Conserving, protecting and restoring cold-water watersheds of North Georgia.
BRMTU BOARD EARMARKS +$18,000 FOR PROGRAMS, GROUP FUNDING
PROJECTED DISTRIBUTIONS SET FOR STUDENTS, CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
07-12-22
The board of directors of Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited #692 in mid-July agreed upon its six-month outlay of funding grants and chapter enhancements. More than $18,000 was earmarked in cash, gear, equipment and materials for conservation programs and organizations, community outreach programs, veterans' services and student groups affiliated with Trout Unlimited.
The following outlay budget will be distributed between April and October 2022:
- Casting For Recovery, $2,000
- US Forest Service, $1,000
- Save Georgia Hemlocks, $500
- Trout Camp, $700
- Future Farmers of America, $200
- Faith Presbyterian Church, $500
- BRMTU technology updates, $700
- Fannin County Middle School Stream Project, $1,000
- Rivers Alive, $400
- Membership CPR training, $500
- 5 Rivers-Young Harris College, $2,000
- GA Dept. of Natural Resources/Wildlife Division, $1,000
- Smithgall Woods Conservation Area, $1,000
- BRMTU storage site, $1,500
- Project Healing Waters, $500
- Georgia TU Council, $1,000
- City of Blue Ridge park signs, $500
- Friends of the Hatchery, $500
- BRMTU Fishing Dayz, $1,000
- Real Estate membership awards, $300
In other business ...
- The board of directors agreed to extend its appreciation to each of the primary sponsors of the 2022 Blue Ridge Mountain Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival. Bob Borgwat and Sam Miller will visit the event sponsors and present a collection of TF t-shirts.
- Fishing Dayz -- those gatherings of members for some fishing, fun, food and fellowship will be designated as quarterly events, beginning with the fall season. More info to come from Harmon Smith/Bob Wetzsteon.
- The board is investigating a "give back" event (picnic or such) in early fall for BRMTU members and their families in recognition of the TU community in and around Blue Ridge.
- Revisions/renewals of the riverside advisory signs is on hold until the project can be defined and delivered to the Fannin Chamber of Commerce for funding through the Community Funding Grant program.
TROUT FEST 2022 SETS NEW FUNDRAISING BAR -- nET PROCEEDS top $25,000
05-25-22
Collectively, Trout Fest '22 was a success that returned record fundraising for Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited #696. More than 4,000 visitors passed through the gates of the 2022 Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival (Trout Fest) last April. Ninety vendor spaces were sold out, and sponsorships rocketed to new heights!
Trout Fest proves why Fannin County -- the official Trout Capital of Georgia -- is among the most popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds! From every angle, Trout Fest '23 was a smashing success. The kids fishing pond (yes! live trout!) ... the wildlife artists ... the outfitters/guides ... the agencies in attendance ... the food trucks ... the mountain bikes ... the live music ...and much more!
Net proceeds of more than $25,000 help the chapter fund its conservation, education and community outreach programs. Some of these programs and agencies include:
- Fannin Family Connection
- Project Healing Waters
- Casting for Recovery
- Trout Camp
- Chattahoochee National Forest Fish Hatchery
- Friends of the Hatchery
- US Forest Service stream projects/workdays
- Fannin County High School Scholarship Programs
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources fisheries programs
- Save Georgia Hemlocks
Save the date -- the 2023 Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival opens its gates on April 29. Planning for it begins in September. Have you got skills you'd like to bring to Trout Fest? Our staff can always use volunteers to help build a bigger, better event each year.
Hook 'em!
Bob Borgwat, event coordinator
email: bborgwat@gmail.com
phone: 706-838-5259
07-29-22 -- President and CEO Chris Wood on the urgent work ahead to make our waters cleaner, our fisheries healthier, and our communities more connected. Click here to view/read.
It's a wrap! August BRMTU membership meeting notes
MEETING DATE -- AUGUST 13, 2022
- 19 members, 5 visitors
- Fishing report???
- Treasurer's report not provided ... Larry Myers was not present.
- Conservation Chair report not provided ... Carl Riggs was not present.
- Chapter president John Jenkins reviewed his trip to the Cx3 TU convention in Portland, Maine.
- Tracy Dumakor was introduced (in absentia) as the new president for 5Rivers/Young Harris College.
- Discussion arose among guides and visitors from Cohutta Fishing Co. and chapter members about the water temperature and water release issues on the Toccoa River tailwater. Hope to see many of these folks join BRMTU as new members.
- BRMTU Vice-president Mel Richardson reported on the PEAKS luncheon the chapter funded at the University of North Georgia/Blue Ridge. PEAKS was a free series of classes for the community. Mel said it was worthwhile to investigate offering a class of fly-fishing or fly-tying. They plan to have a fall session.
- Blue Ridge Blues-n-BBQ Festival supports Blue Ridge Trout Festival. Pres Jenkins call on BRMTU members to give back to them by volunteering to help 'em out on September 17 in downtown Blue Ridge.
- Fall Arts in the Park, presented by the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, takes place October 8-9. BRMTU volunteers will man one of the gates.
- Next meeting -- 9-11 am, September 10 at Faith Presbyterian Church. Program to be announced.
Holiday eats: Crayfish & Eggplant Dressing
Jim Reich Snags Holiday Meal Recipe on South Louisiana Fishing Trip
When BRMTU members travel for their fishing trips, they sometimes return with a catch that includes more than fresh fish. Jim Reich shares this recipe he snagged when fishing this month with his sons about 50 miles south of New Orleans: a hearty crayfish and eggplant dressing from Executive Chef Burney Young of Delta Marina in Empire, Louisiana. r
BRMTU Members trip: South Holston River
The BRMTU South Holston River Trip in Tennessee takes place May 2-4, 2023 . Just three spaces remain open.
Cost: $75 per person ... includes a bed at Redbrick and Farmhouse at Holston Castaways in Bluff City, TN, and three evening dinners.
Trip coordinator: Harmon Smith, phone: 770-540-4608.