Rocky River Chapter Trout Unlimited
Charlotte, North Carolina
We Conserve, Protect and Sustain our
Coldwater Natural Resources
See RRTU on Facebook
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Upcoming RRTU Chapter Events: Thursday, May 21st at HopFly Brewery, Charlotte @ 6:30 P.M>
Saturday, May 2: Stone Mountain State Park Trout in Classroom (trout release event) - Bill Thomas, RRTU past president and NC Council TIC chair orgainized another successful Trout In Classroom streamside release with the 4th graders from Coddle Creek Elementary School. The Iredell County Community Foudation provided us with financial assistance to offer this fine learning opportunity. We also had a number of RRTU volunteers along with volunteers from Stone Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Brian Esque, NC Council of Trout Unlimited and Past President of RRTU was our cook where we hosted over 100 people (students and their families along with our voluntters) for a cookout lunch. We wish to thank the Stone Mountain State Park personnel (Misty and others) that assisted us with the students in this fine event. We also wish to thank our many volunteers and the parents of the 4th graders for their assistance in the success of this outing.
Thursday, May 21 RRTU Chapter Meeting at HopFly Brewing - 1327 S. Mint Street, Charlotte starting at 6:30 PM. Our speaker will be our very own - Alen D. Baker. Alen will discuss his latest book, Southern Fly Tyers: Life Stories of Those Who Tie Flies, by Alen D Baker & Gretchen Griffith. The book discusses the pioneers who laid the foundations of this timeless craft to the current tyers who continue to innovate and inspire. Each narrative is a testament to dedication and passion. This book promises to inspire and educate, leaving the reader with an appreciation for the craft of fly tying. The book focuses on our mountain streams, key events, fly tyers and some of the most significant fly patterns created in the region.
Copies of his book will be available for purchase. He will also cover what he and others have been doing with the Cap Wiese Fly Fishing Center at the Patterson School in Lenoir, NC along with the onsite museum and Aquarium. Alen recently spearheaded the creation of this center at the Patterson School Foundation to provide fly fishing "therapy" for veterans, cancer patients and foster children. Alen graduated from Lenoir High School in 1969 and completed his B.S. in Computer Science from NC State in 1973. He began fly fishing in 1981 and worked professionally for Duke Energy for 34 years.
Alen is also the author of the award winning book, Our Fly Fishing Heritage: The Making of the Fly Fishing Museum of Southern Appalachians (2016). Alen is most widely recognized as the founder and visionary behind the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians in Bryson City, NC. Alen has recruited ongoing support (pledges), volunteer hours and content initiatives from all southeastern states. Alen also authored My Fly Fishing Playbook (2019).
Conservation & Leadership:
Alen has been in trout and cold water conservation for over three decades particularly within the Charlotte community. He served as President of the Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (RRTU). He helped RRTU achieve National Gold Chapter status in 1986. He also held national leadership roles including National TU Vice President of Trout Unlimited.
Wildlife Federation: He is a former Chairman of the North C arolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF), which was named National Affiliate of the year during his tenure.
Authorship and Contributions:
As an avid tyer and historian, Alen has authored or co-authored at least nine books detailing the heritage of the sport. See, Rocky River TU: The First Twenty-Five Years.
Alen along with Allen Rucker teach our intermediate fly tying classes.
Thursday, June 18, RRTU Chapter Meeting at HopFly Brewing - Speaker TBD
Saturday, July 18, in the afternoon (watch for starting time), RRTU Chapter Meeting at Sitka Gear in Charlotte. The store is located at 1930 Campden Rd in Charlotte. Sitka has recently introduced a line of clothing for fishing. Our meeting will focus on fly tying techniques featuring trout, bass and saltwater flies. We will be offering three stations of expert fly tyers. Tom Adams, RRTU past president and current lead for our fly tying schools will be leading this educational effort. Our chapter is very fortunate to have quality instructors like Tom for our classes. You can see the digest of flies along with recipes on our Chapter webpage.
