Washington, D.C., is a long way from Dillingham, Alaska, but that’s where Triston Chaney spent his 19th birthday. Triston was among a group of commercial fishermen, lodge owners and outfitters who came back to the nation’s capital to discourage the EPA from permitting the proposed Pebble Mine in southwest Alaska. Over birthday cake at our…
Double dose: Volunteers plant riparian edges of two New York trout streams
The Trees for Tribs Program from New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation provides Trout Unlimited with bare root and potted trees to plant along trout streams. Being a stream guy, I had to take advantage of the offer, made possible by funding from the Arbor Day Foundation. Walking through the tree garden I had my…
When ‘fishing ain’t what it used to be’ is a good thing
The fishing ain’t what it used to be. We’ve all heard that familiar lament, usually uttered by an angler trudging back to the parking lot after getting skunked. As conservationists, we know it’s too often true. The losses of trout and salmon fisheries relative to their historic distribution are well known to all of us. But this…
Helping the Wood River to breathe
The room is full for the banquet. I first came across the Narragansett chapter of Trout Unlimited seven or eight years ago, when a few frustrated members contacted me and complained that the chapter was assisting the state in stocking over native fish in violation of TU policy. After a time, the chapter stopped, but…
High-sticking with an indicator
Indicator nymphing has long been an accepted method for reaching trout that are feeding throughout the water column. But not everybody employs the high-stick method when using an indicator, and they should. It really improves your chances. Above, Orvis’ Pete Kutzer demonstrates how to incorporate a high-stick method with a traditional indicator rig (not everybody…
Video spotlight: How to water haul
Throwing big streamers, heavy “hopper-dropper” rigs or multiple-nymph rigs can be a bear to cast. While a traditional cast can work, anglers open themselves up to potential errors—and potential tangles—if they’re not very careful casting these rigs. Video of Fly Casting | How to Water Haul Above, Pete Kutzer of Orvis demonstrates a super-simple method…
Highlights aplenty in New Hampshire in 2018
Trout Unlimited’s staff had a busy year in New Hampshire in 2018, spending some time monitoring previously completed projects, installing new projects, and evaluating opportunities for new projects in 2019 and 2020. From site visits, to completing field surveys, to conducting eight community workshops, TU staff did a little of everything in 2018. One major project that consumed a lot of hours for the…