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The Journal of Coldwater Fisheries Conservation www.tu.org WINTER 2015

22 l Watersheds Uncertain Weather, Uneasy Seasons: Angling the Anthropocene. BY CHRISTOPHER CAMUTO 24 l Blue Lines Cycle. BY TOM REED 26 l When the Dam is Done… What Happens Next? BY NATE SCHWEBER 34 l Jersey Natives BY JOE CERMELE 40 l Past Perfect: On the St. Regis BY CHRISTOPHER CAMUTO 48 l Beyond the Lines BY CHRIS SANTELLA 58 l Voices from the River Big Bows… and Slobbering Lake Monsters BY NELLI WILLIAMS

s 6 l From the CEO 8 l From the Editor 10 l Our Contributors 12 l Our Readers Write 14 l Pocket Water Wild Steelhead Initiative; Women in TU, Stomach Pumps and Trout, Disabled Veterans and Fly Fishing; epartment Landlocked Salmon Surprise. D 65 l Actionline National Conservation Award Winners; Fly Fishing Film Tour; Fly Fishing at Lehigh University; Hatchery Creek Project; Single-Fly events; Stream Champion Marie Belcastro, and more. 72 l The Art of Angling The Traditional Dry Fly. BY DAVE WHITLOCK 80 l Classics Case’s Fly Fishing Knife. BY PAUL BRUUN

On the Cover: Henry's Fork River, Idaho, by Bryan Gregson JAMES NELSON/MTNSPORTSPHOTO.COM JAMES

South Fork of the Snake River, Idaho

Chairman of the Board National Leadership Council Jim Asselstine, TYLER HILL, PENNSYLVANIA Representatives State Council Chairs

Chairman of Chair ARIZONA, Bob Youtz National Leadership Council Mick McCorcle ARKANSAS, Bill Thorne CALIFORNIA Mick McCorcle, FAIRVIEW, TEXAS Secretary , John Sikora COLORADO, Rick Matsumoto Paul Doscher President/Chief Executive Officer CONNECTICUT, Jim Glowienka ARIZONA, Joe Miller GEORGIA, Carl Riggs Chris Wood, WASHINGTON, D.C. ARKANSAS, Kerri Russell IDAHO, Loren Albright CALIFORNIA, Brian Hines ILLINOIS, Ed Michael Secretary COLORADO, Tom Jones IOWA, Brett Lorenzen PALO ALTO , CALIFORNIA Mark Gates, CONNECTICUT, Bill Lanzoni KENTUCKY, Lee Squires GEORGIA, Mack Martin MAINE, Donald Abbott Treasurer IDAHO, Chris Jones MASSACHUSETTS/RHODE ISLAND, John Troiano Barrett Toan, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO ILLINOIS, Barry Coddens MICHIGAN, John Walters IOWA, Ryan Maas MID-ATLANTIC, Don Haynes Secretary of the KENTUCKY, Gene Slusher MINNESOTA, JP Little National Leadership Council MAINE, David Van Burgel OZARK (MISSOURI,) John Wenzlick MASSACHUSETTS/RHODE ISLAND, Arthur Howe Paul Doscher, MEQUON, WISCONSIN MONTANA, Doug Haacke MICHIGAN, David Smith NEW HAMPSHIRE, Thomas Ives Chairman of the Board, Ex-Officio MID-ATLANTIC, Noel Gollehon NEW JERSEY, Rich Thomas MINNESOTA, Steve Carlton NEW MEXICO, Arnold Atkins Jon Christiansen, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN OZARK (MISSOURI,) Jeff Witten NEW YORK, Ron Urban MONTANA, Dan Short NORTH CAROLINA, Jim Mabrey Legal Advisor NEW HAMPSHIRE, March McCubrey OHIO, Tom Allen GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA David D. Armstrong, Esq., NEW JERSEY, David King INDIAN NATIONS (OKLAHOMA,) David Games NEW MEXICO, Frank Weissbarth OREGON, Terry Turner Trustees NEW YORK, Roger Olson PENNSYLVANIA, Brian Wagner NORTH CAROLINA, John Kies SOUTH CAROLINA, Jim Hopkins Kai Anderson, WASHINGTON, D.C. OHIO, James Geary TENNESSEE, Dick Geiger Nick Babson, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS INDIAN NATIONS (OKLAHOMA,) Chuck Kaminski TEXAS, Mark Dillow Trout Unlimited Board of TrusteesTrout Unlimited Board of John Braico, M.D., QUEENSBURY, NEW YORK OREGON, Kyle Smith UTAH, Jeff Taniguchi Sherry Brainerd, RANCHO SANTA FE, CALIFORNIA PENNSYLVANIA, Monty Murty VERMONT, Clark Amadon SOUTH CAROLINA, Malcolm Leaphart VIRGINIA, Graham Simmerman Charlie Breithaupt, CLAYTON, GEORGIA TENNESSEE, Steve Brown WASHINGTON, Rosendo Guerrero Stoney Burke, KETCHUM, IDAHO TEXAS, Rafael Torres WEST VIRGINIA, Lee Orr Valerie Colas-Ohrstrom, NEW YORK, NEW YORK UTAH, Paul Holden WISCONSIN, Henry Koltz Mike Dombeck, STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN VERMONT, Raymond Obar WYOMING, Calvin Hazlewood VIRGINIA, Jack Ward Bill Egan, JACKSON, WYOMING WASHINGTON, Tim Gavin Scott Hood, BROKEN ARROW, OKLAHOMA WEST VIRGINIA, Phil Smith Richard Johnson, WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA WISCONSIN, Bill Heart Howard Kern, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA WYOMING, Jim Broderick Nancy Mackinnon, MANCHESTER CENTER, VERMONT Walt Minnick, CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND Coldwater Conservation Fund Board of Directors 2015 Dan Needham, WINNETKA, ILLINOIS Ken Olivier, HILLSBOROUGH, CALIFORNIA Officers Michael Gerber Mark Ullman Larry Harris Daniel Plummer, EAST BRANCH, NEW YORK Stephen Moss Steven Gewirz Paul Vahldiek Steve Strandberg CHAIRMAN David Groff Henry Wendt Chris Wood Kevin Reilly, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO Hamilton James Charles Johnson Alexander Wiegers Thomas Stoddard, LONDON, ENGLAND Director Emeritus VICE CHAIRMAN Stephan Kiratsous Kirk Wortman Steve Strandberg, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA Brian Kraft Gay Barclay James Kelley Advisory John Howard Mark Taylor, TULALIP, WASHINGTON Jeffrey Morgan SECRETARY Edmond Opler, Jr. John McCosker Margaret Keller Raiford Trask, WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA Perk Perkins Whitney Tilt Thomas Offutt, III Directors Dan Vermillion, LIVINGSTON, MONTANA Leigh Seippel Steven Renkert Ex-Officio Jim Walker, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA Doug Biederbeck Jeffrey Smith Thomas Stoddard John Bell, Jr. Jim Asselstine Robert Teufel John Willis, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Robert Strawbridge Philip Belling Margaret Taylor Jon Christiansen Daniel Zabrowski

