Hello, Blue Ridge Members,
Summer will be here in a month. This is when I start thinking about native Brookies and wild Browns and Rainbows in our higher elevation streams. These fish and their habitat is the biggest reason I do what I can to support TU and our mission to Protect, Reconnect, Restore, and Sustain cold water fisheries.
We had an excellent program at our April meeting. Montie Hamby, a Board Member for the Yadkin River Keepers, talked about the of the River Keeper organization and their activities on the Yadkin River. We also learned that the Yadkin River now has a formal RIVERKEEPER program that will be an advocate to protect this valuable resource. Prior to this there little concerned people could do to influence river management decisions affecting the River. Mr. Hamby also noted that they are very interested in working with BRTU and there may be some good opportunities for conservation projects in the upper Yadkin River basin.
Gene Pope attended the SE Regional Rally at Hungry Mother State Park, VA. Gene had a great time and got a lot of information on TU’s efforts. Topics included an update on brook trout in VA and NC, reports from SE States, and efforts to work with land protection groups to restore streams. The fishing was good too.
Mike Davis was at Hanging Rock State Park on Friday, April 18th during Environmental awareness days. He had a great time teaching kids about cold water conservation.
I just want to mention a few more items to leave room for more interesting reading. BRTU plans to participate in Jakes on August 2. Jakes’ Day introduces kids to many outdoor activities including fishing and hunting and helps them develop a conservation ethic consistent with TU’s mission. Contact Steve Hennings (336/407-1206 or SHENNINGS@TRIAD.RR.COM for more information. We are continuing work on our Trout in the Classroom Projects for the 2008-2009 school year. Contact Steve Hennings if you would like to get involved with this project. Go to at: http://www.troutintheclassroom.org to learn more about TIC. We are also looking for folks to help with a project to provide the children’s book, Trout are Made of Trees, to K-3 teachers in our area. Please contact me if you’d like to be involved in this project.
Peter