News at the Shop and in Townsend
Wow, it is February. We have had a winter to remember so far in the Smokies. It has been cold, we have had snow and ice and the Park has been closed several times already. Businesses in Townsend have had a tough winter too. All of us who live and work here are ready for Spring. Anglers have really enjoyed our Saturday Free Fly Tying Demonstrations and there are more to come. We always have one or two fly tyers demonstrating at the same time between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. You don’t have to make a reservation or anything. Just show up. Here’s the schedule for February:
Saturday 6th – Brian Courtney and Mike Adams
Saturday 13th – Buzz Buffington and David Perry
Saturday 20th – Bill Boyd Sr. and Bill Boyd Jr.
Saturday 27th – Ray Ball and Tim Ivey
It won’t be long, I hope. Days and nights will be warmer. The water temperature will rise to 50 degrees and then the action starts. Quill Gordon and Blue Quill hatches begin. Trout are going to be active. Fly fishermen will be using dry flies, wet flies or both. The Spring hatches and some great fly fishing will be here before we know it. Sometimes it happens in February, sometimes in March. When it does, we’ll let you know. Get ready!
Troutfest is moving along fast. It is a project conceived by the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. All the printing was delivered today. I looks good. Our Steering Committee is larger than ever and we all have our jobs to get done before the big show. Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, Joe Humphreys, Jim Casada, Stan Bogdan and a whole lot of other well known fly fishermen will be here to entertain and help you enjoy the sport more.
The banquet on Friday May 14th will have 400 people attend. I say that because we always sell out and this year we have 400 tickets, 100 more than last year. One reason is, the Southeast Region of Trout Unlimited is holding their annual meeting here at the same time.
National Manufacturers, artists, rod makers, fly shops and sporting goods stores will be here showing you what they sell. We’ll be selling books and holding book signings all weekend. I’ll tell you, Troutfest is something you don’t want to miss. The dates are May 14th through the 16th. Visit www.Troutfest.org for more information. Profits from Troutfest are donated to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department and for youth aquatic education programs. Last year we gave the Park $40,000. So, get ready for Spring. There will be a lot going on in Townsend.
Byron Begley
February 3, 2010 |
