About Us
Hey There
Thank you for visiting our site and taking the time to learn about our organization.
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Friends of Douglas Lake is a nonprofit, all-volunteer group dedicated to improving and sustaining fish populations in Douglas Lake.
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We collaborate with the public, our incredible volunteer team, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to safely, legally, and effectively enhance existing fish habitats and introduce new ones.
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The habitats we build are specifically designed to provide ideal spawning conditions and to protect fry during their first and second years, significantly increasing survival rates. This approach has proven to be one of the most effective ways to boost fish populations in reservoirs.
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To learn more about the habitats we create and maintain in Douglas Lake, click the Learn More button to explore our Key Initiatives section.
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Scroll farther down this page to meet the founders of Friends Of Douglas Lake.
About The Founders
Buddy and Mark met by chance at the Bucks N' Bass shop on highway 25 in Dandridge TN in 2024. We quickly realized we are both fishing nuts, we are both retired, and we are both passionate about Douglas Lake. ​
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Our friendship quickly grew and through our time on the water together, so did our desire to improve the fish populations in our lake. We decided to take action and that is how Friends Of Douglas Lake was born.
"I am retired from a sales, marketing and professional fundraising career.
Since early childhood, I have been fascinated with fish and bodies of water. I am dedicated to protecting, preserving and perpetuating the wonderful resources of Dougals Lake. Further to this I believe Friends Of Douglas Lake, in partnership with the TWRA and other agencies, can greatly impact the quality of fishing on this beautiful reservoir.
I am excited to put to good use, the education I received from a degree in Wildlife& Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I am also thrilled that our TV Show ' Woods & Waters' will be used as a platform to promote this project."
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William J "Buddy" Bumpus
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"I am a retired business executive and former professional fisherman, I’ve spent my life chasing both career success and the call of the outdoors. As the television host and producer of Southern Outdoor Adventures and Southern Outdoor Sportsman, I shared my passion for hunting, fishing, and conservation with audiences across the South.
Married to my wife Ginger for over three decades and proud father of two sons, family has always been my greatest joy. My love for the outdoors began in childhood—running through the woods with my brothers and sisters, and learning timeless skills from my father and grandfather. Those early lessons shaped me into the dedicated outdoorsman and conservationist I am today.
Now, I devote my lifelong fishing experience to protecting and restoring fish populations on Douglas Lake. Through my work with Friends of Douglas Lake, I strive to create a legacy of conservation so future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty and outdoor traditions that have defined my life."
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Mark T. Gromlovits
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