Chapter Contest
Underway For Custom Rod Giveaway
Over the years the Overmountain Chapter has offered a number of truly fine quality fly rods as a part of Chapter fund raising efforts. During 2001 the Chapter has finalized plans to offer a rod which will be as fine a rod as ever away in a Chapter fund raising effort. Our master rod maker Mike Adams has agreed to complete a 2 piece, 9 foot, 5 weight, fast tip action rod using the same blank used to manufacture the Orvis Trident line of fly rods. This magnificent rod will be outfitted with titanium line guides, a fiddle back maple reel seat with nickel hardware and a Flora cork handle. The rod will be a delight not only to hold and look at but also to cast.
The rod will be offered based on a drawing. One hundred entries will be allowed. Each entry costs $10 and provides three chances at the drawing. The drawing will occur when all entries have been sold. You do not need to be present at the drawing to win. You can enter as many times as you like. Sales of entries began at the Chapter meeting on February 8. Entries can also be purchased by filling out the 3 chances shown below and sending them with a check for $10 to
Charles
R. Martin
512 Fleetwood Court Unit F
Kingsport, TN 37660
Don't miss this
opportunity to own a rod you'll treasure for a lifetime.
Remember the
drawing is limited to 100 entries so make sure your name is in
the pot.
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Overmountain Chapter Trout Unlimited
Interim Position Statement Watauga Fish Kill - February, 2000
As most persons in the region are aware, on Friday, February 25, 2000, a fire occurred at the North American Corporation facility located in Elizabethton, Tennessee. The fire resulted in a long and lengthy fire fighting effort. While the fire was being brought under control, a large quantity of fire fighting water and possibly stored chemicals were released into the Watauga River, killing most, if not all, of the fish in a section of the river approximately 10 miles downstream from the facility.
Shortly after this disaster the Board of Directors of the Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited considered making a statement of their position but sufficient facts were not available to make a responsible statement. The Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited made the decision to withhold making any statement regarding the position of the Overmountain Chapter in this matter until after the regulatory authorities had completed their investigation and issued their findings of fact.
It has recently been reported to the Board of Directors of the Overmountain Chapter that a letter was prepared some time ago on Trout Unlimited letterhead addressed to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. According to the report received by the Board of Directors, the letter was prepared by a former president of the Overmountain Chapter, the letter supported North American Corporation in this matter and the individual who prepared the letter had composed the letter in such a manner that he appeared to be speaking at the request of and on behalf of the Overmountain Chapter.
The Board of Directors
of the Overmountain Chapter makes the following two announcements regarding
the above described letter. First, the Board of Directors has conducted
a thorough search for the above described letter. No letter authorized
by the Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited prepared on Trout Unlimited
letterhead and addressing this matter has been found. Therefore, the Board
of Directors does not believe any such letter exists. Second, the Board
of Directors has never at any time authorized anyone to prepare any letter
remotely similar to the above described letter.
The Board of Directors recognize several private individuals have prepared letters expressing their own personal views regarding several aspects of this matter. The Overmountain Chapter supports the right of all individuals to express their personal opinions and does not regard these people as having done anything remotely improper in preparing these letters.
As we approach the anniversary of this tragedy, the Board of Directors offers the following observations.
Other than this statement, the Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited does not plan to make any statement pertaining to this matter until the facts collected during investigations by public authorities are available for review and analysis.
The Overmountain Chapter continues to be both concerned and puzzled that the public authorities which investigated this matter have not made the results of those investigations public. It is recognized investigations of this nature require substantial time to complete; however, substantially a year has passed since the fire occurred.
North American Corporation has stated in writing to Governor Sundquist their intent to replace the fish that were killed. We urge the appropriate public authorities to move forward immediately and obtain these funds from North American Corporation.
After the results of the investigations by public authorities are available, the Overmountain Chapter urges a critique of the events surrounding this matter in order to identify what could be done to minimize the possibility of a similar future occurrence. We suggest the critique should involve at least North American Corporation, the Elizabethton Fire Department, TVA, TWRA and TEDEC.
In addition, a subsequent public hearing/meeting should be scheduled and conducted by public authorities to review the findings of the investigations and propose measures to minimize the possibility of a subsequent similar occurrence.
As a closing matter,
the Overmountain Chapter again announces that this statement is the only
statement which has ever been authorized by the Overmountain Chapter pertaining
to this matter.
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Siltation a Major Problem In Streams Everywhere
Excessive siltation
from runoff from poorly designed and poorly maintained roads is one of
the worst sources of non-point pollution on federal lands. The silt smothers
trout spawning habitat and decreases insect habitat. Forest roads also
speed runoff velocities, increase channelization of streams, increase stream
bank erosion and elevate water temperatures.
Trout Unlimited
applauds the Forest Service for finalizing new policies to improve protection
of roadless areas. The main feature of the new policy is that it
prohibits construction of roads in wilderness areas with limited exceptions
for public safety and national security. The policy moves the agency
in a positive direction toward solving one of its most longstanding and
vexing problems: what to about the huge problems caused by environmentally
damaging roads in our National Forests.
With over 400,000
miles of roads already existing in our National Forests TU agrees with
the Forest Service we need to do something with the public's money other
than build new roads.
Critters and Trout
Streams are Highlight of March Meeting
"Critters
and Trout Streams" will be the program topic at the Thursday, March 8 meeting
of the Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited at the House of Ribs in
Johnson City.
Stephen Hiner,
from the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech, will speak on his specialty,
aquatic insects. Hiner also is a guide in Virginia waters.
Social hour begins
at 6:15, and the program begins after a short business meeting at 7 p.m.
Be sure to come
and bring a friend.
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Did you know…
Trout often hit a streamer broadside. Be prepared for a real jolt!
Generally, the thinner the hatch, the spookier the fish are.
Our thanks to
David Lane, manager of the State Hatchery in Erwin, and David Teague, manager
of the National Hatchery who brought us our annual report on the two hatcheries
at the February 8th meeting at the House of Ribs in Johnson City.
Thank you,
gentlemen, and come back any time!
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Fishing Reports
If you want to share information on fishing experiences, please get the information to the Newscaster as soon as possible.
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Fishing Tip of
the Month From Lefty Kreh
Ceramic rod guides
can get chipped or develop small cracks. Such damage can really harm a
fly line. To check for cracks or chips draw a cotton Q-Tip or a section
of a panty hose through the guide. If a crack or chip is present you will
be able to detect it when it snags on the soft material.
May 19--Carter
County Clean Streams-Watauga River Clean-up
July 21--Beaver
Dam Clean-up and Picnic
September 15--Todd
Burleson Memorial Clean-up and Picnic
August 11--South
Holston Lake & River Clean-up
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WEB SITE ADDRESS
For to keep up-to-date
on Overmountain Chapter activities and events, check out our web site at:
www.xtn/~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
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NEW MEMBERS
We have the following new members for February
HARRINGTON,
Ron roneharrin@aol.com
KRUTAK,
Jon KRUTAKDC@JUNO.COM
POND, Betty
pondmtnwalker@aol.com
SIEGFRIED,
R