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.
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.
