Snags & Snarls. P resident s Let t er. Pisgah Chapter Trout Unlimited

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1 Snags & Snarls Pisgah Chapter Trout Unlimited P resident s Let t er H ey it s May already. Time flies when you re a PCTU member. This past month was filled with chapter volunteer action, some of which you will read about later in this issue of our monthly newsletter. They included Delayed Harvest trout stockings, a Trout in the Classroom fish release, assistance with Kids in the Creek, the Southeast Regional Rally, and this past weekend, PCTU s Fly Fishing School. On behalf of the chapter, I would like to thank all of you who took some time to help out with the various activities for a job well done. One event, the access project at Sycamore Flats Campground on the Davidson was postponed due to inclement weather, so please be on the lookout for an giving details of the rescheduled workday. After Delayed Harvest stockings in the next few days and the upcoming Kids Fishing Days, we will be slowing down a bit. The Southeast Regional Rally held in Asheville, was well attended and effectively coordinated. Beverly Smith, Trout Unlimited s Director of Volunteer Operations did a great job facilitating Saturday s meeting at the Doubletree Conference Center at Biltmore Village. Kudos to our own chapter member and North Carolina Council Chair Dale Klug, for his host Council leadership. The S.E. Regional is comprised of Georgia, S. Carolina, N. Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee state councils and is focused on strengthening TU s efforts at a regional level to identify and address issues unique to the Southern Appalachians. State and chapter leaders were brought up to date on many fronts including youth education and outreach, federal government affairs, risk management, and conservation projects and issues, including a day long tour of conservation related projects in our area. continued on next page Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 1

2 The tour was a trial run for the same one to be given during the TU National Conference come September in Asheville. We all should be proud that much of the tour features projects and programs to which the Pisgah Chapter either directs or gives primary support. These include the Big Creek Lodge property which we financially enabled, stream restoration on the N. Mills, the Davidson River Project, and of course, Rivercourse. Finally, as we begin to gear up for the national conference, we will be looking to our members again for volunteer help during the evening our state will host the hospitality suite, and during the banquet. Also, Dale Klug is still looking for members to be available to take an out-of-towner to fish our local waters. Not as a guide, but as an act of southern hospitality. Let Dale know if you are interested. See you at the upcoming Chapter Meeting and out on the streams! Peace April 2012 Meeting Mark Byington Starr Nolan of Brookside Guides talks about Casting for Recovery which provides fly fishing retreats and ongoing support for women who are breast cancer survivors Barsotti Barsotti Jack Frisch ties the chamois worm. Barsotti Jack says The chamois worm is economical, since you only use a small piece you can use the rest for your car!! Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 2

3 UPCOMING EVENTS May Chapter Meeting May10, 2012 Pardee Health Center Blue Ridge Mall, Hendersonville, NC Presenter Than Axtell Topic: Fly Fishing the French Broad Headwaters (North Fork, West Fork, and East Fork,.) athaniel Than Axtell has been chasing trout in the mountains of WNC for N 36 years since he was eight years old. A graduate of Northwestern University, Than toiled in the newspaper profession for a decade before stumbling into the outfitting industry. He was Trout Editor of Fish & Fly magazine, and has written about our sport for Eastern Fly Fishing, Fly Rod & Reel, and Mountain Traditions, among others. Than has been a fly fishing guide for nine years, running float trips on the Tuckasegee, Catawba and Tennessee tailwaters in addition to local walk-andwade trips. His guiding style gentle prodding, relentlessly applied has brought him many repeat customers. Than is the past president of the French Broad Fly Fishers and a former board member of the Western NC Alliance. His passion for wild trout and wild places has led him to explore many backcountry areas here and across North America, from Bristol Bay, Alaska to Goose Bay, Labrador. Married to his high-school sweetheart, Than is the proud poppa of Clark, 10 and Zoe, 5. Kids Fishing Day May 5, 2012 at Stu Cohen s Pond D o you remember the excitement you experienced when you caught your very first trout; or fish for that matter? Now is your chance to share that same feeling all over again, with some very deserving youth in our area. On Saturday May 5 th, the chapter is co-hosting the 2012 Kids Fishing Days at Stu Cohn s pond. Each event begins at 9:00 am and lasts until around 2:00 pm at 1547 Mt. Olivet Road in Zirconia (Stu s pond). A delicious grilled hotdog lunch will be provided. So how can you help? We need about volunteers (for each day) to help give these kids a great one-on-one experience for their first fishing adventure. Any spinning rods and tackle that you can share would be greatly appreciated. Sharp knives to clean the fish for the kids to take home are critical as well. The pond is beautifully stocked.the kids are waiting.so if you are ready for a fund day and can help out in any way, please contact Dick Millonzi at (828) or kmillonzi@morrisbb.net. Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 3

