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Click HERE for details and story. Election of Officers. Also Tom Brown, Ron Herring and Marvin Huffman are going to make a presentation at the next meeting on where Roanoke Trout Unlimited would like to be in the plans for Orvis's Roanoke Valley Plan. We will then take a vote to determine if the membership wants to pursue it. Also Ray Mullins TU's Habitat Restoration Biologist for South Western Virginia and he will be attending the November meeting. He will talk about what is roll is with TU.

October 17, 2007 - Roanoke TU 308 Annual Raffle.

Our October meeting will be our annual raffle.

Click here for full details of the meeting and who our lucky winners are.

September 19, 2007 Meeting

Click HERE for complete write up. In addition to everything else, Jim Gracie, President of Brightwater, Inc, will be at the TU meeting next Wednesday to get ideas about restoring Carvins Creek. He also will give an overview of what can be done. His company specializes in stream restorations and is located in Columbia, MD. He would like you to inform the membership of his appearance at the meeting so that they can ask any questions they and express any ideas they may have. Email or call me if you need more info. Wes

Our September meeting will be very informative. Gary R. Martel, Director of Fisheries for VDGIF, Bud LaRouche of the VDGIF, and Sherry Smith Crumley, Chairman, Board of VDGIF will be our guest speakers and will discuss many upcoming changes to the fishing regulations. There will also be a guest speaker, Susan Alger, program director, to discuss the Auxiliary Game Warden Program,. Jerry Payne of Big Pine Mt. Stream Fishing will also be attending the meeting to hand out literature on his facility.

There will also be discussion on the upcoming raffle and tickets will be available at that time. Many thanks to George Kesler for doing an outstanding job heading this up for the chapter.

July 21, 2007 Meeting and Picnic at Wysor Smith's

Picnic will start around noon. To get to the picnic from Roanoke , take 581 North past Valley View Mall and Peters Creek Road , then take the I-81 South (fork to the left). After getting onto I-81, you will take the first Salem exit #141. Then turn left at the stop sign and go 0.2 mi. to get down to Rt. 311 N. (turn right at the first traffic signal) Once onto Route 311 N, drive approximately 11 miles (4 miles past Catawba) and turn left on Rt. 621. (the first left after Newport Road ). Follow Rt. 621 until it crosses Craig’s Creek three times. After crossing the third bridge, then look for a mailbox on the right that says Smith. There will be balloons to alert members that they are at the right place. The annual picnic will be coming up before you know it. We had our largest crowd ever last year and hope to do even better this year. Once again, the Chapter will provide Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Barbeque, buns and drinks. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. (Guests welcome) Please email Chip Davis at chipdavis1@cox.net or call either Chip at 540-529- 0375 or Jack Ward at 540 -265-1788 if you plan to attend. That way, we will know how much food to bring. There will be balloons to alert members that they are at the right place. Bring your fly rod as there are two stocked ponds. Barbless hooks only. The picnic is always a great time and provides camaraderie and fellowship among friends and members.

June 20, 2007 Meeting

The meeting was opened by Dover and he recognized several new members and visitors. There was a discussion about the recent fish kill on the Cow Pasture and James River. It appears that the problem may be a result of chicken manure used to fertilize farmers fields. More to come on this.

Dover reported that the stocking had taken place at Hollins. He also discussed the rezoning request before the Botetourt Co. Bd of Supervisors from General Shale for a quarry that will damage Sinking Creek. Jack Ward reminded everyone of the picnic next month on Saturday July 21st at Wiser Smith's place in Craig County He needs to hear from those who plan to attend if they did not sign the sheet at the meeting. Location for the raffle in October was held but no decision was made. Brian Beers gave a very interesting talk on how the hatchery operates. Over l50,000 trout are stocked from there each year.

May 16, 2007 Meeting

Click here for more details and pictures.

April 18, 2007 Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 by President Dover England .

A report was given on the status of the Hollins University Project.

A stream shocking will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2007. All members are welcome to

attend.

Hans and Anke were recognized for their support in overseeing the stocking on April 10th. They will also be

representing the chapter at the 2007 Southeast Rally to be held at Hungry Mother State Park on April 27-29.

The 2007 fly fishing show will be held April 21-22 in Waynesboro were there will be a meeting on the Mossy

Creek project on Saturday at 10 a.m.

George Kesler gave a update on our upcoming raffle, presenting ideas and requesting input to from members

ideas. Our May meeting will include a brainstorming session on this matter.

George introduced our guest speaker Richard Mode who shared many stories and motivation on what our

chapter can accomplish. A very informative and enjoyable presentation.

On May 4, 2007 at 4p.m. Dover will present a fly casting instruction at Greenhill Park. Jon Wilson will email

all those who signed up to confirm dates and time.

Our May meeting will include fly tying and discussion of the Hollins University Project.

Any one with additional minutes or notes of the meeting please forward to Jon Wilson to be posted to the

website.

March 21, 2007 Meeting

Meeting date - 3/21/07

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 by President Dover England .

Dover England introduced special guests, John Ross, state president of TU, and Dr. Morgan Wilson of Hollins University .

Bayes Wilson welcomed and introduced newcomers, visitors, and previously inactive members present at the meeting.

Jack Ward gave an update on Study 216 regarding the Smith River .

It was proposed that a committee be established to write legislators to petition for funds for this study.
Total costs for the study are estimated to be 2.5-3 million dollars.
Information regarding addresses will be posted on the website.
Those interested in the committee should see Jack Ward.

