Flies, flies and more flies

I tie flies like I play guitar. Poorly. An occasional creation will resemble a known fly, and an even more occasional fly will fool a fish, but my skills as a tyer are limited. That may explain my fascination with really-good tyers—people who can create, with a combination of fur, wire, tinsel, and feathers, creations…

Measuring success in the West Branch Susquehanna watershed

By Shawn Rummel The West Branch Susquehanna drains an area of approximately 7,000 squares miles in north-central Pennsylvania, a watershed that’s double the size of Yellowstone National Park. Due to the large amount of public land in the basin —more than one-third is state forest, state park, or state game lands — it is a tremendous…

TU, partners and volunteers keep an eye on pipeline projects

By Jake Lemon Trout Unlimited and the WV Rivers Coalition are hosting a series of webinar trainings to support volunteer citizen scientists to conduct visual assessments to identify potential pollution events associated with pipeline development. This program will educate landowners, anglers, recreationists and concerned citizens on the erosion control best management practices used in pipeline…

Farm Bill programs making a difference in WVa

The author’s son, RJ, shows off a native brook trout from the restored stream on the family’s land. By Greg Hulver I come from a family of farmers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, specifically, the Cacapon River watershed. Long ago my family settled this area, and the land that we own has been…

Voices from the River: My broken heart …

By Rachel Andona My broken heart. Or broken arm. Same difference when your passion in life is fly fishing. But let me go back to that beautiful, refreshing morning. It was winter in the valley and it was Christmas Eve. With all of the stress that comes along with Christmas festivities I needed a break,…

Montanans back clean-water initiative for future mining

By Colin Cooney On Feb. 21, a clean-water initiative supported by a coalition of Montana conservation organizations, including Montana Trout Unlimited, was submitted to the Montana Secretary of State’s office. This initiative is simple. It’s about protecting Montana’s water, public health and Montana taxpayers from perpetual mine pollution and cleanup costs caused by new mines.…