4 From The Editor T h i s m o n t h s q u e s t i o n : W h a t i s o r i g i n a t i o n o f t h e n a m e o f t h e F l y o f t h e M o n t h t h e g i r d l e b u g? A n - s w e r o n p a g e 1 1. A l s o o n p a g e 1 1 i s a s h o r t a r t i c l e a b o u t a m o n s t e r b r o w n t r o u t f r o m t h e D a v i d s o n R i v e r. I m n o t a m o v i e r e v i e w e r b u t I w e n t t o s e e a f l y f i s h i n g m o v i e r e c e n t l y a n d e n d e d u p s e e i n g a r o m a n c e m o v i e. ( I t w a s b i l l e d a r o m a n t i c c o m e d y. T o o m u c h r o m a n c e a n d n o t e n o u g h c o m e d y ) T h e f l y i n t h e m o v i e w a s c a l l e d t h e W o o l l y J o n e s. I t w a s a w a d o f b l a c k m a r a b o u w i t h s o m e s p a r k l y s t u f f p l u s a j u n g l e c o c k e y e. T h e j u n g l e c o c k h a s b e e n p r o t e c t e d a s l o n g a s I c a n r e - m e m b e r a n d o n l y i m i t a t i o n j u n g l e c o c k e y e i s a v a i l a b l e. T h e o n l y r e a s o n t o u s e a j u n g l e c o c k e y e t o d a y w o u l d b e t o t i e a c l a s s i c s t e a m e r p a t t e r n s u c h a s t h e G r e y G h o s t. W e h a v e m u c h b e t t e r m a - t e r i a l s t o r e p r e s e n t t h e e y e o f a b a i t f i s h t o d a y. I t c e r t a i n l y s e e m e d o u t o f p l a c e o n t h e W o o l l y J o n e s w h i c h t u r n e d o u t t o b e a d r y f l y! M y R a t i n g 1 T r o u t o u t o f 5 T h e s p e a k e r a t o u r M a y m e e t i n g w i l l b e T h a n A x t e l l. I f i r s t b e c a m e a c q u a i n t e d w i t h T h a n a s a g u i d e o n t h e D a - v i d s o n R i v e r. H i s c l i e n t s c a u g h t a l o t o f f i s h, a n d I m u s t a d m i t I w a s i n t e r e s t e d i n w h a t h e w a s d o i n g. I h a d a c h a n c e t o f i n d o u t o n e d a y w h e n I a c t e d a s a g u i d e f o r T h e W i l d l i f e C e n t e r s p r o g r a m B e c o m i n g a n O u t d o o r W o m e n. B a c k t h e n w e f i s h e d t h e D a v i d s o n R i v e r a t t h e h a t c h e r y. I t o o k m y O u t d o o r W o m a n t o t h e p o o l u n d e r t h e h a t c h e r y b r i d g e. ( B e f o r e t h e h u r r i c a n e s t h i s w a s o n e o f t h e b e s t p o o l s o n t h e r i v e r ). C h r i s E l l i s w a s b e l o w m e w i t h s t u d e n t f r o m t h e c l a s s. A b o v e m e T h a n w a s o n a g u i d e t r i p w i t h a c l i e n t w h o w a s c a t c h i n g f i s h. H e h o o k e d a n i c e f i s h w h i c h k e p t m o v - i n g h i m c l o s e r t o u s a t t h e b r i d g e. I s a i d I l l b e g l a d t o n e t y o u r f i s h f o r y o u. T h a n d i d n t s e e m t o c a r e u n t i l I s a i d B e s i d e s, I w a n t t o s e e w h a t f l i e s y o u r e u s - i n g. H i s n e x t r e a c t i o n w a s - O h N o! M y m e m o r y i s a l i t t l e b l u r r y h e r e, b u t I c a n t e l l y o u t h a t T h a n c a m e f r o m t w e n t y s o m e f e e t a w a y t o n e t a n i c e b r o w n t r o u t t h a t w a s a l m o s t i n f r o n t o f m e. H e t h e n t o o k h i s c l i e n t f u r t h e r u p s t r e a m. James Hoskinson Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 4

5 Green River Delayed Harvest Stocking April 4, 2012 We had a delayed start since the hatchery truck had to navigate through Saluda due to the closing of I-26 & bridge over the Green River Gorge as a result of the tanker truck wreck on Tuesday night. Evidently none of the sulfuric acid it was carrying got into the river, at least as we know today. It made a long day and everyone who attended hung in to the end pounds of trout were stocked. Attendees: Ken Brady, Charlie Dotson, Dave Maxwell (with dog Molly), John Barsotti, Gene Conley, Tony Brooks, Jerry Cole and his grandchildren Aries Cole and Xander Cole, Also, two gentlemen that I can t make out their names too well on the Consent Form: Norman Epperman and Frank? John Johnson OUR VISION Pursue a future where healthy populations of native and wild cold water fish thrive in the Western North Carolina region for following generations to enjoy. OUR MISSION Conserve, protect and restore cold water fisheries and their watersheds in the Western North Carolina region. Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 5

