I may be a bit biased as I sat on the planning committee for 2009 and 2010, but trust me it is awesome. The event is a result of the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Most people don’t know, but Joe Hatton (former lrctu chapter president) was one of the driving forces for getting the event started 8 years ago. Since then, Byron Begley of Little River Outfitters ,has helped to grow the event over the last three years to where it is today. In 2009 and 2010 the event grossed around $60,000 each year and donations of around $45,000 were donated to Great Smoky Mountain National Park both years as well. Not bad for an event ran by volunteers. I must give a hats off to all of them as without them it would not be possible. There are probably around 100 volunteers each year that donate thousands of hours of their time to make the event a success. It is truely a special event. The feeling you get when attending and walking around is awe inspiring.