http://smtu.org/index.php/site/index/ en jeff@tristateangler.com Copyright 2012 2012-01-25T02:31:29+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/who_is_our_fish_management_new_contributor/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/who_is_our_fish_management_new_contributor/#When:02:20:41Z “Kevin Hining is a fisheries biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.  He assists with the management of freshwater gamefish populations in northwestern North Carolina. Kevin will provide information to the chapter on stream fish management activities in northwestern NC when he is able to get time from his busy schedule. Kevin is not a TU member but has graciously offered to help us out. Kevin can be contacted at kevin.hining@ncwildlife.org.” 2009-03-14T02:20:41+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/custom_built_fly_rod_for_banquet/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/custom_built_fly_rod_for_banquet/#When:02:31:29Z Bamboo fly rod candy. This will be one of the items offered at the banquet. This is a custom built 7’3” rod that has two tips and is a 3/4wt. Try note to drool on your computer keys because SMTU will not be held liable for any damages you encure. See ya’ at the banquet. 2012-01-25T02:31:29+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/ewms_milestones_in_tic/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/ewms_milestones_in_tic/#When:15:50:15Z Trout_-_EWMS_Milestones_and_Experiences.pdf 2012-01-09T15:50:15+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/stone_mountain_tu_banquet/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/stone_mountain_tu_banquet/#When:16:10:20Z The date is February the 25th and will get started at 5:30 pm. Ticket info is to the left in the “Upcoming Events”. We will again have the live, silent auctions along with bucket raffles, trout bingo, door prizes and special drawing for sponsors and the ladies who attend. We hope everyone can make it because this is our only major fund raiser for projects we sponsor for the the next two years so please be there if at all possible. See everyone there. 2012-01-02T16:10:20+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/test_entry/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/test_entry/#When:13:11:25Z Only a test. 2011-10-03T13:11:25+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/pictures_from_spring_2011_tic_release_day_at_stone_mountain/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/pictures_from_spring_2011_tic_release_day_at_stone_mountain/#When:01:10:47Z It has been a busy spring/summer for me and as my guiding season slows down I hope to get caught up on the SMTU web-site. As you view the pictures from the 2011 TIC release day, keep in mind that we added the Mount Airy Middle School for the 2010/2011 year. Our chapter wants to thank the teachers there and East Wilkes Middle School for the hard work they put into TIC and we hope to continue working with them. We are also excited to let our readers know we have now added two new schools. Watauga High and Ashe High will be on board for the 2011/ 2012 TIC program bringing our total number of schools sponsored by SMTU to four. We are looking forward to another successful year. http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=203339816310:1257378503 2011-08-29T01:10:47+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/stone_mountain_tu_mount_airy_kids_health_day/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/stone_mountain_tu_mount_airy_kids_health_day/#When:00:38:52Z Stone Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited was well represented by our members at the Mount Airy Healthy Kid’s Outdoor Day. Below are just a few of the children that came out to do a little trout fishing in the Ararat River that is located in the town limits of Mount Airy. According to Dick Everhart, our project coordinator, the trout fishing was one of the most busy activities at the event. Kin Hodges, wildlife biologist for Surry County, provided the trout, bait, and equipment. Our members were in charge of helping make sure everyone had equipment, bait and if needed, help fishing. Thanks again to those who helped and thanks to Catrina Alexander of the Mount Airy Parks and Recreation for inviting us to help.The pictures below show Kin getting folks ready to start, Bob Pearson, our treasurer, helping a child to catch trout, and folks enjoying the day. 2011-05-16T00:38:52+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/boat_loads_of_trash_collected_literally/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/boat_loads_of_trash_collected_literally/#When:01:50:11Z Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to the South Fork clean up this past Saturday, May 5th. We found some interesting items including a strong box full of cash. Unfortunately the cash had all dissolved due to years of being submerged in the water. Kelly, of Rivergirl in Todd, has some of the items including the strong box if anyone is interested in seeing it for themselves. I think she also has a scary looking baby doll in case anyone wants their nerves disturbed. 