In the upcoming fall 2010 issue of TROUT we have a story about Stefan McLeod who is standing up for the Paiute cutthroat, one of the rarest trout in North America. There is more to McLeod than his fishing talents and activism though, he proudly displays a variety of fly-fishing tattoos.
Here’s just one of McLeod’s tattoos, the TU fish logo.
We want to know if you have had your love of fishing permanently inked on. Send your photos to skinsella@tu.org then check back to see what others have done, including TU staff members! Also don’t forget to look for McLeod’s full story in the upcoming issue.
Last month, TU and Orvis teamed up to introduce thousands of new anglers to fly fishing through free fly-fishing classes every weekend in July. All told, 2,700 people—kids and adults alike—attended classes at over 100 Orvis retail stores and dealers to learn the sport from scratch or brush up on their skills.
Orvis’ Retail/Wholesale Marketing Manager Tory Myler credits TU volunteers for helping make the effort a success. “We hope that class attendees will not only enjoy the sport of fly fishing for years to come, but also get involved with TU’s critical conservation efforts around the country,” Myler said.
Trout Unlimited members know the value of recruiting new anglers to the sport. Whether they launch youth camps, facilitate Trout in the Classroom programs or host women’s fly fishing workshops, TUers reach out to potential new anglers because they know that protecting, reconnecting and restoring watersheds will mean little without more conservationists to sustain that work, especially in the future.
So, in the spirit of introducing more people to fly fishing, TU has partnered with Orvis to offer free fly-fishing lessons every Saturday in July. All a trout-bum wannabe need do is show up to a participating Orvis store or dealer–no money-spending necessary. Novice anglers will learn how to cast, tie knots and rig up their fly rods. Participants will also receive a free one-year TU membership (new members only) and a $15 Orvis savings card.
TU staffer Chris Anderson helped broker the joint effort. “Recruiting new anglers is crucial to TU’s vision to protect and restore coldwater fisheries in North America. The majority of TU members are avid fly fishers and we’re excited to help newcomers learn and enjoy the sport,” says Anderson.
So reserve a spot for your kids, your spouse, your in-laws, your neighbor or yourself. Remember: More anglers means more allies for coldwater conservation.
Wondering what’s in store for TU now that Chris Wood has taken over the helm as president and CEO? Check out the interview below to see Wood answer a few of Trout’s questions.
The Twin Cities Chapter was among the 2010 grant recipients.
As reported in the summer issue of Trout, TU’s Embrace-A-Stream committee awarded grants to 24 chapter projects in 14 states this year, totaling over $125,000 in restoration funding. Embrace-A-Stream has awarded nearly $4 million to grassroots projects since 1975. Check out the list of this year’s recipients, and make sure you donate to Embrace-A-Stream and apply for grant funding next year.
The TU annual meeting is only a few months away, so book your travel to Waterville Valley, N.H. for the Sept 15-19 meeting to make your voice heard. In addition to enjoying fishing days, the awards banquet and conservation tours of the Pemigewassett River and Nash Stream, you’ll also have the chance to give input on proposed changes to TU’s bylaws. So read up on the proposed amendments and register for the annual meeting today.
In the summer issue Stream Champion profile, you’ll read about an amazing TU volunteer in the Midwest: the Southeast Wisconsin Chapter’s Henry Koltz. What you won’t read much about–because we regrettably didn’t have the room in print–is just how much Henry’s wife, Amy, contributes to Henry’s volunteer work. Amy is often by Henry’s side at volunteer days, getting her hands dirty with the rest of the volunteers. Henry credits her as being his “rock.” And as such, the work she does is crucial to accomplishing TU’s mission on the ground.
And Amy Koltz isn’t the only one–we know there are countless women (and men) out there playing supportive roles to TU’s leaders. There are also those leading the charge, like TU staffer Beverly Lane, or Virginia’s Marcia Woolman, or Colorado’s Sharon Lance or Arkansas’ Kerri Russell. These are just a few of the women we’ve read about recently.
Who are the women that make your TU projects possible?
You read about acid rain’s persisting watershed damage in Chris Camuto’s column in the summer issue of Trout. Although some believe that acid rain isn’t as fashionable an issue as it once was, Camuto points out the lingering need for volunteer stream sampling and advocacy. Read Camuto’s past reporting on the subject in these 1991 and 1998 Trout magazine features.
The printed magazine will arrive in your mailboxes soon, but if you just can’t wait to read Rocky Barker’s story about the Idaho roadless rule or our Q&A with NOAA Fisheries leader Eric Schwaab, login and read the summer issue now.
The summer issue cover features a killer salmonflies shot captured by Bryan Gregson at Utah’s Thistle Creek. This is one of our favorite covers in recent memory.  What’s your favorite Trout magazine cover? If you need a refresher, check out the Trout online archives to see digital issues dating back to 2007.
Associate Editor Hannah Moulton Belec accepted the gold award for design excellence at the Excel Awards gala June 14 on behalf of the whole Trout team, which includes Editor Steve Kinsella and Art Director Jim Gray of GrayHouse Design. The annual Excel Awards are hosted by Association Media & Publishing to highlight the best and the brightest in association publishing. Trout competed among nearly 1,000 other entries, earning the top award for overall design excellence in the 100,000-plus subscribers category. Describing why they awarded gold in this category, the judges wrote, “This publication exemplifies the idea that magazines are pleasure vehicles. It’s inviting, from its cover to the photography and use of fonts and layout.”
“The magazine’s team is very proud of this award. It confirms what we have heard from the membership–that Trout is not only a valuable source of information, it is a highly enjoyable and visual read,” says Kinsella. Check out the list of award recipients here.
