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Thanks for those who serve
I was in my 20s and working for the Bureau of Land Management when the second longest shutdown of the federal government occurred. It lasted three weeks and was punctuated by “a storm like no other,” so I spent much of the three weeks shoveling neighbors’ sidewalks and helping push out snowbound cars. When the…
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Photo of the week – salmon
Salmon are the lifeblood of numerous ecosystems.
Sockeye salmon in Alaska Salmon are the lifeblood of numerous ecosystems. Without them, our rivers would be less abundant, our forests barer, wildlife hungrier and our fishing less thrilling. Take a moment out to herald the salmon; from the sockeye to the mighty Chinook, to the chum and coho, and even the lowly pinks, these…
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The True Cast – The sensory rewards of Autumn
Enjoying a season through the senses
Fall has always been my favorite season. But years ago, I liked autumn most of all because it’s football season. And what’s more, the baseball playoffs happen! Even basketball and hockey get rolling. What more could anyone possibly ask for? Well… plenty, I guess. Enjoying a season through the senses Lately, I’ve learned to value…
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TROUT Tips – correct common casting mistakes
It’s all about the basics, the foundations, the fundamentals. If there are mistakes in your casting stroke, it’s best to fix them early. Watch as Orvis’ Pete Kutzer goes over the five most common casting mistakes and how to correct them. Getting these ironed out early is sure to make your fishing more enjoyable and…
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A record-breaking run
In honor of National Salmon Day, we are sharing stories from a part of the country where the ecological, economic and cultural importance of salmon cannot be overstated. Alaska’s famed Kenai River is a phenomenal fishing destination in any year, but 2025 was one for the record books. Over 4.2 million sockeye salmon returned to…
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A year after Helene, TU’s impact continues to resonate
Jay Hawthorne was enjoying a tour of a Kentucky bourbon trail with his wife and another couple when it became clear that Hurricane Helene was going to hit the inland Southeast. The group managed to make it back to Madison County, N.C., where Hawthorne and his wife watched the French Broad River rage from their…
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Bugs with Mags: Why aquatic insects deserve conservation attention
Rarely do people picture mayflies, caddisflies, riffle beetles or midges when they think about wildlife protection. But these tiny, stream-dwelling bugs are just as vital—and just as vulnerable.
My main advisor in graduate school at Colorado State University was Paul Opler. If you’ve ever used a Peterson Field Guide to butterflies, you’ve probably seen his name. Paul was a giant in entomology. But one of the most impactful things he did was become the first entomologist hired by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife…