Our Chapter Mission
To Conserve, Protect, Reconnect, Restore and Sustain our Coldwater Natural Resources (sustain by educating our youth)
Trout Unlimited's Mission: "to conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds."
Fully supported by the North Carolina State Council of Trout Unlimited (NCTU) and national Trout Unlimited (TU), Rocky River Trout Unlimited partners with other surrounding individual Chapters, other conservation organizations, state and federal agencies to carry out the mission for the resident sportsmen and sportswomen and TU members of North Carolina.
To Conserve, Protect, Reconnect, Restore and Sustain our Coldwater Natural Resources (sustain by educating our youth)
Trout Unlimited's Mission: "to conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds."
Fully supported by the North Carolina State Council of Trout Unlimited (NCTU) and national Trout Unlimited (TU), Rocky River Trout Unlimited partners with other surrounding individual Chapters, other conservation organizations, state and federal agencies to carry out the mission for the resident sportsmen and sportswomen and TU members of North Carolina.
Trout Unlimited and North Carolina State Council of Trout Unlimited History
On a cloudy day in June 1959, a group of Michigan trout fisherman deeply concerned about loss of trout habitat, stream pollution and over-fishing of their prime stream, met in the summer home of George A. Griffith on the banks of the famed Au Sable River. Trout Unlimited was born that day and in September 1963, Trout Unlimited convened an annual meeting at Carlisle, Pennsylvania as a full blown national organization.
Word of the Au Sable meeting reached a few of our most ardent trout pursuers in North Carolina. Tommy Reese of Hickory, Hugh Chatham and Dr. J. M. Hall of Elkin, Chester Davis of Winston-Salem, Col. Clyde P. Patton, Executive Director, NCWRC, Harry Cornell, Chief of Inland Fisheries, NCWRC andLee Powers of Lake Lure, Wildlife Commissioner all boarded Hugh's private plane and roared into the sky to the annual meeting at Carlie.
Upon their return a few days later, eyes bright with participation, minds boiling with ideas and armed with hands full of Trout Unlimited membership applications, Tom, Hugh, Doc Hall and Chester began signing up their fishing buddies. On January 26, 1964 at the Lenoir Country Club in Lenoir, the North Carolina Chapter was organized with 45 members state-wide. By the 1970's Councils were formed in a number of states as Chapters became more localized including The North Carolina State Council of Trout Unlimited (NCTU).
Many years before the Rocky River Chapter was formed an earlier Charlotte Chapter existed in the 1970's that came from area members of the North Carolina Chapter. The Charlotte area membership grew from 7 in the 1960's to 19 in the 1970's. By 1980, the Charlotte Chapter was inactive, yet there were 35 members in the greater Charlotte area.
On a cloudy day in June 1959, a group of Michigan trout fisherman deeply concerned about loss of trout habitat, stream pollution and over-fishing of their prime stream, met in the summer home of George A. Griffith on the banks of the famed Au Sable River. Trout Unlimited was born that day and in September 1963, Trout Unlimited convened an annual meeting at Carlisle, Pennsylvania as a full blown national organization.
Word of the Au Sable meeting reached a few of our most ardent trout pursuers in North Carolina. Tommy Reese of Hickory, Hugh Chatham and Dr. J. M. Hall of Elkin, Chester Davis of Winston-Salem, Col. Clyde P. Patton, Executive Director, NCWRC, Harry Cornell, Chief of Inland Fisheries, NCWRC andLee Powers of Lake Lure, Wildlife Commissioner all boarded Hugh's private plane and roared into the sky to the annual meeting at Carlie.
Upon their return a few days later, eyes bright with participation, minds boiling with ideas and armed with hands full of Trout Unlimited membership applications, Tom, Hugh, Doc Hall and Chester began signing up their fishing buddies. On January 26, 1964 at the Lenoir Country Club in Lenoir, the North Carolina Chapter was organized with 45 members state-wide. By the 1970's Councils were formed in a number of states as Chapters became more localized including The North Carolina State Council of Trout Unlimited (NCTU).
Many years before the Rocky River Chapter was formed an earlier Charlotte Chapter existed in the 1970's that came from area members of the North Carolina Chapter. The Charlotte area membership grew from 7 in the 1960's to 19 in the 1970's. By 1980, the Charlotte Chapter was inactive, yet there were 35 members in the greater Charlotte area.
A rare, Rocky River Rainbow
(they swim inverted?)