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TROUT WINTER 2015 4

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From the President WINTER 2015 • VOLUME 57 • NUMBER 1 [ Chris Wood] EDITOR Kirk Deeter DEPUTY EDITOR Samantha Carmichael EDITOR-AT-LARGE We See Opportunity Erin Block Trout Unlimited The great conservationist and occasional angler, Aldo Leopold, 1777 North Kent Street wrote: “One of the penalties of an ecological education is that Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22209 one lives alone in a world of wounds.” Many in the business Ph: (703) 522-0200 of conservation know this too well, and sometimes give in to Fax: (703) 284-9400 [email protected]______defeatism or a sense of inevitability about environmental deg- www.tu.org

radation. However, Trout Unlimited members and supporters DESIGN are different. Where others see decline, we see opportunity. grayHouse design I thought of Leopold’s words when one of our staff in [email protected] Pennsylvania sent me a note describing how after 16 years of work with countless partners DISPLAY ADVERTISING Tim Romano we now have spawning brook trout in six miles of streams that were previously dead [email protected]______because of acid mine drainage. Wounds can heal. (303) 495-3967 Down the spine of the Appalachians, TU staff and volunteers scored another major TROUT UNLIMITED’S MISSION: victory for using sound science to manage our public land resources. Public lands are To conserve, a birthright of every citizen and while we support responsible energy development, we protect and restore North want it done in a way that protects trout and water resources. That’s the result of a recent America’s decision on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia, which coldwater fisheries and their harbor 60 percent of the best remaining brook trout habitat in the state. The decision watersheds. will protect all but 10,000 acres of the forests from energy development. Trout (ISSN 0041-3364) is TU staff and members carry with them a sense of optimism and faith in a better published four times a year in future. Through our actions, we make the world a better place. That sense of confi- January, April, July and October by Trout Unlimited as a service dence in the future drives the recently launched Wild Steelhead Initiative which will to its members. Annual individual membership for U.S. residents help us protect, reconnect and restore steelhead and their watersheds while educating, is $35, $40US for residents of organizing and mobilizing our grassroots as a force for steelhead conservation. Canada and $55US for residents of all other countries. TU offers 10 Finally, the success of a settlement on the Roan Plateau in Colorado is a good example different membership categories. of how we stick to issues for the long haul. For over a decade, TU staff and volunteers Join or renew online at www.tu.org. TU does occasionally make its fought to protect the Roan—one of the few places where genetically pure Colorado mailing list available to like-minded cutthroat trout remain. A settlement we reached with an energy company will allow organizations. Please contact us at the address above if you would for judicious energy development while protecting the best remaining habitat for fish like your name withheld. and wildlife. Postmaster send address The common thread that binds our work, and binds us to one another, is our changes to: unshakable faith that together we can take specific and decisive action to help recover Trout Magazine Trout Unlimited damaged lands and waters. These rivers and streams that we love to fish give us so much 1777 North Kent Street Suite 100 joy, and by giving a small amount back we can ensure they always will. Arlington, VA 22209

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TROUT WINTER 2015 6

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From the Editor [ Kirk Deeter] Double Down An angler can often find great satisfaction when looking back at the past season. Maybe you caught that fish you have been chasing for years, and maybe you ticked off a “bucket list” trip to a place you dreamed about. I had an amazing 2014 angling-wise, if only because I got to fulfill a lifelong dream of casting to—and catching—wild steelhead on the Dean River in British Columbia. Likewise, TU enjoyed some great progress in 2014, from Bristol Bay in Alaska, to Kettle Creek in Pennsylvania, to the Roan Plateau in Colorado, and even the launch of an ambitious Wild Steelhead Initiative in the Pacific Northwest. But we’ve just really started… again. You see, I think the thing that has always—and will always—drive fly anglers, is the wonder of what’s lurking around that next bend in the river. After you release a trout, how long does it typically take you to make the next cast? Seconds? That’s what I thought. My wife might describe that as attention deficit hyperac- tivity disorder or ADHD. I call it fly-fishing passion. Great anglers really aren’t measured by what they have already caught, rather, what they think they can catch, and how much they commit themselves to doing so. As we embark upon another angling year, I do hope you take time to reflect and give thanks, and appreciate all that happened last year. But I also want you to double down, and commit yourself to making even better things happen next year. Because you can.

QUESTION: So how do you reel-in a ﬁsh when you have no reel?

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TROUT WINTER 2015 8

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9 TROUT WINTER 2015

Christopher Camuto is our “Watersheds” columnist who, from time to time, also kicks in a stellar feature for TROUT. He teaches at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.

Joe Cermele has the best job in the world: He is the fishing editor for Field & Stream, meaning he travels the country fishing, writing, and making “Hook Shots” videos for the world’s leading outdoors magazine. Our Contributors

Chris Santella is the author of Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die (and the other Fifty Places books on golfing, sailing, and drinking beer, etc.). He is a frequent contributor to the New York Times.

Nate Schweber wrote our moving tribute to the late Dr. Robert Behnke. He is also a contributor to the New York Times, and the author of Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park: An Insider’s Guide to the 50 Best Places.

ENSURE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THOSE WHO SHARE YOUR PASSION KEN GABLES

Making a simple gift in your will to Trout Unlimited comes with numerous beneﬁ ts besides knowing that you are helping to protect trout, salmon, and clean water for future generations. Learn more by visiting tu.org/giftplanning or contact Anderson Smith at [email protected].______

TROUT WINTER 2015 10

Our Readers Write

gling fish can indeed cause injury. Additionally, I view it as a great injustice to remove food a trout expended energy accumulation over a period of time, bit by bit, to sustain itself. This is especially true at times when food is not plentiful. I regard anyone using a stomach pump a “robber” who places his personal gain over the health and welfare of the fish.” Andrew A. Gennaro TU Life Member Hamburg, N.J.

