Letter from President

February... it is the time of year when everyone hopes to see winter in the rearview mirror and we start looking forward to the hope of an early return of Spring. This winter's cold snaps just seem to go on forever this year, and I think we all need a shot of Cupid's medicine instead of a flu shot. Speaking of flu we have decided not to have a chapter meeting this month due to the profusion of the flu in our area. We now have numerous school systems across our region closed and it has affected many of our members and their families. I would rather not take the chance of bringing people together and the possible exposure to those who are still healthy or those recovering from the flu.

January 2018 was a busy month for our chapter and for those who made it out to the "IRON MAN FLY CONTEST 2018" either as a competitor or spectator a heartfelt thanks to you all. We were blessed again this year to raise enough money through the entry fees, donations, and prizes from our great sponsors to sponsor a deserving boy or girl to "Trout Camp" in the Smokies this summer. It has become the Trout Unlimited event of the winter and the planning has already started for next year!

Everyone who made it last week to the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show was treated to not only the second year return of the biggest show fly fishing show in the Southeast but the induction of the 2018 class of the "Legends of the Fly" Hall of Fame. This year was extra special as all six new members hail from the Tennessee-North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains. I am humbled and honored to be a part of this event and our chapter again served as a sponsor of this great event honoring those who have spent a lifetime giving and serving to others in this great sport of fly fishing and conservation. Please see the article below for more information about the weekend and please plan to attend next year.

The Tennessee State Trout Unlimited council meeting is this weekend in Knoxville at 10 a.m. at the Lawson McGhee Library and is our annual Coldwater Conservation meeting where we hear from agencies in our area the latest information on the the status of water, fishing and conservation of cold water and the status of the Tennessee Trout Unlimited and it's state chapters. I look forward to seeing everyone at the next chapter meeting on Thursday, March 15th, 2018, stay tuned for location and more information.

John Reinhardt
President