Volume 7
Issue 7

 THE HELP STOP POACHING TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 1-800-831-1174. CALL BETWEEN 7am and midnight, 7 days per week.

When: July 11, 2002
Where: Piccadilly Cafeteria, Johnson City Mall, on N. Roan Street
Program: Bob Bierbaum, fishing the Rockies and Sierra Mountains streams
Program: 6pm-7: 30 pm Board Meeting (members and guests welcome) 7:30pm program

OVERMOUNTAIN CALENDER OF EVENTS

July 5 Deadline for home delivery of July Newscaster
11 Monthly chapter meeting with outdoor program
19 Deadline for submitting materials for August Newscaster
20 TU/ TVA/ TWRA/ USFS Coldwater Cooperative Meeting in Knoxville
24/25 TWRA Commission meeting in Morristown

August 2 Deadline for home delivery of August Newscaster
8 Monthly chapter meeting with outdoor program
10 South Holston River clean up
14-18 TU National Convention Portland, Maine
23 Deadline for submitting materials for September Newscaster

September 6 Deadline for home delivery of September Newscaster
12 Annual meeting for election of new officers
28 Roan Mountain Burleson clean up

*Date to be announced later

Public Relations - News Stories

Danny Sells, our public relations chairman, requests all of you to give him any information of interest to the chapter (stories, fishing results, human interest items, etc.) and information for TV, radio and newspapers of interest to the general public. Phone 423-477-3689.

Fishing Program

For those interested in fishing streams in the Rockies and Sierra Mountains, the July program is a must. Bob Bierbaum will share his wealth of experience in fishing these streams.
MINUTES OF TU BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 13, 2002

1. JIM DAVIS AND BILL BEAZELL PRESENTED A PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO BE PRESENTED AT THE JULY 20 TU COUNCIL MEETING REGARDING THE FORMATION OF A COALITION OF CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN TENNESSEE TO APPROACH AND LOBBY THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE TO PASS A BEVERAGE CONTAINTER DEPOSIT LAW. A MOTION WAS PASSED APPROVING THE PROPOSAL. BILL BEAZELL WILL PREPARE A LETTER TO BE MAILED TO STEVE FRYE INCLUDING THE PROPOSAL.

2. BILL BEAZELL GAVE A BRIEF UPDATE ON ACTIONS TAKEN TO CONTINUE PRESSURE ON THE KINGSPORT BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMAN AND EVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TWO SEWAGE PUMPING STATION BELOW PATRICK HENRY DAM.

3. BILL BEAZELL GAVE A BRIEF REPORT ON THE STATUS OF MOUNTAIN CITY PUMPING WATER FROM A MAJOR SPRING FEEDING THE DOE RIVER. IT IS TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF THE PUMPING BUT MONITORS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE BY TDEC TO ASCERTAIN THE IMPACT AND INFO FROM THESE MONITORS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE ASSESSMENT.

4. BILL BEAZELL REPORTED THAT THE CLEANING OF THE SOUTH HOLSTON WEIR DAM HAD RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED AND SIX BAFFLES WERE REPLACED WITH A NEW DESIGN, WHICH SHOULD REDUCE THE COLLECTION OF DEBRIS, WHICH RESULTS IN CLOGGING THE WIERS. IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL WHAT EFFECT THIS WILL HAVE ON REGULATING THE FLOW FROM THE WIERS BUT CONCERNS WERE EXPRESSED THAT IT MAY INCREASE TIMES WHEN THERE IS NO FLOW RESULTING IN STREAM DAMAGE. IT WILL TAKE A PERIOD OF TIME TO ASSESS THE RESULTS.

5. BILL BEAZELL REPORTED ON A RECENT MEDIA INTERVIEW WITH BUDDY BAIRD, THE NEW EAST TENNESSEE TWRA COMMISSIONER. MR. BAIRD IS A HUNTER AND NOT A FISHERMAN WHICH MAY RESULT IN HIS HAVING LITTLE INTEREST IN FISHING INTERESTS. HE DID INDICATE A WILLINGNESS TO ATTEND A FUTURE TU MEETING.

6. JOHN MCKEE GAVE A BRIEF REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE BUFFALO CREEK EMBRACE-A-STREAM PROJECT. FURTHER ACTION ON THIS PROJECT IS ON HOLD PENDING A MEETING WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER, THE FARMERS, AND TU TO CLARIFY WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING VARIOUS PROJECT TASKS. JOHN EXPECTS THIS MEETING CAN BE HELD AND QUESTIONS RESOLVED BY THE JULY TU MEETING.

7. JIM DAVIS REPORTED THAT HIS EFFORTS TO RECRUIT TU LEADERSHIP TO TAKE THE CHAPTER REINS IN SEPTEMBER HAD THUS FAR BEEN UNSUCESSFUL AND APPEALED TO THE CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP FOR THOSE WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO ACCEPT LEADERSHIP ROLES FOR THE NEW YEAR TO LET HIM KNOW IMMEDIATELY. IF WE FAIL TO IDENTIFY NEW LEADERSHIP BY THE AUGUST MEETING, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO CLOSE THE CHAPTER!! PLEASE LET JIM KNOW IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW WOULD BE WILLING TO SERVE IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE.
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Treasurer's Report

The chapter's bank account balance is $2,035.81.

