Snags & Snarls - September 2019

THE PISGAH CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED Serving Henderson, Polk, Rutherford and Transylvania Counties

Photo by Bill Zimmer, ECUSTA Brewing

SEPTEMBER 2019

Photo courtesy of Heath Cartee

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A Note From Jim September Chapter (Annual) Meeting Meet Our Leaders 2018 – 2019 Year in Review

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Pisgah Forest Rain Gardens Project Community Science Program The Arbuckle Award The Year of Jubilee

Snags & Snarls is published monthly by the non-profit conservation organization Pisgah Chapter of Trout Unlimited for its members and friends.

Address: The Pisgah Chapter of Trout Unlimited • P.O. Box 2439 • Brevard, NC 28712 • https://pisgahtu.org Newsletter Editor / Webmaster: Charles Crolley, charles@coldriverstudio.org

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Spring 2018

A Note From

Jim Pisgah TU Family, This year marks an important anniversary and some new beginnings for our chapter. Out of the TU chapters that have come and gone, and many that have stuck around, we’re still here. In June, we turned fifty. It’s quite a milestone, and something to be celebrated.

And we’re going to do quite a bit of that. Big things are just around the corner, and you’ll hear a lot more about those over the next few months. We’ll take a long look back and around, and celebrate the many things we’ve been able to do together.

More importantly, we’re going to look ahead and celebrate some new beginnings.

This re-launch of our chapter newsletter, exciting new coldwater conservation projects on the Davidson River and its tributaries, a renewed commitment to welcoming and engaging more new people and faces in our chapter family and mission, and expanded opportunities for our members to make a meaningful difference by giving where we’re living – of our money, time and talents – while making lots of new friends and sharing in the tremendous joy of meaningful projects well-begun and well-done along the way.

While I am honored, and somewhat overwhelmed, by the confidence the nominating committee has placed in me, I’m excited by those opportunities. But I also know the weight of expectations, my own and yours, and will do my level-best to meet those and to pass things on better than I found them. I can do that only with your help and I trust that, like always, we’ll all be there for Pisgah TU. If we haven’t met, I hope you’ll look me up at our Annual Meeting in September, shake my hand and introduce yourself. If we’re already friends, make sure to say hello, as we start together on the journey of another 50 years preserving, protecting and conserving the coldwater fisheries and their watersheds here in our beautiful home in western North Carolina.

Cheers, Jim

September 2019

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CHAPTER MEETING

What: The September/Annual Meeting of the Pisgah Chapter of Tro When: Thursday Night, September 12 at 7 pm Where: The DFR Room, 36 E. Main Street (downstairs) in Brevard

September Chapter (Annual) Meeting J

oin us Thursday night, September 12, for the 2019 edition of our annual meeting.

It will begin with a short presentation on the state of our chapter and some of our key programs, after which we’ll elect a slate of leaders to our chapter board and officer positions.

Pisgah TU elections are held yearly but the terms are staggered for two years, except for the officer positions. All current Pisgah TU members in good standing are eligible to vote. The elections are not competitive races — a single vote is held on the entire slate as

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September 2019

proposed with any nominations from the floor added to the slate before the vote. We’ve profiled each current and prospective board member elsewhere in this edition. There are no other items up for chapter vote.

it seemed a logical choice to take that experience to his passion, fly fishing. Al started AB’s Fly Fishing Guide Service th after he retired as principal. In essence, was more a career change than a retirem

September Meeting Presenter

As one of the creators of the Western No Carolina Fly Fishing Trail & Map, Alex been able to share this amazing NC mou fishery with people all across the countr February 2019 marked 10 years since th hard copies of the trail map were distrib in those 10 years more than 250,000 m have been given out.

After a short break, we’ll hear from Alex Bell about the WNC Fly Fishing Trail in western North Carolina Alex is a 5th generation native Pensacola Floridian. He came to the mountains to play basketball at WCU and fell in love with the people and the mountains. He often says he was very fortunate growing up, those on his mother’s side of the family salt water fished and on his dad’s side, they fresh water fished.

Ball fields, gyms, and the water were his homes as a child. He moved here in 1977 and never left.

With over 30 years in public education in Jackson County, NC as a teacher, coach, and then retiring as a high school principal,

Alex is looking forward to discussing the and the impact/opportunities it has bro to the region with another group of long rod, like-minded people.

Please come early for an informal social t get together. The DFR Room has a full b and a fine kitchen. Support them with yo business and be sure to say “thank you” fo their hospitality in serving as our hosts ag this year. They provide an excellent meet space to us at no charge, and we’re gratef

out Unlimited

2019-2020 Chapter Officers and Board Members All terms run through 2021 unless noted. (* for election)

Officers • President: Jim Rumbough* • Vice President: Robin Hoofnagle* • Secretary: Kevin Germann* • Treasurer: Vacant • Past-President: Sara Jerome Alex Bell

Directors • Charles Crolley* • Carole Deddy (2020)

lex he day , it ment.

• Kevin Henebry*

orth has untain ry. he first buted; maps

• Ken Kinard (2020)

e trail ought g-

time/ bar, our or gain ting ful. ■

• Rick Karl* • Ed Kay*

• Mike Mihalas* • Jim Miller* • J.R. Nealy* • John Rich (2020) • Tim Schubmehl* • Walter Wilson* * Robin Hoofnagle is a current director, term expiring in 2020. If elected, her term as director will be vacated.

September 2019

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MEET OUR Jim Rumbough President

Robin Hoofnagle Vice President

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I’ve been a member of TU for five years, after I was fortunate enough to retire back to my native North Carolina. I have a life long interest in fish, fishing, and the streams they call home; so joining TU and embracing their conservation ethic was not a big leap.

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I have been a member of TU since around the turn of the century! I joined the Pisgah Chapter in 2017 when I moved to the area from Northern VA. I initially joined TU because I was supported early on in my fly fishing journey by members of my local TU chapter who encouraged me to join.

I also fully believed in, as I still do, the TU mission and current Vision – By our next generation, TU will ensure that robust populations of native and wild coldwater fish once again thrive within their North American range, so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters.

