Fall 2010

Who Needs a Warmup?

CCF Charter Member Peg Keller (shown here with a cutthroat caught on a CCF trip to the Madison) talks with her good friend and fellow CCF Board Member Gay Barclay about TU, fishing and how to engage more women in the sport. Read more. [2]

Vermont Bans Felt-Soled Waders and Boots

On May 29, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas signed H.488 into law, making Vermont the second state in the country to ban the use of felt-soled boots and waders. The new policy takes effect April 1, 2011. To find out more, contact TU's Dave Kumlien [3].

House Sees CLEAR to Protect Rivers

On July 30, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the CLEAR Act, which will help to ensure that energy development on public lands doesn't come at the cost of healthy rivers and streams. The bill requires developers to comply with provisions of the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act from which they had previously been exempted, and it includes $900 million in dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for acquisition of key fish and wildlife habitats. TU has pushed for these reforms for several years and will advocate strongly to get the bill through the Senate in 2011. Read more. [4]

Best Wild Places

TU and Field & Stream have teamed up to encourage America's hunters and anglers to explore six of the Best Wild Places [5] on public land in the West. All harbor fantastic fish and wildlife habitat, but face imminent threats from oil and gas drilling, development in roadless areas and reckless ORV use. Check them out on your next vacation - and then get involved in the effort to keep them wild and undeveloped.

Countdown Begins for Spread Creek Dam

Fish - and anglers - around Jackson Hole will have something extra to be thankful for this November: some 40-60 miles of new spawning and rearing habitat for Snake River fine spotted cutthroat trout in Grand Teton National Park. TU will remove the Spread Creek dam, replace it with fish-friendly rock weirs and irrigation water delivery structures, and then restore the stream channel. TU expects to break ground in late September. Check out the "before" pictures [6] or contact TU's Scott Yates [7] for more information.

Cast Your Vote for Trout in the Classroom

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Tom's of Maine is dividing a total of $100,000 among five non-profit organizations, and Trout in the Classroom [8] is among the finalists. Visit the Tom's of Maine website [9] every day through September 10 to cast your vote.

In Praise of the Surgeon's Knot

TU's Dave Kumlien, a 30-year veteran guide and outfitter, first learned the surgeon's knot from the legendary Al Troth. Twenty five years later, Dave's still hooked. Find out why. [10]

You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers.

Is there something you've wanted to know about TU's work? Now's your chance to find out. Send your question to Matt Braughler [11] and we'll answer it in a future issue of the Angler.