2011-05-05T01:50:11+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/6th_annual_kids_fishing_day_at_wilkesboro_big_success/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/6th_annual_kids_fishing_day_at_wilkesboro_big_success/#When:00:20:03Z With 50 to 60 kid’s ages 5 to 13 showing up for our 6th annual “Kid’s Fishing Day” in Wilkesboro it is easy to say it was a success. Kevin Hinning with the NCWRC brought around 400 hundred brook and rainbow trout to Cub Creek Park for the young fisherpeople to catch and take home. We provided assistance to those who needed help and prepared about 130 hot-dogs, all of which were eaten by the hungry participants and their families. Thanks to those who helped from our chapter and their spouses and significant others. Also, thanks goes out to the town of North Wilkesboro for their restoration work on the stream as it continues to improve with the work they do. I will be posting pictures as I get them and also have the link to the Journal Patriot. http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/article_8d18d5de-6464-11e0-8bb1-0019bb30f31a.html http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=810487485310%3A40169400& 2011-04-14T00:20:03+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/combination_day_of_fly_fishing_and_conservation_team_work_planning/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/combination_day_of_fly_fishing_and_conservation_team_work_planning/#When:01:52:32Z Our SMTU Chapter, Boone Fork TU, ASU Fly Fishing Club, NCNR and Franklin Tate along with Damon Hearne from TU National got together for a little fly fishing and planning for some of the waters we want to make sure, through conservation, maintain its ability to hold trout in our area. We are currently in the first stages of working together on projects this year and hopefully for years to come. Thanks to everyone who was able to make it. Below are some of the trout we caught before the meeting that night along with pictures of the area we fished. 2011-03-21T01:52:32+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/new_trout_fishing_oppertunites/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/new_trout_fishing_oppertunites/#When:16:47:22Z Be sure and go to “Cold Water Fish Management News” and check out Kevin Hinnings latest news for some new opportunities in our area. http://smtu.org/index.php/site/Fish_Management_News/ 2011-03-10T16:47:22+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/new_and_improved_fishing_opportunities_within_the_elk_creek_drainage/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/new_and_improved_fishing_opportunities_within_the_elk_creek_drainage/#When:23:56:56Z New and improved fishing opportunities within the Elk Creek drainage, Watauga and Wilkes County – How TU can help! Over the past few years several unique fishing opportunities have occurred within Elk Creek.  In 2008, the Laurelmor Development known now as Reynolds Blue Ridge established a fishing agreement with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) that allowed anglers to fish Laurel Creek and Dugger Creek for wild trout.  Anglers can currently check in at the guard house off of Elk Creek Road and receive a set of instructions for getting to both streams within the development.  Currently, the guardhouse is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.  Possibly as a result of Reynolds Blue Ridge allowing anglers to fish, additional landowners and developments within the area begin to contact NCWRC concerning other angling opportunities.  In 2009, Leatherwood Mountains contacted NCWRC and offered the opportunity for managing approximately one mile of Elk Creek for public fishing.  As a result, NCWRC has established a Delayed Harvest reach on the property, which will receive its first stockings of trout in October 2011.  NCWRC has since been talking with Reynolds Blue Ridge and a private landowner with a combined total of 2 miles of Elk Creek along Elk Creek Road near the Watauga and Wilkes County line.  NCWRC plans to submit a regulation this year that would allow this two mile section to also be managed as Delayed Harvest.  Individual landowners have also requested that NCWRC extend the Hatchery Supported reach of Elk Creek.  As a result, NCWRC plans to submit a regulation this year that will extend the Hatchery Supported section by almost two miles. Finally, Powder Horn Mountain and Brightwood Developments, both of which own property along Laurel Creek, have agreed to allow anglers to fish for wild trout within Laurel Creek.  As a result, NCWRC will submit a regulation this year that will connect the already accessible portion of Laurel Creek within Reynolds Blue Ridge property to where the stream crosses Elk Creek Road (practically the entire main stem and South Fork of Laurel Creek).  This will open up approximately 10 continuous miles of wild trout fishing.  Anglers will be able to access Laurel Creek through Reynolds Blue Ridge, as previously mentioned, or by parking at a soon to be constructed parking area at the lower Powder Horn entrance, where Laurel Creek intersects Elk Creek Road. If all goes as planned, by October 2012 there should be miles of diverse trout fishing opportunities within the Elk Creek drainage.  This will include over 10 miles of Catch and Release artificial lure only wild trout water, 3 miles of Delayed Harvest water, and over 8 miles of Hatchery Supported water (see attached map).  However, all of these fishing opportunities are dependent on maintaining good relationships between landowners and anglers.  To help facilitate and preserve good working relationships, the NCWRC plans on assisting with the maintenance of parking areas along these streams, and in providing signage to inform anglers of these newly acquired fishing opportunities.  I would also like to request that TU consider “adopting” the Elk Creek drainage by possibly holding one or two annual stream clean-ups along Elk Creek and at/near the parking areas established for fishing on Laurel Creek.  By doing so, TU will be able to assist the NCWRC in maintaining good relationships with landowners and the local community.  This has been the case on several streams, such as the Mitchell River, Helton Creek, etc, and maintaining fishing opportunities on these and other streams would likely not have been possible without the help that TU has provided.  I recently spoke with Stone Mt. Chapter members and hope to speak with the new Boone Fork Chapter members as well about the Elk Creek drainage.  It is my hope that this will be a great opportunity for TU chapters to join forces and assist NCWRC with maintaining public access to these newly acquired opportunities on Elk Creek.