Why we are TU: Passion

Posted on January 28, 2012 by dgrimm

Passion. This is what unites us all as TU members. We are passionate anglers, passionate about conserving the outdoors, and passionate when sharing our experiences with others. River RallyThere are many ways we express that passion:

  • At the most basic level, we simply get out on the water, literally immerse ourselves in the cold liquid truth of nature, and viscerally exude the passion through fluid casting and dynamic reeling – adrenaline pumping through our veins as we catch a piece of the wild
  • Many of us also then become TU members because we want to unite with others who share the love both of fishing and of the places we need to protect for ourselves and future generations
  • At times we can be too busy, so know that we can still express our passion by giving back financially. Whether it is the thousands who have become lifetime members or those who have helped us meet and exceed the TU Board Challenge this year – no matter if it was $5 or $1,000 it all made a huge difference

But what inspired me to finally sit down and write my thoughts was seeing committed TU members and others coming together to: Express our passion and shout it from the roof tops for others to hear. Although the goal for our Colorado TU leaders was very targeted to getting the EPA to finally understand that Colorado’s mountain streams are loved by many outdoor enthusiasts (basically 90% of people who live in Colorado) and should be protected, I believe it had much greater meaning. I believe that it is events like this that ultimately bind us together for common purpose. They allow us to celebrate. They allow us to get mad. They allow us to see that our passion for angling has greater meaning. They allow us to be bold. They allow us to have fun. They allow us to lead. They allow us to be proud and announce who we are. They show us that we are an army that can mobilize to make a difference. And they help us reach out to others to join us in something powerful. What an amazing membership-volunteer-family-leader-army we have. Great work CTU.

What is that? It is TU. It is passion.

Posted in Community, Conservation, Protection | 1 Comment

A wasted effort or a resource worth protecting?

Posted on January 27, 2012 by skinsella@tu.org

We recently received the following letter on TU’s ongoing efforts to protect and restore the fragile Apache trout. What do you think? Worthwhile or a waste of time?

“Not another story about Apache trout (Winter 2012)!  What is your obsession with this obscure, apparently inept species? Who cares what happens to them? What miniscule percentage of TU anglers have fished for (or even flown over) these fish? News flash: Since right after the beginning of time, species have come and gone. It’s the survival of the fittest out there. To cry that the sky is falling whenever an ill-adapted species disappears is lousy logic. Yes, much needs to be done to improve the environment, but your focus on obscure causes is a distraction from much larger issues affecting wild fisheries and the folks who enjoy it.” John R.

Posted in All Things Fishing, Community, Conservation, Protection, Restoration, Trout Magazine | 1 Comment

A wake-up call on Colorado River

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Randy Scholfield

You shoulda been there. More than 100 Trout Unlimited members and coalition allies had a fun, noisy time yesterday raising their voices in front of the EPA building in downtown Denver (that’s Colorado TU president Sinjin Eberle on bullhorn), calling on federal regulators to protect the Upper Colorado River. The state’s namesake river and a major tributary, the Fraser River, have been hammered by years of water diversions to the Front Range of Colorado. And two more major diversion projects are coming down the pipe.  TU is ramping up a public campaign this spring to show public support for healthy flows for the rivers. This is the opening salvo. More about the rally here.

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Why We Fish

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Chris Hunt

One of the many benefits of working for Trout Unlimited is getting the opportunity to occasionally visit the organization’s Arlington, Va.-based headquarters. Situated in the Rosslyn business district just across Key Bridge from Washington, D.C.’s famous Georgetown neighborhood, the “mothership” is within easy striking distance of some of D.C.’s most famous landmarks.

A quick Metro ride gets you to Arlington National Cemetery. The Marine Corps Memorial–the famous pose etched in bronze of the Marines erecting the American flag on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II–is literally within walking distance. This memorial has great significance to me–my grandfather, the man who taught me which end of fly rod was which, was a Marine who slogged through some of the bloodiest battles in our nation’s history, fighting at Guadalcanal, New Britain and Peleliu.

The footbridge across a Potomac River channel to Roosevelt Island.

