Commission moves to formalize fracking prohibition in Delaware River basin

By Keith Curley The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has begun a rulemaking process to protect one of our most valuable fisheries from the impacts of hydraulic fracturing, formalizing a de facto moratorium in place since 2010. Across the country, Trout Unlimited advocates for responsible energy development, which involves protecting the highest quality habitats and…

Video spotlight: Fly Fishing Yamsi

Fly fishing spring creeks comes with its own challenges. Usually, the water is uber-clear—and if you can see the fish, they can probably see you, too. They require long, delicate casts, spot-on presentations and no small amount of luck, particularly in high sun. Video of Fly Fishing Yamsi – Oregon Spring Creek by Todd Moen…

30 Great Places: North Umpqua

Region: Pacific NorthwestActivities: FishingSpecies: Steelhead Where: The North Umpqua flows 110 miles from its headwaters in the Cascade Mountains (near Crater Lake National Park) to its confluence with the mainstem Umpqua west of Roseburg, in southwest Oregon. Of particular interest is the river’s fly-fishing-only water, beginning near Rock Creek and continuing 31 miles upstream. Why:…

Tough year for wildfires … and more to come

NASA satellite image showing smoke over of the Northwest as of Sept. 5. By Jack Williams This past winter was a wet one where I live in southwest Oregon. “Atmospheric rivers” brought record rain and snow storms to the region. We were not alone. Rains and snows drenched California and built big snowpacks in the…

Short casts: All about salmon…

Photo by Kyle Green, Idaho Statesman Welcome to the weekend edition of Short Casts, where today, it’s all about salmon and the many challenges facing their recovery in the Pacific Northwest. If you haven’t been following Rocky Barker’s summer-long series on salmon in the Idaho Statesman, you can still catch up with it and learn…

Voices from the River: Spawn ’til you die

By Eric Booton Chrome. Silver. Red gold. All the worthy descriptions of fresh, wild Alaska salmon imply monetary value, and for good reason. Here in Alaska, wild salmon attract tourists from around the world. These trusted fish provide employment for guides, commercial fishermen, processors, chefs, pilots and many others. In the final frontier, salmon, fortunately,…