Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited

May 23. Meeting is at Monte Vista Baptist Church – 1735 Old Niles Ferry Road in Maryville, Tennessee . Meeting start at 7pm (Newsletter)

Program: TU’s Southeast Conservation Project: The Future
of Brook Trout Conservation in the Southern Appalachians

Damon Hearne, TU’s Southeast Conservation Coordinator, will talk about Trout Unlimited’s work to protect native and wild trout in the southeast. He will talk about TU’s project to protect critical watersheds in the southeast and will include updates on Rocky Fork and other land protection projects. He will also talk about critic al advocacy efforts at the state and federal level, as well as restoration and planning initiatives that are underway. Damon has worked for TU since 2009 based in the Asheville TU field office.

President’s Corner

Spring has taken its sweet time getting here! What difference a year makes. That’s nature for you. My fishing has been inconsistent at best. I’m still learning how to effectively catch tight-lipped fish when conditions are not ideal (high and/or cold water). I’m still on a steep learning curve but thoroughly enjoying it.

I invited friends from Ohio down to fish in the Park in April. We had all built bamboo rods under the tutelage of Dr. Jerry Snider (Otter Creek Bamboo Rods). Even though the weather didn’t cooperate everyone was able to get into fish. We had a great time.

We held our annual Little River Cleanup in April. We had a good turnout of volunteers who spent the morning picking up litter followed by a great picnic lunch prepared by Stan Smart and Mike McKinsey. Even if you could not join us, you still have the opportunity to help by picking up litter on the river throughout the year. It’s our Park and our mission to protect and preserve its watersheds.

Jan and I had the honor of participating in this year’s East Tennessee Casting for Recovery Retreat. The folks who lead this event every year are fantastic. The ladies who attended this year’s retreat as participants were equally great with unlimited enthusiasm and courage. All the ladies caught trout!! Volunteers from our Little River Chapter and the Clinch River Chapter were a part of the volunteer base of River Helpers that helped make this event such a success. Many thanks to everyone who helped!

Previously I reported on the opportunity that our very own Caleb Abramson was given to complete his graduate studies at Penn State University. Caleb took time out of his busy schedule to write to us. Check out his letter to our membership in the May Newsletter

I’ll see you out on the water and at the May meeting. Be safe.

Thanks,

Mike Bryant
(mjbryant1954@hotmail.com)

The 2013 Southeastern Fly Fishing Festival will be held at The Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University on May 17 – 18

 They expect to have at least forty exhibitors and forty tiers.  They will have Ian and Charity Rutter of R&R Fly Fishing, Jim Casada of Jim Casada Outdoors and Al Buhr, two-handed rod guru, as their headliners. Their MCIs and CCIs have, once again, put together a best in class casting program.  You can also take the tests to become a CCI or MCI.  There are numerous (mostly free) presentations and classes.  Download the current casting schedule and the current free (no registration required) presentation schedule.  They even have programs and events for your non-fishing significant others and kids.

On Friday night, they have teamed up with the Little River Chapter of T.U.   to host the Back the Brookie BBQ.  All profits from this event will support brook trout restoration in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  Immediately following the BBQ, we will be showing the Fly Fishing Film Tour in the Ramsey Center.  Please come and help Mike Bryant and Dave Ezell  support this event.

The annual Clinch River Trout Fishing Seminar has been postponed until Saturday, May 18, because of unusual generation schedules resulting from spring rains and from TVA’s maintenance project at the Weir Dam. The expected high water would have made it impossible to wade and fish in the river on the original date, May 11.

The free, public on-river seminar (spin or fly casting) will start at 9 a.m. (group gathers at 8:30) — probably behind Second Baptist Church, Clinton, but if the generation schedule requires it, the seminar will move to the River Road boat launch.  Please watch the chapter website at www.crctu.org  for updates on seminar plans.

Second Baptist Church is at the end of Public Safety Lane, which runs north from Highway 61 just west of the Clinch River bridge in Clinton; the River Road boat launch is on River Road just east of the intersection with Highway 441.

Seminar topics include the Clinch tailwater and its history, trout biology and diet, fishing sportsmanship and safety, and techniques of spin fishing and fly fishing. After the program, newcomers will be paired with experienced anglers and will disperse along the river to fish.

The group will picnic before heading home. Chapter membership is not required to attend and the seminar is free; participants are asked to provide their own fishing gear (rods, waders, boots, lures/flies) plus lawn chairs, picnic lunches and beverages. For more information, please contact the organizer, Jerry Van Fossen, at jerryvanfossen@comcast.net or 865/463-8999.