Volume 8
Issue 8
Next Meeting:
When: September 11, 2003
Where: Cams Catering, 203 Highpoint Drive, Johnson City
Program: "The Story of the Overmountain Men" by Herb Roberts of Sycamore
Shoals State Park in Elizabethton. Also Ed Williams will provide a status report
on Rocky Fork purchase.
Minutes of August Board Meeting
1. Treasurers Report---Cash $188, General Fund $956, Embrace-A-Stream Fund $7165,
Stream Cleanup Fund $275, Tom Carson Memorial Fund $1100, Total $9684.
2. Bob Viers reported that TWRA and TVA had agreed to meet with TU representative to visit an additional site on the South Holston tailwaters for possible designation as a protected trout spawning area. Their visit will be to determine if suitable shoreline habitat is available to support the growth of trout fry.
3. TVA was unable to clean the South Holston weir in May as normally done due
to high water levels and extensive generation. They announced that they are
planning to clean it on the 8th and 9th of August.
They also announced that they will clean it again if necessary in October as
normally scheduled.
4. The South Holston River Cleanup is scheduled for Aug 9 and begins at 9 am at the weir parking lot. All members are strongly encouraged to come and assist in this cleanup.
5. The Embrace-A-Stream Project on Buffalo Creek is ready to proceed pending selection of a contractor to do the work.
6. Information about states which require special testing, licensing, or fees for commercial fishing guides was presented and discussed. The board decided additional information was needed and planned to approach TWRA contacts to assess the need and interest in moving forward on this issue.
7. Ken Chase reviewed an extensive analysis he had made on the Overmountain Chapter regarding membership statistics, meeting locations, program topics, participation in cleanups and Embrace-A-Stream projects, etc. The purpose of the analysis was to provide information to be used to develop a plan on the future direction of the chapter. Following extensive discussion it was agreed that board members would study the analysis and plan to discuss at the next board meeting.
8. Ken Chase reported that the Nolichucky Chapter of TU was deactivated and transferred their members (approx 30) to the Overmountain Chapter along with a check for $1000.
9. Charles Gibson distributed contact info cards which have been designed and printed. This card provides information on how to contact area agencies and local legislators to report potential problems that might affect our wildlife, fish, streams or rivers and express ideas and opinions. These cards will be distributed to all chapter members and other interested parties.
10. Bill Beazell prepared and distributed a paper explaining and documenting
the Overmountain Chapter River and Stream Watch Program. All members should
review this document on the chapter web site.
11. The next meeting of the board is scheduled for September 2nd at 7pm at the
Eastman Credit Union in Downtown Kingsport at 200 E. Main Street.
August Chapter Meeting
This August 14th meeting was especially interesting, with a very fine Alaska
program, a much awaited Joe Byrd bamboo flyrod drawing, and an excellent roast
beef dinner. Twenty-three people attended and read on to see what you others
missed.
During the business meeting reports were made on the TU/TVA/TWRA Coldwater Resources
meeting in Knoxville (see Newscaster reports), and our new wallet size Contact
Card designed by Charles Gibson. A copy for all Overmountain members accompanies
this newsletter.
Bob Morrow, a retired Eastman employee, presented a beautiful slide show, "Fishing
for Rainbows and Salmon in Alaska". Mr. Morrow is an expert fisherman and
photographer. His photography ranged from the wildlife in Denali to the bears
and fish of the Kenai. He showed huge Kings, many, many Silver and native rainbows
and some Grayling. He spoke comprehensively about location, accommodations,
guides, travel and cost. Any group would be lucky to obtain him for their program.
Bob Sherrill (r) presenting Bob 
Ken Chase accepting rod from Joe Byrd.
Morrow with Chapter Hat
The highlight of the evening for two people was the drawing of the Joe Byrd rod. Twelve Chapter members who attended last year's Todd Burleson Memorial Cleanup on Roan Mountain were eligible. Joe Byrd, a loving friend of Todd, was thrilled to produce and present it and Ken Chase, the most deserving entry, was so pleased he could hardly talk.
August South Holston Cleanup
This August 9th cleanup marked the 11th year of the South Holston Lake and
River Cleanup. Overmountain is a committee member of a managing committee which
is supported by the community and the Keep America/Keep Bristol Beautiful program.
Tom Hanlan, manager of Rivers Way, and our Chapter started the river cleanup
in 1996. We managed it until 2000, when we were accepted as part of the larger
group.