But my favorite D.C. memorial is an easy walk from TU’s home offices, and it’s one I try to visit now and then, if for no other reason than to escape, albeit briefly, the city’s frenetic pace. The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, situated on Roosevelt Island just below Key Bridge, gives me a bit of a respite from the busy city existence my colleagues here in Arlington are so accustomed to. The island, carved from the bedrock by the mighty Potomac River, is a diverse little ecosystem in an otherwise urban setting.

And, the imposing statue of our 26th president, coupled with some of his more poignant words of wisdom–many having to do with conservation–always gives me pause. Roosevelt was an avid sportsman who was one of the earliest subscribers to the idea that intact habitat is what truly benefits hunters and anglers the most, for without wild places, wild things simply don’t exist.

The view of Georgetown from the island.

Take this quote, for instance:

“There are no words that can well the hidden spirit of the wildnerness that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm.”

To me, this nugget of absolute foresight from a man who did his best work 100 years ago offers insight into the true soul of a fisherman. We don’t take a fly rod and wander off the beaten path for any other reason than escape into the wild, even for a bit. When we fish–even if its amid the hustle and bustle of a city like Washington–it’s not to enjoy the city vistas. It’s to connect with something wild, like a migrating shad or a big Atlantic striper… wild things that move through D.C. every year largely unbeknownst to the folks caught in traffic and chattering away on their cell phones.

Consider why you fish. If you need a little inspiration, walk the banks of the Potomac on Roosevelt Island and practice a little introspection. Then, walk out of the woods and stand before the statue of T.R. himself and try this man’s century-old vision on for size. At the very least, you’ll have an appreciation for the work TU does all over this country.

And there’s a chance you might learn something about yourself in the process.

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“Rally for the Rivers” in Denver

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Randy Scholfield

Hey, river lovers, if you’re in the Denver area this week, put this on your schedule: Trout Unlimited is helping stage a lunchtime Rally for the Rivers in Denver Thursday, Jan. 26 outside the EPA building downtown. The goal is to let our state and federal decision-makers know that the Upper Colorado and Fraser Rivers–beloved by generations of anglers–are on the verge of ecological collapse due to water diversions. Unless our leaders do the right thing for the rivers and ensure healthy flows, these magnificent waters face a long, sad decline.  Speakers include Field and Stream magazine editor-at-large Kirk Deeter and CTU president Sinjin Eberle.

Want to learn more? Check out the www.DefendtheColorado.org website–and be sure to sign the petition.  Raise your voice for one of our greatest Western rivers, before it’s too late. . .

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Lake Trout

Posted on January 20, 2012 by skinsella@tu.org

If you haven’t seen it, check out Headwaters News.  Yesterday, they carried an abbreviated version of the lake trout story, which ran in the winter issue of Trout, in their western perspectives section. It includes a link to the full story as well as other recent stories on the invasion of macks in the West. Here’s the story from Headwaters:

http://www.headwatersnews.org/p.LakeTrout011912.html

Posted in All Things Fishing, Conservation, Protection, Restoration, Trout Magazine | Leave a comment

Take our aquatic invasive species survey

Posted on January 20, 2012 by brennan.sang@tu.org

Scientists agree that next to habitat loss, aquatic invasive species pose the greatest threat to the decline of native aquatic species in North America.

Take our survey to help us identify priorities for our AIS work.

Aquatic invasive species threaten trout populations

Didymo rock snot on the Missouri

The spreading of existing AIS, along with new AIS invasions and climate change is expected to have significant negative impact on TU’s efforts to conserve and protect native species across the country.

AIS impacts can be devastating — invasive lake trout and whirling disease have combined to cause a 90 percent decline in Yellowstone Lake’s Yellowstone cutthroat trout population — the world’s largest refuge of native Yellowstone cutts.

Gathering AIS information

TU’s AIS Program Director Dave Kumlien and researchers from Illinois State University have developed an aquatic invasive species survey. The survey will help TU identify priorities and develop AIS policy.

