South Holston Cleanup Success
The Annual South Holston River Cleanup continues to attract support.
Participation in the 3rd annual cleanup, April 24, was up to 54 from
35 in ‘97.
High water levels in reservoirs prohibited TVA from providing
a low flow for the cleanup. Yet, the volunteers removed three tons
of trash, three propane tanks and forty tires from the stream banks and
roadside. Considering conditions, this was better than expected.
This was about the same amount of trash as collected last year.
TVA, TWRA, TU and the Forest Service provided exhibits and literature.
The TVA Land Management Office, Kingsport, provided bags and gloves.
Cox Disposal, Bluff City, provided dumpsters and trucks, and hauled the
trash to the Sullivan County Landfill.
Individuals and organizations deserving special recognition
include: Bill Beazell and the chapter Resource Protection Committee; Donna
McAninch, Malinda Leonard, and Carrie Kegley from Hickory Tree community;
TVA representatives Pam Langsford and Jan Mayes; Steve Kyziakidis and Roger
Stevens, Forest Service; Mike Canter and Jake Canter, Sullivan County
EMS; and David Lane and Mike Boatright from TWRA.
Organizations providing prizes and supplies included: Appalachian
Angler, Boone Lake Association, Coca-Cola of Bristol, Cracker Barrel of
Abington, Foscoe Fishing Company, Holston Angler, Hunter Banks, Little
River Outfitters, Mahoney’s, Virginia Creeper Fly Shop, North Western North
Carolina TU Chapter, and TVA.
Stream Entomology & Trout Rearing...
A Double Treat
Members attending the April Chapter meeting received a
double treat. Gary Barrigar’s program featured two topics: the trout rearing
project by his class at Elizabethton High School, followed by a program
about local stream entomology.
Gary was accompanied by two Elizabethton High students, Brent
Hendrich and Steve Sochalski. This was Steve’s first TU meeting.
Brent, however, is a chapter member and involved in many chapter
activities. He is often featured tying the Fly of the Month.
Barrigar used slides, charts, and other exhibits to illustrate
the EHS trout rearing project. Afterwards, during the presentation
about stream entomology, Sochalski and Hendrich prepared several
live exhibits of aquatic insects, crayfish, aquatic worms, etc.
The trio seined a local stream before the meeting to collect
the specimens. Gary also provided copies of “A Field Guide to the
Families of Mayflies, Stoneflies and Caddisflies”, a TVA field guide
prepared by Kenny Gardner.
During the presentation about stream entomology, Barrigar interlaced
science with fly fishing. Caddis larvae, may fly nymphs and stone
flies were identified by scientific name as well as by the popular fly
patterns mimicking them.
TU Calendar
May 9 - 16
National River Cleanup Week
May 15, 16, 17
Tennessee Brookies Fly Fishing Clinic. Annette (413) 691 5651.
May 15, 16
Tennessee Conservation League Annual Banquet, Meadow View Conference
Center, Kingsport, TN.
May 16
10th Annual Watauga River Cleanup, Covered Bridge Mini Park, Elizabethton.
Lynn Smith (423) 547-5344.
* * * * *
State Council Meeting
Ken Chase and Lynn Smith attended the Tennessee State TU Council
meeting May 2. The meeting was held at the Elkmont Campground in
the Smoky Mountains National Park. Ken will report on the Council
meeting during the May 14 Chapter meeting. Fly of the Month
Royal Wulff
Very few of the hundreds of dry flies are as widely
used as the Royal Wulff. A variation of the Royal Coachman and one
of Lee Wulff’s famous series of Wulff dry flies, the Royal Wulff
is used all across the U.S. and Canada.
Perhaps it is the combination of materials in the body of the
fly - the iridescence of the peacock herl and red floss - or perhaps it
is the large white wing that attracts so many strikes. Whatever
the reason, rainbow, brook and brown trout, Atlantic Salmon, as well as
smallmouth bass, readily take the Royal Wulff.
With an oversized white wing and stiff hackle, the Royal Wulff
is a high floating, highly visible fly. It is a good choice for small
mountain trout streams where it can be difficult to see dry flies in the
shadows of the forest.
The same characteristics that endear the fly to small stream
anglers make it a good choice for dry fly fishing on fast water on tailwaters
and larger streams. It is a good searching pattern on any trout stream.
As when fishing other “bulky” hair wing dry flies, a heavier
tippet is required. When using Royal Wulffs in the larger sizes (8,
10, 12) tippets lighter than 3X tend to twist and not deliver the fly properly.
A 2X tippet is not too large for a size 8. A 4X tippet works well
with the fly in sizes 14 and 16.
The Royal Wulff is a universal fly and a proven fish catcher.
Carry a couple in your fly box and try’em the next time you’re about
to get skunked!
Royal Wulff
Hook: Dry Fly, Size 8-16
Thread: Black
Wing: White Calf Body Hair
Tail: Deer Hair or Hackle Fibers
Body: 1/4 Peacock Herl, ½ Red Floss, 1/4 Peacock
Herl
Hackle: Brown
Meeting Notice
Thursday, May 14, 1998
Firehouse Restaurant
627 West Walnut Street
Johnson City, TN
Dinner 6:00 pm
Fly Tying Demo 6:15 pm
Royal Wulff - John McKee
Program 7:00 pm
Wild Trout Management
Electrofishing Impacts
Jim Habera, UT