SPECIAL NOTICE:

The date of the Roan Mountain Cleanup has been changed from September 15 to September 22.

Todd Burleson Memorial Clean-up
Rescheduled for September 22
By Bill Beazell

The Todd Burleson Memorial Clean-up, the last of the three 2001 clean-ups to which the Chapter is committed, will be Saturday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. till noon on Roan Mountain.
Participants will assemble at the Burbank Free Will Baptist Church shelter, adjacent to Jack’s Store, about a mile above the state park entrance. As usual, the Chapter will provide a picnic lunch.
The late Todd Burleson was a conservationist, angler and friend to many of us. The Chapter’s tribute to him, written by George Grant, is on a plaque in the State Park Visitors’ Center.
Our participation in the Roan Mountain Clean-up began in 1993 at Burleson’s suggestion. For some time Todd had been doing his own clean-ups and trying to influence County government to remove fees from trash collection stations. Our Chapter has managed this combination clean-up and picnic.
At our 1998 clean-up, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation presented Burleson;s parents with a special Letter of Appreciation, signed by the governor, honoring Todd’s memory and conservation efforts.
 

Chapter Contest For Custom Rod Giveaway Continues in September

Over the years the Overmountain Chapter has offered a number of truly fine quality fly rods as a part of Chapter fund raising efforts.  This year we are giving away as fine a rod as has ever been given away in any Chapter fund raising effort.  Mike Adams, our master rod maker, will 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.  The rod will have titanium line guides, a fiddle back maple reel seat with nickel hardware and a Flora cork handle.

The rod will be offered based on a drawing.  One hundred entries will be allowed.  Each entry costs $10 and provides three chances in 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.  To enter the drawing please fill out all three of the below chances and pass the completed chances and $10 cask or check payable to "Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited" to Charles Martin or mail the completed chances along with a check for $10 to

   Charles Martin
   512 Fleetwood Court  Unit F
   Kingsport, TN  37660

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September Meeting Info
When:  Second Thursday of each month
 
Where: House of Ribs, 3100 North Roan Street, Johnson City, TN
 
Next meeting: Thursday, September 13, 2001

 Dinner: 6:00 p.m.
 
Fly of the Month:  6:15 p.m. TBD
 
Program : 7:00 p.m.
 
Speaker:  Jim Habera, TWRA
 
Topic:  "Wild Trout Report"

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AUGUST MEETING/PICNIC REPORT

By Bob Sherrill
The August Chapter meeting was not a meeting, but instead a picnic at the "Ledges" on the trophy section of the Watauga River. The "Ledges" is a beautiful "estate" owned by Mr. Cam Cantwell of Asheville. Mr.
Cantwell graciously permitted us to use the picnic shelter located on the bank of the river. It is a very  beautiful and peaceful location to say the least.
Approximately 13 members and visitors gathered around 3-4pm for general socializing. A few persons did try their hand at fishing with some success. The menu consisted of hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, chips, desserts, watermelon and drinks.
Hopefully this will become an annual event with persons gathering earlier in the day for more fishing.
 
 

Acid Rain: What is it?
 

By Charles Martin
The term "acid rain" refers to the deposition of acidic materials in wet precipitation (rain, snow, fog, cloud) as well as in dry precipitation ( dust and gases). The source of the acid is the burning of fossil fuels, which releases sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which are converted to sulfuric and nitric acids.
How Does Acid Affect Trout Streams?
The forested mountain watersheds in NC and TN that provide habitat for trout are particularly sensitive to the effects of acid deposition. The streams are naturally acidic, with low levels of dissolved minerals, and the soils are losing their capacity to "buffer" or neutralize the acidity of the polluted rainfall.  The harmful effects are a result of both the hydrogen ion present in acidic waters and aluminum, which becomes soluble under these conditions. These ions exert their toxic effects at the site of the gill by interfering with the mechanisms responsible for proper salt and water balance. Additionally, stream acidification impacts other ecologically important, less acid-tolerant aquatic species including minnows, darters, and insects.
What is the Extent of the Problem?
Of the 37.4 million acres in the Southern Appalachian region, 14.6 million acres are in the range of wild trout, with up to 33,000 miles of potential wild trout streams. North Carolina is home to 32% of these streams, second only (in distribution) to Virginia.
What has Trout Unlimited Done so Far
TU's work with the US Forest Service has been an important catalyst for stream acidification research in the South. Various organizations have started detailed soils and water chemistry studies following this initial stream assessment. The monitoring program is being integrated with work in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to assess regional acidification. The highly interested and technically competent cadre of trained TU volunteers is strategically positioned to contribute to monitoring projects necessary to protect the quality of coldwater fisheries.
 

Redesign of TU Logo
 
In an effort to obtain a logo that is more easily understandable and recognisable, TU is considering changing its logo.  You can submit a suggestion for a new logo by visiting the TU web site tu.org or following the information in the Spring issue of Trout Magazine
 
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Did you know…
That everyone knows when stalking a trout in local tailwaters it is important to determine the horizontal location of the trout. It is just as important to determine the vertical location of the trout because trout near the surface can generally be approached more closely than trout holding several feet of water.

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News Briefs
 
If you have items of interest you would like to share, get them to Paul Anderson (753-9926 or paulandeliz@xtn.net) or Vicki Adams.

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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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sept. 22--Todd Burleson Memorial Clean-up and Picnic

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WEB SITE ADDRESS

To keep up-to-date on Overmountain Chapter activities and 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
 
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NEW MEMBERS

Mick Kyte                mkyte@alldata.net
Raymond Taylor