The Reel Thing: TWRA scheduled to be across area for February trout stocking

The month of February is shaping up to be a busy one for the TWRA as part of the trout stocking cycle. According to the schedule posted on the agency's website, at least 14 different waterways in Northeast Tennessee are going to be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the month. The TWRA classifies anything east of the Cumberland Plateau as part of Region IV, which is all of Northeast and East Tennessee. Most of the stocking for Region IV will be the week of Feb. 15. In Hawkins County, both Alexander Creek and Big Creek will be stocked at some point that week, though the exact date hasn't been specified. Same goes for Unicoi County's Fishery Park Pond, where it will be stocked at some point in the third week of this month. Outside of the immediate Tri-Cities area, Claiborne County's Gap Creek, Indian Creek, and Station Creek will all be refurnished the week of the 15th. In Grainger County, Buffalo Creek will be supplied the second, third, and fourth weeks of the month, while Runcheon Camp Creek will just be stocked the second week. Also on the week of the 8th, Richardson "Byrd" Creek in Hancock County and Panther Creek in Hamblen County will be stocked with rainbow trout. Panther Creek will get a second visit from the TWRA the week of the 22nd. Cocke County's Gulf Fork Big Creek and Trail Fork Big Creek will see its lone February stocking in the third week of the month, as will Little River in Blount County. In Sevier County, the Gatlinburg Streams will be replenished on a weekly basis. These are all in tandem with the year-round stockings for the reservoirs of Calderwood, Chilhowie, Fort Patrick Henry, South Holston, Upper Tellico, and Watauga in Region IV. If you have a story you'd like to share, a fishing event upcoming, or an update on your local waterways, feel free to reach out to Andrew Smith at asmith@sixriversmedia.com.