Are you active in programs now?

I have been on the board since 2015 and filling an unexpired term as treasurer since 2018. I have helped with Trout in the Classroom for several years. I’ve been leading the Adopt-A-Highway Program for several years. In addition, I lend a hand on the conservation projects workdays.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites? Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted, or created?

One trip to a Trout in the Classroom (TIC) aquarium convinced me that TIC spreads the TU environmental message like nothing else. The kids just love it. At some schools, the entire school turns out to see the trout fingerlings released.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

I want to see more social opportunities for our members, built around backcountry fishing outings, and outings to streams outside our immediate area.

I would like to increase participation of women and families in conservation and fly fishing. Finally, I want to develop prudent financial management with the goal of providing long term funding for our education and conservation programs.

Are you active in any programs now?

Since joining the PCTU BOD in September of last year, I have participated in PCTU’s conservation efforts by helping to write the applications for TU’s Embrace-a-Stream andSalmon and Trout grants for the Davidson River Habitat Enhancement Project; participated in PCTU’s Roadside Clean-Up on Pisgah Pride Day in partnership with Pisgah Conservancy; Fundraising — helped to organize the PCTU F3T Raffle at Oskar Blues; and TIC – helped to deliver the trout eggs to some of the local schools.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites? Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

TU/PCTU conservation efforts are my favorites as I can continue to give back to the fish and their beautiful coldwater habitats that I cherish.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

I want to: continue to support PCTU’s current conservation efforts; explore new ways to help our membership practice CPR – Conserve, Protect and Restore in our WNC waters; help participate in the PCTU Citizen Science Study; help grow our membership in size and diversity; increase opportunities for membership learning, connections and volunteer work; support efforts for fundraising to ensure we can continue our much needed work.

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September 2019

R LEADERS Kevin Germann Secretary

Sara Jerome Past-President

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I have been a member of TU for 15-16 years, beginning my membership with Saluda River TU located in Columbia SC. The real need to preserve a clean, cold water fishery in a non-trout typical watershed. Columbia SC isn't thought of as a trout hot spot!

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I've been a TU member for five and a half years. An ex-boyfriend brought me to my first meeting and though I wasn't a fisherman at the time, conservation has always been important to me and with TU I saw an opportunity to help protect our local watershed and fisheries.

Are you active in any programs now?

Very much active with my present chapter, Pisgah TU, serving as the chapter secretary has enabled me to be on the forefront of several important opportunities and efforts.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites? Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

I especially enjoy any Pisgah Forest Project activities involving rebuilds such as trail work and repairing existing high traffic arears throughout the forest.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

Continue to focus on preserving the cold ,clean water for our native trout and educating the next generation of TU volunteers. Leaving it in better hands, that's what it is all about!

Are you active in any programs now?

I have just stepped down from a two year tenure as chapter president and before that I was chapter treasurer, but I've also been active in putting together our hosting of the annual Fly Fishing Film Tour and organizing our monthly meetings.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites? Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

Our conservation efforts and projects, whether solo or in partnership with other organizations, are very strong and are so important to the protection of our local environment and wildlife. I'd love to see us figure out ways to make our monthly meetings more exciting and better attended. I would like for the chapter to have more social activities for members, including outings and social gatherings.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

Personally, I would love to see us build a better pipeline to leadership in the chapter that would make us more stable and continue to provide us with a strong board. I would also like to see us take steps to grow a more diverse membership, especially when it comes to the age of our members. And, most importantly, I would like us to continue to work with the USFS and other organizations to continue to grow our conservation work.

September 2019

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MEET OUR LEADERS Charles Crolley

Carole Deddy

Kevin Henebry

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I’ve been a member of TU for 15 years, and a member of Pisgah TU since 2015 when we moved to Brevard from Asheville. I joined TU in 2004 because I’d just taken up fly fishing and thought it would be a good way to learn more about the sport and make new friends and fishing buddies. My interest in coldwater conservation developed later as a result of exposure to TU’s core mission and the threats our streams face today.

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I joined my New Jersey Trout Unlimited Chapter almost 20 years ago after being treated to an Alaskan fly out fishing lodge vacation by my brother law. The Alaskan guide spent two of the six fishing days teaching me to cast without a hook on the line so as to avoid injury to myself and others. It was hard watching the millions of salmon scooting nose to tail migrating upstream to spawn without a hook, but that’s how I was introduced to fly fishing.

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I've been a member of TU for about 35 years; not continuous, however.

I had one chapter collapse and dissolve.

I believe it has restarted, however, but due to what happened there I dropped my membership for a number of years.

I joined TU because of an interest in restoration of trout habitat and restoration of wild trout populations. Also to work on gaining public access on existing and restored trout streams.

Are you active in any programs now?

I’ve helped with Trout in the Classroom for several years, participated in both stocking programs (Little & Green Rivers) and helped with trash pickups. I was on the board in 2017-2018 and responsible for chapter communications before stepping aside voluntarily. I was recently re-appointed by the board as communications chair and will once again produce Snags & Snarls and other chapter outreach efforts.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites?

Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

The bulk of my efforts today are being spent restarting our chapter newsletter and email programs to re-establish meaningful dialog with Pisgah TU members. Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a high priority for mel I want Pisgah TU to expand opportunities for member engagement and interaction — in particular — fishing outings, informal get-togethers, conservation tours, volunteer service opportunities.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

Definitely, more boots-on-the-ground volunteer opportunities for our members, and creating a culture that’s forward-looking, but also embraces our history and the people who made Pisgah TU what it is today. Financially, to ensure that we have adequate funds to accomplish our goals and sustain our progress with conservative financial management, prudent stewardship and regular fund-raising efforts.

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September 2019

Are you active in any programs now?

I participated in the TU Chapter since 2012 and am finding I am not as sturdy as I used to be when I could help repair fencing and help build stairs. I now limit my volunteerism to road cleanups, painting, and providing leadership to Pisgah’s annual Fly Fishing School.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites?

Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

Diversifying the TU membership has been rewarding.

I can remember when I was one of the few woman participating and there was no such thing as fishing clothing to fit women. I would like to see more group outings to explore new local waters.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

My goals for participation include consensus building for celebrating and building upon the conservation projects we have already identified. I am pleased with the much-needed River Ranger program begun this summer and will continue to participate in Healing Waters and Casting for Recovery.

Are you active in any programs now?

I am currently the out-going director of TIC and will officially resign from that post once a new director is found. I also am a member of the Citizen Scientist program working on temperature monitoring on the Davidson.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites?

Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

I like the TIC program, but for health reasons I need to resign as Director.

I also like the Citizen Scientist program and look forward to participating in this for a long time to come. I would like to see creation of a program to expand public access to trout waters that may be closed to angling now.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

During my term on the Board of Directors, I would like to see more work done on habitat restoration.

Rick Karl

Ed Kay

Ken Kinard

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

Been a member for around fifteen years. Initially became a member of the Central Wisconsin Chapter as we had a summer home in the central sands portion of Wisconsin. Enjoyed fishing the small streams of the area and enjoyed staying informed through chapter meetings and their newsletter. Transferred membership to the Pisgah Chapter when we relocated to Lake Adger in Mill Spring from the Chicago suburbs in 2017.

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I first fished with a bamboo pole on the Saluda River in South Carolina and then moved on to various rod and reels.

In 2008, at 66 years young, a friend introduced me to fly fishing and I was “hooked” quickly. I knew little about Trout Unlimited.

My friend, a life member of TU, talked about TU and I soon became a life member.

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I have been a member of Trout Unlimited for over twenty years. I originally joined the Saluda River Chapter of TU in Columbia, SC. My interest was to work toward improving the water quality in the Saluda River hoping to maintain adequate oxygen levels to crate a year-round fishery.

I joined Pisgah TU two years ago when we moved to Brevard.

Are you active in any programs now?

I am participating in the Citizen Science fish passage barrier survey work and have helped with trout stocking on the Green River.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites?

Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

I really enjoy the Citizen Science work that is ongoing in the Pisgah National Forest.

I would also like to see the Chapter restart our support to NCWRC for trout stocking the Green and Little Rivers.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

One of my goals would be to help increase membership and participation in Chapter related activities. In order to accomplish this the Chapter may need to look for activities in all the counties represented in our Chapter. Another goal would be to assist in environmental/conservation related activities initiated or supported by the Chapter.

Having worked in the environmental field my whole career I feel I can make a positive contribution in this area.

Are you active in any programs now?

In 2017, when we moved to Hendersonville I joined the Pisgah TU chapter. I have enjoyed participating in the Fly Fishing School the past two years and I am involved in the program recording water temperatures in Pisgah Mountain headwaters.

This project requires periodically recovering the recording devices, downloading the data and sending it to the University of Georgia. With the number of devices collecting data, the project should provide useful information regarding the health of Pisgah Mountain waters as a continuing cold water habitat.

I attended the TU Southeastern Rendezvous in April and learned more about TU programs and activities.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites?

Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

I have enjoyed getting to know some of the members of our chapter and learning about our programs. I am interested in learning more about Rivercourse and participating in the program. I would also like to explore Chapter interest in developing opportunities to expose small groups of high school students to TU, conservation and fly fishing.

Are you active in any programs now?

I am involved in arranging special events for the Chapter and working with the Forest Service on maintenance projects in Pisgah.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites?

Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

I’d like to continue to assist the Forest Service in Pisgah National Forest, and to see that effort expanded.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

I hope to see the Davidson River fishery improve, possibly to where it was ten years ago.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

We need to improve the communication about Pisgah TU to residents and organizations in Transylvania and Henderson counties, as well as adjoining counties. I have talked with our Communications Chair regarding my thoughts in this regard and look forward to working with him and others in PTU. I look forward to being a part of developing a new Strategic Plan for Pisgah TU. September 2019

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MEET OUR LEADERS Mike Mihalas

Jim Miller

J.R. Nealy

Larry Nelson

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I have been a member of Trout Unlimited for over 20 years.

I joined so I could find out how to help take care of the trout streams that have given me so much.

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I joined the Saluda chapter in Columbia in the 25 yards ago, also have belonged to Kiap-TU-Wish chapter in western Wisconsin and the Pisgah chapter since 2016. Got interested in TU after getting a fly tying kit for Christmas.

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I have always wanted to join a group of like-minded individuals such as myself but growing up in the southeast of North Carolina fly fisherman are few and far between. Now that I can call Hendersonville, NC my home and speaking to other chapter members within the community about our TU Pisgah chapter it prompted me to join this amazing group of people..

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I have been a lifetime member of TU since about 2010 and a member of the Pisgah Chapter about o joined to meet other fl about our sport and p water/healthy fish cons and education. Perhaps education is more succ regulation.

Are you active in any programs now?

Yes. I have spent the last two years serving as Past President of the Pisgah Chapter and I am the current North Carolina TU State Council Chair. As part of the Pisgah TU, my current focus is planning and funding our conservation work.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites? Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

Trout habitat reconnection, protection, and restoration is my favorite thing we do. I would like to see us have a monthly fishing outing program.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

My goals are to continue our coldwater conservation work, including completing the projects we have going and moving forward on new projects.

Are you active in any programs now?

I have been involved in roadside cleanup, Clemson study of invertebrates, fish stocking and the flyfishing school.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites? Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

I think that programs to improve fly fishing skills are well received as we have many new fishermen (and women) in the chapter.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

I would like to see the chapter to continue to engage younger people as I see a lot of grey hair (or lack thereof) at our meetings.

Outings and programs to teach people to enjoy the sport. And, of course, to support the mission of cold water fisheries.

Are you active in any programs now?

