Day one of the Troutfest 2010 expo in Townsend was a huge success. Fly fishing enthusiasts and conservationists from as far away as Australia packed the Townsend Visitor Center grounds for a full day of fly fishing education, instruction, food, fun, shopping and entertainment. I counted about 400-500 cars in the parking field as more were arriving.

The expo continues through tomorrow. If you're interested in fly fishing, conservation, and/or outdoor sports you should check it out. Admission and all events are free and open to the public.

There are educational exhibits by the National Park Service, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Trout Unlimited, the Little River Watershed Association and others highlighting local restoration and conservation efforts that preserve and protect East Tennessee's streams and fisheries.

A volunteer told us that last night's Troutfest banquet and auction raised more than $30,000 for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department and Friends of Great Smokies National Park Fisheries Scholarship Endowment Fund. The endowment pays for for college students to participate in research and conservation projects in the Park. I also learned that the GSMNP is able to leverage these funds, and last year's event netted over $200,000 in funding through matching grants and other programs.

It's also a world-class outdoor outfitter's expo, featuring top name fly fishing and sporting goods manufacturers, guides, and outfitters, as well as some great outdoor themed art. My credit card was burning a hole in my pocket.

But for me, the highlight was a fly casting seminar by the legendary Lefty Krehl. At 85, he is as entertaining as he is knowledgeable. I learned quite a bit, and best of all it was free. And he's just one of the noted fly fishing experts giving free seminars at Troutfest. You can't buy private lessons from pros like these for any price. One kid got a five minute one-on-one lesson from Lefty that he will remember for the rest of his life. Add one to the legions of fly fishers and conservationists enthused about preserving our natural resources.

If you're going up to Townsend and/or Cades Cove tomorrow, it's really worth your while to stop by Troutfest. If you're a fly fishing enthusiast, or interested in stream and fishery conservation efforts, it's definitely worth a special trip.

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