Fall Alarka: Our outing in April was enjoyed by many of our members and a few folks from other North Carolina Trout Unlimited Chapters. Ray Suggs of Trout Bum was our guest speaker on both nights and provided expert advice on local streams and how to fish skinny water. He was a great addition to our scheduled activities. Ray, please accept our thanks for a fine job! We are scheduled for Fall Alarka on Thursday, October 15 to Sunday, October 18. Please save the dates!
Thanks to all our chapter members and friends who attended FORR in mid-February. We raised monies for the programs we support: Trout in Classroom, Casting Carolinas, Project Healing Waters and more! We deeply appreciate the work of John Powell in leading our fundraising efforts!
Congratulations to Dr. Dana Hershey as we celebrated his fantastic tenure as our Director of Trout in Classroom. His years of service speak to the true meaning of being a volunteer! We look forward to working with Skip Lovejoy as he transitions into becoming the next Director of Trout in Classroom for the next academic year.
We also wish to thank Bill Bartee of Jesse Brown's Outdoors for his skill as an auctioneer and for his donations from his fly shop. Jose Rosado won the big prize with 2 days of guided fishing and 2 nights of lodging at the Watauga River Lodge. We wish to thank both Jose and the Watauga River Lodge for their donations. Jose - we want some photos!
We look forward to his 20th Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) on Thursday, March 19th at the Visuaite Threatre in Charlotte.
To get your tickets, please go to this link. In lieu of RRTU Chapter Meeting in March, we urge you to attend this fine event. It is usually sold out, so get your tickets early. RRTU will have a table at the event, please stop by to visit!
Congratulations to Dr. Dana Hershey as we celebrated his fantastic tenure as our Director of Trout in Classroom. His years of service speak to the true meaning of being a volunteer! We look forward to working with Skip Lovejoy as he transitions into becoming the next Director of Trout in Classroom for the next academic year.
We also wish to thank Bill Bartee of Jesse Brown's Outdoors for his skill as an auctioneer and for his donations from his fly shop. Jose Rosado won the big prize with 2 days of guided fishing and 2 nights of lodging at the Watauga River Lodge. We wish to thank both Jose and the Watauga River Lodge for their donations. Jose - we want some photos!
We look forward to his 20th Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) on Thursday, March 19th at the Visuaite Threatre in Charlotte.
To get your tickets, please go to this link. In lieu of RRTU Chapter Meeting in March, we urge you to attend this fine event. It is usually sold out, so get your tickets early. RRTU will have a table at the event, please stop by to visit!
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Friends of Rocky River TU 2026 Fundraising Drawing
Congratulations to all the winners and especially, Ronnie Vagnone, Board Member of both RRTU and Casting Carolinas as she won the grand prize - a trip to Hubbard's Yellowstone Ranch in Montana! As we all of our fundraising, the monies go back to the community! Ronnie is pictured below providing us with an update on the work of Casting for Carolinas. Also in the photo is John Powell, our fundraising chair and his wife. 
Trout in Classroom (TIC) Release Dates in South Mountain State Park: Volunteers Are Welcome:
Note: Delayed Harvest Schedule for most of the streams in our area and Jacobs Fork (South Mountains State Park) is March 2 to March 6 and the first week of May. One can go fishing before and after the students release the trout. The parks open at 7:00 A.M. Members are invited to join NC State Park Rangers on the listed dates to work with the students to release the fingerling trout into the stream. Volunteers help net the fish from a cooler and place the fingerlings one at time into a plastic cup or container. The student gets the cup/container and releases the fish gently into the water. During the aquatic macro invertebrate investigation in the stream, volunteers wearing waders and using a wading staff get in the stream with the students and assist them in rolling rocks to kick up bugs for identification. The state park rangers usually do the heavy lifting on this part of the program. For releases in South Mountain State Park, we generally arrive at the park headquarters around 9:30 A.M. to meet the bus(s) with the students and teachers. After a restroom break, we proceed deeper into the park to a large parking lot with a covered pavilion adjacent to Jacobs Fork Stream. The students are divided into three small groups and proceed to an assigned station. Station A