Overmountain Chapter Trout Unlimited
Our Next Chapter Meeting
Annual Chili Cook-off & Gear Swap
Join us for some great mid-winter fun as we host our 5th Annual Chili Cookoff & Gear Swap. We are looking forward to seeing you all there to compare recipes, swap fishing stories and gear, and have a good time.
This is a free event. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 chili entries.
WHEN
Tuesday, February 18th
6:00PM
WHERE
The Fly Boxl
500 Hickory Tree Rd
Bristol, TN
We're excited for the 9th Annual Bill Beazell & Allen Robbins Memorial Tailwater Roundup on March 8th. This event grows bigger every year and we couldn't do it without your help! Thank you, hope to see you there!
We will supply gloves, bags, breakfast sandwiches and water.
After the cleanup, we'll meet at 4pm for food and drinks at WATAUGA RIVER LODGE, 643 SMALLING RD, WATAUGA, TN 37694
WHEN
Saturday, March 8th
8:00AM
WHERE
Ingles
768 W Elk Ave
Elizabethton, TN
Hidden Rivers of Southern Appalachaia
FREE SCREENING - This film explores the rivers and streams of the Southern Appalachian region, North America’s most biologically rich waters. Hidden Rivers follows the work of conservation biologists and explorers throughout the region, and reveals both the beauty and vulnerability of these ecosystems.
Women's Intro to Fly Fishing
OMTU is hosting a two-part Women's Fly Fishing Course on April 11th and 12th. Participants will gather online on Friday evening (7PM-9PM) for the "classroom" instruction and discussions. Saturday morning (8AM-1PM) we meet in person to put your new knowledge into action! You will put on waders and boots, set up a fly rod (all gear provided), and be paired up with a mentor. We will help you develop the basic fly casting during some lawn practice then head into the water to catch some fish!
Whether you have zero fly fishing experience, are looking for a refresher on the basics, or are hoping to meet other local lady anglers, we would love to have you join us.
The course will be held rain or shine, so keep an eye on the forecast and dress accordingly. If severe storms (lightning) are expected, the event may be rescheduled. More information and tickets can be found on our event calendar found on the OMTU website or by clicking the following link.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE.
Thirsty Orange
The 12th Annual Thirsty Orange will be held on Saturday, May 3rd at the Founders Park Pavillion in Johnson City. Craft brewers from around the region will be bringing various beers and ciders for participants to sample. This is one of OMTU's biggest fundraisers of the year. This year we have been given 100 tickets to sell at a discounted rate of $45 each. If you are interested in attending please contact Ryan Turgeon at (570) 351-5975.
For more information on the Thirsty Orange please visit thirstyorange.com.
Hampton Creek Grant
We are excited to share that we have been awarded a $25,000 grant to repair the Brook Trout barrier on the Left Prong of Hampton Creek. Our gratitude goes to the FishAmerica Foundation and The Brunswick Foundation for funding this important project. We also extend our thanks to the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) for their assistance in securing the grant. Construction is scheduled to begin in May or June 2025.
Trash Trout
We’re thrilled to announce the purchase of a Trash Trout for Stony Creek in Carter County, acquired from Asheville GreenWorks. This device will be installed near the lower end of the creek, roughly half a mile upstream from its confluence with the Watauga River. Fabrication is expected to take about six weeks, and we’ll finalize the installation date as more details become available. The Trash Trout will help capture plastics and other debris, keeping them out of the Watauga River. We would like to thank the Tri Fly Tournament for their generous donation to help pay for this project.
Applications for Trout Camp will begin on December 1st
John Thurman Trout Adventure Camp is for middle-school-age girls and boys, scheduled June 16-21 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The camp, sponsored by the Tennessee Council of Trout Unlimited (TU) and supported by proceeds from TU’s Tennessee Conservation License Plate, is based at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.
The camp is aimed at youth 12–16 years old who are interested in learning conservation through the sport of fly fishing in a mountain stream environment. Campers can be boys or girls (TU does require at least two campers of one gender) and are encouraged to be Tennessee residents.
John Thurman Trout Adventure Camp promotes an appreciation of coldwater conservation through activities in stream science and fly fishing. Campers receive instruction in fly casting, fly tying, how to fish mountain streams, as well as being guided on fishing trips by experienced mentors.
Science activities include catching and identifying aquatic invertebrates and flying bugs that trout eat, learning how they are duplicated with artificial fishing flies, trapping and identifying fish that live in streams, and observing fish in their natural habitat by snorkeling in a stream. Although activities are planned for every day, there is also time for recreation including swimming, hiking and fishing.
If you know a boy or girl that would be interested in attending please
REGISTER HERE.
Tailwater Temperature Monitors
The cellular temperature monitors for the South Holston and Watauga Rivers are now fully operational, all 6 transmitters installed.
South Holston River Temperatures
Bill Beazell & Allen Robbins Memorial Tailwater Roundup
Thanks to everyone that came out to make the Tailwater Roundup a huge success. Over 120 people showed up to do their part in cleaning the rivers!!! A special thanks to Jason McReynolds, Jon Hooper, Jonathan Huckaba and Patrick Fulkrod for all of the planning that went into this event. We would also like to thank all of our sponsors for donating money and/or items.
239 Flies
828 Flies
Asheville Anglers
Asheville Fly Fishing Company
Barrett's River Lodge
Boone's Fly Shop
Cheeky
Competitive Angler
Cortland
Crooked Creek Holler
Douglas
Due South Outfitters
Eastern Fly Outfitters
Elk Creek Outfitters
Flying Soho Guide Service
Foscoe Fly Shop
GoGuides
High Country Boats
High Country Guide Service
Holton Distributing
Mahoney's
Mike Adams Fly Fishing
Mountain Sports
Orvis
Overmountain Chapter
Shane Griffith Fly Fishing
South Holston River Company
South Holston River Fly Shop
South Holston River Lodge
Southern Drifters Outfitters
Tailwaters Lodge
The Fly Box
Trophy Waters Guide Service
TVA
Watauga River Guides
Thank you!!!
2023 Fundraising Banquet
Our 2023 Fundraising Banquet was a huge success. This year we raised over $5500 that will go towards our chapter's programs and conservation projects. Thank you to all that attended and contributed to our banquet and raffle. We would like to give a special thanks to our sponsors. Please help us show support to our sponsors by supporting their businesses.
Grand Slam Level Sponsors
Scott Abel (Brook Trout Rod)
Brookie Level Sponsors
Brown Level Sponsors
Rainbow Level Sponsors
Sculpin Level Sponsors
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen
Holiday Lanes
J’s Corner
King City Distillery
Mahoney’s Outfitters
Red Lobster
Stir Fry Restaurant Group
Texas Roadhouse
The Chop House
OMTU Story
Here is a video that was made by OMTU members back in 1999. It tells about the mission of OMTU and some of the past projects that we have worked on as a chapter. The narrator of the video, Paul Anderson, recently passed away so we decided to post this video in his honor. The projects that we have worked on over the years may have changed, but the mission remains the same.
