2nd Annual Troutfest in Townsend

The Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is not comprised of just anglers. Its 220 members are as devoted to clean water as they are the original Brook trout, and many work with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park with ongoing acid precipitation tests that require several long hikes each year. Members also assist with aquatic life sampling projects and with the brook trout restoration efforts………all because they love clean water and they love the Smoky Mountains.

Active member and past President, Tom Eustis, estimates that 15% of the members don’t fish but do support the mission to preserver cold water fisheries. Two of the areas best-known species of trout, the rainbow and brown, are not native to the region, and in some instances, they have crowded out the original brook or “speck” populations. “Brook trout right now are the canaries in the cage,” Eustis said, to monitor the migrations of high acidity levels from the higher to the lower elevation streams in the Park.

The Trout Unlimited members of the Little River Chapter have logged impressive man-hours with help to the Park. Park Fisheries biologist, Matt Kulp, says “the chapter contributes between 266 and 850 hours a year. Over 10 years, that in-kind donation of labor from the Little River Chapter has approached a value of some $300,000.” The chapter also assists the Park with direct financial support and grant-writing assistance.

It’s not all work and no play for the membership however. The Little River Chapter just held its second annual TroutFest in Townsend at the Visitor’s Center. Hailed as a “Fund Raising Festival for trout streams and cold water conservation in and around the Great Smoky Mountain National Park”, the June 3rd, 4th and 5th Troutfest, will include demonstrations and presentations about trout and their environment, a Casting Contest, Fly Tyers and Rod Makers booths, with Photographers, Guides, Artists, Food and Live Music. Eustis says, “it is an educational thing for Blount County and a fund-raiser for the Little River chapter,” which operates as a non-profit. Last year the chapter raised $7,000, which went directly to the fisheries program in the Park. This year’s goal is to raise $10,000.