is the release of the fingerling rainbow trout into the stream. Station B is the investigation of aquatic macro invertebrates in the stream to identify stoneflies, caddis flies, mayflies and midges, etc. Station C is a talk in the pavilion with the state park rangers reviewing creatures in “skins and skulls” — wild creatures found in the park. Each station is a hands on learning activity for the students. After a lunch and if time permits, the students go for a short hike along the stream. Here is the 2026 Trout in Classroom schedule for South Mountains State Park (Jacob’s Fork) J.T. Williams Montessori School March 23 Sedgefield Middle School May 4 Merry Oaks International Academy May 8 Whitewater Middle School May 12 Here is the schedule for 2026 Trout in Classroom for Stone Mountain State Park (East Fork Roaring River) We can show you where to meet the students - it is downstream of the Church. It is the biggest parking lot on the stream and it has a pedestrian bridge over the stream. Coddle Creek Elementary May 2, (Rocky River Trout Unlimited will also run a streamside on this date from 7:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. A streamside event the participants get divided up between experienced and inexperienced anglers. Instruction is provided along with an orientation to the stream. Anglers are responsible for their own equipment. From 10:00 A.M. until noon, we work with the students in the stream. We will serve lunch starting at noon for the volunteers, the students and their families. (Last year we had about 120 attendees. Carolina International School May 5 Davidson Day School May 7 Davidson Community School TBD Please advise if you can join us. We can provide you with additional logistical information which is date specific to the individual school. The release of the rainbow trout fingerlings is a capstone event for the students - learning science in a hands on environment. For many of these students, this is the first time they have visited a state park or waded in a high quality, mountain stream. Streamside Event for Trilogy Twin Mills Fishing Club to target trout: Fly of the Month
Spanish Bullet
Fly of the Month 5.26 - Spanish Bullet
The “fly of the month” series for 2026 has included a number Euro nymphs to recognize the competitiveness of fly fishing, For May, the Spanish Bullet is presented. The strategy behind Perdigons is that getting the fly in front of fish is the most important aspect of nymphing. Perdigons are designed to cut through the water with the least amount of resistance and get to the bottom, stay on the bottom throughout the drift. Ps Ear and Pheasant Tail are tied with wrapped lead for weight or with brass, glass, or even plastic beads, all of which are lighter in weight than tungsten. Tungsten has a density of 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter compared to brass which has a density Spanish Bullet Euro nymphing is a very, very effective way to catch fish. Designed by Fulling Mill fly designer Simon Robinson, the SR Spanish Bullet is designed to quickly sink in fast water. The thread body is also coated in UV resin which aids in durability, and the slotted tungsten bead ensures that this fly gets down in a hurry. The olive version of this Spanish Bullet from Fulling Mill is one of the very best Euro Nymphs to run as a dropper. The French Spanish Bullet is a slender, epoxy-covered Euro nymph with a tungsten bead for maximum sink rate and sensitivity. The black body and red butt are complimented with a flashy, pearl wing case and silver tungsten bead. The well-known Spanish Bullet Euro nymph is tied on a super sharp, barbless, 60-degree, typically size 14 jig hook for positive hook sets and does a great job of keeping fish pinned on the hook. The Spanish Bullet Jig is a classic European nymphing pattern upgraded with a jig hook and tungsten bead to get the fly down quicker and keep the hook off the bottom. Tied in size #14 and #16, this fly is a solid producer whether you’re Euro nymphing or dropping it off a larger dry fly. The quill body is also coated in UV resin for durability, and the slotted tungsten bead ensures that this fly gets down quickly. Quickly becoming a “Go To” European style jig nymphs the Spanish Bullet is super effective on very selective trout in broken water. The fly patterns is highly production on seasonal delayed harvest streams and year-round on wild streams, tailwaters and spring creeks tied on hook sizes 12 through 18 with corresponding bead sizes 2.8 mm, 3.8 mm, and 4.6 mm. For MUCH more information Select the button below :
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Chapter Fly Tying Videos
These videos are from the RRTU Fly Tying classes, they are short. Enjoy and more to come.