As a fairly new member of TU and somewhat new to the area, I’m still “getting my feet wet” in terms of my chapter service. In the next year, I’ll be exploring the many traditional service opportunities and programs to find the right fit. Currently, I’m serving as fund raising chair or our upcoming 50th Anniversary. It’ll be a great opportunity to work with our chapter leaders and develop a better sense of how our organization ticks.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites? Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

Growing up I have always had a true love for the outdoors but nothing in my life compares to how passionate I am for the sport of fly fishing in its entirety.

Consequently, the programs that help people get started or learn more about our sport are of greatest interest to me.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

I hope to bring a drive and perspective to our chapter leadership to unite old and new members while contributing innovative ideas to our chapter’s direction, and that I can work to help restore and conserve this beautiful place we live in.

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September 2019

Are you active in any p In the past I had a brie the 2017 Fly Fishing Sc helped with delivery o the elementary school

Which TU/Pisgah TU pr favorites? Any you’d li restarted or created?

As mentioned, I prefer e our sport, conservation p protection of clean wate anglers of all types young communication within an membership is critical. C other stakeholder group

What are your own goa during your term on th I would like to see our more closely aligned w membership. I sometim separate entities. Have membership input into goals and activities to a be, prioritization of effo and long term, how to funds, and frequently co (in our written commu chapter meetings) prog failures, continuing nee necessary. In other wor

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one and a half years. I flyfishers, learn more participate in clean servation learning s naively I believe cessful than piles of

programs now? ef involvement with chool and in 2018 of small fingerlings to ls.

rograms are your ike to see expanded,

education programs for programs/education for er and healthy fish for g and older. Continued nd outside our Continue to partner with ps in this regard.

als for Pisgah TU he board of directors? r Board become with our Chapter mes feel we are two the Board seek more o what our Chapter achieve them should orts, both short raise the necessary ommunicate back unications and gress; successes/ eds, and redirection as rds; A Strategic Plan.

John Rich

Tim Schubmehl

Walter Wilson

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

I joined TU and the Pisgah Chapter ten years ago. I was recently retired, had just moved to Brevard, and wanted to get back into fly fishing. I thought it would be a good way to become acquainted with the local trout streams and techniques. After living in other areas of the country without trout I was anxious to get back to my roots.

How long have you been a member of TU, and what prompted you to join?

We moved to Brevard in late 2017.

I had begun trout fishing in early 2016 in anticipation of the move to NC, and attended TU meetings when I was in town.

I joined TU in 2017. Even before the move to Brevard, I was fishing on many visits, and was already enjoying wintertime fly tying nights held at a local brewery. The good fellowship and enlightening programs are what captured my interest in TU.

Approximately 10 years.

Are you active in programs now?

A) conservation and/or habitat improvement projects for wild and native aquatic species; B) legislative advocacy Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites? Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted, or created?

See above.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

A) engage more chapter members to become active with chapter projects B) survive board meetings

Are you active in any programs now?

A year after joining the Chapter I was asked to take over as project leader of the Davidson River Project which had been started about seven years earlier and involves working closely with the USFS in Pisgah National Forest. I've lead several projects and participated in the recent macroinvertebrate study and BVET. I led the adopt-a-highway program for about four years. I will be starting my fifth year as a Pisgah Board member.

Are you active in any programs now?

Last summer, I had the pleasure of helping with Summer On the Fly. I enjoyed taking a more active role in recruiting volunteers for this year’s program, and plan to continue an active role with this program. It is really fun to see new recruits to fly fishing as they learn to cast and catch their first trout.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites? Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

Anything related to TU's cold water conservation efforts, in particular doing anything we can to reduce the amount of sedimentation entering the tributaries that flow into the Davidson. The TU Angler Science program is a great first step towards achieving that goal.

Which TU/Pisgah TU programs are your favorites? Any you’d like to see expanded, restarted or created?

I am interested in organizing and attending events which bring TU members and nonmembers together for shared activities related to fly fishing. These include fly tying, helping teach fly fishing techniques to new students, and camping/fishing outings away from my “home waters.” I certainly plan to help extensively with the Pisgah TU annual fly fishing school.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

I would like to see the Chapter grow the membership, promote more membership involvement and develop funding to support more work on the Davidson and it's tributaries. The Cantrell Creek and potential Habitat Enhancement Projects are good examples of our need for increased financial resources.

What are your own goals for Pisgah TU during your term on the board of directors?

I would like to see TU become more inviting to those non-members who have not yet seen a need to join the local TU chapter.

I’ve spoken with avid local fishermen who don’t join our TU activities. I’d like to see TU explore new ways to reach out to those who fish our local waters but are unknown to us. ■ September 2019

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2018 TO 2019

YEAR IN REVIEW F

rom school classrooms to the banks of the Davidson River, Pisgah TU was hard at work this last year reaching a new generation of outdoor explorers and future conservationists, improving and protecting our streams and their watersheds, and hosting meetings and get-togethers for our members and friends.

Our chapter meetings enjoyed record attendance, the inaugural year of our “socials” in months where we don’t have meetings were hugely popular and something we intend to do again this year; but those events are just a small part of what we do. Join us as we take a look back at some of the great things we accomplished by working together over the last year.

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September 2019

The Davidson River Project Begun in 2002, “The Davidson River Project” is actually a combination of projects involving assessment, reparations, monitoring and maintenance, all with one purpose: caring for The Davidson River, particularly the ten-mile stretch from the Pisgah National Forest boundary on US route 276 to the confluence of the Davidson River and Daniel Ridge Branch.

Some of the projects accomplished this year include kiosk improvements and updates, the installation of line recycling containers, fence repairs, river access step repairs, refreshing the stain on several access piers, four roadside cleanups and the installation of stone pavers at the Sycamore Flats access. Several new projects are in the works, and we’ll share more about those in upcoming editions.

Our thanks to the many folks who show up and pitch in – and hopefully we didn’t leave anyone out: Dave Bender, Ken Kinard, Clive Morris, Jay Hawthorne, Ron Bradford, John Rich, Bill Miller, Jim Rumbough, Jim Tedesco, Kevin Germann, Alan MacDonald, Mike Mihalas, Zan Mihalas, John Wooten, John Lambert, Carole Deddy, Tom Champeau and Walter Wilson.