successful on brookies, rainbows, Thank you, Dave Whitlock for your browns, cutthroat, golden, darling excellent article on classical wet and whitefish. flies. I am a third generation wet There is only one item I mildly fly fisherman raised and trained in disagree with from Mr. Whitlock’s the Adirondack Mountains of New article. That is the categorizing of York. My grandfather (1876-1939) the wet flies as “attractor traditional taught himself fly fishing on the winged” and “realistic traditional waters of the Chateaugay River in winged.” In my experience the dif- New York. He, in turn, taught my ferentiation is predicated upon the father (1913-2005), who in turn brightness of colors. I have found taught me. I never attempted dry fly all these patterns equally productive. fishing until I was in my late twen- Want to write for TROUT? Herbert W. Stoughton Great, but please keep in mind ties. To this day, I wet fly fish over Cheyenne, Wyoming that TROUT does not accept 90 percent of the time. Dave did unsolicited manuscripts. Before omit four patterns, which I consider you write that story in full, send equals to the very fine list he chose: us a short query letter that cap- Kudos to Robert Younghanz, “The tures what your piece will be White Miller, the White-Winged Bug Guy,” for his common sense about. If we think it will work, Coachman, the Coachman (without stand on stomach pumps in the Fall we will assign it to you, and any wings) and the Lady Beaverkill 2014 issue of TROUT. Not everyone specify a length that fits neatly (with egg sac). All of these are classic within the magazine. If you have is gentle enough to use a stomach questions, contact editor Kirk northeast United States and eastern pump and shoving all that rigid Deeter at [email protected]. Canadian patterns. They have been tube down the throat of a strug- my standards here in Wyoming since I arrived in 1980. As a matter of fact, I invariably use two flies, Your Letters: with the Montreal being my bottom Readers are invited to submit letters on anything that appears in Trout. fly. Even with sub-freezing tem- We may edit submissions for clarity or length. Send letters to: peratures in early January, I have Our Readers Write found the cautious brown trout take TROUT UNLIMITED • 1300 N. 17th St., Suite 500• Arlington, VA 22209-3801

wet flies. These patterns have been [email protected]______

TROUT WINTER 2015 12

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Pocket Water news bits and bytes

TU Launches Wild Steelhead Initiative There’s something a little different ambitious project to rebuild wild about steelheaders. steelhead in their native rivers with its Something a little off. Something Wild Steelhead Initiative and associ- a little... strange, a little deep, a little ated group, Wild Steelheaders United. hard-headed. The brain-child of Rob Masonis, A little wonderful. Western Conservation Vice President They’re not your average courter for TU and a devoted steelheader, the of trout. They don’t care if it’s sunny initiative seeks to put that stubborn- or windy or raining or snowing or ness—that steelheadedness—to work sleeting. Or freezing. They don’t care for the fish. if their socks match. Or if they’ve “We are so meticulous about every showered recently. Like chukar hunt- other aspect of steelhead fishing, down ers and inveterate gamblers, they to the casts we make, the gear we use greatest if we have the backing of as have a deep-rooted sense that chances and the knots we tie. But we, avid many anglers as possible across all are fleeting. And one might be just steelhead anglers are not focused on the Pacific states. This is why Wild around the next bend in the river. the most important aspect of this elu- Steelheaders United, this coming They know each fish, each bet won sive fish—that they’re in trouble and together under one banner, is so at the end of a line, be it 10 casts or need our help. Now is the time to critical.” a thousand, is an improbable gift. restore wild steelhead,” Masonis says. The Initiative and associated group, A chance to come upon something “Chances of conservation success are Wild Steelheaders United, is a new, lovely and fine—a conundrum for organized way for anglers to become scientists, a chrome-colored siren for informed about steelhead science and anglers. management, and to take actions While it is the siren’s call that that will have a real, positive draws them in, it is the diffi- impact on the future of wild cultly in pursuit that forges steelhead. What members a stubbornness and bold- of Wild Steelheaders ness unmatched among United share in com- anglers, a steelheaded- mon is a passion for ness. A way of life. wild steelhead and Problem is, wild a desire to rebuild steelhead popula- wild steelhead pop- tions aren’t what ulations to provide they used to be. sustainable angling Today, 70 per- opportunities long cent of the major into the future. steelhead popula- “While the tions in Oregon, Initiative is a new Idaho, Washington project for TU, work and California require on steelhead conserva- federal protection, and tion is not,” Masonis says. opportunities to catch wild “TU has been working to steelhead have diminished improve steelhead habitat for dramatically in many rivers. years and has invested millions In November, TU launched an of dollars and countless staff and

