If you weren’t at the 2014 Rabun Rendezvous, then you missed an amazingly good time. The numbers are still coming in, but here are some preliminary results:
We had 297 adults and children in attendance. All Trout Unlimited Chapters in Georgia were represented with the exception of one; TU Chapters from South Carolina and North Carolina were represented; members of the Atlanta Fly Fishing Club, Georgia Women’s Fly Fishers, Casting for Recovery, North Georgia Trout Online, the Boy Scouts of Troop 6, Ducks Unlimited, and Trout Camp alumni were there; and we had special guests from Pro-ject Healing Waters and the National office of Trout Unlimited.
We had an excellent selection of bucket raffle and silent auction items donated by a long list of very generous businesses, groups, and individuals. In addition, we had a special “Brook Trout” print by Broderick Crawford framed with flies tied by four of the best from Rabun TU, Kyle Burrell, Doug Adams, Jeff “Dredger” Durniak and Terry Rivers. The one of a kind piece was used in a lively – and successful! – live auction. Thank you to all our donors!
The Dillard House put out the spread of food that has made them famous world-wide, the Foxfire Boys played their outstanding bluegrass music to the delight of hillbillies and flat-landers alike, Injun Frank put up his teepee, and a good time was had by all.
While donation checks are still coming in and there are still a few more bills to be paid, it appears that we will net in the neighborhood of $14,500 from the 2014 Rabun Rendezvous! These funds will allow us to continue and build upon the good work being accomplished by the Rabun Chapter. In addition, we have planned several new ventures in 2014 to fur-ther our mission. Stay tuned for more details.
Where: The “NEW” Dillard House Conference Center, located behind the Dillard House in Dillard, Georgia Who: The more the better. Everyone interested in protecting our cold-water resources, including their families, friends, and all who love clean cold streams, trout, and trout fishing.
Social: About 5 o’clock PM folks will start gathering to “pick the pig” and enjoy the rocking chairs on the porch of the Conference Center. There will be snack trays of cheeses, crackers, veggies with dips, and fruits. Soft drinks and ice will be available. If you want something stronger, better bring it yourself. There will be a fire inside to warm your buns.
*The Foxfire Boys (as seen in the Chattooga River episode of TUTV’s “On The Rise”) will again generously provide their ‘down home’ style of bluegrass picking and singing for your musical entertainment.
**Remember to ask about The Foxfire Boys CDs (now 4 of them), which will be available.**
*The large screen TV will be showing the Rabunites trout fishing some of their favorite ‘secret spots’. This will be the ideal time to be looking over the raffle and silent auction items. We welcome donations of raffle and auction items at the door, fellow TU’ers.
Dinner: Fish, chicken, and pork with all the side dishes and desserts that have made the Dillard House so famous, will be served about 6:30. It is a serve yourself buffet, so you will not leave hungry.
Program presenter: Shelia Humphrey. Shelia is a Wildlife Interpretive Specialist at Smithgall Woods State Park.
Cost: $30 for adults, $25 for youth 15 and under. Cash, personal checks, VISA, and Mastercard accepted. We don’t do advance tickets or reservations; just pay at the door.
Lodging: The Dillard House has set special rates for rooms for those that call and tell them you’re attending the Trout Unlimited Rabun Rendezvous. Call: 706-746-5348 or Toll Free 1-800-541-0671. You must tell them you are there with Trout Unlimited to get the special rate.
The 2013 Rabun Rendezvous provided funds for the following: GA Trout Camp for youth; Sponsorship of student interns working in NE GA fisheries with the GA WRD and the USFS; Sponsoring four youngsters attending the GA Trout Camp; Financial support of the GA DNR Smithgall Woods Conservation Education Program; Rabun Co Middle School Mentoring Program; Gift Stream Explorer memberships; GA “Back-the-Brookie” Program; Kid’s Fishing Event at Tallulah River (USFS); GA WRD Outdoor Adventure Day; River clean-up day at Chattooga DH; In-stream habitat improvement workday with USFS & GA WRD on a Rabun County brook trout stream; Fly Fishing for Vets Wounded Warriors Program; Handi- cap Access on Tallulah River; Casting for Recovery; UGA coldwater Research Endowment; National TU’s “First Cast”, “Embrace-A-Stream”, & “SE Land Protection” Programs; Support of Rabun TU’s award winning website; and Trout Magazine subscriptions to all school & public libraries and 2 state parks in Rabun County. In 2014 we plan on further ex- panding our outreach with “Trout in the Classroom” and other Trout Unlimited programs.
So any and all support is APPRECIATED!!!!