6 Little River Stocking April 2, 2012 T he second stocking of the year for the Little River in the DuPont State Recreational Forest took place on a bright sunny morning with rising temperatures. We had a limited number of volunteers who turned out for the stocking. Only five volunteers took part in the stocking and by the end of the morning several of our volunteers believed that their arms were at least 2½ inches longer from carrying the buckets of fish. The following individuals were present for the stocking: Bruce MacDonald, DuPont State Recreational Forest Ranger; Greg Ditzler, Setzer Fish Hatchery; and our chapter members Bill Wearmouth, Tim Schubmehl, Dick Millonzi, Jack Soyak and our new volunteer Bob Huey. The Hatchery delivered approximately 785 fish with an individual average weight of 0.50 pounds. Brooks made up 40% of the total, 20% were Browns and 40% were Rainbows. I asked Greg Ditzler from the Setzer Hatchery how they determine the number and type of fish to be stocked in the Little River since each time the percentages are about identical. He stated that the scientific method used is the best guess method! The river water temperature has risen to 51.8 F from last month s temperature of 48.2 F. I would like to take this opportunity to ask for additional volunteers. We want to keep the stocking a fun event and not work! New volunteers are always welcome and we need about 8 volunteers to make each stocking a fun and enjoyable event. Please consider in volunteering by contacting Jack Soyak at jsoyak@morrisbb.net or by telephone at s are sent out to volunteers approximately 2 weeks prior to each stocking event asking who is available to participate. We are basically limited to a maximum of 8 volunteers due to the transport of volunteers to the remote stocking areas of the Little River. I would like to thank DuPont State Recreational Forest for providing the means to transport the fish along the river trails and a forest ranger for driving the vehicle. It would be a near impossible task to carry the buckets of fish to the remote stocking points without their trusty vehicles. Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 6

7 Little River Stocking continued Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 7

8 Trout in the Classroom Students from Jeremy Clayton s resource class at Mills River Elementary School release trout into the North Mills River David Pierce Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 8

9 Kids In The Creek Rugby Middle School North Mills River picnic area David Pierce Volunteers were Bob Daubert, Marty Spencer, John Johnson, Brandon Apodaca, Joe Moore, and Bob and Diane Huey. Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 9

10 Kids In The Creek continued Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 10

11 J eff Furman, guide for Davidson River Outfitters holds a massive brown trout caught on a Girdle Bug by his client on private waters The fish measured 26 inches with a 16 in. girth. Source: Trout Bum Times published by the Davidson River Outfitters Fly of the Month Girdle Bug The answer to this month s question. What is origination of the name of the girdle bug? When the girdle bug was first tied the various rubber leg materials we have today were not available. Rubber from ladies girdles was used. The early girdle bugs were black with white legs. Hook: DAI-Riki 730 Size 8 Thread: Black Uni Thread 8/0 Weight:.25 lead wire - 10 to 15 wraps Tail, Legs, Antennae: Barred Rubber Legs Brown Body: Variegated Chenille (medium) Wrap the hook shank with.25 lead wire and tie in rubber tail and chenille. Move thread to the middle of the hook shank. Then tie in rubber legs.. Wrap chenille through and tie off head. Trim legs Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 11

12 2012 Stocking Schedule May Green River 4 Little River 1 North Mills River 4 East Fork French Broad 4 Shelton Laurel / Big Laurel 1 West Fork Pigeon 3 Nantahala 3 Tuckasegee 2 & 3 Mentors List Chapter Members listed below are available to accompany one or two members who would like to learn more about fly fishing in our streams. If you are just beginning to fly fish, here s an opportunity to get help from some knowledgeable anglers. Bob Daubert Steve Fromholtz * Dave Maxwell Snags and Snarls is published eleven times a year by the Pisgah Chapter of Trout Unlimited, a non - profit organization for its members and supporters. Address comments to: Snags & Snarls PO Box 841 Hendersonville NC jimhosk@bellsouth.net The Pisgah Chapter web site is: Steve Herring Dale Klug Legend: * weekends only Reference Phone Numbers NC Wildlife Violations NC Wildlife Resource Comm. - Doug Bessler Fish Biologist - Lorie Stroup ext 219 Fish Hatchery Kiosk - John Johnson johnjohnson153@gmail.com Water discharges on the Green River Or (TUXEDO) Water discharges on the Nantahala River & Tuckasegee River National Trout Unlimited Pisgah Chapter Trout Unlimited Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 12

13 Calendar of Events 2012 May 1 Board Meeting 6:30 Flat Rock Wood Room May 5 Kids Fishing Day Stu Cohen s Pond May 10 General Meeting 6:45 Social 7:15 Meeting New Location Flat Rock Wood Room, Greenville Highway Pisgah Chapter Directory President Mark Byington markb@byingtonla.net Vice President. Chris Ellis chris.ellis@us.michelin.com Secretary John Johnson johnjohnson153@gmail.com Treasurer Skip Sheldon shelhalla@bellsouth.net) Past President. Kiki Matthews kikimatthews@bellsouth.net Director John Kies johnkies@bellsouth.net Director Mike Dennis ffmd48@yahoo.com Director David Pierce piercefordp@yahoo.com Director Charlie Dotson sdotson@bellsouth.net Director Joe Moore No Director Brandon Apodaca brandona52@hotmail.com Webmaster Scott Shafer sdshafer1@bellsouth.net Davidson River Project Leader Tim Schubmehl tschubmehl@hotmail.com Snags & Snarls Jim Hoskinson jimhosk@bellsouth.net Snags and Snarls May 2012 Page 13