Welcome to Chattooga River TU!
New license plate means happy trout in South Carolina
New license plate means happy trout in South Carolina
November 12th, 2019 will go down as a historic day for coldwater conservation in South Carolina. After a monumental effort by the 046 – Mountain Bridge, 359 – Saluda River and 556 – Chattooga River Chapters, a brand-new South Carolina Trout Unlimited license plate was unveiled. Designed by homegrown artist, Jay Talbot of Columbia, the tag features a striking native Southern Appalachian brook trout in all its colored-up glory.
New funding for conservation
Getting this beautiful plate is not just a way to display your TU pride. Each purchase contributes directly to the conservation efforts of SCTU, a council and three chapters that are, as Chris Wood stated at a Summer 2019 meeting, “punching above their weight class”. Their impressive track-record of protecting and restoring the states’ precious coldwater resources includes multiple marquee projects. This includes designating more than two miles of the lower Saluda River as catch-and-release only and removing a failing earthen dam from the headwaters of one of the state’s most crucial sources of coldwater, Matthews Creek. SCTU also assisted the state in restoring miles of native brook trout habitat. With this intervention, a stream once considered lost to logging impacts is now thriving.
On the importance of today, SCTU Vice Chair and President of Mountain Bridge, Greg Placone, commented, “Native brook trout are finally getting the exposure they deserve! When you see these amazing tags on cars around the state that means that our grassroots conservationists will have access to the funds necessary to preserve, protect, and enhance critical coldwater resources in South Carolina for years to come."
Palmetto State brook trout artwork by Jay Talbot
Landing your SCTU plate
South Carolina residents can get their tag through the South Carolina DMV website. After accessing the site, scroll through the gallery to find the TU plate. Then, go through the prompts to buy your tag. Each tag is only $70, renewable every two years.
If you really want to make history, you can be SC TU Number 1. The TU00001 tag will be available through an online auction on RallyUp. The bidding will start on December 1st and conclude on December 15th.
Additionally, tags TU00004 through TU00009 will be available through the same online auction site after the bidding on the initial plate concludes. TU00010 through TU00099 are reserved and require an additional minimum donation of $100 to SC TU, plus the $70 cost of the tag. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Email Greg Allison at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check on availability and get details on how to submit your donation.
For more information, please visit the Mountain Bridge, Saluda River or Chattooga River website.
Now hit the road and get your get a plate today!
