Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited

June and July are going to be very busy months for on-stream work in the National Park. So a large number of volunteers are needed. If you want to help with any of the work shown below, please contact Charlie Chmielewski (charlieflyfish@gmail.com or 865-661-7325). He will prepare the volunteer lists and get out more information for those who sign up.

June 17 – 19 – Lynn Camp Prong Evaluation: Assist with the electro-fish evaluation to determine the success of the previous work to remove rainbow trout and restore native brook trout. Meet at end of Tremont Road at 8:30 AM each day. Expect to finish each day between 4 – 6 PM. Need 3 more helpers  June 17,  2 more on June 18 & 19. Schedule for Lynn Camp Prong Evaluation

June 20 – TN Kids Fly Fish and Ecology Adventure: Assist with electro-fish demo and fish identification for students. Meet at Smoky Mountain Institute at 9:00 AM, finish at noon. Need 2 more helpers.

June 24 – Large Stream Sample East Prong of Little River above Elkmont cabins: Assist with the electro-fish evaluation to monitor fish population. New technique should finish early afternoon. Need 5 – 7 helpers. Brook Trout Genetics general information –Several years ago, it was discovered that the brook trout moved from one stream for some of the restoration work did not seem to breed with brook trout moved from a different stream. A Penn State University graduate student has been investigating the brook trout to see if there are genetic differences.  The work continues again this year. Since the brook trout are found in remote high elevation areas, this work in July will require long hikes carrying some gear and camping at back country sites for 3 nights each trip. Work gear will be packed in on horses as will some of the cook gear and food. However, some gear will have to be carried in. It should be a great experience but obviously this work is not for everybody.

July 8 – 11 – East Prong Little River Brook Trout Genetics Collections: Assist with electro-fish collection of brook trout from remote areas in upper Little River. Camp three nights at back country site 30 (Three Forks ). Can use 2 – 3 helpers.

July 22 – 25 – Goshen/Fish Camp Prong Brook Trout Genetics Collections: Assist with electro-fish collection of brook trout from remote areas in upper Little River. Camp three nights at back country site 23 (Goshen/Fish Camp split) . Can use 2 – 3 helpers.

July 30 – Large Stream Sample East Prong of Little River just above the Wye: Assist with the electro-fish evaluation to monitor fish population. New technique should finish early afternoon. Need 5 – 7 helpers.

Thirteen kids (eleven boys and two girls) will be
attending this year’s summer camp and once again
are going to need your help as fishing and fly tying
mentors. We have a number of people already
signed up but need more, particularly experienced
mountain stream fishers. The following shows
days and time slots we need to fill and the number
of people we need:

Tuesday, June 18 (12:30 – 4:00)
We would like to have four more people to assist
Paula Begley with the fly-casting lesson at LRO and
fish with the kids for about two hours on Little River.

We also need one more volunteer to help with
Tuesday night fly tying (6:45 – 9:00).

Wednesday, June 19 (12:45 – 4:00)

We will fish all afternoon on Wednesday and need
eight more fishing mentors.

We need two fly tying helpers for the evening tying
session (6:45 – 9:00).

Thursday, June 20
We need one more fly tying mentor (6:45 – 9:00).

Friday, June 21 (8:30 – 3:00)
We will be fishing all day and need nine more fishing
mentors. We will break the kids and mentors up
into small groups and spread them out among several
fishing venues – probably Sam’s Branch,Thunderhead,
Middle Prong, West Prong and Little River.

We will need two more folks to help with Friday night fly tying.

If you can help, please contact
John Thurman at 865-494-7771
e-mail at: jthur727@bellsouth.net

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)