Motorcycle Mecca Massacre

Tellico Fish Camp Collides with Biker Documentary

Tulli Cole
Monroe County Buzz
April 15, 2011

TELLICO PLAINS, TENN. -- The Tellico Fish Camp is a relatively new restaurant in Tellico Plains. Located at 1035 Mecca Pike, and sporting a rustic, comfortable look, the café serves up burgers, chicken salads, and soups, as well as its titular “southern-style” catfish and hospitality.

And after an exciting evening on April 6, it may just have to add a side-helping of leftover stardust to the menu.

It may not be too much of a stretch of the imagination to say that owner Trish Etheredge had no idea what was in store for her or her staff when she met John Powell.

However, that fateful meeting opened up a door to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Powell and his wife, Charlene, own the Iron Horse motorcycle resort in Stecoah, North Carolina, and they discovered the Fish Camp while on a trip along the beautiful Skyway. Though it was not yet open, Powell was impressed with the would-be restaurant, and he sorely wanted to eat there one day. He carried this wish with him back home, and soon shared it with a good friend of his: Frank Iratkovic.

Iratkovic just so happens to head a small production company called Ten + Me. Having already participated in a few shows involving motorcycle repairs and enhancements, Iratkovic dreamed of filming something a little different, something that illustrated the love regular people have for riding motorcycles.

That something transformed into a possible pilot for a documentary. It would catalogue the journey of a group of Illinois bikers who would travel across the United States for Route 66 and California, stopping to eat at interesting diners and meet new people along the way.

And when he heard about the Fish Camp, Iratkovic just knew it had to be one of those many stops. He called up Etheredge and asked her if she would be at all willing to host his crew.

“And I said, ‘Sure!’,” said Etheredge, with a laugh, while recounting the tale.

A date was set, and the Fish Camp family prepared for the upcoming visit.

At first, there was some doubt as to whether or not the bikers would ever reach the Fish Camp. A late arrival the previous night and foul weather prevented them from leaving the Iron Horse on Monday, the 4th, and still more delays made them late on the following Wednesday.

But at 6:15 that evening, the ragtag group of men and women, both young and not-so-old, finally rumbled into the restaurant parking lot like a rattling boom of thunder. A camera crew followed close behind, one man hanging precariously out the window of the car as he filmed the caravan’s arrival.

The twelve bikers and three crewmen were starving, and so the staff of the Fish Camp jumped into action and welcomed the friendly “Yanks” with open arms. They led the newcomers into the dining area, seated them, and quickly took orders, all the while dodging and weaving through two cameras, mingling bikers, and a low-hanging boom microphone.

While the bikers rested and relaxed, the cameramen wandered the restaurant, filming whatever caught their eye. They peeked into the famous “bucket-sink” bathrooms, interviewed both the bikers and Etheredge herself, zoomed in on the laughter and conversations bubbling at the main table, and even captured a few shots of a fresh plate of catfish. There was hardly a moment the cameras were not rolling; the crewmen only took a break to fill their rumbling guts, and then swiftly returned to filming the action.

It was all very impressive. However, still more impressive was the staff of the Fish Camp itself. As mentioned before, the crew was late in coming to the restaurant. But the staff waited patiently, and when their visitors did arrive, they did not hesitate or stumble; they jumped immediately into action, and worked hard to ensure the Illinois guests felt at home and comfortable. Waitresses Sandy Walker and Greta Harris served fifteen folks at once, and some others besides, and were quick to make sure each and every order was correct.

Andrew Harris—filling in for regular chef Roy Hawkins—cooked steaming meals both for hungry stomachs and cameras. Trish Etheredge was a wonderful hostess, helping where and when she was needed, whether it was on the frontlines or in the hot kitchen. Everyone played their part and gave over a hundred percent. It was no wonder that, when asked if they had enjoyed their meal, the bikers and crewmen gave a resounding and enthusiastic, “YES!”

If anyone deserved to take part in a documentary, and be featured in a “farewell” segment when the caravan rolled out after 8 p.m., it was the staff of the Tellico Fish Camp.

So when will this pilot air, and where? There are at least three channels Ten + Me is bidding for: HBO, The Learning Channel, and the Discovery Channel. However, the company is yearning for HBO. As for the premier, that may come as soon as fall rolls around.

And what’s next for the Tellico Fish Camp? Right now they are open Friday thru Monday 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. but starting May 1, the Fish Camp will be open six days a week. Etheredge wishes to remind any other would-be guests that, “We are an alcohol-free, family friendly restaurant.”

"One girl lost a foot, she is a comptroller for a local beer dist. co. another guy lost both legs, both still in crit. care. The driver was drinking, He jumped out of his truck and started yelling that the bikes hit him and was promply decked and knocked out. The other guy in the truck took off running across a field and was chased down and had the **** beat out of him."
-ETR, Several Bikes and Truck collide

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Video: Truck, multiple motorcycles involved in crash

WBIR TV
April 17, 2011

TELLICO PLAINS, TENN. -- Eight people were sent to area hospitals Sunday following a crash in Monroe County involving a pickup truck and six motorcycles.

Investigators say the crash happened just before 5 PM on Mecca Pike near the McMinn County line.

Six motorcyclists, along with two people who were inside the truck were injured.

Authorities say there were some broken bones, but none of the injuries were life-threatening.

The motorcyclists were taking part in a memorial ride at the time of the incident.

Details surrounding the cause of the crash have not yet been released.

Comments

AS A fellow rider and family to two of the riders involved, this is a shame. people need to get off of the phones, slow down, and pay attention to others around them while on the road. This was A terrible thing that could have been avoided if just a little care was used. WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES!!!!!!!!!!

My family was the first bike they hit, J and S O

Please keep my Brother and Sister-in- law in your prayers. They will have a long road ahead of them to recover. This accident will change their lives forever. I hope the driver of the truck gets what he deserves.

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Related News -- Jeff McWaters Memorial Ride was that same week in 2011, riding the Deals Gap Dragon and Tellico Dragon in Monroe County...