And a very special thanks to project director Tim Schubmehl for his outstanding work in coordinating workdays and volunteers, developing projects with the forest service and for keeping everything running smoothly; although his skills as a weatherman could use some improvement.

September 2019

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Roadside Cleanup Program At least 4 times each year, members of Pisgah TU get together to pick up roadside trash and debris along Hwy 276 and fish hatchery road. This year, as in years past, we were able to do an extra deep cleaning with help from others during “Pisgah Pride Day.” These roads

are used heavily all year long, and invariably collect quite a bit of litter – some of it pretty interesting.

This year, we found what appears to be most of the front end of a Honda Civic, a highway sign, tires, fence posts, and a car seat among the usual haul of diapers,

junk food wrappers, small liquor bottles, water bottles, and soda and domestic beer cans.

Most mystifying to volunteers, forest service and wildlife personnel alike are the bags of dog poop we regularly find tied to tree branches. Pro tip: if your dog gets the urge outdoors, just

use a stick and push it off th trail. It’s natural and will br down quickly. Those plastic tied to a hemlock — not so

Thanks to our volunteers w come out to make the clean easy and fun, and especially coordinator Jim Rumbough for doing a great job setting

River Rangers Program P

This spring, we were contacted by staff from th National Forest about an exciting new pilot pr gave $4,000 in cash to underwrite a portion o and other regional organizations (The Pisgah C introducing this program along the Davidson

River Rangers candidates are selected from a p students majoring in life sciences, and the opp experience in dealing with the public’s interact

According to Lori Stroup from the USFS, in t picked up over 200 pounds of trash, broke up rock sculptures, and delivered programs or int program’s aspects of public education and info of protection for our rivers and vulnerable aqu greatest interest to Trout Unlimited.

The River Rangers program gives us more eyes opportunities to talk to people about leaving th knowledge of stream systems and their inhabit habitat for all aquatic organisms, and explain t Davidson to protect our wild trout – and why t hundreds of thousands of park visitors.

If you or someone you know is interested in be educator Ericka Hincke at 828-877-3265, Ext 14

September 2019

he reak c bags much.

who nup y to h g

Setzer Hatchery Kiosk Refresh If you’ve fished the Davidson River in the past 20 years, you’ve probably seen the information kiosk located in the parking lot of the Center for Wildlife Education / Setzer Fish Hatchery. The kiosk was erected in 1998 by the Pisgah Chapter of Trout Unlimited in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service.

This year, the Pisgah chapter decided to take on a long-overdue update of the kiosk.

Over the summer, maintenance staff from the Forest Service pressure-washed the kiosk, freshened up the paint and did quite a bit of exterior cleanup. Shortly thereafter, a team from the Pisgah chapter and our agency partners set about the hard work of writing, creating and collecting content and graphics, with a focus on fishing, the fishery and species of concern.

Updates to the kiosk were fully funded by generous contributions from chapter members Rick Lawdahl, Skip Sheldon, Richard Smith, Steve Ledbetter and Tim Morris. Mike Mihalas, Tim Schubmehl and Charles Crolley served as content organizers and project managers, and Suzanne Crolley donated the layout and graphic design services. everything up and running a smooth operation. As Jim transitions into his role as chapter president, we’ll be looking for someone new to lead this important effort, and with Jim as a mentor you’re sure to, um, pick it right up.

Pilot

he United States Forest Service at Pisgah rogram, “River Rangers.” The chapter of the program, and joined with the USFS Conservancy, Clemson University) in River.

The next time head down to the “Big D” for a day on the water, be sure to swing by the hatchery parking lot and spend a few minutes taking in the updates to the kiosk. We think you’ll agree it was a project worth doing.

EASTERN HELLBENDER (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis)

T

he Eastern Hellbender is one of only three giant salamanders found in the world and is one of the largest salamanders found in North Carolina and the United States. On average, our Hellbenders grow to be 16 to 17 inches long but can grow as large as 2 feet and may weigh more than 3 pounds.

Hellbenders can live 30 years or more in the wild and are found in fastrunning, clean waters like those of the Davidson River.

Erosion and sedimentation, habitat degradation, untreated sewage and chemical runoff from lawns, fields, roads and parking lots contribute to hellbender population declines. The hellbender breathes through its skin, so any toxic substance in the water can have significant adverse health effects, while sedimentation harms hellbender survival by suffocating eggs, filling in hiding places, and eliminating the hellbender’s food supply.

Because hellbenders are sensitive to silt, sediment and other pollution in their aquatic habitat, they are considered to be a biological indicator of water quality.

HELP • Don’t move rocks in the river. Once a nest rock is moved or disturbed, it may no longer be suitable as hellbender nesting habitat.

• Anglers who catch a hellbender should carefully remove the hook or cut the line as close as possible and immediately release it back into the water.

• Share your hellbender observations by contacting Lori Williams at lori.williams@ncwildlife.org or by calling the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Helpline at (866) 318-2401.

pool of applicants drawn from college portunity provides real-life and hands-on tion with our wild places.

the first four weeks alone the River Rangers p several manmade rock dams, tore down teracted with over 800 visitors. The ormation, safety plus an additional layer uatic species like the hellbender were of

s and ears on the water, and more he rocks where they are, share in-depth tants, share the importance of healthy the special regulations in place on the those regulations are needed — with

eing a River Ranger next year, contact lead t. 202 or ericka.hincke@usda.gov.

FACTS

fast

how you can

• Hellbenders are sometimes known as water dogs, snot otters, devil dogs, mud devils, mud dogs, grampus, and Allegheny alligators.

• Hellbenders are indicators of good water quality and are part of a healthy river ecosystem.

• Hellbenders are NOT aggressive, dangerous, poisonous, or venomous.

• Although their primary food source is crayfish, they are also scavengers and often approach harvested fish on a stringer as an easy meal.

• The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has designated the hellbender as a species of Special Concern. It is illegal to kill, harm, harass, collect or sell hellbenders.

