LETTER FROM CHAPTER PRESIDENT 

February…We have all been pulling for Spring like a Kentucky 
Derby race in May! The last few days of warm weather and 
sunshine has brightened everyone’s outlook. Even though if you 
have lived in the Smokies region any length of time you know we 
can have snow and cold right up thru April. Hope blooms eternal,
so let’s keep our fingers crossed.

We want to thank everyone, competitors and attendees alike for 
making “Iron Man Fly Contest 2023” another great success. 
Thank you to our long-time sponsors at TFO Rods, Smoky 
Mountain Angler, Little River Outfitters, 3 Rivers Angler and our 
host, Dead End BBQ. We awarded more prizes then ever to the 
competitors and prizes even to the audience this year. It is 
because of their generosity we are able to continue our long 
standing tradition of sending a young angler to Trout Camp each 
year.

The competitors this year were top shelf contestants as they tried 
to beat the clock tying flies. It is one thing to tie at home at your
leisure versus under the gun, facing a crowd with loud music as 
the clock ticks. 

Congratulations to our top winner this year, Grand Champion 
Winner David Holdridge, returning with a mission after placing
3rd last year. David also won 1st place followed by, Zach Grava 2nd
place, and Jonah Duran 3rd place.

This year was unique as all our top winners are either current or 
past members of the “VOLS on the FLY. Our Great Smoky Mountain chapter has worked with the University of Tennessee
chapter of the TU 5 Rivers program since its inception. It has been 
a source of great personal pleasure for me to watch the growth of 
these young men as not only students but to return to be active 
members and leaders of our GSM TU chapter. 

Coming up at our next chapter meeting on Thursday, March 
2,2023 is another person that I have enjoyed watching his growth. 
We will be featuring Jessie Huddleston of Smoky Mountain 
Angler of Gatlinburg. Jessie not only guides but has also built a 
large following on Instagram for not only his Smoky Mountain 
flies but his own unique style and take on fly tying. Check out his 
Instagram link in the article below.

Speaking of exciting upcoming events, the first weekend of May 
brings the 2023 induction of the “Fly Fishing Hall of Fame” in 
Bryson City, North Carolina. This year is special because one of 
the original founders of the Great Smoky Mountain TU chapter is 
our own, Walter Babb. He is being recognized for his exceptional
rod building and fly tying and history for the Smokies fishing. 

I have been asked to return as master of ceremonies again this 
year for the Hall of Fame and know many of this year’s inductees. 
See the following article for all the details of this “don’t miss 
event”.

Hopefully you have seen the news about the new required parking 
pass for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park starting 
March 1, 2023. There is a lot of information that is incorrect about 
the requirements. Here is the link from the National Park website 
with the correct information. Read carefully the question and 
answers section as there are options that may be relevant to you.

LINK: Fees & Passes - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Remember to follow us on the GSM TU Facebook page and the 
chapter website. Our Facebook page is the best way to see the 
latest chapter and updates. As always we remind you that a Trout 
Unlimited membership is never required to a GSM TU event or 
meetings. All are welcome!

GSM FACEBOOK: http://m.facebook. com/GreatSmokyMountainTU/

John Reinhardt
President