Rocky River Chapter
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This week :
Virginia Trophy Smallmouth Raffle
A very important matter :
Covenant Presbyterian has a strict no firearm policy, and during the event one of our members inadvertently violated the policy causing the chapter to be reprimanded with the below letter. While our member apologized and immediately rectified the situation, we respect the Church's policy and promised to share the letter with our membership.
Hope to see you on the water soon,
Paul Duffy
RRTU President
Hope to see you on the water soon,
Paul Duffy
RRTU President
February 20, 2023
Unfortunately, on February 16, a member of your organization brought a weapon on campus in violation of our weapons policy. During your meeting, the handgun accidently fell from the holster onto the floor. This is a serious breach of trust, and I hope that you take it as seriously as we do. Our space use rules for outside groups state - Firearms and any weapons are prohibited. It is the responsibility of the person who executes the contract with Covenant to communicate the weapons policy to all persons who will be attending the event.
We pray there will not be a repeat occurrence. But in the event there is, your space use contract will immediately be terminated, and your organization will be banned from renting future meeting spaces. It is our expectation that you will take the weapons policy seriously and that your members will abide by it.
With Regards,
William Lucas
Director of Operations Covenant Presbyterian Church
1000 East Morehead Street
Charlotte, NC 28204
Direct Line: 704-804-7594
Unfortunately, on February 16, a member of your organization brought a weapon on campus in violation of our weapons policy. During your meeting, the handgun accidently fell from the holster onto the floor. This is a serious breach of trust, and I hope that you take it as seriously as we do. Our space use rules for outside groups state - Firearms and any weapons are prohibited. It is the responsibility of the person who executes the contract with Covenant to communicate the weapons policy to all persons who will be attending the event.
We pray there will not be a repeat occurrence. But in the event there is, your space use contract will immediately be terminated, and your organization will be banned from renting future meeting spaces. It is our expectation that you will take the weapons policy seriously and that your members will abide by it.
With Regards,
William Lucas
Director of Operations Covenant Presbyterian Church
1000 East Morehead Street
Charlotte, NC 28204
Direct Line: 704-804-7594
FORR 2023
Thanks to everyone who attended and special thanks to the benefactors. This was a great event, made better by Bill Bartee of Jesse Brown's Outdoor making the auction terrific.
ROCKY RIVER TROUT UNLIMITED FLY OF THE MONTH :
Fly of the Month 03.23 Orange Partridge Soft Hackle
The “fly of the month” series for 2023 will celebrate the Fly Fishers International Fly Tying Group Fly Tying Skills Awards Program. Each month Tom and I will present one of the fly patterns used to evaluate a fly tyer’s skills toward a Bronze Level in the first six months, then one of the fly pattern used to evaluate a fly tyer’s skills toward a Silver Level in the later part of the year. The third fly pattern in the Bronze Level series is a wet fly, a soft hackle fly. A soft hackle is easy to tie and anglers use them occasionally. However, during the age of wet flies, soft hackle was highly utilized.
Orange Partridge Soft Hackle
The Soft Hackle fly pattern is not only easy to fish, but it’s also easy to tie. The soft hackle is a wet fly intended to imitate a rising nymph or pupa stage of an aquatic insect. The partridge collar evokes a range of insect anatomy, from the shedding shuck of a mayfly to the sprawling legs and antennae of caddisflies.
The basic way to fish a soft hackle fly is to swing it across the currents to give it that upward movement trout. Swing it through deep runs and bounce over shallow riffles, or tie it behind a dry fly, letting the tandem rig tighten and swing as it completes a drift. When trout take the trailing soft hackle, strikes are often aggressive. Be ready.
The “fly of the month” series for 2023 will celebrate the Fly Fishers International Fly Tying Group Fly Tying Skills Awards Program. Each month Tom and I will present one of the fly patterns used to evaluate a fly tyer’s skills toward a Bronze Level in the first six months, then one of the fly pattern used to evaluate a fly tyer’s skills toward a Silver Level in the later part of the year. The third fly pattern in the Bronze Level series is a wet fly, a soft hackle fly. A soft hackle is easy to tie and anglers use them occasionally. However, during the age of wet flies, soft hackle was highly utilized.
Orange Partridge Soft Hackle
The Soft Hackle fly pattern is not only easy to fish, but it’s also easy to tie. The soft hackle is a wet fly intended to imitate a rising nymph or pupa stage of an aquatic insect. The partridge collar evokes a range of insect anatomy, from the shedding shuck of a mayfly to the sprawling legs and antennae of caddisflies.
The basic way to fish a soft hackle fly is to swing it across the currents to give it that upward movement trout. Swing it through deep runs and bounce over shallow riffles, or tie it behind a dry fly, letting the tandem rig tighten and swing as it completes a drift. When trout take the trailing soft hackle, strikes are often aggressive. Be ready.