Learn more at: http://www.ncwildlife.org/hellbender

TROUT SPECIES Western North Carolina

BROOK TROUT (Salvelinus fontinalis)

T

he Southern Appalachian strain of brook trout are the only trout native to western North Carolina. They can be distinguished by the olive-green coloration of the upper sides with mottled, dark green markings on their backs and tails. The lower sides are lighter, with yellow spots interspersed with a few spots of bright red surrounded by vivid blue. The lower fins are orange with a narrow black band next to a white leading edge.

RAINBOW TROUT (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

R

ainbow trout are not native to western North Carolina but were introduced here in the late 1800s and have become widely established in many of our high elevation streams.

They can be distinguished by a dark olive-green back blending into bluish or silvery sides with a white belly, numerous dark spots, a red lateral line and a slightly forked tail.

BROWN TROUT (Salmo trutta)

B

rown trout are native to western Europe and were introduced into western North Carolina in the late 1800s. They are now widely established in our high elevation streams. Brown trout can be distinguished by their yellowish-brown color and a scattering of black, red and orange spots, some surrounded by bluish rings, on their sides.

Illustrations courtesy of Dave Whitlock (http://davewhitlock.com)

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Trout in the Classroom Ask any current or former member of Pisgah TU’s board of directors, and right alongside our conservation efforts they’ll tell you Trout in the Classroom is a top priority for the chapter.

Trout in the Classroom is TU’s signature education program, and is hugely popular nationwide, statewide and right here in Pisgah TU country, where it touches hundreds — perhaps thousands — of young lives every year.

Thanks to a multi-year grant from Oskar Blues’ Can’d Aid program and the generosity of our chapter members, we’ve been able to install and maintain systems at ten schools and learning institutions in Polk, Henderson and Transylvania counties, largely at no cost to the schools.

Pisgah TU volunteers support the systems and enjoy delivering eggs from the hatchery to the participating schools, and our chapter provides water quality test kits and replacement parts and equipment as needed. Teachers do the rest, with expert guidance available from TU and the folks at the NCWRC. Thanks to the teachers, volunteers and donors who work hard and give freely of their time and money to ensure the success of this program every year, and especially to outgoing program director Kevin Henebry for his diligent stewardship of the program.

2019 Fly Fishing School Back in 1978, Pisgah TU member Wally Lockwood somehow came up with the crazy idea that the chapter should try its hand at hosting a fly fishing school to get more folks involved in the sport of fly fishing and in Trout Unlimited, and maybe accidentally raise a buck or two to keep the chapter afloat.

The 41st incarnation of the school took place this past May, in Tryon NC. Over its many seasons, the school has earned a reputation as an excellent way to learn more about all of the essential aspects of our sport. Along the way, the content has evolved and adapted to meet the changing needs and expectations of 16

September 2019

its students — covering ev overview of gear to castin tactics, knots and line sys session of fly tying basics

Throughout the teachin and old hands alike are r there’s always something game to learn, improve o practice might not alway it sure makes a day on th enjoyable.

A half-day on the water w mentor rounds out the s This important time put

verything from an ng, etymology, stream stems, and even a s thrown into the mix.

ng sessions, students reminded that g in their fly fishing or change — and that ys make perfect, but he water a lot more

with a personal school experience. ts all of those

Other Programs Summer On The Fly Working with TU’s Headwaters Youth Program and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, volunteers from Pisgah TU presented the “Summer On The Fly Workshop” to help college-age counselors and camp directors learn to teach campers the basic casts and knots. It’s a train-the-trainer and the trainer leaves with confidence – and a certificate of completion. Our thanks to Pisgah TU leader Walter Wilson for organizing our core group of volunteers to help at the training and at a half-day hosted fishing day at Camp Carolina.

Fly Tying In addition to our chapter’s popular fly-tying meeting night (usually in February), our members showed up at local breweries all winter long to swap fly recipes and tying tips, enjoy a beverage and hang out with other anglers.

The sessions are held once a week, and sometimes feature an expert from one of our local outfitters demonstrating a “pattern of the week”. Thanks to the folks at ECUSTA Brewing and Davidson River Outfitters, Brevard Brewing and Headwaters Outdoor Adventures for sponsoring these get-togethers. We’ll try to keep you up to speed on them in future newsletters, and on our Facebook events pages.

You ARE following us on Facebook, aren’t you? ■

jumbled pieces from an intense day’s instruction into place with practical, reallife, one-on-one guidance and experience.

The school is presented completely by volunteers from Pisgah TU, and the money students invest in the school stays right here in western North Carolina to support conservation and education projects.

Forty-some years down the road now, we give our thanks to school coordinator Carole Deddy for her hard work and dedication to keeping Wally’s crazy idea not only alive, but better than ever.

September 2019

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PISGAH FOREST

Rain Gardens Proje

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ain gardens are a simple but effective stormwater management tool useful at parking areas and roadways that keep pollutants out of streams and protect in-stream habitat from scouring high flow velocities that occur after rainfall events. They work by capturing the first flush of a storm and filtering the sediment, petroleum products, heavy metals and other toxins that get suspended in the stormflow. They can vary in shapes and sizes.

In September and October this year (2019), Trout Unlimited and the Pisgah National Forest are constructing six rain gardens adjacent to Looking Glass Creek, the Davidson River and the North and South Fork Mills Rivers at highly trafficked areas. We invite you to help!

Volunteers will enter each rain garden site after our heavy equipment contractor has performed the excavation work. Volunteers will then plant the sites with native plants.

At their essence, rain gardens are shallow depressions excavated into the ground at the downslope side of the contributing area and planted densely with native trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses. In addition to saving our streams from pollution and damaging stormflow, they can be beautiful and enhance wildlife habitat.

At two sites, volunteers will also install split rail fencing or other barriers to keep people and cars out of the rain gardens. Andy Brown, TU’s Coldwater Conservation Manager for our region, is managing the construction of these projects and the volunteer labor. Andy will provide digging tools and all plant materials.