TROUT WINTER 2015 14

volunteer hours to do so. This new venture is a way to bring it all together—to improve not only habitat, but also management to take full advantage of those habitat investments. We are inviting all types of steelhead anglers—and we mean all types—together to do something big and meaningful. We’re tired of old divisions, politics and misinformation getting in the way of progress. It’s time we advance science-based management and bring these wild fish back. Abundant wild steelhead are the key to quality steelhead fisheries.” John McMillan, science director for the Steelhead Initiative, says the first steps are to inform steelhead anglers and fish managers about the latest science and to put that knowledge to work on the ground. “After more than a century of habitat degradation, some rivers are simply too damaged to support abundant, fishable wild steelhead and it may be appropriate to have well-managed hatcheries on those rivers. But many rivers still have the potential to support robust wild steelhead populations, and the evidence overwhelm- ingly supports focusing on rebuilding wild steelhead in those systems to achieve both conservation goals and provide fishing opportunity.” “We steelheaders have waited long passion and commitment as anglers McMillan notes that “steelhead are enough to reverse the downward trend into real conservation gains. Wild incredibly resilient” but warns that we of wild steelhead,” McMillan says. steelhead cannot wait for providence need to act now before that resiliency “We have waited long enough to put or government any longer. Now it is is lost. We don’t want the story of wild forth an organized and utterly focused up to us.” steelhead to follow the same script as grassroots effort to bring back the wild —Shauna Sherard Atlantic salmon, cod and tuna. steelhead. It is time to translate our

15 TROUT WINTER 2015

Planning Your Future?

Including Trout Unlimited in your estate plans is one of the most simple ways to make a lasting impact for the resources and traditions you value. Visit tu.org/giftplanning to learn how to make TU a beneficiary of your will, trust, life insurance policy, or retirement plan. No amount is too small to better the future of trout, salmon and clean water.

For more information: [email protected] | tu.org/giftplanning | (703) 284-9421 JOSHUA DUPLECHIAN JOSHUA

Pocket Water

free memberships at a women’s fish- Chapters Key Effort to Bring More Women Members ing event at a local fly shop and also at a fly-fishing film festival. A com- This past spring, TU offered free wom- April. She wrote articles in newslet- mon theme consistent with all of the en’s memberships during a member- ters and continues to keep the women chapters includes first reaching out to ship drive and over 2,500 new women informed on events through emails. women at various events followed with joined TU! As an incentive for chapters Mary provides us with an excellent communication of chapter activities. to recruit new women members, mon- example on what the WI Chair at The Women’s Initiative is a work- etary awards were given to the chapters the chapter level can accomplish. For group of the National Leadership who placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd during more information on this board posi- Council of TU. The primary goal this membership drive. Since this drive tion, please look in the Tackle Box on of this workgroup is to help chapters was so successful, plans are underway to the national website under Women increase membership among women, offer a similar drive this coming spring. in TU. retain these members and facilitate The chapter who won the top prize The Madison-Gallatin, Mont. the development of women leaders is Chapter 211 from Southcentral chapter #024 won third place. in TU. For more information on Alaska. This is a new chapter and Chapter president, Mark Peterson, the Women’s Initiative, contact Kerri was chartered only 18 months ago. contributes their success to offering Russell at [email protected].______President Brook Freyer shared that chapter members promoted the women’s free membership at a number of events in the Anchorage area including a large sportsman show and several film showing events. But the big push came when a popular local female fly-fishing guide, Ceclia “Pudge” Kleinkauf, presented at a chapter meeting on Women in TU. There was a great turnout, in fact, more women were in attendance than men and many signed up for memberships that night. Freyer reported how important the increased women members are now to the chapter. On a recent bank restoration project, the majority of TU volunteers that participated were women. The Guadalupe Chapter 066 in Texas got the 2nd prize. Chapter president Mark Dillow gives the credit to their new Women’s Initiative Chair, Mary Huett. Mary hit the road running first offering the free memberships at a booth at their main fundraiser, Troutfest. She and her committee delivered flyers and business cards to numerous outfitters and retail shops in Texas and presented at other fly fishing clubs on the Women’s Initiative at TU. Mary arranged for a female guide to give a casting clinic

for women at the chapter meeting in / ALASKASTOCK HAGE © MATT COPYRIGHT

17 TROUT WINTER 2015

Pocket Water

are better options available to us and, more importantly, for the trout. There must be a better way than to shove a turkey baster down a trout’s throat, and sucking out all its hard- earned food just so we can match up our flies to what it consumed for dinner the night before. Sadly, the “culture of convenience” that permeates all of society has inevitably extended its tentacles into the world of fly fishing in countless ways; my goodness, how many more variations on vests, waist packs, chest packs, sling packs and lanyards do we need? While using a stomach pump is most certainly a better option than killing the trout and cutting open its stomach to have a peek inside, I would argue not by much. And I still consider it cheating. Yes, I often hear, “If it’s “done right” it’s not a harmful to the fish.” This is simply not true. For every step we add that keeps a trout from being returned to the water as quickly and with much urgency as possible, the more trout we kill. End of discussion. It’s really a no-brainer; simple intuition tells us that removing the food from a trout’s belly is a bad thing and it is completely unnecessary for a successful day out on the water. Furthermore, even if

