From the Prez…Give the gift of conservation to friends and families

- Dr. Dick Davis

Give the Gift of Conservation to Others…

Wouldn’t it be a pleasure to drive down the highway and see the TU specialty plate featuring the Native Eastern Appalachian Brook Trout plate on the car ahead? Seeing the plate would tell you scores about the person driving and his/her commitment to providing an annuity for conservation on Tennessee’s streams, lakes and rivers. You would smile seeing the plate and know immediately you were in the company of a kindred spirit supporting fishery conservation.

There is no need to pinch yourself- this is not a dream. The TU specialty plate will be a reality, but only through the efforts of those individuals who see the importance of fostering conservation for the next generation. Please consider giving a tax deductible donation by purchasing the plate for friends, family and employees to show them your commitment to watershed improvement in Tennessee. All you need to do is fill out the form (feel free to make copies) in the NR with their name, license plate number and check for $35. I promise they will think more of you as you create a legacy honoring them and generations to come. Please see our article in 2008 winter issue of Trout Magazine about out TU plate in the Actionline section of the magazine and be proud you are a supporter of this worthy cause.

Linking Cumberland TU Members to Important Issues and News

Emma® (www.myemma.com), a local email communications service has donated an account to the Cumberland Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Over 10,000 organizations are using their product to provide enhanced communication with their members internationally. This will enable us via your current e-mail address to send you the following:

• Communication between Cumberland TU members regarding important conservation and legislative issues • Fishing reports every 2 wks or sooner if conditions change Statewide

• Ability to download TU News Reel when sent to our printer for mailing – (you may receive up to 2-3 wks earlier than arrival in mail)

• Reminders about meetings / special events / member outings / upcoming TU speakers and fly tying classes available

Note: We will not be spamming you nor selling our member list to anyone. Our e-mail will be easily recognizable originating from Cumberland TU. You will be able to opt out of Cumberland TU mailing at any time. Eventually, we hope to be able to provide you with other TU chapters newsletters and events statewide in the near future. Thus, you will be linked to the calendar of activities throughout the other eight Trout Unlimited Chapters in Tennessee.

To signup, go to www.cumberlandtu.org and find the box near the top of the page on the right, click on it, answer a few questions and your all set to go. You will receive a confirmation e-mail reflecting your registration!

The Brook Trout are Coming…The Brook Trout are coming to the Caney Fork River

According to Frank Fiss of TWRA’s Fisheries Management Division, the OWHI (pronounced OH-I) strain of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) will be stocked on the Caney Fork River in early March 2008. Introducing another species of fish on the Caney has been in the Trout Management Plan of TWRA, but all the stars finally came into alignment. Although it is unknown how the brook trout in the Caney will compete with existing and stocked browns and rainbows, a couple of facts about the OWHI strain are well known.

This strain was selected for performance characteristics of post-stocking survival. Some 20,000 trout will be introduced over during the 2008 stocking season. Most will be in the 7-9” range with close monitoring to assess their survival in the Caney Fork. They are currently residing at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Fish Hatchery at Dale Hollow Lake awaiting their release. The eggs were obtained from the Eagan Utah Fish Hatchery.

TU Has Moved its Monthly Meeting Site to Caney Fork Fishing Camp

January saw a very successful move of TU’s monthly meeting to the Caney Fork Fishing Camp directly across from Opryland Hotel on Music Valley Drive (see directions in NR). With over 40 in attendance, everyone enjoyed the private room, superb food, service and hospitality of the restaurant. If you still unsure how to get there, please call (615) 724-1200 for exact directions and come early, meet Chris and tell us some fish tales. We’ll be in the party room waiting on you.