Meeting Minutes October 21, 2013
Trout Unlimited – Cherokee Charter #577
Meeting Minutes
October 21, 2013
Present: see sign-in sheet (Guests: Mike and Katie Sheffield, Rob Pugh, Rachel Higginbotham, Andy)
Next meeting: November 18, 2013 at 6:00pm Ryan’s Steakhouse
I. Discussions and Announcements:
A.Cherokee members Jerry and Allen met with Unicoi County Mayor. He and his recreation director will be focusing on a charter membership for the Friends Group of the Erwin Nat’l Hatchery. Cherokee Chapter volunteers will assist, at their direction.
B.The day-lighting project at Saw Mill Branch (schedule Oct 19th) was canceled due to government shut down resulting in inability to coordinate activities with USFWS. This activity will be rescheduled and announced at next meeting.
C.An update of Trout in the Classroom program was given. Seven schools actively participating. Two more schools scheduled in January. Chapter volunteers presented, to 4th graders, at one of the participating schools last month and a career day (Oct 31) will be attended by Cherokee volunteers at one of the proposed TIC participant schools.
D.Dillard Pond project is scheduled to begin handicap ramp construction in the next week or two according to USFWS. Cherokee Chapter volunteers are still working on sign construction. TWRA has volunteered funding to help with project. TU grant monies in excess of project cost will be applied to the Dillard Ponds dam repair and associated maintenance.
E.5 Rivers Project Update was given. Northeast State CC completed its paperwork and club established. Contacts and coordination of a club at ETSU is in the works. King College is next target for a club – already have contacts that have shown interest. TU National has made grant monies available. It was also reported that UT already has a fly fishing club; however not associated with TU.
F.Healing Waters updated was given. Veterans meet every other week at the VA. This weekend is a fishing retreat at Rivers Way beginning 3pm Fri through Sunday. 20 boats will be available for veterans to float and fish.
G.A Food City sportsman night is scheduled in Greeneville from 4-8pm on Snapps Ferry Rd. A sign-up sheet was available at the meeting for volunteers to help and demonstrate fly tying.
H.Richland Creek cleanup is scheduled for Nov 9th at 8am – meet behind Greeneville library. Signup sheet was available at meeting for volunteers.
II. Calendar Events:
Thursday Nights Fly Tying at Greeneville High School 6pm (contact Bob Ross)
Oct 25-27Healing Waters, veterans fishing weekend at Rivers Way (contact Bill Durst)
Oct 31 =STEM (career) Day at Northside Elementary School (contact Lori Paris)
Nov 1 =Sportsman Night in Greeneville, Snapps Ferry Rd, 4-8pm (contact Jerry Whitted)
Nov 9 =Stream clean-up in downtown Greeneville (contact Jerry Whitted)
Nov 18 =Next Cherokee Chapter meeting, Ryan’s Restaurant Greeneville TN 6pm
III. Guest Speaker – Rick Murphree (TU TN Council Chairman) Provided update on TU national successes, Tennessee TU accomplishments, as well as continued challenges and goals of TU. Emphasis on funding, membership diversity, and reliance on science based initiatives. He also gave a brief summary of his Alaskan fly fishing adventure and shared pictures!