Volunteers are asked to bring their own water and work gloves. A bagged lunch will be

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September 2019

provided for all volunteers. Each likely be 6 – 8 hours long. Each si 4 – 8 volunteers. See the link to s dates and to sign up!

Volunteer Work Dates Date Friday, September 13 Saturday, September 14 Saturday, September 21 Tuesday, October 08 Wednesday, October 08 Wednesday, October 09 Wednesday, October 09 Saturday, October 12 Friday, October 18

Location Avery Creek Stables Avery Creek Stables Pink Beds Looking Glass Rock T Looking Glass Rock P Looking Glass Rock T Looking Glass Rock P Stillwater Picnic Area N. Mills Recreational

To register for a work day, visit: northcarolinatu.org/rain-gardens ■

ect

protect your waters YOU CAN HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES BY DOING THESE BASIC STEPS : CLEAN equipment of all aquatic plants, animals and mud DRAIN water from boats, live wells and all equipment DRY all equipment thoroughly

work day will ite will require see volunteer

NEVER MOVE fish, plants, or other organisms from one body of water to another

Trailhead Picnic Area Trailhead Picnic Area a l Parking Area

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT NCWILDLIFE.ORG September 2019

19

Communi V

olun have to better t habitat. O support T the Wilson area (head Pigeon, an

Through road-stre barriers to aquatic sp sources of impact ou doing gre use more We’re hos sessions fo

Sedimenta Date

September 2 October 19

November 16

Aquatic Or Date

September 2 September 2

Didym

Scum. Ro it, this sli bottom of ruin a fish themselve slipping o species.

Mats of th a threat to impacting clean grav 20

September 2019

ity Science Program

nteers from across North Carolina e been putting boots on the ground trout streams and improve coldwater Over 50 people have come out to TU Community Science projects in n Creek watershed and the Sky Island dwaters of the Davidson, Mills, nd Tuckasegee Rivers).

their efforts, we are identifying eam crossing structures that are o the movements of fish and other pecies in our local streams and f sedimentation that negatively ur waterways. While our teams are eat, the need is big, and we could volunteers to amp up the program. sting another round of training or these important programs.

ation Survey Program Training

21

6

Location Upper Pigeon Watershed Wilson Creek Upper Tuckasegee Watershed

rganism Passage Barrier Survey Training

20 through 21

Location Upper Tuckasegee Watershed (starts 7 pm 09/20, 8 am 09/21)

mo Survey

Justin Murdoch of Tennessee Tech University is working with NC Wildlife Resources to launch a project to determine and understand the presence of didymo in western North Carolina and they’ve asked us to lend a hand.

With the cool temperatures of Fall on their way, many of us will be hitting our favorite local streams. The ask couldn’t be simpler: you collect water samples as you fish and send them in for testing.

The kits are easy to use and come with detailed instructions. Those that sign up for collection will be mailed sampling materials and, after doing their collection, will mail them directly to Tennessee Tech. The kits are easy to use and come with detailed instructions. Those that sign up for collection will be mailed sampling materials and, after doing their collection, will mail them directly to Tennessee Tech.

Map Legends

ock snot. No matter what you call imy covering found on the stream f some local waterways can quickly hing day. Many an angler has found es with waders full of water after on a patch of this strange aquatic

Completed surveys from our AOP Barrier Survey crews in Wilson Creek and Sky Island Watersheds. Each colored dot represents one road-stream crossing structure that volunteers have measured. The colors indicate how difficult it would be for aquatic organisms to move through the structure.

he single-celled algae don’t just pose o your balance, they may be negatively g stream-dwelling species that need vel and cobble to live.

To register for one of the survey trainings or order a supply of didymo sampling kits, visit https://northcarolinatu.org/community-science ■ September 2019

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The Arbuckle A Jenny Sanders 2019 Arbuckle Award Recipient A graduate student attending the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia, Jenny Sanders has been named the 2019 recipient of The Pisgah Chapter of Trout Unlimited William L. Arbuckle Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

Jenny is a non-traditional-student, returning to school after more than a decade working in freshwater conservation in Southern Appalachia.

Her graduate research focuses on protecting the biodiversity of Southern Appalachia through stream physical habitat assessment, protection, and restoration. “I am eager to see people embrace management activities that balance our collective ecological wellbeing with individual preference. While restoration programs are important tools for management, it is equally critical to learn what drives landowners to engage in these activities, and to find ways to balance landowner needs and the protection of vulnerable freshwater species,� noted Jenny.

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September 2019

In 2007, our chapter established a memorial fund with the Community Foundation of Henderson County in honor of William “Bill” Arbuckle, an avid angler, supporter and former director of Pisgah TU who donated much of his time, talent and resources to the chapter. Funded with a generous donation from his widow, Mrs. Bonnie Arbuckle, the chapter awards yearly sponsorships to college students attending a college / university in the Southern Appalachian region.

Award

To date, around $12,000 has been awarded to aid these deserving students with college expenses. We’re pleased to announce the winners for this year and last year, and know you’ll join us in wishing them great success in their careers.

Seth Drake 2018 Arbuckle Award Recipient Seth Drake, a Biology-Ecology, Environmental Science and Evolution Junior entering Appalachian State University, has been named the 2018 recipient of The Pisgah Chapter of Trout Unlimited William L. Arbuckle Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

A graduate of Henderson County Early College, Seth resides in East Flat Rock, NC. He was an A and AB Honor Roll Recipient from 2013-2017, a current member of the Pisgah Chapter of Trout Unlimited and a recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation for promoting Trout Unlimited Youth Development. He was also named the 2017 National Youth Fly Fishing Champion, out of a field of the twenty best angers in the nation.

Seth states that “the field of fisheries and wildlife management are one of the most important fields in the world that need protected. Maintaining a stable ecosystem and managing the wildlife is a critical issue with factors such as global warming, pollution and development of lands becoming more prominent.” ■ September 2019

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The Year A

s we begin our chapter’s second half leaders are commencing work on a s and our goals for the next several years. R and celebrating the accomplishments of t taking stock of our chapter’s vast untappe today are an important part of preparing ahead as we continue to pursue our vision North Carolina where healthy streams an support thriving populations of coldwate

The chapter’s theme for its 50th annivers back, a look around, and a look ahead.” I because it takes in all of the things we sho this special anniversary year in particular “Year of Jubilee.”