We Cannot Quit Now by Bill Beazell
At the June Board meeting, Jim Davis announced that he would not be a candidate for chapter president for the year 2002-2003, which starts in October. James Chandler also announced that he would not serve as treasurer, publish the newscaster or serve on the board after September. Jim Davis told us that none of the 3 people he asked to be a candidate for president would serve. This leaves us in the same desperate condition that followed Ken Chase's 4-year leadership, when 5 board members finished their terms and left the chapter.

TU is dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring wild trout and salmon throughout North America. We are one of nine Tennessee and two East Tennessee chapters and it is our responsibility to care for these goals.

In order to fulfill this responsibility we have partnered with community leadership, NAC, TWRA, TVA and the US Forest Service. The Chapter was chartered in 1986, and in 1989 the basis for the chapter's success was established when Jim Davis united us with NAC in the first major river cleanup in East Tennessee. This year marks the 14th consecutive year of the cleanup, which became the springboard for seven years on the South Holston tail water, eight years of the Todd Burleson Memorial cleanup at Roan Mountain, and the first year on the Patrick Henry tail water. We have done several cleanups on the Beaver Dam.

Since 1994 we have obtained National Embrace-A-Stream grants for Laurel Fork, Hampton and North Indian Creeks, and this year Buffalo Creek. We did stream structural work, planted trees, helped build handicapped structures and replace rainbow trout with brook trout in Hampton Creek.

We have helped protect Beaverdam from losing its wild trout section, opposed the water removal from Doe Creek for Mountain City's use, and have helped stock the tail waters with both eggs and catchable fish. We stocked thousands of fingerling rainbows in Doe Creek and stocked 15,000 brown fingerlings in North Indian, Laurel Fork and Beaver Dam. We helped obtain a redd protection regulation and slot limit for the South Holston tail water, tried to obtain a trophy section on the South Holston and helped obtain one for the Watauga. We helped make TVA aware of low flow and high temperatures in the South Holston, and raised money to enlarge valves and bring more flow from the Weir Dam. We have worked to bring scouts into our efforts, and have worked with kids at the Kids Fishing Days at Elizabethton and North Indian Creek. We opposed building the Fontana Lake North Shore Road. These efforts brought recognition and awards to the chapter and its leaders from TDEC, TCL and TU National.

Our chapter meeting programs have included fly tying, members fishing experiences, guided trips to Alaska and the Kamchatka Peninsula, and TWRA agency reports.

This year Jim Davis has started a river/stream watch program, which has begun a closer survey of river flows, investigation of pollution, and a start to obtaining a boat and wading access in Elizabethton. Jim invited meeting attendees to outings involving casting lessons and stream and river tours.

The chapter was promoted on Joe Byrd's Blue Ridge Outdoors program on Bristol Radio WHFG.

Many efforts and accomplishments have been omitted, but if you can in any way help provide leadership; please call Jim Davis (378-3880) or Bill Beazell (239-6991).

South Holston Lake and River Cleanup

Bring your family to the 10th annual lake and river cleanup and enjoy a free (for some trash pickup) social and picnic, prizes and live country music. This year our chapter's river pickup will start at noon on August 10 at the Weir Dam. At 3 pm we can move to Observation Knob on South Holston Lake for the party from 4 to 7pm. If you want to pickup in the morning, registration will start at 8 am.

South Holston Weir Dam Cleaning by Bob Cheers

On 5-02-02 I met with the following TVA personnel at the weir dam: Bret Alexander, a Field Engineer from Knoxville, Steve Hickman, and Ken Dye.

The following work was performed. Chocked float valves open with C-clamps and 2x4's allowing full flow thru main tubes to facilitate complete draining of upstream pool overnight. A johnboat was used to check valves and then remove floating trash from the non-flow channels. Trash was then removed from the main channels with the aid of a front-end loader. 4 men completed the total operation in 2 hours.

The next day I met with TVA personnel and found the upstream pool fully drained. Intake screens were cleaned and 3 new deflectors (replacing intake screens) were installed. The clean out took 3 men approximately 2 hours while another TVA crew was simultaneously installing the deflectors.

The TVA personnel were very cordial and welcomed participation even though it wasn't needed. They concluded that minimal trash was blocking intakes as compared to previous clean-outs. Ken Dye said that the average flow was 115 cfs prior to the cleaning. The average flow is monitored by 2 flow meters between the weir dam and the Bristol, TN water intake. (1 flow meter is currently inoperable) Additionally he monitors the rate at which the upstream pool recedes.

I would like to note that 2 new manually operated shut-off valves were installed during the past year. These valves were locked in a fully open position but clogged intake screens were permitting only 10 to 20% flow. Water flow thru the tubes during non-generating periods is dependent upon the amount of trash restricting flow at the inlet. The newly designed deflectors hopefully will result in less clogging. Deflector design is tricky, as it needs to pass small debris (sticks, weeds, leaves, and etc.) while at the same time shedding itself of the larger sticks and logs capable of lodging in the tubes.