On all of our cleanups we have tried to get the local community to take leadership.
During our 4 management years, attendance ran from 30 to 60. This year with
the establishment of an additional zone at Bluff City, our attendance was 100,
of which 15 were from the Sullivan County Detention Center and 13 from Overmountain.
Some of the trash collected 
South Holston Weir at low water
Twelve hundred people collected 60 tons of trash, a remarkable effort. Unfortunately this quantity of trash remains fairly constant year after year. Five Chapter members attended the annual picnic (provided by the Jacob's Creek Job Corps), band concert and prize drawing (80 nice prizes-some ½ day fishing trips) at Observation Knob on South Holston Lake.
Additionally, TVA staff cleaned the weir of debris and trash while the river levels were lowered. The August cleaning was re-scheduled from the planned May cleaning that was postponed due heavy rains.
July TVA/TU Joint Meeting
The TVA/Tennessee Council of Trout Unlimited joint meetings were established
in 1993 through the efforts of Bill Guinn, then Council Chair, and currently
active in the Cherokee Chapter (Greeneville). Interest by both in improvement
of cold water trout streams was the goal established by the Memorandum of Agreement.
Each chapter makes requests of TVA and TVA responds. The chapters report results
and also reports undertakings since the last meeting. TWRA, USDA Forest Service,
Corps of Engineers and at times other agencies make reports and answers questions.
On July 26th, Ken Chase and Bill Beazell attended the meeting, held regularly
from 9 'till noon at the TVA West Tower in Knoxville.
Ken told the group of our upcoming meeting on July 30th with TVA and TWRA concerning
Weir Dam cleaning, water release and an additional protected redd. Ken also
discussed the Lower Watauga Watershed streambank restoration and habitat improvement
projects planned and funded by TWRA from the funds obtained as a result of a
warehouse fire on Watauga in February 2000. Also discussed was the Chapter's
plans for the Embrace-a-Stream project on Buffalo Creek. The Chapter's funds
represent almost one-half of the $15,000 project in partnership with the City
of Elizabethton.
Bill Beazell summarized our River/Stream Watch Program and provided a comprehensive
two page handout of the program.
Summer Council Meeting
The Tennessee Council is presently composed of 9 chapters. It meets 4 times
a year. The Spring and Fall informal meetings are at various outing locations
and the Winter and Summer meetings are in Knoxville in the afternoon following
the morning TVA/TU joint meeting. The Councils very able Chairman is Steve Brown
whose email address is wsbrown@nxs.net.
The highlight of the July 26th meeting was the announcement of former Council
Chair Rick Murphree's appointment to the TU National Leadership Council. This
is composed of one member from each State Council. Various committees have been
formed by Chairman Brown to develop plans and goals for the Council. To review
minutes of the Council meetings visit their website at: www.tctu.org.
OVERMOUNTAIN CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Todd Burleson Memorial Cleanup in Roan Mountain on September 27th. Meet at the
Burbank Baptist Church at 9:00 a.m. We plan to have picnic following the cleanup.
Please bring your family members.
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 Don Kreh our treasurer, or mail to him at:
Don Kreh
Treasurer
1721 Rock Springs Rd.
Kingsport, TN 37664
If you sign up a new member, instead of mailing their check to National TU, give it to Don Kreh. Also, we can use this easy money.
RIVER AND STREAM WATCH PRIORITIES
The following members are watching our streams for problems resulting from pollution, sedimentation or abuse of the resource. If you would like to be part of one of the stream watches, please send an email to: info@omtu.org or contact one of the below listed leaders.
Watauga Tailwater-Margie Stratton and John McKee-Boat access in Elizabethton
South Holston Tailwater-Bob Viers-Weir Dam flow, silt and spawning beds
Patrick Henry Tailwater-John Krutak and Andy Hale-Pollution
Doe River-Don Kreh-Cleanup
Hampton Creek-Bob Bierbaum-Protection of fishery
N. and S. Indian Creek-Elaine Walker and Foster Levy
Rocky Fork--Elaine Walker and Foster Levy --TWRA Lease
Doe Creek-Jere Houser--Water removal
Laurel Fork Creek-Gary Barrigar - Lack of fish
Beaverdam Creek-Ron Harrington - Clean up, Stocking and monitoring
Buffalo Creek -Ken Chase - Pathegons, development and siltation