When Suzanne and I lived in Tulsa, our n were Arthur and Miriam Kahn. Arthur w the synagogue there for nearly 40 years an of deep and disciplined faith. Arthur was personally adhered to the Orthodox tradi faith, and he did not – as Walter Sobchak “roll on Shabbos.” As his protestant (Epi neighbor, I became his unwitting “Shabb genial Gentile next door he called on to d he could not — particularly on Shabbos.

Discovering after sundown on a Friday ni had neglected to close his car door, Arthu on me — because for him to close the doo to extinguish the dome light. To not do s his battery to die. Goy to the rescue — do light extinguished, and only my heathen G in mortal peril of everlasting damnation — and therefore no great loss. I accepted because I was not using my soul at the tim seemed pointless for both of us to risk su

One evening several years ago in June, Ar spent some time over the fence talking ba favorite player was Hank Greenberg), and was going to spend my upcoming birthda watching the Cardinals. It was my fiftieth I wanted to do something nice for me; pa that my eternal prospects were looking so

That’s when I learned about “The Year of

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September 2019

r of Jubilee

By Charles Crolley

f-century, our strategic plan Recognizing the past and ed potential for the work n of “a western nd watersheds er species.”

In the ancient Jewish custom, every 50th year — the jubilee year — was a time of restoration. Old debts forgiven, lands and property that had been forfeit restored to their original owners, enslaved people returned to their families. Officially, the Year of Jubilee hasn’t been celebrated by the people of the Jewish faith for a long time owing to certain religious/ legal issues I’m sure Arthur took great pains to explain, but which were deflected by my cast-iron noggin.

sary is “A look I like that, ould be doing – r, our chapter’s

But I think the gist of the conversation, and Arthur’s advice, were that every fifty years or so is a good time for us to hit the reset button, to take stock of where we are, where we’ve been, and where we want to go.

neighbors was rabbi of nd was a man s proud of and itions of his k would say — iscopalian) bos Goy,” the do things that

ight that he ur once called or would be so would cause oor closed, Gentile soul for the offense the hazard me and it uch peril.

rthur and I aseball (his d about how I ay in St. Louis h, after all, and articularly now omewhat bleak.

f Jubilee”.

The chapter was chartered in 1969 with 18 members.

Pisgah TU was the 34th Trout Unlimited chapter to be chartered — a number which now exceeds 380. It has operated at times on a shoestring, and the first newsletter came with the rather ominous pronouncement that “it might be the last” as postage and printing nearly broke the bank; but decades of devoted members always found a way to hitch up the waders and keep things moving along.

Today our chapter is strong, vital and growing. It’s home to right at 400 members and their families, is financially stable thanks to the foresight and stewardship of our leaders past and present, and through strategic partnerships and cooperative agreements we’re able to take on projects of increasing scope, scale and complexity. The geography of our four counties makes it a challenge for some members to attend our meetings, yet we enjoy record attendance.

It’s our hope that a series of chapter socials (December, June, July, August) will engage those members closer to their homes, and give them more opportunities to share in chapter life.

Still, there’s much work to be done as we continue to protect our streams and watersheds from the relentless onslaughts of man from pollution to climate change, to unregulated development, to expanding recreational pressure on a finite resource.

Sit outside “The Hub” with some BBQ and a beer on a beautiful late Saturday afternoon and watch the endless line of cars coming out of Pisgah National Forest, or

enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning while watching them go in, and consider how much toll even very considerate users take on our lands and waters.

Educating the public must figure prominently in our goals of protecting and preserving our wild places.

The information kiosks the chapter installed have been described as “world class” by some of our partner agencies and are a great first step and something to be rightfully proud of. But we must keep moving — the challenges will grow as more people from around the world explore the fantastic natural resources and wild places of western North Carolina.

Pisgah TU has come a long way in fifty years, and there’s a tremendous amount of accomplishment to celebrate and mountains of great stories to tell; some real characters – Wally Lockwood springs to mind — have popped out of the chapter woodwork from time-to-time. We plan to tell you these stories as the year rolls by, and hope you’ll mark your calendar for February 29, 2020 and our 50th birthday bash. Much more on that at our annual meeting, and in upcoming editions of “Snags & Snarls.”

I sometimes hear people refer to Pisgah TU as “the club” — and I guess in some ways, it is. For the most part, we share a common interest in fishing. But the mission of Trout Unlimited, and Pisgah TU, is about so much more than fishing. Part of our mission is, admittedly, motivated self-interest; “take care of the fish and the fishing will take care of itself” as one of TU’s founders once said. Beyond our own transient existences and flitting interests and catching fish,our mission is conserving, restoring and protecting the abundant gifts of nature: animals, fish, plants, lands and our clean, cold waters.

It’s up to us, the current cast of characters popping up out of Pisgah TU’s woodwork, to protect and to pass these all down to generations yet unborn — along with our chapter’s proud legacy of service – in better shape than we found them.

Let’s renew our commitment to that promise in this, our Year of Jubilee. ■

September 2019

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Pisgah TU meets the second Tuesday of each month except December, June, July and August at the DFR Room, 36 E. Main Street in downtown Brevard. Meetings start at 7 pm but many gather early (around 6:30 pm) for informal socializing in the bar/tap room area. Members and guests are welcome; you do not have to be a member to attend meetings of our chapter.

“Snags & Snarls” is the monthly publication of Pisgah TU and is free to all emailing list subscribers. Members and friends are encouraged to contribute articles and pictures. The magazine and its contents are created and hosted at no charge to Pisgah TU by dedicated volunteer leaders.

Questions, comments and suggestions of all types may be sent to news@pisgahTU.org.

To stay up-to-date on chapter events and breaking news, you’re also encouraged to follow us on Facebook https://facebook.com/pisgahTU.