Brent Alexander has thanked the chapter for our interest and participation. Hopefully we will stay involved to keep our finger on the pulse.

Buffalo Creek EAS Project

This project will serve as a model to keep cattle out of the creek and to improve bank erosion. The project has been approved, but John McKee announced that for several reasons the start has been delayed.

Kendrick Creek Pollution

John Krutak and Andy Hale (co-chairman of the Patrick Henry River Watch Team), Jerry Headrick and Bill Beazell met to view Danny Shupe's pollution video and decide on a course of action. Andy planned to present our questions and concerns to Jeff Fleming, Kingsport Assistant City Planner and Manager.

Doe Creek Water Removal

Bill Beazell recently talked with Andrew Tolley and Gary Irwin about the Doe Creek water removal. This Mountain City effort to remove water from the Lowe Spring at Pandora is called the Doe Valley Water Project.

The water supply unit consists of a rock covering with canopy over the source of water, a pump house and a filtering and chlorinating unit located about a mile upstream. Water has been pumped since April 24, but due to unfinished lines only from 10pm to 1am. The original agreement with TDEC allowed 1 million gallons/day pumped from 7 pm to 7am, but TDEC has allowed only ½ million to start.

There is volumetric metering with automatic shutdown if pumping exceeds the allowed amount. There is a monthly usage report to TDRC, and temperature monitors are in the creek above and below the spring discharge into the creek. These controls should protect this fishery.

TWRA Commissioner Buddy Baird

Mr. Baird lives in Rogersville and his primary interest is hunting, but he will be happy to meet with the chapter. He indicated that our influence could best be felt at commission meetings. The next meeting is at TWRA Region 4 headquarters in Morristown on July 24 and 25th.

Beverage Deposit Container Law

Charles Gibson and Bill Beazell were asked by Jim Davis to present Jim's resolution, concerning the establishment of a Beverage Container Law, to Tennessee Council for committee establishment and enlistment of support.

Todd Burleson Memorial Roan Mountain Cleanup

Joe Byrd, an avid trout fisherman and professional builder of fine and beautiful bamboo fly rods, has announced that he will build a 2 piece, two tip rod as a prize to be given away at the cleanup.

TU NATIONAL DUES INCREASE

We have been notified that TU will be increasing membership dues. They claim this increase was driven by rising operating costs and expansion of programs and staff.

Regular $35 Sponsoring $100
Family $50 Century $175
Senior and Student $20 Business $200
3 year regular $90 Conservation $350
3 year family $100 Life $ 750
Family life $850 Magazine only $15

EASY MONEY

Please renew your National TU membership through the Overmountain Chapter. The chapter receives $5.00 for each renewal and $10.00 for each new membership. We send it to National TU. Make your checks payable to TROUT UNLIMITED and either give to James Chandler, our treasurer, or mail to him at:
James Chandler
304 Countryshire Court
Kingsport, Tn.37663
Be sure to include your renewal notice or new membership application.

If you sign up a new member, instead of mailing their check to National TU, give it to James Chandler. Also, we can use this easy money.

RIVER AND STREAM PRIORITIES

Watauga Tailwater-Margie Stratton and John McKee-Boat access in Elizabethton

South Holston Tailwater-Bob Viers-Weir Dam flow and silt

Patrick Henry Tailwater-John Krutak and Andy Hale-Pollution
Doe River-Bob Bierbaum-Cleanup

Hampton Creek-Bob Bierbaum-Protection of fishery

N. and S. Indian Creek-Elaine Walker and Foster Levy

Doe Creek-To be filled

Laurel Fork Creek-To be filled

Beaverdam Creek-To be filled

OFFICERS AND BOARD-OVERMOUNTAIN CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED

President & Chairman of Board-- Jim Davis --423-378-3880
Secretary-Charles Gibson --423-239-9655
Treasurer-James Chandler --423-239-5065
Immediate Past President-Charles Martin-423-245-4966

Board Committees
Oct. 1999-Sept. 2002 term Tom Hensley Membership - Don Kreh
Elaine Walker
Bill Beazell
Foster Levy
Communications - James Chandler
Bill Beazell

Oct. 2000-Sept. 2003 term James Chandler Program - Bob Sherrill

Oct.2001-Sept. 2004 term Bob Sherrill Resources - Bill Beazell
Charles Martin
Public Relations - Danny Sells
Oct. 2001-Sept. 2002 term Danny Sells
Bob Viers Web Master - Ken Chase

Honorary Member-Marcia Carter

Financial - Charles Martin
Development

RIVER AND STREAM WATCH TEAM LEADERS

S. And N. Indian Creeks - Elaine Walker and Foster Levy
Watauga tail water - Margie Stratton and John McKee
South Holston tail water - Bob Viers
Doe River - Bob Bierbaum
Hampton Creek - Bob Bierbaum
Doe Creek - To be filled
Patrick Henry tail waters - Andy Hale and John Krutak
Beaverdam Creek - To be filled