BARRY & CATHY BECK & CATHY BARRY performing this horribly invasive procedure did not raise mortality Stomach Pumps and the Culture rates in trout brought to hand, I say, who cares? I’ve no doubt that my of Convenience gastroenterologist has been trained By Robert “The Bug Guy” Younghanz in how to properly and efficiently perform a colonoscopy on me, but For some reason unbeknownst to me, I received an over- it still sucks and unfortunately, must be done. There are whelming amount of feedback to my last article in which I no other options. Here’s the good news, IT’S ALL RIGHT mentioned the use of stomach pumps. With this in mind, I THERE… in front of you, behind you, above you and thought it would be a beneficial to address the topic in a bit under your feet. The first rule of fly fishing is to be an more detail… observer; take the time and become one. I would never deny that examining gut content of trout through the use of a stomach pump can yield some insight Robert Younghanz, a.k.a The Bug Guy, is an internationally known fly-fishing into what trout are keying in on. The question is whether guide and instructor. Check out Robert’s best selling DVD set: The Bug Guy: pumps should be used regardless of the information they Entomology for the Fly Fisher at www.the-bug-guy.com help us extract (pun intended) and whether or not there

TROUT WINTER 2015 18

Shops We Like…

ne of the great fly-fishing success New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife This is a team effort. Everyone here has Ostories in America is in New Jersey. and New Jersey Highlands Coalition to fund a role, but they’re all united by a common So is one of America’s great fly shops. Les and carry out a host of great projects. In vision. Both Brian and Jim contributed to Shannon established Shannon’s Fly and addition, they have involved larger regional the recently released Top 50 Places To Fly Tackle in Califon, N.J., in 1973. From the organizations such as Friends of the Upper Fish in the Northeast. As a columnist for beginning, his intent was to serve his cus- Delaware and the William Penn Foundation. the local magazine, Black River Journal, Jim tomers with the best knowledge, flies, tying Key to these projects is Shannon’s Head frequently publicizes local conservation materials and products possible. Always a Guide Brian Cowden. news. His goal is that like-minded readers man ahead of his time, Les was a lifelong Brian has been an active angler since the will want to be TU members and work to “student of the game,” a catch-and-release age of four and a fly angler since the age protect coldwater resources in the Upper angler and innovative fly tier. He not only of seven. This lifelong conservationist has Delaware region. This sort of above-and- understood entomology and conserva- been active in a host of causes related to beyond-the-call effort is one of the things tion, but he had a vision for the future of New Jersey’s outdoors. He currently serves that sets Shannon’s apart, and it’s the very conservation in New Jersey. Les established as TU Coordinator for the Musconetcong thing that has made fly fishing in New Jersey an ethic and an approach in his shop that Home Rivers Initiative in New Jersey. This such a resounding success. continues today. initiative is designed to work closely with If you haven’t fished in New Jersey, you The commitment to “boots on the landowners and non-profits along with local, should. And if you’re going to fish in New ground” conservation is one of the things state and federal agencies that defines TU, and it’s what makes to protect and restore the Shannon’s a Gold Level TU Business mem- beautiful Musconetcong ber. Grassroots conservation leaders like River and its tributaries in Jim Holland, George Cassa, Eric Hildebrant the 158-square-mile water- and the staff at Shannon’s, have worked shed that drains into the with the local Ken Lockwood Chapter and Delaware River. But Brian the New Jersey Council and partners like hasn’t been alone in his the Raritan Headwaters Association, the efforts.

Jersey, you need to stop in at Shannon’s Fly and Tackle. You’ll find everything you need in the way of gear, advice and instruction. But before long, you’ll find yourself captivated by their commitment to conservation.

