Do you believe you can have a relaxing experience with over 160 kids, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends gathering on the banks of the Clinch River? Well, you can! The weather was beautiful. Kids were patient in waiting their turn for the waders, boat rides, fly tying and personal guide services.
The experience would not have been so great if it were not for the fine group of volunteers from the Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, TVA, TWRA, and UT.
The day was held on the Tennessee statewide “Free Fishing Day” when no fishing license was required. The Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited in cooperation with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) sponsored the event between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The activities took place at the TVA Miller Island Access on the Clinch River in Norris. TWRA stocked fish for the event. TVA kindly held off their generation for the hours of the event.
Volunteers were on hand to teach kids to bait, spin, and fly fish. Equipment was available for loan to children. Other activities included fly tying demonstrations, casting lessons, boat rides and there were also free hot dogs and goodies, and drawings for prizes!
Chapter member Ron Wollard's company, CK Supply of Knoxville, donated $100 towards the tent rental for the day. Ron also was in charge of cooking the hot dogs. He was such a great chef, that we ran out at the end of the day... PERFECT!
Buzz Buffington obtained fly tying supplies and he, along with Eddy Whitson, Jeff Wade, and Sarah Weeks taught the art of tying flies.
Thanks to chapter member John Thurman and Trent Jett, TVA summer contractor and UT aq biol. major, for arranging for loan of waders and life vests to keep the kids safe; and thanks to Trent for bringing them along with TVA boats.
Joyce Coombs with University of Tennessee
Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries brought extra life jackets and helped
"lifeguard" for us.
Thanks to Bill Shipman for providing drinks and Buzz Buffington for bringing gifts for the kids.
Reporters from area newspapers attended and let the kids know how important this day was for them.
Congratulations to the grown-ups for taking the time to bring their kids to this event and giving them a great experience with nature.
Thanks to all the volunteers and friends who helped out
today. Also, thanks to the staff of All Occasions Party Rentals for
their courteous service in the delivery and set-up of the tents,
tables, and chairs.
See a list of volunteers at end of page.
| Check out the day in the photos below. Click on image to enlarge: |
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