Burleson Memorial Stream Cleanup

Approximately 30 people attended the ceremonies dedicating the Annual Roan Mountain Stream cleanup to Todd Burleson Saturday, August 15.

Representatives from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Nature Conservancy, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Overmountain Chapter, and friends and members of the Burelson Family, participated in the event.

The participants gathered at Burbank Free Will Baptist Church during the morning for the stream cleanup which preceded the dedication ceremonies.  More than  four pickup truck loads of trash and litter were removed from Burbank Creek, Cove Creek and Doe River above the Roan Mountain State Park.

Following the cleanup and lunch, a brief memorial ceremony was conducted.  Chapter President Ken Chase presented plaques to Todd's parents, Bob and Gail Burelson, and Todd's widow, Donna. a third plaque will be displayed at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor's center.

Chase said,  Todd will be remembered for his uncommon generosity and  concern for area streams. Among Todd's lasting contributions are: Organized the Roan Mountain Stream Cleanup;   In 1995, donated a guided fishing trip for a Chapter fund raiser which netted $790 toward improvements in the South Holston weir dam, and;  Freely gave  advice and encouraged others. Todd will also be remembered for his love of fly fishing and his love of rivers and streams.

Ernie Blankenship, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department of Environment and Conservation,  presented Todd's parents with a special Letter of Appreciation, signed by the Governor,  honoring Todd's memory and conservation efforts.

To the surprise of Chapter members,  Blankenship presented Ken Chase with a framed certificate of appreciation recognizing the Overmountain Chapter for "outstanding leadership toward the protection and restoration of Tennessee's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds."

Bill Beazell, Chairman of the Resource  Management Committee, expressed his appreciation for the use of the church fellowship hall and pavilion.  "We appreciate Charles Jarrett for securing the use of  the Church," he said. The church pavilion along the streams of Five Prong provided a beautiful setting.
Beazell was pleased with the support  from the Roan Mountain Community. He  hopes to see the citizens of Roan Mountain support and participate in  future cleanups.

TVA Stream Restoration Works

TVA stream bank restoration expert Dave Tomljanovich told TU chapter members, during the June chapter meeting, that bank restoration  really works.  And he had the slide presentation to prove it.
Tomljanovich described a number of techniques and showed before-and-after slides that demonstrated their effectiveness.  But the TVA river actions teams, recently depleted by personnel cuts, need volunteers to assist in the projects.

Getting more people involved in every aspect of the work from, stream-side work to attending meetings that have potential impact on our streams, is what we really need,  Tomljanovich said. An effort is all it takes.

He cited ignorance and greed as the two over-arching threats to our streams and wildlife.  Often it is simply a case of people not realizing the damage their actions are causing, but in some cases, it is putting monetary gain ahead of environmental considerations, he said.

Urban expansion is the major cause of stream bank deterioration, Tomljanovich said.  We need to take every opportunity to work with builders and planners to ensure that the streams are protected and attend meetings where development is under discussion, he said.

Tomljanovich also cited the following things that may diminish stream quality:

- livestock in streams
- road construction
- construction in general
- clear cutting
- mine acid drainage
- sewer drainage
- filling in wetlands that causes flooding

After the question-and-answer period, Tomljanovich encouraged Overmountain Chapter members to continue work and interest in the conservation and preservation of streams in East Tennessee.

Paul Anderson
 
 

"Muskies Lardin= Up"

 In the Far North, old timers herald autumn with the remark,  "Muskies lardin= up". They mean muskies have sensed the coming winter and are feeding heavily to put on the extra weight needed to carry them through the harsh season.  The old timers go after the hungry muskies with big (really big) lures.
Although we are still experiencing hot summer-like weather, autumn is upon us and winter is not far behind.  It's a sure bet that the trout in our southern streams have sensed the shorter days and will soon be "lardin= up".

A few bruisers will be taken on trout flies in the standard sizes.  But the really big trout are looking for a bigger meal.  Savvy anglers in search of trophy trout will be tossing large nymphs, wooly buggers, and streamers. Hoppers, ants, beetles and other large terrestrials will drawn strikes until the first hard frost.  Use a heavy tippet (3X or 2X).

Lynn Smith
 

Fly of the Month

 Tellico Nymph
 Many  fly  fishers readily recognize the Tellico Nymph but few realize that this nymph  originated on the Tellico River here in Tennessee.  The Tellico has been around for a long time;  I was catching Watauga River rainbows and browns on the it as a teenager in the '60s.  And, I have taken smallmouth bass and bluegills on Tellicos as well.

As the story goes, the fly  was originally tied of local materials, with the back of fly being a section from a wild turkey mottled wing  feather.  Other materials included yarn and floss as body materials and peacock herl ribbing.  Today there are may variations of the Tellico.
Originally tied with a yellow body,  Tellicos are found in a wide range of body colors, including white, yellow, and pale orange.  Turkey wing is  often used for the back, however  pheasant tail or other materials may be substituted for the peacock herl ribbing.  One version calls for a body of peacock herl ribbed with yellow floss.
  Today the fly is touted as an all purpose nymph and  used all over country.  Tied in different colors and different sizes, the basic Tellico is a good match for many nymphs.  Big yellow Tellicos imitates stone fly nymphs, while  small white flies imitates caddis fly larva or pupa.
George Grant ties one mean Tellico.  If  I'm around when he's tying  Tellicos, I always try to talk him out of  one or two!  Learn the secrets of  George's Tellico during the fly  tying demonstration at our September 10 chapter meeting.  (He just may give you one, too!)

 Tellico Nymph

Hook:   1X or 2X-long nymph hook, size 6 to 18
Thread:  Black
Weight:  Medium Lead-Free Wire
Tail:  Guinea Hen
Back:  Mottled Turkey Wing
Rib:  Peacock Herl
Body:  Yellow Floss
Hackle:  Brown

Tying tips:  The fly can be tied weighted or not. Start thread, wrap hook to bend.  If tying a weighted fly, wind on the lead.  Tie in tail, then tie in the back, and rib.  Wind thread to eye.
Attach floss just behind the hook eye.  Wind to bend of hook and back to the eye to shape the body.  Wind rib.  Pull back forward to eye and tie off.  Tie on hackle and make 2 or 3 wraps.  Shape head and whip finish.
Gold wire wound over the peacock herl adds a little flash and strengthens the rib. Cementing the back will make the fly more durable.

Lynn Smith