Are you ready?......It is the month of May, bringing to those of us here in the Great Smoky Mountains dry fly fishing, wild flowers blooming and green mountain views as far as the eye can see. All the rain we received this spring is blessing us with full streams and fish just waiting for you and I to enjoy. I encourage everyone to get out on our streams and tailwaters and make the most of what we consider the best time of year to throw a line! This month also kicks off a number of outstanding events that needs your help in the coming days.

On Saturday, May 26th 2018 come out to Smoky Mountain Angler in Gatlinburg, TN as we celebrate their 30th Anniversary. A true milestone and achievement for any business especially a fly shop! We will be joining owner Harold Thompson, manager Chad Fouts and the SMA crew for a day of demos, fly tying and our own Great Smoky Mountain TU chapter fundraiser grilling "hot dogs and fixins" for the crowd. Come out and volunteer whatever time you have to help with the food while you check out the latest gear and the beauty of our mountains. 

Following that celebration are two events on Saturday, June 9th 2018, both great causes and volunteer opportunities. The first event is the annual Clinch River TU chapter's "Kid's Fish Free Day". This event gives area children of all ages along with their families a chance at no cost to spend time on the Clinch River learning fly tying, aquatic life information, fishing and a free lunch to boot. 

Also on June 9th, 2018 another great event needs your help, Casting for Hope is a non profit organization dedicated to supporting women with ovarian and gynecological cancer. Casting for Hope in partnership with the Cherokee Tribe are holding their 4th Annual "Cherokee Classic" fly fishing tournament. Twenty teams of two anglers compete for $6,000 in prize money on Saturday June 9th, 2018. They need volunteer stream monitors to help record the catches of the anglers as they move from assigned areas. I volunteered last year and had a blast learning new areas and camping at Smokemont Campground just inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park just minutes from the starting point.

Remember as usual we do not have a June or August meeting as so many members are on vacation. Keep in mind that we gather again in July at River John's with the Little River TU chapter's annual cook-out. Stay tuned for updates and times for this "Day on the Water" coming soon in July!

Thanks to everyone who volunteers for the great events above and please spread the word that as always you never have to be a Trout Unlimited member to attend a Great Smoky Mountain TU Chapter event.

John Reinhardt