Letter From Great Smoky Mountain Chapter President

September...here it comes, my favorite time of the year! As much as I am a child of summer the coming of fall with it's cooler temperatures combined with the smaller crowds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and our local rivers and streams is a close second. Yes, there is a big difference between the bugs I fish with and the bugs that want to camp with me and cooler weather thins the later to my delight.

I have been blessed this summer to fish a lot on new waters and familiar places. The journey has carried me from Colorado to the coast of North Carolina, along with old haunts on both sides of the Smokies. I am grateful to have a job that makes me come home and be an adult during the week and get ready for the next adventure. I highly encourage everyone to get out whether with family, friends, or fellow TU members and enjoy the gift of the outdoors and all it brings.

As we watch the news of the floods in Houston our hearts go out to the individuals and families that have been affected. It is hard to see the faces of the survivors and first responders and not be reminded of the last major storm Katrina twelve years ago. It will take time to repair and restore the fourth largest city in the United States. I hope the rebuilding will help everyone remember what is truly important and not the issues that have been dividing us as a country of late.

On a positive note, September and October are going to be a busy time for our chapter starting Thursday September 21st at our next chapter meeting at the Blackhorse Pub in Knoxville. As we have posted in the newsletter, our website, and Facebook plan to get your coins together as we are holding "Tennessee's Greatest Fly Sale"! Les Graham, professional tier, and GSMTU chapter member has given us the privilege of hosting the sell and liquidation of his extensive collection, including flies, tying material, tools and even a fly tying desk! This is a "do not miss event", crack open your piggy bank, get there early and grab your chance at some great deals.

The fun continues on Saturday, September 30th, 2017 in Gatlinburg, TN as we host the first ever "BATTLE OF GATLINBURG 2017" Fishing Tournament! The feature event "ONE FLY ROYALE" is exactly as described, as the competitors battle for the title of "King of the Mountain" in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg! Your help is needed for this one please email me at john711111@yahoo.com to sign up.

Following the "BATTLE OF GATLINBURG 2017" Fishing Tournament on September 30, the first weekend of October is packed with local events. Project Healing Waters Grand Slam Challenge for veterans takes place on the Clinch River October 6th-7th, 2017. The best way you can help is to buy a ticket to the Friday Night Banquet. Our own GSM chapter member John Becker, news anchor for WBIR-TV is the master of ceremonies and nationally known fishing guide Kelly Gallup of Montana is the guest speaker. to get your tickets and information: http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/tournaments/the-smoky-mountain-grand-slam-challenge/

Don't forget also that same weekend the Fly Fishing Museum in Bryson City, NC is holding the second annual "Hook, Hackle and Rod Show", consisting of 60 fly tiers, rod builders, and vendors. I went last year and had a great time with a little Deep Creek fishing thrown in to boot. Click here to see the schedule for their calendar:

https://flyfishingmuseum.org/events.html

As if the first weekend of October was not already a busy one for our members, it is also the weekend we join up with the Little River TU chapter for our annual fall camp-out. This is year number five of our spring and fall events and we are camping at a favorite of everybody. We will be spending October 6-7th, 2017 at Cataloochee N.C. campground, one of the most remote and beautiful sites in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. You have to take everything from water to firewood to this one but the views and the fishing make the effort worth it!

This year is shaping up to be one of the best ever for the Great Smoky Mountain TU Chapter. We hope you come out, participate and volunteer and be a part of all our activities and events in our region. Your help is needed and as always bring the family, friends, and even the dog!

John Reinhardt

President

Email: john711111@yahoo.com