RRTU Adv Tiers - Gierach's Hares Ear Stonefly
RRTU Advanced Tiers - Gierach's BWO Palm Emerger
RRTU Advanced Tiers - Atherton Dry No. 3
RRTU Advanced Tiers - Shane Stalcup Biot Nymph Brown
RRTU Advanced Tiers - Shane Stalcups Ice Emerger
RRTU Advanced Tiers - Shane Stalcup Loopwing Emerger
Gierachs Hares Ear Stonefly Nymph
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News Release for Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (Charlotte) Receives $3,320 Grant from Arts & Science Council Funds will be used as a strategic investment for several Trout in Classroom projects in Charlotte Mecklenburg County Public Schools Charlotte, NC - Friday, January 16, 2026 - The Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU) located in Charlotte has received a grant of $3,320 from the Arts & Science Council (ASC). The purpose of the grant is to make a strategic investment in several public school classrooms located in Charlotte Mecklenburg County hosting Trout In Classroom 55 gallon aquariums. Several hundred students raise rainbow trout from eggs to fingerlings and release the trout in South Mountains State Park in April or May in a hands-on indoor/outdoor education program working with the North Carolina Department of Parks and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The grant was awarded as part of the Strategic Investment Grant program, which was created to help invest in an organizations growth and sustainability. “We are thrilled to be able to do more great work providing a science, technology, engineering and math program to public school students located in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Area. We wish to thank ASC for their Strategic Investment Grant,” said Greg Norman, Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited President. “With this grant, we will be able to really make a difference by purchasing new equipment to ensure the aquariums have cold, clean water to raise the rainbow trout.” Last year, the Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited and its 715 members and supporters contributed more than 8,100 volunteer hours on conservation, education and community awareness programs and projects to protect and restore streams. “TU is a strong STEM organization thanks to the incredible amount of time and energy volunteers like the Rocky River Chapter members contribute each year,” said ASC President Adam Santalla Pierce. “ We’re excited to play a role in restoring local streams and providing meaningful science education experiences for youth.” About Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Founded in Michigan in 1959, Trout Unlimited today is a national nonprofit organization with more than 300,000 members and supporters in over 420 local chapters and councils dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Our volunteers and staff work from coast to coast to protect, reconnect, restore and sustain trout and salmon habitat on behalf of today’s anglers and coming generations of sportsmen and women who value the connection between healthy, intact habitat and angling opportunity. About ASC and Strategic Investment Grants The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is the designated local arts agency for Charlotte-Mecklenburg We sustain the region’s cultural ecosystem by providing grants to nonprofit cultural organizations of all sizes, stewarding the Public Art program for the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, investing in our local creatives and supporting everyday arts and cultural activities in every corner of our community. ASC combines financial resources from local and state government with those from the private sector to maximize community impact. The Strategic Investment Grant program stemmed from the research and development of the City of Charlotte Arts & Culture Plan, which outlined a vision to nurture and grow the arts and culture sector in Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. It is designed to provide funding to established nonprofits in Mecklenburg County with a primary misssion of arts, science, history and/or heritage. These grants support one-time strategic opportunities that help an organization invest in its growth or sustainability. For more information, visit: https://artsandscience.org/sig/. RRTU Chapter Meetings: |
Winter 2026 -- Lots Going on at RRTU! Please join us! The Public is Invited
February:
Alarka Fall Trip: October 16-19, 20egistration is Open
Spring Alarka is Back ! April 16 to 19th, 2026
In October, we had a group of 32 folks - one of the strongest registrations in recent times! Everyone caught fish and we all enjoyed some great food. Many thanks to Greg Norman, RRTU Chapter President for all of his efforts to coordinate this outing. We also had folks from other North Carolina Trout Unlimited Chapters. Save the date on your calendar and we will publish registration materials as we get closer to the date.
Spring Alarka is Back ! April 16 to 19th, 2026
In October, we had a group of 32 folks - one of the strongest registrations in recent times! Everyone caught fish and we all enjoyed some great food. Many thanks to Greg Norman, RRTU Chapter President for all of his efforts to coordinate this outing. We also had folks from other North Carolina Trout Unlimited Chapters. Save the date on your calendar and we will publish registration materials as we get closer to the date.
