Trout Unnlimited Chapter 692 Activities

Besides our regular monthly meetings (second Thursday of the month) and our second fly tying sessions at Appalachian Outfitters in Murphy, NC (last Saturday of the month), TU 692 has many public service events scheduled throughout the year. Often we take part in stream sampling activities as well as stream improvement/restorations. Many as yet unscheduled events also take place during the year.

The conclusion of our 'Southern Appalachian Fly Tying Championship' took place at our March monthly meeting. Our first attempt at running a contest of this magnitude left us with many lessons learned and an eagerness to make the contest 'Bigger and Better' next year. Toward that goal, our chapter will have a quarterly, in house tying contest. The contest committee wishes to prepare our chapter's fly tiers for next year's contest and perhaps even a local winner. The judges wish to stress that since the judging is a double blind examination of the flies, everyone has an equal chance at winning!

This year's first outdoor activity was the Saving Private Brooks Toccoa River Project. TU 692 members joined with the Blue Ridge TU Chapter to work on this beautiful riverside park. Hard work followed by a great lunch and then fishing! Who could ask for a better day?

The first two weeks of April saw two groups take trips to the Watauga and Holston Rivers for 3 days of guided fishing and fun. Twenty members traveled to the Watauga River near Elizabethton, TN. Groups stayed at the Meredith Valley Cabins and Elk River Lodging. This was the second year for the Watauga adventure and despite SNOW everyone had a great time! Click Here to see photos.

On the 25th of April we presented a Fly Tying and Fly Casting activity for an Earth Day Celebration. The salute to Earth Day was held at the Crane Creek Vineyard in Young Harris, GA. A day of wine, food and acoustic live music was enjoyed by all. Click Here for Photos!

On May 7th, TU 692 supported the Special Kids Fishing Rodeo at the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery. Almost 200 children were able to participate in spite of Thunderstorms the day before. Watching special needs youth experience the joy of fishing is all the reward anyone needs. Fishing poles were be supplied by TU 692. Click Here to see photos.

We returned to the Hatchery for the Seniors' Fishing Rodeo on 6/5. The senior day was well attended by our local seniors. Several displays were set up. The Dept. of Natural Resources displayed their wildlife displays and information booths. Trout Unlimited served approximately 400 lunches. We had a fly tying booth and offered casting lessons.
(See Photos).

The very next day (6/6) the Hatchery hosted The Family Fishing Festival. The Festival has been moved from September due to the lack of rain and the resulting low water levels. The family day was a packed house. The fishing was great with the Kids catching some large trout. The Dept. of Natural Resources featured a fishing demonstration where the kids could fight a fish using video and a rod and reel to land a big fish. Trout Unlimited served approximately 900 lunches. We had a fly tying booth and offered casting lessons. (See Photos)

The 2009 week long Georgia Trout Camp held in Clayton Georgia was a big success. Twenty five boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 15 learned fly fishing skills. They were taught fly casting, how to rig their fly line, useful knot tying, how to read a stream, safety and first aid, entomology, stream care and restoration,fishing etiquette and ethics, as well as fly tying skills. While at camp they visit a hatchery, stock streams, build habitat for Brooke's, and fish everyday they are at camp. This is a lifetime experience and opportunity for future fisherman. Our chapter sponsors two children each year for this camp; they must be between the age of 12 and 15, there is no charge to them. All equipment is provided which they get to keep. If you know of a child you would like to recommend please let our president know so they can be add to our list of potential candidates.

On June 20th, members assisted other TU members, DNR and USFS personel in a stream restoration project on Little Rock Creek in Suches. (See Photos)

In August we once again began sponsoring a Trout in the Classroom project. This year the classroom will be located at the Tri-County Community College in Murphy, NC.

On August 22nd we will be returned to the Scott Hogsed Memorial Conservation Day! The event is free to youth 7-17 years of age. Held in Brasstown, NC, attendees were taught the importance of conservation and enjoyed hands-on learning experiences in hunting and fishing. 20 TU members provided experiences with fly tying and fly rod casting. Over 800 youngsters attended and everyone, volunteers included, had a fantastic experience (See Photos).

On August 29th several members participated in stream restoration efforts at Waters Creek. The newly repaired Punjar Drill/Driver was used to drive the steel rods through the logs anchoring them to the ground to help design structures to form Wedge Dams, Cover Logs, Deflectors, Channel Restrictor, and Bank Stabilizers. (See Photos)

On September 9th members helped the Blue Ridge TU Chapter, tutor 18 Boy Scouts from troop101 of Blairsville in the art of Fly Fishing, Fly Rod Casting and Fly Tying. Scouts earned a Fly Fishing Merit Badge. (See Photos)

In October we held our annual Chapter Picnic at the Hiawassee River Trout Lodge. This year's Picnic and Auction was catered by Rib Country who served some fine BBQ! A great time was had by all. (See Photos)

On November 1st we kicked off our second annual 'Southern Appalachian Fly Tying Championship' (See Contest Flyer)

L Bundy
Webmaster - TU 692