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NOTICE: The Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited will not hold a Troutfest event in 2013.  The Chapter is taking a year off to examine other opportunities/formats for the future Troutfest events.  Thank you for all your support over the past 9 years, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated when we have more information.


Troutfest is a Fly Fishing Exposition and Fundraiser held in Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. Proceeds from this event are donated to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department, Friends of the Smokies Fisheries Scholarship Fund or other youth educational conservation projects. The Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited sponsors this event as our major fundraiser and annual festival. This year the event will be one of the largest venues for fly anglers in the Southeast United States.

Some of the best fly tyers from our area will be demonstrating throughout the two day event. As many as 8 tyers will perform at one time all weekend. It's free and the tyers are specialized in many different types of fly tying such as trout, bass, panfish and saltwater.

Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser and other notable fly fishermen will offer free seminars both days. Here's your chance to meet and talk to some of the most famous legends in our sport.

National Fly Tackle Manufacturers will be on hand with their gear in the National Exhibition Tent. Meet the people who work for or own these companies and see all the new fishing gear.

Other exhibitors will include fly shops, artists, non-profit organizations and government fish and game agencies including Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Troutfest is a sanctioned annual event of the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited which is chartered by Trout Unlimited National as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Chapter secures permits and liability insurance for this event.

The Chapter entity provides funding with other sponsors to underwrite this event. The Chapter holds all funds and disperses profits to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department and Friends of Great Smokies National Park Fisheries Scholarship Fund. Profits will be also be used for youth education fishery programs. Some funds will be retained as seed money for next year's Troutfest.

Many of the volunteers are LRCTU members but many more come from other non-profit organizations such as other TU Chapters, The Fly Fishing Federation and individuals who are not connected with non-profit organizations. You do not need to be a TU member to volunteer or participate. All donations are tax deductible.




Townsend and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers you the most beautiful place on earth to fly fish for trout with 800 miles of streams holding rainbow, brook and brown trout. And of course, the Little River runs right through town. The month of May is prime time for fishing in the Smokies so you will want to set aside some time to be on the streams. Located in Tuckaleechee Cove, Townsend is known as the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies."

Townsend offers motels, lodges, campgrounds and rental cabins for your lodging.  Though not a huge tourist destination, the town does have some great restaurants and special accommodations.

Volunteers work with National Park personnel

Troutfest was created in 2004 by the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimted to celebrate fly fishing and promote regionally the experience provided by this pursuit. Secondly, the chapter decided that any proceeds derived from the event would go directly to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department to sustain and improve fish habitat within the Park.

Thanks to visitors like you, Troutfest has contributed more than $170,000 to this effort since 2004. In addition chapter members and friends annually volunteer between 1500 and 2000 hours to insure a successful, fun and educational experience.

In addition to Troutfest, the chapter also supports a variety of Park projects throughout the year.

   
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