RRTU Supports Kelly McCoy of RiverGirl Fishing Company in Todd, NC Following Helene Damage
At our Friends of Rocky River event, we announced we would provide support to several local guides adversely impacted by Hurricane Helene. Below see former RRTU Chapter President, Bill Thomas dropping off a check to Kelly McCoy of RiverGirl Fishing Company located at 4041 Todd Railroad Grade in Todd, NC. Bill also serves as the Trout In Classroom coordinator for North Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited. RiverGirl is located on the banks of the South Fork New River in Ashe County. RiverGirl provides fly fishing and spin fishing guide services along with boating, tubing, biking and eco-tours. It was flooded in Hurricane Helene. RiverGirl is one of our supporters of Trout In Classroom (TIC). Kelly hosts a fish tank of trout eggs, raises the eggs to fingerlings. Kelly teaches youth about the importance of cold water conservation. This is how RRTU gives back to our community.
Kelly is a wonderful fishing guide and can take you to delayed harvest sections, hatchery supported and wild trout. For another recent video on RiverGirl and the recovery post-Helene, please see this video. Kelly also serves as the Fire Chief for the Todd Volunteer Fire Department.
Kelly is a wonderful fishing guide and can take you to delayed harvest sections, hatchery supported and wild trout. For another recent video on RiverGirl and the recovery post-Helene, please see this video. Kelly also serves as the Fire Chief for the Todd Volunteer Fire Department.
Mecklenburg County Council Fishing Committee Recognizes RRTU Member Jim Mackey!
July 2, 2025
The committee recently awarded the Certified Angling Instructor designation to Jim Mackey upon being awarded the title Master Angling Instructor. The Master Angling Instructor is the highest honor that can be conferred by the National Fishing Leadership Team. It is presented each year to a select group of individuals who are experts in angling knowledge, and have provided immeasurable service to the Scouting America fishing program.
Jim is a key member of the MCC Fishing Committee. He has spent countless hours teaching Cubs and Scouts to fish. Jim played a major role in converting the Lakeside Shelter at Belk Scout Camp into the modern fishing center that we can be very proud of.
Jim Mackey exemplifies the very best in Scouting. He is dedicated to providing a quality program for our youth. Through his expertise and hard work, he has made a significant contribution to the MCC and Scouting America fishing program that will live on for generations to come.
CAIs Bert Fox (Vice Chair of the MCC Fishing Committee) , Zach Tywater (lead fishing instructor), and Bill Kalbas (Chairman of the MCC Fishing Committee and a member of the National Fishing Leadership Team), had the pleasure of presenting the award to Jim yesterday at Camp Grimes
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Trout in the Classroom Spring 2025 Releases on Stream
TIC releases have been completed for Spring 2025. If you are interested in helping in the fall with tank setup, please advise Dr. Dana Hershey at [email protected].
Outreach
In February, we had our 2025 FORR Celebration and it was great to see so many of our chapter members at this event. We wish to thank everyone for their continued financial support. Special thanks to John Powell who organized everything. The monies raised go to support coldwater conservation and education efforts of Trout Unlimited. We also made several donations to local fishing related businesses adversely impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Conservation
Post Helene, we are monitoring clean up and restoration activities in the streams we cherish. We will keep you advised of opportunities as they arise. Please keep watching our Facebook page to get the latest on opportunities for you to help restore streams.
Please see the Fly Fishermen Magazine article which appears in their July magazine for a fine article on the local impact of Helene.
Please see the Fly Fishermen Magazine article which appears in their July magazine for a fine article on the local impact of Helene.
Diversity
RRTU is a proud supporter of Women on the Fly (WOTF). This group is for women anglers based out of the Carolinas. It is an inclusive angling community and strives to unite all women through advocacy and opportunity - all are welcome! We are committed to providing women with the education and resources needed to fly fish. Whether you are a novice angler or have never picked up a rod in your life, this is your group! We welcome women of all skill levels and have events suited as such. Our year round events include fishing stocked, wild and private trout waters. We also branch out into fly tying, educational clinics, ladies night out and much more!
We pride ourselves on being more than just a group through mutual encouragement and support we form long-lasting friendships and memories of a lifetime. Visit us on Facebook at Women On The Fly - Carolinas.
We pride ourselves on being more than just a group through mutual encouragement and support we form long-lasting friendships and memories of a lifetime. Visit us on Facebook at Women On The Fly - Carolinas.
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