Choose the Learn More button for the rest of the story and the tying recipe with instructions :
Spring on the Nantahala
Conservation News Here :
Watch this column for updates, news and opportunities to help with conservation projects
CLIMATE CHANGE
As anglers we have all witnessed the impact that droughts, floods, and high temperatures have had on our fish populations. Spring floods and summer droughts are nearly as predictable as the change of seasons. A recent study has predicted that in North Carolina in 2060 we will experience an additional 10 – 20 days per year of temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.
The recent Trout Unlimited annual meeting placed a great deal of emphasis on the importance of addressing the issue. Three basic strategies formed the basis of the discussion:
- Adaptation – Diversity of trout the environment they live in.
- Sequestration – Storing CO2; trees and more trees.
- Mitigation – Reducing CO2 emissions.
Click on the image below for more information
PLASTIC IN OUR RIVERS AND STREAMS
The photo is a ‘birds nest’ one of our members picked up recently while fishing. It appears to be 20# mono line. Interestingly, it was found on a ‘blue line’ in an area that is a bit off the beaten path.
Plastic pollution and in particular micro plastics are increasingly becoming a problem in many of our rivers in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. The Broad, French Broad, Green, Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, New and Watauga river basins have all been tested and shown to contain varying levels of microplastics. They are harmful to aquatic life and also a potential threat to human health.
Many of us, myself included have at some point been guilty. Maybe it’s the small tags we trim off or a small/large piece we leave in the trees. In any case it is time that each of us make a conscious effort to not contribute to the problem. If you are interested in learning more about plastic pollution in North Carolina check out this Link.
Plastic pollution and in particular micro plastics are increasingly becoming a problem in many of our rivers in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. The Broad, French Broad, Green, Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, New and Watauga river basins have all been tested and shown to contain varying levels of microplastics. They are harmful to aquatic life and also a potential threat to human health.
Many of us, myself included have at some point been guilty. Maybe it’s the small tags we trim off or a small/large piece we leave in the trees. In any case it is time that each of us make a conscious effort to not contribute to the problem. If you are interested in learning more about plastic pollution in North Carolina check out this Link.
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.
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.
Alarka in April
This is a weekend trip to western North Carolina, and some of the best trout waters anywhere. You can pitch your tent ($90), or stay in one of the quasi-luxurious cabin slots ($190). Breakfast and dinner are included. We'll show you where to fish, or even how to fish ( just bring your own gear). Spots are limited so register ASAP !
Dates - April 20 - 23, 2023.
Location : Campground : 755 East Alarka Rd Bryson City, NC 28713
Cabins : next door to campground.
Register for Alarka here:
This is a weekend trip to western North Carolina, and some of the best trout waters anywhere. You can pitch your tent ($90), or stay in one of the quasi-luxurious cabin slots ($190). Breakfast and dinner are included. We'll show you where to fish, or even how to fish ( just bring your own gear). Spots are limited so register ASAP !
Dates - April 20 - 23, 2023.
Location : Campground : 755 East Alarka Rd Bryson City, NC 28713
Cabins : next door to campground.
Register for Alarka here:
Trout In The Classroom: Call For Volunteers!
Our Trout in the Classroom students from 22 schools will be releasing their rainbow trout par into the stream in late March, April & May. We could use your help ! Come for one or all the dates. We'll contact you with more detail. The releases will take place in South Mountains State Park and in Stone Mountain State Park. The program educates students on cold water quality and conservation ethics. If interested, please email the volunteer coordinator for this project.
May 6 at Stone Mountain will be a big event for the kids -- please join us for a fun and educational day to help our youth.
For specific dates and locations, please see below:
South Mountain : https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/NwMitoC
Stone Mountain : https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/VZEgj6R
Our Trout in the Classroom students from 22 schools will be releasing their rainbow trout par into the stream in late March, April & May. We could use your help ! Come for one or all the dates. We'll contact you with more detail. The releases will take place in South Mountains State Park and in Stone Mountain State Park. The program educates students on cold water quality and conservation ethics. If interested, please email the volunteer coordinator for this project.
May 6 at Stone Mountain will be a big event for the kids -- please join us for a fun and educational day to help our youth.
For specific dates and locations, please see below:
South Mountain : https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/NwMitoC
Stone Mountain : https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/VZEgj6R
Appletree in May
Something to look forward to for the OG's and if you are new what an amazing way to kick off
Spring 2023.
Register as soon as possible, spots are filling up.
It's gonna be a good one.....
Save the dates - May 18 through 21, 2023
Details and sign up forthcoming.
Nantahala River
