{"id":593,"date":"2013-03-20T02:55:16","date_gmt":"2013-03-20T02:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lrctu.org\/?p=593"},"modified":"2013-05-19T18:44:21","modified_gmt":"2013-05-19T18:44:21","slug":"march-membership-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/lrctu.org\/?p=593","title":{"rendered":"March Membership Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"

President\u2019s Corner<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mike Bryant (mjbryant1954@hotmail.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

March Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n

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Jan and I spent a week in southern Florida in February.\u00a0 The weather for the most part was good. Even on the couple of days it rained, the high temperatures were still in the mid-60\u2019s. It\u2019s all relative I guess. Mid-60\u2019s in Tennessee I\u2019ll have a T-shirt on. Mid-60\u2019s in Florida (after three days in the 80\u2019s and sun) I\u2019m wearing fleece. Go figure. Anyway we had a great time.\u00a0 We fished a bit, but without a boat or kayak our options were limited. But the good news is I struck a friendship with Rich who fly fishes and owns a flats boat.\u00a0 I\u2019m already looking forward to next year.\u00a0 We met when he saw that I was tying flies on the picnic bench by our camper. He stopped his truck in the middle of the road to see what I was tying! I\u2019m seriously thinking about buying kayaks for Jan and I.\u00a0 I could haul a couple of kayaks in my truck while towing the camper, and we could use them just about anywhere. So I\u2019m in the research mode. Anyway, I would definitely appreciate any experiences and comments on types \/ makes.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, back in east Tennessee,\u00a0 Josh and I manage to chase some of the big browns in the Park.\u00a0 Well, actually it was more like me spooking big browns. I have a lot to learn when comes to stalking, hooking and landing big browns.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Many thanks to Ian and Charity Rutter (R&R Flyfishing) for a great program on Hazel Creek!\u00a0 The more I learn and the more I\u2019m fascinated by the history, culture and opportunities in our area.<\/p>\n

Upcoming Events<\/b><\/p>\n

New Chapter Fishing Trip Opportunity<\/span> – Mike McKinsey is organizing our first Chapter fishing trip of the year. Currently scheduled for Saturday, March 23, Mike is designing a day of fishing in the Park where folks can buddy up with someone new. This is a great opportunity for folks new to fishing in the Park to pair up with more experienced members of the Chapter.\u00a0 Take advantage of the opportunity to either learn or teach someone.\u00a0 Please contact Mike McKinsey at missionflyrod@charter.net<\/a> or mobile 865-806-0761 to sign up or if you have any questions.<\/p>\n

Southeastern Fly Fishing Festival<\/span> \u2013 For those who were able to attend the February Membership meeting heard Marvin Cash (SEC \u2013 FFF President) discuss the upcoming Fly Fishing Festival being held on Friday & Saturday, May 17-18. The event will be held at the Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC.\u00a0 The Festival promises to be a great time and a great opportunity to learn as well. More information will be posted at www.southeastfff.org<\/a>.\u00a0 Our Chapter will have a booth attempting to raise funds for future brook trout restoration in the GSMNP.\u00a0 This will be a shared fundraiser with the Southeastern Council of the FFF.\u00a0 I believe Marvin and his leadership are still looking for regional fly tiers to tie at the event, so if you are interested, please let me know.<\/p>\n

Upcoming River Clean-<\/span>up – Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 20.\u00a0 We will hold our annual Little River Clean-up. More details to come, but given our Chapter\u2019s mission is to preserve and protect watersheds in the Park, this is a great way to give and contribute. Consider bring a kid \u2013 this is a great opportunity to get kids out into the Park and expose them to the concept of service.<\/p>\n

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March Membership Meeting<\/b><\/p>\n

At the March 28 Membership Meeting<\/strong>, we\u2019re going to do something a little different. The meeting will be held at the Orvis Store in Sevierville.\u00a0 Our Chapter covers a fairly wide geographical area, and this is an opportunity to hold one of our meetings to the eastern end of our range.<\/p>\n

This will be a fun event.\u00a0 First, the folks at Orvis are going to be grilling dinner outside – burgers, hot dogs, and chips, and soda.\u00a0 Then we\u2019ll have the opportunity to cast new rods down on the Pigeon River, (including the new, latest and great Orvis fly rods), check on other new gear and ask questions.<\/p>\n