The Hiwassee 640 Chapter of Trout Unlimited is an all-volunteer conservation nonprofit working to care for and recover rivers and streams and the trout that call them home. Working with TU staff and community partners, we bring people together to make our trout fisheries stronger, our water cleaner and our communities healthier. Join us and be a champion for your rivers and streams.
If you have the interest and time to make a deeper commitment to our local conservation and education work, we’d welcome you on the board or one of our many committees. To get started, connect with a Hiwassee board member at one of our monthly gatherings or coming events, or contact us to learn more.
PRESIDENT
Shane Boyd
Soddy-Daisy, TN
Shane Boyd—current President of Hiwassee Trout Unlimited—is the kind of guy who can organize a fishing trip, untangle a leader, and crack a joke all before your coffee gets cold.
A dedicated member of Trout Unlimited, Shane has built his reputation on equal parts conservation passion and streamside storytelling. He’s as comfortable advocating for coldwater fisheries as he is waist-deep in the Hiwassee, probably explaining—again—why that fish “was at least 20 inches” before it got away.
Under his leadership, the Hiwassee chapter has continued to grow, bringing together anglers of all skill levels while championing the rivers they love. Whether he’s helping coordinate events, mentoring new fly fishers, or making sure nobody leaves hungry, Shane brings a steady hand and a sharp sense of humor to everything he does.
In short: if there’s a trout stream nearby, Shane Boyd is either fishing it, protecting it, or telling a story about the one that didn’t quite make it to the net.
VICE PRESIDENT
Jenny Martin
Chattanooga, TN
Jenny Martin, Vice President of Hiwassee Trout Unlimited, is the steady current that keeps the whole operation flowing—equal parts organizer, encourager, and occasional wrangler of wayward anglers.
As a leader within Trout Unlimited, Jenny has a knack for turning good ideas into great events and mild chaos into something that somehow still ends on time (mostly). She’s known for her sharp eye on the details—whether that’s planning a retreat, coordinating volunteers, or making sure everyone remembered their waders… or at least remembered to laugh about it when they didn’t.
On the water, Jenny brings the same mix of focus and fun, proving that you can take conservation seriously without taking yourself too seriously. She’s a champion for getting more people—especially women—into fly fishing, often serving as both mentor and motivator with a well-timed joke and a perfectly tied knot.
In short: if something runs smoothly at the Hiwassee chapter, Jenny probably had a hand in it. And if it didn’t? She’s already figured out how to fix it before you even noticed.
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Jeff Price
Englewood, TN
Jeff Price, the Secretary/Treasurer of Hiwassee Trout Unlimited, is the rare kind of angler who can balance both a checkbook and a check cast—often in the same afternoon.
Serving faithfully within Trout Unlimited, Jeff is the man who makes sure the numbers add up, the paperwork gets filed, and the rest of the crew doesn’t accidentally spend the fly budget on “just one more” dozen patterns. If there’s a spreadsheet involved, Jeff’s already color-coded it. If there’s a receipt missing, he knows—he always knows.
On the water, Jeff is just as precise. He approaches fly fishing with the same attention to detail he brings to the books: measured, methodical, and quietly effective. While others are telling stories about the one that got away, Jeff’s usually the one actually catching fish—and probably keeping mental track of how many.
In short: Jeff Price keeps the Hiwassee chapter financially afloat, operationally sound, and occasionally laughing—because even the most serious treasurer knows you’ve got to loosen your grip… at least until the audit’s over.
TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM
Bruce Blevins
Madisonville, TN
Bruce Blevins, the Trout in the Classroom Coordinator for Hiwassee Trout Unlimited, is proof that you can, in fact, herd trout—at least when they’re still small enough to fit in a classroom tank.
A devoted steward of Trout Unlimited’s educational mission, Bruce has mastered the fine art of turning curious students into conservation-minded anglers—one tiny trout at a time. He’s equal parts teacher, fish whisperer, and emergency “tank technician,” always ready to troubleshoot anything from water temperatures to overly enthusiastic classroom observers tapping on the glass.
Bruce brings patience, humor, and just enough scientific know-how to make raising trout seem both magical and mildly chaotic. He’s the guy who can explain aquatic ecosystems in a way that makes sense to a room full of kids—and still keep the fish alive long enough to release them, which is no small feat.
In short: while others are chasing trout downstream, Bruce is busy growing the next generation upstream—making sure both the fish and the future of fishing are in very good hands.
