Overmountain Chapter Newscaster
April 2000

Volume 5
Issue 2

Contents:

USF&WS scientist Has April program On aquatic life
TWRA update at March meeting
FLY-OF-THE-MONTH
Thanks for a tire-less effort on The Watauga Trophy Section
Benches for handicapped anglers Installed at Limestone Cove
Brookies hold third annual Fly fishing clinic in Townsend
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Web Site
LEADERSHIP TEAM
At last, The Winner!!
NEW MEMBERS
New members contest Now underway
 
 

USF&WS scientist Has April program On aquatic life

The delicate balance between the species of wildlife in a stream will be the topic of our April meeting program when U. S. Fish & Wildlife Services scientist Leroy Koch talks about "Endangered Species--Mussels and Fish Interaction."
 The meeting, as usual at the House of Ribs on North Roan Street, will also feature former Overmountain Chapter President Ken Chase tying the "Blue Charm" salmon fly beginning at 6:15.
 Come early and bring a friend. You can't win the new members contest if you don't introduce new folks to the Chapter. Besides they'll find the evening informative and enjoyable.
 The social hour begins at 6 p.m. followed by a brief business meeting at 7:00.

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TWRA update at March meeting

Our thanks to TWRA Region IV manager Bob Ripley for bringing us up-to-date on some of the agencies activities at our March meeting. Among the many things discussed:

® The Watauga fish-kill.Ripley was unable to comment in much detail because the investigation is still underway into who and what was responsible for the tragedy.
® TWRA needs a license fee increase to continue its work but it seems unlikely that it will be forthcoming because of the resistance to a tax increase in the legislature.
® TWRA is still negotiating with Timberland Corp. for a lease to keep Rocky Fork open to the public.
® New auto plates will soon be available that provide some funds for TWRA. Members are urged to buy the plates with the bear or bear cub to help support TWRA.
® Although the funds to purchase access sites to the rivers have dried up, Bart Carter said they were still actively seeking sites hoping to acquire some when the money becomes available.
 
 

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FLY-OF-THE-MONTH

Blue Charm tied by Ken Chase

Hook:  Size 8 and 10 Double Salmon Hook (or single)
Thread:  Size 6/0 black
Tag:  Small silver tinsel, yellow floss, black ostrich herl (optional)
Rib:  Oval Silver tinsel
Tail:  Golden Pheasant Crest
Body:  Black Floss
Throat:  Deep Blue Hackle
Wing:  Red or gray squirrel tail. (Russian squirrel tail optional)

The Blue Charm hairwing is one of the most popular salmon flies from the coastal rivers in Maine,  throughout Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  Its simplistic tying makes it one of the favorites in any salmon fly box.

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Thanks for a tire-less effort on The Watauga Trophy Section

Thanks to Overmountain Chapter members who joined with others in cleaning up along the trophy section of the Watauga River on March 15.
 TU joined the Elizabethton High School Adopt-A-Watershed class, TVA's Upper Holston Watershed team, and the city of Johnson City in removing 20 bags of litter and 170 tires (I'm allowed one pun per issue) from the stream and stream bank.
 And a special thanks to Gary Barrigar for his leadership on the project and to Polytek, a tire recycling company, for accepting the tires at no charge.
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Benches for handicapped anglers Installed at Limestone Cove

 The Limestone Cove Embrace-A-Stream project to provide access to handicapped anglers moved a step closer to completion March 18 when two benches were installed there.
 The two benches, one in pull-off area and the other on the stream bank, will make it possible for handicapped anglers and their attendants to enjoy the great fishing North Indian Creek.
 A special thank-you to Marcia and Bart Carter and the following Overmountain Chapter members for showing up for this work day:
Roy Lynch, jr., J. D. Winegar, Marjorie Stratton, John McKee, Bob Viers, and Bill Beazell.
 We couldn't get it done without volunteer help.
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Brookies hold third annual Fly fishing clinic in Townsend

This year's clinic will be May 19-21 and will be on a "first-come, first-served basis for 30 people at River Aire in Townsend.
 This is an excellent opportunity to learn casting, fly selection, trout habitat and feeding, in addition to proper attire and stream etiquette.
Instructors will include graduates of Joan Wulff's Schools as well as other highly qualified anglers.
 May 1 is the deadline for applying and you can contact Annette Meador at:

  2935 West Gallaher Ferry Road
  Knoxville, TN 37932
  Phone 865-691-5651
  Email: meador@icx.net

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 13--Carter County Clean Streams/Watauga River 12th annual clean-up.

August 12--Overmountain chapter joins with Lake clean-up group for the             first time for the South Holston Stream Clean-up

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WEB SITE ADDRESS

To keep up-to-date on Overmountain Chapter activities and coming events, check out our web site at:
www.xtn.net/~chasekr/

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LEADERSHIP TEAM

Here are telephone numbers for members of the Chapter Leadership Team if you need to contact them:
 Charles Martin      245-4960
 Tom Hensley          735-7062
 Bob Sherrill     540-623-0863
 George Grant          926-2063

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At Last a winner of the  King bamboo fly rod

 Congratulations, Elaine Walker!! Winning Bob King's bamboo fly rod has made you the envy of anglers everywhere. We know you'll enjoy its incomparable quality for many years.
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NEW MEMBERS

Watch this space each month for a listing of new members.

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New members contest Still running strong

Leadership Team Member Tom Hensley is overseeing a new members contest for the Overmountain Chapter.
The contest began at the February meeting and will continue until the May 11 meeting. Three prizes will be awarded to those recruiting the most new members, and they will be awarded at the June 8 meeting.
 See Tom Hensley and/or watch The Newscaster for more details.