCTU Chapter Fishing Trip to Smokemont in August. Group Campsite #G1 has been reserved for Friday night (August 9) and Saturday night (August 10). There are many great streams to fish over in this area including Oconaluftee , Bradley Creek, Straight Fork, and Raven Fork just to name a few. This is a great opportunity to fish as well as spend some time with fellow Chapter members. We’ll likely have a group cookout on Saturday night. The cost to camp in the group campsite is cheap. Even if you cannot camp overnight, consider coming over for a day trip. Just let us know your plans. See Trip Coordinator Mike McKinsey’s article below.

Conservation

All the rain this year has definitely slowed down conservation efforts in the Park. The multi-site sampling of brook trout on Lynn Camp Prong had to be delayed due to high water. I, along with 6-7 other TU volunteers helped the Park Service one day in June when the water wasn’t too high. But we only sampled one site. Steve Moore wants to make sure they collect good data, and is concerned that high water may compromise their ability to truly assess brook trout populations. We’ll let you know when dates have been rescheduled. As announced in last month’s newsletter, Lynn Camp Prong will continue to be closed until further notice. As anxious as we all are to resume fishing on this beautiful little stream, we will have to patient a little longer.

July Chapter Meeting

How about a free dinner?? Our July Chapter Meeting (Thursday, July 25) will be outdoors at River Johns Outfitters. Under the capable hands of Mike McKinsey, we will be grilling some great food. There’s the opportunity to fish, meet fellow members, learn a thing or two about fishing in the Little River. Dave Ezell is coordinating opportunities to float and fish the Little River before the cookout. See Dave’s article. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm. A map has been included in this newsletter.

Where: River John’s Island – located on the Little River, just northeast of Maryville on Cave Mill Rd. (Map)  http://www.riverjohns.com/

Directions: From the last Pellisippi Pkwy exit, go left on Hwy 33, right on Sam Houston, left on Wildwood, right on Cave Mill. (Map)

Clinch River Cleanup – Saturday, July 20

Looking for another opportunity to give back? Consider helping at the first-ever Big Clinch River Cleanup on July 20. Activities start at 8 a.m. with a breakfast and briefing for all participants at the Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Highway, Norris. The cleanup will wrap up about noon. Check out the attached article for more details.

I hope you can join us at the July meeting at River John’s. Have a safe summer!

Thanks,

Mike

The Southern Appalachian Brook Trout Foundation and there website (Brook Trout Happenings), Has a three part series on the decline of the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout from the 1880 to present.   Part I  cover the time from 1880 to the 1940s. ” In the 1880′s beginning at around 1600 feet in elevation Southern Appalachian brook trout would have occupied most of the upper elevation 2nd, and 3rd order tributaries. In primary river watersheds”   Part II   1950′s Though 1970′s.  “After  private logging operations had depleted most of the marketable timber in the Southern Appalachians by the early 1900′s, had hundreds of thousands of acres of lands that few wanted.”  Part III   1970′s And To The Present. “During this period Southern Appalachian brook trout population distribution continued to decline and much of this range reduction took place in the species last stronghold – the upper headwaters of watersheds”.  Please take time to read all three articles.  The website does a really good job of explaining the decline Southern Appalachian brook trout and has other articles on the restoration work in the Tellico area.  Make sure to take time read about there ongoing work to restore Brook Trout in Sycamore Creek.

Good Fishing

Joe  <((((<

President’s Corner

Mike Bryant (mjbryant1954@hotmail.com)       (June Newsletter)

A break in the rain in late May enabled river levels in the Park to return to normal flows. Warming waters helped increased the insect activity. All of which led to happy trout, making me one happy camper. I love fishing this time of the year. My confidence always gets a boost after being humbled every winter. The rainbows on Middle Prong seem to be returning to their normal holds and are taking dry flies and nymphs with abandon.

Our friends from Phoenix were in town in late May, so Tom and I headed to Greenbrier to chase brookies. I finally was able to use my new bamboo rod that I built to catch some beautiful specks.  Check out the picture of a nice 9-10” brookie I caught. I love fishing Greenbrier for brookies.  There’s no path, no people. Just nature at its best.  But those who haven’t fished some of the upper stretches of Greenbrier, do note that it’s some very physical fishing (after a thirty minute hike up the mountain). Many of the rocks are the size of my truck. I have injured my knee and shoulder in the past. It’s one of those streams that I will only fish with a buddy.

As I write this, I’m currently fishing for largemouth bass up in Ohio. The bass right now are happy as well and are eager to take buss bugs on the surface. It’s great fun catching bunch of two pound bass on a five weight rod!

Conservation

Many thanks to Damon Hearne for a great presentation about TU’s southeastern brook trout restoration projects. Damon is the TU Southeast Conservation Coordinator. We are blessed to have a National Park in our backyard. The Park designation provides protections to the land and watersheds that other areas in the region and country do not have. TU’s work and partnerships with other like-minded conservation groups will have a positive impact on future generations.

While we act and work on a local level, it’s important to understand what’s going on at a national level.  Most of you are probably aware of the ongoing battle over Bristol Bay in Alaska. TU is working closely with other conservation groups to stop a proposed Peeble Mine (would be the largest open pit mine in the world). The mine would be located in the heart of the world’s largest runs of wild salmon, trophyrainbow trout, and other wildlife. I personal support the organized opposition. In my way of thinking, there has to be some type of balance between mankind’s development and preservation of our important natural resources. You can learn more about the on-going struggles at www.savebristolbay.org.

Volunteers

Make sure to check on remaining volunteer opportunities / needs to the Park this summer. In July, there is a need for volunteers to assist in brook trout genetic studies as well as sampling on the East Prong of the Little River. Also the Clinch River Chapter is conducting a Clinch River Clean-up and Breakfast on Saturday, July 20. It’s a great way to help preserve a great tailwater and learn brookiesfrom those who fish this river all the time. Our joint fundraiser last month with the Federation of Fly Fishers – Southeast Council was a success. We sold out of dinner tickets for the Friday night BBQ. All the profits will be used for brook trout restoration efforts in the Park.

Congratulations to Marvin and the FFF-SEC team for a successful show and for asking us to participate in the fundraiser. I hope you are having a great summer and take the opportunity to enjoy the natural resources.

Thanks,

Mike

PFEIFFER TO DEMONSTRATE BASS FLIES AT JUNE MEETING

At the June Meeting (June 27), Josh Pfeiffer will provide a tying demonstration for smallmouth bass fly patterns. Josh is the owner / guide of Frontier Anglers http://frontieranglerstn.com/ located in Maryville . He is an accomplished and skillful guide for trout and smallmouth bass. Josh will be sharing techniques and tying multiple patterns that are very effective on smallmouth bass. We hope to be using our new video camera / projector setup that will enable everyone to watch Josh tie from the comfort of your seat.

Please note that we will meet at the Monte Vista Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

The meeting will start at 7:00pm.

Address: Monte Vista Baptist Church

1735 Old Niles Ferry Rd

Maryville, TN 37803-5505

RIVER JOHNS TO HOST

Our July meeting will be held at River Johns in Maryville. A great place for fishing and a free dinner – what’s not to like! So mark your calendars for July 25 for a great opportunity to have a great meal, meet fellow Chapter members, fish and relax on a great summer evening.