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
Doug Gagliardi
Ringgold, GA
Doug Gagliardi, Membership Coordinator for Hiwassee Trout Unlimited, is the friendly force behind the handshake, the sign-up sheet, and the inevitable “you should really come to the next meeting.”
Working within Trout Unlimited, Doug has a talent for turning curious bystanders into committed members—sometimes before they even realize what just happened. He’s equal parts ambassador, recruiter, and storyteller, with a knack for making everyone feel like they’ve been part of the chapter for years… even if they just wandered in for the coffee.
Doug understands that a strong organization is built on strong people, and he’s always ready to welcome one more. Whether he’s explaining the mission, sharing fishing tales, or gently convincing someone that “yes, you do need another hobby,” Doug keeps the chapter growing one conversation at a time.
In short: if you’re part of the Hiwassee chapter, there’s a good chance Doug had something to do with it—and if you’re not yet, well… give him a minute.
EVENT COORDINATOR/WEBMASTER
Mike Ables
Cleveland, TN
Mike Ables, Event Coordinator and Webmaster for Hiwassee Trout Unlimited, is the man who makes sure everything happens and that everyone knows about it—preferably with a functioning link.
Serving within Trout Unlimited, Mike operates at the intersection of organized chaos and Wi-Fi signals. On one hand, he’s lining up events, coordinating details, and making sure there are enough chairs, flies, and probably snacks. On the other, he’s behind the scenes keeping the website updated, the information flowing, and the inevitable “the link doesn’t work” messages to a minimum (emphasis on minimum).
Mike has a rare ability to juggle logistics and technology without dropping either—though he’ll be the first to admit that sometimes the fish are easier to manage than the internet. Whether he’s promoting the next big outing or troubleshooting why the homepage suddenly looks “a little weird,” he keeps the chapter connected in more ways than one.
In short: if it’s happening, Mike planned it—and if you heard about it online, Mike posted it… probably after fixing it twice.
CONSERVATION COORDINATOR
Katherine Medlock
Knoxville, TN
Katherine Medlock, Conservation Coordinator for Hiwassee Trout Unlimited, is the one making sure the fish have a better future than most of us planned for ourselves.
Working through Trout Unlimited, Katherine is equal parts scientist, advocate, and gentle-but-firm reminder that rivers don’t take care of themselves. She’s the voice in the room asking the important questions—like water quality, habitat health, and whether that “shortcut” someone suggested might accidentally destroy a streambank.
Katherine has a knack for turning complex conservation issues into something everyone can understand… and care about. Whether she’s organizing stream cleanups, coordinating restoration projects, or explaining why bugs are actually a very big deal, she brings both passion and practicality to the job.
In short: while the rest of the group is busy chasing trout, Katherine is making sure there are still trout worth chasing—quietly doing the hard work that keeps the Hiwassee running clear, cold, and full of life.
EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Lisa Young
Chattanooga, TN
Lisa Young, Education Coordinator for Hiwassee Trout Unlimited, is the reason people leave meetings knowing more than when they walked in—and occasionally wondering how they suddenly care so much about aquatic insects.
Working with Trout Unlimited, Lisa has perfected the art of making learning feel less like a lecture and more like a good story… one that just happens to include trout, rivers, and a surprising amount of bug trivia. She’s the go-to for turning “I have no idea what I’m doing” into “I think I actually get this,” often with a smile and a well-timed analogy.
Lisa’s approach to education is equal parts enthusiasm and patience. Whether she’s leading workshops, helping beginners find their footing, or explaining why that tiny fly matters so much, she makes the whole process approachable—and even fun.
In short: while others are busy casting lines, Lisa is busy casting knowledge—making sure the next generation of anglers knows not just how to fish, but why it matters.
Women and Diversity Initiative Coordinator
Lauren Snyder
Chattanooga, TN
Lauren Snyder, Women and Diversity Initiative Coordinator for Hiwassee Trout Unlimited, is the welcoming committee, the hype squad, and the quiet force making sure there’s room for everyone on the river.
Working within Trout Unlimited, Lauren has a gift for turning “I’m not sure I belong here” into “why didn’t I do this sooner?” She’s passionate about opening doors, building community, and making fly fishing feel less like an exclusive club and more like what it should be—a shared love of water, wild places, and a good story at the end of the day.
Lauren brings energy, empathy, and just the right amount of encouragement to everything she does. Whether she’s organizing women’s events, supporting new anglers, or making sure diverse voices are heard, she’s always working to make the experience better—and more welcoming—for everyone.
In short: Lauren isn’t just helping grow the sport—she’s helping reshape it, one new angler, one new voice, and one perfectly timed “you’ve got this” at a time.