The Appalachian Chapter of Trout Unlimited invites you to an evening dedicated to the conservation of one of our region’s most treasured native species—the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout.
Join Connor Ballard, fisheries biologist with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), for an in-depth presentation on the restoration and reintroduction of Southern Appalachian Brook Trout, the only trout species native to our mountain streams. Learn how TWRA, Trout Unlimited, and conservation partners are working together to restore critical habitat, improve water quality, and return these beautiful fish to the waters they once called home.
Connor will discuss the history of brook trout in the Southern Appalachians, the challenges they continue to face, and the science and stewardship behind ongoing restoration efforts. Whether you’re a seasoned angler, a conservation volunteer, or simply passionate about protecting our coldwater resources, this is a presentation you won’t want to miss.
Then, put what you’ve learned into action! The following weekend, we invite everyone to join the Appalachian Chapter of Trout Unlimited for our annual Southern Appalachian Brook Trout Survey and Campout in the Tellico watershed. This volunteer event gives members and guests the opportunity to work alongside fisheries professionals and fellow conservationists to help monitor native brook trout populations while enjoying a weekend of camping, fellowship, and some of East Tennessee’s most beautiful backcountry streams.
Protecting our native brook trout takes all of us. Come learn why they matter, see conservation in action, and become part of the effort to ensure future generations can experience wild brook trout in their native waters.