Appletree 2022 !!!
Eleven campers enjoyed fun conversation, great food and fantastic fishing on Western North Carolina streams. The weather was comfortable for wet wading and provided evening hatches for superb dry fly opportunities.
Fly Tying Achievements
Sessions for tying are a winter program for RRTU but our participants continue to pursue the art all year long. We have several members who have certified their skills with the FFI award program and they should be recognized.
Below (in alphabetical order) is the roster from our chapter and their award levels with a special call out to Alan Buckner who just earned his Silver. 
Introduction to Water for Trout in the Classroom Video links :
1. The 3 phases of water: Liquid, Solid and Gas 2. The 4 Stages of Water in the Water Cycle: a. Evaporation b. Transpiration c. Condensation d. Precipitation 3. The importance of the Water Cycle 4. How we can all conserve water Press the button below :
Museum update : |
exclusive Rocky River divided, hinged cap fly puck
Contribute to your chapter and get some goodies at the same time. Funds will go directly to conservation efforts and toward our Outreach programs like the immensely successful and important Trout in the Classroom.
Please continue to peruse the store as we are adding items as often as practical. |
Rocky River Store
Southern Appalachian Fly Patterns - color index
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Conservation News Here :
Watch this column for updates, news and opportunities to help with conservation projects
HOT WEATHER AND TROUT
Many of our rivers and streams due to unseasonably high temperatures have warmed to a level where fishing stresses trout and may cause potential harm. Do not fish if the water temperature is higher than 65 degrees. Make sure to carry a thermometer and check periodically throughout the day.
UPDATE ON BOTTOMLEY PROPERTIES
"For 'egregious' violations that damaged mountain streams, DEQ fines Bottomley Properties more than $268,000, one of the agency's largest penalties..."
The area damaged extended over three linear miles of streams and adjacent wetlands. In addition to filling much of the waterways with rock, mud and dirt grazing operations polluted the streams with fecal bacteria that was more than 6x of the freshwater standards.
Bottomley Properties was also required to restore the streams but according to the DEQ has not completed the restoration by the assigned deadline.
READ THE ENTIRE STORY
Bottomley Properties located in Alleghany County has a long history of violations. The impact of their recent actions on land adjacent to Ramey Creek was described in court documents as "... being some of the most extensive sedimentation damage to waters the Division of Water Resources staff involved in this matter have ever seen." Their failure to adhere to established guidelines resulted in the total loss of a substantial amount of Brook Trout habitat. In some areas sedimentation approached two feet deep. The NCWRC was able to relocate a small population of trout to another location - the first emergency relocation in their seventy-five year history.
RRTU work on the Davidson River January '22
RRTU “Conservation Heroes” Josh Shriver, Kevin Foley and Paul Duffy assist in stream bank stabilization on the Davidson River. This prime fishery was recently devastated by hurricane Fred. Contact Ken Thompson (kct11@icloud.com) if you would like to assist in future efforts.
ROCKY RIVER TROUT UNLIMITED FLY OF THE MONTH :
Texas Piss Ant
Fly of the Month 06.22
There are times when fly patterns that are intended to imitate floating aquatic insects such as mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies simply fail to attract a topwater strike from trout. Maybe they are keyed on feeding in the water column or on the bottom. These conditions are very similar to the dog days of summer when there is little or no aquatic insect activity on streams. In either case, a good ant fly patterns seems to be a recipe for success.
Dale and Jerry Hodge, who were close friends and angling buddies of Don and Dwight Howell, designed an ant fly pattern that has been highly effective on Southern Appalachian stream.
Texas Piss Ant
Do not let the name mislead you. Don Howell named the fly pattern because the initial, highly productive fly pattern they used on Hazel Creek was a size 10 or “big” like everything touted from Texas.
Texas Piss Ant
Fly of the Month 06.22
Tom Adams and Alen Baker
There are times when fly patterns that are intended to imitate floating aquatic insects such as mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies simply fail to attract a topwater strike from trout. Maybe they are keyed on feeding in the water column or on the bottom. These conditions are very similar to the dog days of summer when there is little or no aquatic insect activity on streams. In either case, a good ant fly patterns seems to be a recipe for success.
Dale and Jerry Hodge, who were close friends and angling buddies of Don and Dwight Howell, designed an ant fly pattern that has been highly effective on Southern Appalachian stream.
Texas Piss Ant
Do not let the name mislead you. Don Howell named the fly pattern because the initial, highly productive fly pattern they used on Hazel Creek was a size 10 or “big” like everything touted from Texas.
Texas Piss Ant
Fly of the Month 06.22
Tom Adams and Alen Baker
