"Santa's on his way whether you are ready or not!"

As I write this snow is predicted tomorrow night here in our Great Smoky Mountain region, and the holidays are just days away. I guess that is the way it's supposed to be but I am always stunned when the end of the year sneaks up behind me and yells "Surprise"!

Thanks to everyone who came to our holiday meeting, it was a great turnout. We had quite a few new chapter members and also members from the newly formed Farragut High School Fishing Club with their families in attendance. Everyone got to take home a small gift from the GSM TU chapter and it was a night of hanging out with food and fun while talking about the coming year. Best of all we received news from the good folks at Dead End BBQ that going forward due to our growing chapter attendance we would be using the big room with the fireplace for future meetings. Hats off and thanks to everyone who has been coming out to the GSM TU meetings!

Next month is shaping up to be a month of fun starting with a Non-TU event on New Years Day Wednesday January 1st, 2020. You have been cordially invited to attend Bigsur's New Years Day Karma Tradition at Metcalf Bottoms from 12-4 PM in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This event now in it's 8th year is open to all who want to have a great time and still be home in time for football New Years Day. Many chapter members have attended this gathering each year and are familiar with Bigsur, a local rogue and instigator of celebrations in our beloved mountains. See the link on the Little River Outfitters forum for all the information.

LINK: https://littleriveroutfitters.com/forum/showthread.php?19280-22-DAYS-TO-GO!-It-s-coming!-Bigsur-s-New-Year-s-Day-Karma-Tradition-january-1-2020

Mark your calendar for the return of the 5th Annual "IRON MAN FLY CONTEST 2020". The night of Thursday, January 23rd 2020 may be the best one yet with a collection of prizes for the winners bigger then ever. How about brand new TFO BVK fly rods and reels just to name a few items to be awarded. All for a good cause as we send a deserving child to camp this summer. Remember to get signed up early as this is a limited entry field if you plan to compete. See the article below for information and sign up.

Another event happening in our area is the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show January 31-Feb 1, 2020 at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth Ga. If you have never been before I cannot emphasize what a great weekend this is for the fly fishing world. One of only seven shows in the United States it is a veritable who's who of manufactuers, seminars and celebrity presenters. It is the Woodstock of fly fishing, a do not miss event. See the article below for more information.

In closing please follow us on the GSM TU Facebook page and chapter website. The Great Smoky Mountain TU Facebook page is the best way to stay up to date with current chapter information or last minute changes;

GSM TU Link: http://m.facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainTU/

John Reinhardt
President