Shannon’s Fly and Tackle Shop Jim Holland, Eric Hildebrant, George Cassa Califon, NJ 07830 (908) 832-5736

[email protected]______www.shannonsflytackle.com______

19 TROUT WINTER 2015

Pocket Water

northeast Tennessee tailwater river known for its large and abundant trout. Bryan Ulrich, Lodge Director, said “It’s hard to put into to words the satisfaction we get by seeing these Vets enjoy themselves fishing and learning the skills of fly fishing.” Fluor Corporation, a major world-wide engineering, construction and project services company, was approached about a year ago and asked to provide par- tial funding for a statewide fly fishing instruction program for disabled veterans in South Carolina through TU. Working with Cheryl Smith, Fluor’s Senior Manager Nate Moore and Charlie Pannell of Community Affairs in

PHOTOS BY GORDON ANDERSON BY PHOTOS Greenville, S.C., TU State Council Chairman Jim Hopkins submitted a grant Disabled Veterans Find Peace in Fly Fishing proposal that resulted in Fluor funding and providing “I just caught my first trout on a River Chapter) organized and headed volunteer participation for outings, fly fly rod,” said Nate Moore, retired up this outing and are responsible fishing training and a family apprecia- marine and disabled veteran, while for the mentoring of these veterans tion picnic for veterans of these TU on an August weekend TU-Project who had never fly fished before. chapters. (Fluor has also funded six Healing Waters fly-fishing outing on They, along with other TU chapter new Trout In The Classroom proj- Tennessee’s South Holston River. volunteers, conduct these chapters’ ects in South Carolina in the past two Nate served tours in Iraq in 2006 Project Healing Waters fly-fishing years.) Additional funds were raised and in Afghanistan in 2010, and is programs. Each group holds meet- through TU chapter donations. currently a health care liaison for the ings bi-monthly in their cities where Anderson explains: “This pro- VA to the Greenville Health System, veterans are taught fly-fishing basics, gram helps wounded veterans on the and works on outreach for Upstate fly tying and rod building, along with road to recovery. I am thankful for Warriors Solution. opportunities to participate in five to the TU volunteers that help make “When I knew I was going on six annual fly-fishing outings on local this program possible and the Fluor this outing, I remembered I had my and out of state streams. Currently Corporation for their support. I feel grandfather’s bamboo rod from the over 25 veterans are involved in these we get as much, if not more than 1930s in my attic. So, I took it along two programs. the veterans out of mentoring and and caught my first ever trout on The River’s Way Fishing Club helping them to look beyond their it. What a great feeling,” said Bryan in Bluff City, Tenn., provided the injuries, while nurturing and help- Tolar, veteran and current reserve accommodations, three local fishing ing them build confidence in a new Army Captain from Columbia, S.C. guides with boats and access to the therapeutic hobby of fly fishing.” TU’s chapter PHW volunteer lead- club’s private water for this outing. Simons Welter, president of the ers Gordon Anderson of Greenville The lodge is an Appalachian style Greenville TU chapter said: “ How (Mountain Bridge Chapter) and log cabin that sleeps 20 and sits on can we not help the disabled veter- John Butler of Columbia (Saluda the South Holston River, the famous ans when we sit in the safety of our

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homes, knowing these soldiers were away from their families and loved ones, on our behalf, on the front lines, putting their lives on the line for our freedom.” Charlie Parnell, retired Army Sargent from Anderson, S.C., with three tours in Iraq said: “I never felt less in control of my life as when I arrived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2008 after sustaining major leg injuries,” which resulted in a prosthet- ic replacement.“It‘s through events like my time on Charlie Pannell, Nate Moore and Brandon Anderson the South Holston River,” he contin- In the last evening stories and building positive memories ued, “that fly fishing after dinner, sitting that help sooth the pain and thoughts has allowed me to around the fire pit, of the past. As the coals and embers regain more control the group reflected slowly died in the fire pit, the conver- over my thoughts on the days’ fishing, sation moved toward planning the next and life. Any day the beauty and peace- fly-fishing adventure.New streams, fishing on a river is fulness of their sur- improved skills, bigger fish and fond a good day. The pain goes away and roundings and the freedom of no memories with new fly-fishing friends. for a while and I am able to be one cellphone service. It was a time of This was a good weekend for peace of with nature.” sharing laughs, missed fish, heart felt mind and the soul.

