Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited

During my time with Little River Chapter Trout Unlimited, I have seen the growing need for us to take on more projects and become involved in new types of activities.  As many of you already know, nonprofits everywhere are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers and leaders, and our chapter is no exception.

I find it incredibly rewarding to be part of a leadership team that is working to make the world around us a better place.  One of the most important things we do is help teach younger generations about conservation and the importance of understanding the natural world so they can protect it for years to come.

One program that is especially close to my heart is Trout in the Classroom. This program helps students connect with the environment in a way that few classroom experiences can. It gives them the opportunity to see firsthand why clean water, healthy habitats, and balanced ecosystems are so important to the fish and wildlife we all love.

Interest in Trout in the Classroom has grown tremendously, and we now have a waiting list of schools eager to participate. The only thing holding us back is a lack of School Coordinators.  Many of our current coordinators have been serving for years and would love to see new volunteers step forward and help carry the program into the future.

Every tank, every release day, and every educational event happens because someone volunteers their time. The program exists because dedicated people work together, helping one another and sharing the responsibility.  Without volunteers, there are no tanks in schools and no release days for students.

Is it a commitment?  Absolutely.

Is it rewarding?  More than you can imagine.

Should you give it a try?  Without question.

We understand that everyone has busy lives.  Families, jobs, travel, and countless other commitments compete for our time.  But a small investment of your time can impact more than 100 students in a single school. That’s a pretty good feeling at the end of the day.

The future of coldwater conservation, brook trout restoration, habitat protection, and environmental stewardship is not limited by the interest of our schools or communities.  It is limited only by our willingness to step forward and help. If you have never volunteered for one of our programs, I encourage you to consider it. I know from experience that you’ll be glad you did.  You may even learn something along the way.

As always, thank you for everything you do to support Little River Chapter Trout Unlimited. Summertime, and the livin’ (oops) and the fishin’ is easy. And don’t forget to join us for the July picnic!

Kim
Newsletter

There’s been a lot more walking than catching lately. When flows get this low, you find yourself studying every pocket of water and carefully rock hopping your way upstream hoping to find a little deeper run holding fish.

There was some hope with the storms on the 6th and 7th, but the rain really did not help much. Low flow conditions are more than just difficult fishing, they also stress coldwater fisheries, reduce oxygen levels, warm streams, and remind us why the conservation work of the Little River Chapter matters. Our connection to the outdoors and sharing both the beauty and our knowledge with others is also one of the strongest parts of this chapter. Whether it is Trout in the Classroom, water sampling, or helping with the new National Park program, we continue connecting others to the resource we all care about.

Last weekend, we participated in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Adaptive Fishing Program. This event took a tremendous amount of planning, thought, and teamwork. Kudos to Bob Bishop, Sara Bishop, Bernie Malloy, Larry Gilbert, and everyone else who worked so hard to make this a very special day for everyone involved. See Bob’s full article later in the newsletter.

Again, it is the people that makes this chapter great. We are one of the most active chapters around, and that is something to be very proud of. For those of you traveling after Memorial Day, safe travels and tight lines for all!

Kim Emery
President

NOTE: MAY 28 MEETING IS CANCELLED due to the Smoky Mountain Regional H.O.G. Rally in downtown Maryville.

Newsletter

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

Newsletter