Rocky River Trout Unlimited History
On November 19, 1980, Dr. John Benbow and Joe Hedrick called for a charter meeting to resurrect the Charlotte area Chapter. Eighteen anglers attended the meeting that was held at the S&W Cafeteria (no longer there) at the Park Road Shopping Center. John Benbow was elected the First President of Rocky River Trout Unlimited. Membership grew to 59 in the first six months of 1981 and the Chapter was ranked thirteenth our of 350 Chapters nation-wide for membership growth. Membership doubled to 70 by 1982 under Dr. Benbow's two years of leadership. Membership more doubled yet again to 200 by 1984 under Steve Craig's (second President) two years of leadership. 1985-1988 have been labeled the Chapter's Golden Years as Rocky River Trout Unlimited was awarded the "Highest Dollar Net With A First Year Banquet" in 1985 and was awarded the Gold Trout for 1986 as the most outstanding Chapter among the 450 Chapters. The Chapter implemented a $10,000 Mountain Stream Exhibit at Discovery Place for coldwater education as well as creating visiblility for mountain trout in urban Charlotte. Membership grew to 300 by 1986 under Alen Baker's (third President) two years of leadership. In 1987, the Chapter was awarded the "Highest Net Dollar Banquet" as Chapter banquet set a new record of netting $26,000. In 1988, Two scholarships were established with Haywood Technical College to promote career opportunities for coldwater fisheries biologists. Membership grew to 350 by 1988 under Denny Burris's (fourth President) two years of leadership. 1
Beyond the Golden Years, Rocky River Trout Unlimited has continued to raise funds for coldwater conservation in a variety of ways. We have continued to plan and carry-out coldwater conservation projects. We have continued to be one of the strongest Chapters in North Carolina and among the most active nation-wide. As coldwater conservationists and anglers, our focus has continued to shift more and more toward involving and educating the diversity of our metrolina area families, both the parent and the child. Our tools include Trout In The Classroom, RiverCourse Fly Fishing Youth Camp and parent-child streamside opportunities for the youngest generation. Sponsoring a NCWF college scholarship and sponsoring the 5 Rivers college program local colleges and universities like UNCC allowes us to make a difference for the next generation. Most important, members of the Chapter have continued fishing for trout and inviting you to come along and get involved!
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1 From the book RRTU: The First Twenty-Five Years 1981-2006. Written by Alen Baker.
On November 19, 1980, Dr. John Benbow and Joe Hedrick called for a charter meeting to resurrect the Charlotte area Chapter. Eighteen anglers attended the meeting that was held at the S&W Cafeteria (no longer there) at the Park Road Shopping Center. John Benbow was elected the First President of Rocky River Trout Unlimited. Membership grew to 59 in the first six months of 1981 and the Chapter was ranked thirteenth our of 350 Chapters nation-wide for membership growth. Membership doubled to 70 by 1982 under Dr. Benbow's two years of leadership. Membership more doubled yet again to 200 by 1984 under Steve Craig's (second President) two years of leadership. 1985-1988 have been labeled the Chapter's Golden Years as Rocky River Trout Unlimited was awarded the "Highest Dollar Net With A First Year Banquet" in 1985 and was awarded the Gold Trout for 1986 as the most outstanding Chapter among the 450 Chapters. The Chapter implemented a $10,000 Mountain Stream Exhibit at Discovery Place for coldwater education as well as creating visiblility for mountain trout in urban Charlotte. Membership grew to 300 by 1986 under Alen Baker's (third President) two years of leadership. In 1987, the Chapter was awarded the "Highest Net Dollar Banquet" as Chapter banquet set a new record of netting $26,000. In 1988, Two scholarships were established with Haywood Technical College to promote career opportunities for coldwater fisheries biologists. Membership grew to 350 by 1988 under Denny Burris's (fourth President) two years of leadership. 1
Beyond the Golden Years, Rocky River Trout Unlimited has continued to raise funds for coldwater conservation in a variety of ways. We have continued to plan and carry-out coldwater conservation projects. We have continued to be one of the strongest Chapters in North Carolina and among the most active nation-wide. As coldwater conservationists and anglers, our focus has continued to shift more and more toward involving and educating the diversity of our metrolina area families, both the parent and the child. Our tools include Trout In The Classroom, RiverCourse Fly Fishing Youth Camp and parent-child streamside opportunities for the youngest generation. Sponsoring a NCWF college scholarship and sponsoring the 5 Rivers college program local colleges and universities like UNCC allowes us to make a difference for the next generation. Most important, members of the Chapter have continued fishing for trout and inviting you to come along and get involved!
_____________________________________________________________________
1 From the book RRTU: The First Twenty-Five Years 1981-2006. Written by Alen Baker.
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We traced his hat all-round Roscoe but where did Walt go? |