Bayes Wilson gave a financial update.

There is currently $6600 in the treasury.
$500 has been set aside for a student to go to conservation camp this summer. That student has already been chosen.

Hans and Anke (please help with last name) were awarded a plaque in appreciation for dedication and service.

Dick Vipperman spoke about the Kiwanis Kid's Fishing Day at the Baptist Children's Home in Salem on April 21. A sign up sheet circulated for those interested in volunteering.

March 31 will be a clean up day at Green Hill Park beginning at 9:00 am.

Dick Vipperman made a motion to invest in a TU banner to display that day and in the future.
The motion was seconded by Tom Brown and passed by the membership.

The annual Orvis trip to West Virginia is happening the first weekend in May.

The cost is $250 per person for lodging and meals.
It will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Elk River Touring Center

A fall trip is being planned for September after the Labor Day holiday.

6 days, 5 nights at the Spotted Horse Ranch in Jackson , Wyoming .
Cost is $2550 per person for lodging, meals, and 4 days of guided fishing.
Spouses and non-fishing guests can enjoy lodging, meals, and ranch amenities for $1750.
A 25% deposit is required within the month following the March meeting.

Tom Brown has a 7' 9" 5 weight rod for sale.

MAIN ITEM OF BUSINESS FOR THE MEETING: CARVIN CREEK

Dr. Morgan Wilson, representative for Hollins University , spoke and answered questions.
There are 4 landowners between HU and the dam along the stream.
Partnerships with these neighboring landowners will be a key if the project is to succeed.
John Ross spoke about possible funding available from a private foundation for the project.
Structure and clean up will be a big part of this project to create pools and stop erosion.
One big concern regarding the project will be the low flow of the stream during the summer.
The stream scored 7 out of 10 for insects and invertebrates.
2 big concerns:
There is 170 acres of mismanaged land near the stream with a wet weather stream that has potential for nitrogen pollution from cattle feed and erosion.
Creeks from nearby barns might be possible sources of pollutants.
As decisions regarding a timeline for the project plans and goals are made it will then be easier to find out when and how much funding will be available.
There is a possibility that $1000 or more could be made available from Chapter 308 funds to start the project.
A chapter committee will gather help from Virginia Tech, VGIF, and Hollins to assess feasibility and impact of this project.
It was suggested that water testing in 2-3 locations along the stream occur every 4-6 weeks.
It was suggested that VGIF shock the stream to see what fish are present.
A list of members interested in walking the stream in the near future was begun.
Outing dates for these walks will be posted on the website so members can arrange their schedules to attend.
A sample stocking was proposed to see how fish withstand the summer.
Tom Brown expressed concern that such a sample stocking might hurt chances of establishing a wild trout population later.
Tom Brown moved that $500 in discretionary funds be made available for Dover to move ahead with plans for shocking and preliminary stocking of fingerling.
This motion was seconded and passed.
Dr. Wilson stated that the primary concern for HU is the conservation of the stream.
The ultimate/ideal goal will be to stock catchable fish and fingerlings to create a reproducible fish population.

Minutes prepared and respectfully submitted by James Hutton

February 21, 2007 Meeting

Click here for pictures and story. What a great meeting.

Dover England, President called the meeting to order. He welcomed everyone and recognized those who took part in the February stocking of the Roanoke River at Green Hill Park and Salem section. Dover also gave out the numbers to contact officials if anyone sees someone poaching: Department of Game and Inland Fisheries 800-237-5712: Salem PD 375-3040: and Roanoke County 387-6300.

Dover also presented the first of many "Presidents Awards" to thank our members who go the extra mile to make our Chapter a better organization. The award was presented to member George Kesler for his dedicated work to make this years Raffle and Fund Raiser a success and put more money in our fund than any previous fund raisers.

Dover also discussed the Chapters possibility of having their own private stream to manage and fish on the campus of Hollins University. A group tour of the property will take place this coming week. Contact Dover England for more details.

The rest of the meeting was centered around our expert tiers, Hans, David, Dick and Pat demonstrating their skills in tying. Before the meeting everyone was presented a raffle ticket and the flies were given to each member during the drawing of the tickets. The top prize, a Simms Waterproof bag, was donated to the chapter by Blue Ridge Fly Fishers and was won by Ron Herring. This was an excellent meeting and many thanks to Dover England for doing such a great job.

January 17, 2007 Meeting:

Guest for the January meeting were Sgt. Brian Young and Bud LaRouche of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; and Dr. Morgan Wilson from Hollins University .

Sgt. Young came to introduce himself to the TU Membership and to advise of any new fishing laws for this year. The only change is that boats must travel 45 mph or less during hours of darkness on Smith Mountain Lake .

Sgt. Young also fielded questions from members. One regarding single-hook lures on special regulation areas. Since the regulation says “single-point hook”, a lure with one treble hook would be illegal since it has 3 points. Also, the use of a “dropper” lure under a dry fly would also be considered two hooks and illegal from the Game Warden’s point of view, even if the hook on the dry fly is bent so that it is not useable.

To report game law violations, the VDGIF Crime Line is at (800) 237-5712 and rings into Richmond .

Sgt. Young’s home number is (540) 484-1101.

Dr. Wilson from Hollins told about a new course being offered at the University for Fly Fishing. The course includes study of entomology, casting, fly tying and writing. Click here to see full write up of this program.

Click here for 2006 Past Meetings.