The mission of the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is to conserve, protect, and restore the cold water fisheries and their watersheds in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). We work hard to achieve this mission with every event and donation, FY2026 was no exception. What we accomplished just working in conjunction with GSMNP this year:
(1) We presented a check at our February meeting in the amount of $11400.00 to Matt Kulp, Supervisory Fishery Biologist at the National Park Service for the GSMNP Fisheries Department. This was only possible because of those that participated in the auction and gave private donations.
(2) Total volunteer hours were 4,365. Of those 1,630, hours were dedicated specifically to conservation, science, and monitoring efforts.
(3) We contributed $27,077 in grant funding toward year one of the Brook Trout Translocation Study.
As we look ahead to the coming fiscal year, we have committed to continuing and expanding our efforts:
- We have committed to provide 180 volunteer hours for fin clipping in support of the Brook Trout Translocation Study.
- Our water sampling will continue as it has always been since 1992.
- We will continue our collaboration with the National Park Service on the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and Brook Trout Restoration.
- We will also be assisting with proposal for Phase 2 of the Brook Trout Translocation Study.
- We will also coordinate the Little River Clean-up.
- New projects are also on the horizon, focusing on runoff and water quality.
Trout in the Classroom remains an important part of our mission, helping educate youth about conservation and the importance of protecting the waters and land that sustain aquatic life.
This represents only part of what we accomplished this past fiscal year and what lies ahead. Everyone involved should take pride in the impact we continue to make in carrying out the mission first established by 17 anglers in 1992.
Tight lines,
Kim Emery
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