Help us stop aquatic invasive species

We need your help — give us about 5 minutes of your time to take the survey. We’ll ask a few questions about how AIS have affected your favorite places to fish, and some questions about your fishing habits.

No personal information is collected, and your participation is very important.

Tell your friends

Know of a fellow TU member or trout angler who would be interested? Be sure to tell them about the survey.

The survey will be active through the end of February 2012. Please take the survey only once. Thank you!

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Keeping farms–and salmon–healthy

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Randy Scholfield

Can wild salmon and agriculture coexist? I’ve learned that they can and do, in places where growers use sustainable methods.  Trout Unlimited recently launched a Salmon Safe program in eastern Washington, with the goal of educating farmers and ranchers about best practices to ensure salmon and stream health.  Growers are getting involved in this easy certification process. Not only do these practices boost fish habitat, but the growers also benefit from the Salmon Safe label and marketing. Take a look at this great new video about the Salmon Safe program– then let me know what you think. Would you choose food products that are labeled “Salmon Safe”?

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Responding to flooding

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Chris Hunt

As the Northeast takes a wintertime breather from its river and stream recovery efforts in the wake of tropical storm

Photo from Burlington Free Press

Irene, a couple things come to mind. First, this act of God is likely not the last the Eastern Seaboard will see in the coming years, as a changing climate is pushing more and more powerful named storms ashore. And second, recovery and restoration efforts need to be carefully planned and executed.

Over the last several months, TU’s home office has been deluged with calls from concerned members, particularly in Vermont, New Hampshire and upstate New York, decrying emergency response to the storm and how, in an effort to do the right thing, vital trout habitat was being sacrificed as stream channels were dredged, river courses were changed and rip rap deflectors were installed. The knee-jerk reactions all over New England were understandable, but as TU members from the region were quick to point out, they were knee-jerk reactions, and they were inappropriate. In the long run, they probably did more harm than good.

This article from the Burlington Free Press talks about how some  efforts to fix streams in the White River watershed in Vermont made the drainage more susceptible to future problems, including big storm events and more flooding, which is predicted by climate scientists all over the world.

TU and its members have a long history of restoring degraded and damaged habitat, both from natural and man-made events. We know how to do it, and we know how to do it right. When the snow melts, and efforts begin again to fix the damage inflicted by nature, we urge a cautious, pragmatic approach with an eye to the future, and not just with trout or fishermen in mind. How we manage our rivers affects all of us, for generations to come. And TU and its members stand ready to help.

 

 

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Winter on the Water

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Chris Hunt

For many, fly fishing for trout in the winter means heading south … way south, as in Argentina or New Zealand. For the rest of us on realistic budgets, if we want to catch trout during the colder months, we have to bundle up.

Here in Idaho, winter fly fishing is a chilly endeavor, and proof that neoprene waders still serve a purpose. Throughout America’s trout country, fly fishing for trout during the winter months is more than doable with a few precautions and a somewhat steely constitution.

I hit the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River yesterday, and when I parked my truck at the river’s edge, the thermometer read an icy 16 degrees. This meant I’d be enduring a few challenges as the day went on, including:

  • Iced up guides
  • Icy fly line
  • A frozen reel
  • Cold feet and hands
  • Frigid water

While it would be easy to take these things for granted, preparing in advance is the key to making an outing like this all the more comfortable. For instance, when I hit the water during the colder months, I dress in layers, which allows me to remove or add clothing if the weather improves or gets worse.

Some other ideas to make winter fly fishing more enjoyable:

  • Neoprene waders (of course!)
  • Fingerless gloves
  • Wading boots, with studs (falling into an icy river is no fun, and can be very dangerous)
  • Good headwear
  • Sunscreen (even in winter, the sun still burns)
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Tenkara rod (no more iced up guides, and Tenkara USA is a 1% for the Planet contributor to TU!)

Don’t let cold weather push your fly fishing gear to the back of the closet. Just take some basic precautions, plan ahead and get out on the water. Chances are, you’ll be by yourself, and you might surprise yourself with the quality of fishing. Enjoy.

 

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