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions and I look forward to speaking with you in the near future about these opportunities.  Thanks a bunch and best of luck fishing! Kevin NCWRC Fisheries Biologist I Fleetwood, NC 336-877-1087 kevin.hining@ncwildlife.org 2011-03-08T23:56:56+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/mount_airy_middle_school_trout_in_the_classroom/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/mount_airy_middle_school_trout_in_the_classroom/#When:01:55:25Z Dick Everhart, representing the Stone Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited, delivers the eggs for Mount Airy Middle Schools first TIC project which will be under the direction of Jeannie Noble in the Science Department. Pictured is Mr. Everhart with the trout eggs and some of the students helping with the project. Also shown are the actual eggs which the students are responsible for taking care of and hopefully hatching into trout. In the Spring, if all goes well, the students will then release their rainbow trout into the East Prong of Roaring River in Stone Mountain State Park. 2010-11-15T01:55:25+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/november_newsletter/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/november_newsletter/#When:00:55:32Z I have to start off by apologizing to everyone visiting our web-site over the last few months as I have not kept the site up to date.  It has been a combination of my two jobs over the summer and laziness the last couple months.  I am going to work harder the next few months to provide everyone with up dates because we will be very busy in the up coming year.  We have some more exciting projects, events and education opportunities in store for our members and youth in our area. Some of the projects we are working on include working with the NCWRC on some possible parking areas on streams they are working to procure access for fisherman.  These would be new waters for fisherman to enjoy.  We will also continue to work with the NCNR or stream sweeps with one in the spring and one in the fall. We plan to have another BBQ or cookout at one of the stream sweeps which was a big hit last year.  We are also continuing with our Trout in the Classrooms, and yes I said classrooms, as we have added another school this year.  We are working with a newly formed fishing club at Appalachian State University and will be a “big brother” to their efforts and help in any way we can.  There is also a new TU Chapter in Boone and we will work with them and help them to be successful. As I have said, next year is shaping up to be a busy year with something for everyone in our chapter.  I employ everyone to become more active this coming year so that we can continue to grow our chapter and work to conserve our area streams. You President, Jeff Payne 2010-11-08T00:55:32+00:00 http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/ahhhh_wilderness/ http://smtu.org/index.php/site/permalink/ahhhh_wilderness/#When:13:47:18Z The reasons we go fishing are many and varied.  I’m sure your reasons may differ from mine, but I’ll bet high up on the list may be to ‘get away from it all’....especially for trout fishermen.  I’ve heard and read that trout live in beautiful places.  Well, fishing for said trout takes you to those places.  While this is generally true, on many streams you can unfortunately see houses tight along the banks as well as litter, sediment and other evidences of people and their “footprints” on the land.  Don’t get me wrong; I still enjoy fishing in all kinds of places.  But I’d rather be on a stream that at least seems wild and unspoiled.  Fishing wild places does more to help me relax; it’s more refreshing. A quick Google search tells me that there’s over 307 Million folks living in the U.S., and almost 9.4 Million of them in my home state.  That is a mind-boggling number, budget numbers thrown around by the Federal government notwithstanding (exactly what is a quadrillion?), and all those people have to live somewhere.  My point is that it’s getting harder to find places where there’s even a feeling of remoteness.  The sad truth is that there’s not much actual wilderness left, especially in our part of the country.  Plus, to get to streams that are fairly remote usually takes time, effort, and of course money.  I’m thinking at least along the lines of a multi-day trip to the Smokies and backpacking in to some stream for a few days of fishing.  Even then you may very well run into others in the backwoods who are there to ‘get away from it all’ themselves.  The good news is that there are still some streams….not far from home even…..that can give you that feeling of solitude and of being in a wild place. Our faithful treasurer Bob Pearson and I fished in just such a place the other day.  There we were, virtually in the midst of dense population centers, major thoroughfares and shopping for about anything one might want.  And yet, no houses, just a small amount of litter washed downstream and stuck at the high water mark, and not another human being in sight the whole time.  Due to the wonders of mountain topography the only reminder that we were not in a truly wild place was an infrequent sound of a vehicle passing by above far us.  It reminded me quite a lot of being in a place like the Smokies and, in a way it was better since we didn’t drive 4 hours or even have to hike in.  Oh, and there were trout too!  Quite a few wild specimens were brought to hand in fact.  We had a great and relaxing day in a little piece of ‘wilderness’.  The point is that there are such places still out there, even some fairly close to home.  You just have to get out, ride the roads, explore and find them.  Sometimes just hunting for them is a big part of the fun too! Scott 2010-09-14T13:47:18+00:00