Hatchery-reared spring Chinook salmon from the Willamette River are stocked into numerous reservoirs in western Oregon to provide additional fishing opportunities. Because these fish do not have access to the ocean, biologists assumed that the fish could not develop natural spawning runs. Well, think again. In response to reports of wild (non-fin clipped) salmon spawning above Oregon’s Green Peter Landlocked Salmon Reservoir, biologists were surprised to find an adfluvial Yield Surprise population, where Chinook reared in the reservoir success- fully spawned in an upstream tributary. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife staff documented this first-ever adfluvial Chinook population that developed from a stocked Chinook salmon in Oregon. Of course, this would be nothing new to salmon anglers in the Great Lakes, where salmon run from the lakes into streams to spawn. Nonetheless, this demonstrates the remarkable adaptability of salmon to survive in places where they were not expected to have a chance. It’s a good reason to be hopeful for the future. —Jack Williams, TU’s Senior Scientist North American Journal of Fisheries Management 2014. 34:885-891. doi: 10.1080/02755947.2014.923073 NEWS FROM THE WORLD THE WORLD NEWS FROM OF FISHERIES SCIENCE. REEL SCIENCE

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Watersheds [ by Christopher Camuto] Uncertain Weather, Uneasy Seasons: Angling the Anthropocene

MOST ANGLERS PRIDE THEMSELVES any day of fishing will come up against environmental problem of air pol- on taking the weather as they find it. the way things are, the way nature is. lution and its obvious ill-effects has For centuries fishermen have enjoyed We fish for that connection with the reached a scale where the effects of the natural variation of the seasons as unspoiled essences of nature—wild chemical changes in the atmosphere the year makes its round through the trout, free-flowing rivers, any turn have morphed into the complex global middle latitudes. Indeed, an ambi- of season. The psyche of the angler is phenomenon of climate change. Bill tious angling life is an exploration of laminated with annular rings as surely McKibben’s landmark The End of Nature the deep ecology of the seasons from as the trunks of alders, hemlock and first broached this compelling subject a fisherman’s point of view. Any day’s river birch. For most of human history, for a lay audience in 1988. The upshot weather is just the leading edge of the anglers have not had to give the seasons is that for the last quarter century we natural processes that effortlessly teach and the weather a second thought. have angled through a sea-change in us our lessons in the nature of nature, We learned some time in grade the history of life on Earth, a profound the same processes that gave us rivers school that the tilt of the earth on its change in atmospheric chemistry and fish in the first place. axis, combined with an elliptical orbit brought on by the Industrial Revolution We can look back on a year of fishing around the sun, creates the predictable and the burning of fossil fuels for two to find those angling days that were a unpredictability of the seasons we come centuries, practices that, in retrospect, perfect embodiment of what we love to enjoy as anglers. That lesson was an were unlikely not to have large-scale about weather and seasons. There are early gift to our understanding from environmental costs.1 the it days, days that perfectly embody modern science, which from the 18th Most of us are aware that rising the calendar feel of angling: an autumn century, at least, has proven a rather concentrations of CO2 and other so- day all color and breeze, a leaf-strewn river hustling around the knees; a fair spring day on the best early-season For most of human history, anglers have not had to pool we know; an endless summer give the seasons and the weather a second thought. evening on a spring creek; a sullen winter day, overcast with low odds TIM ROMANO and low expectations. Just as fine are useful means for understanding the called greenhouse gases have altered the days that work against the grain of the world we live in. It feels odd to have chemistry of the earth’s atmosphere. year—casting dry flies on the bright to point that out, but science and the How could they not? Those changes in waters of a January thaw, high-sticking scientific method are on trial in our turn have had complex effects on that the prolonged high flows of a cold own time and scientific theory inad- fundamental relationship between the wet spring, searching for the hidden vertently misunderstood or deliberately sun and the earth we learned about in chances of thin summer water, lucking misrepresented in some quarters. grade school—the absorption, reflec- into the late-season hatches of a warm But in our historical moment, the tion and transfer of thermal energy autumn with good flows. weather and the seasons have become on the surface of our planet and in So much of the pleasure of angling is suspect in a way they never were before, the oceans, where a good deal of that triggered by our chance to respond, in and can no longer be assumed to rep- thermal transfer takes place in critical temperament and tactic, to the regular resent an instructive and pleasurable ways that are not yet fully understood. irregularity of the seasons, accepting expression of the nature of nature. Climate and weather, the seasons that what we expect and want out of What was at first the conventional themselves, are not what they were for

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great changes. As I write this column, CO2 concentrations stand at 395.28 ppm, 40 percent above pre-industrial levels. NASA has just announced the first six months of 2014 as the warm- est year, globally, on record (dating to 1880), land ice in western Antarctica has entered an irreversible melt cycle, methane releases from thawing tundra in the arctic threatens to exacerbate greenhouse effects, bird populations and distributions fluctuate chaotically, unheard of concentrations of walruses gather onshore in Alaska in the absence of sea ice as polar bears and grizzly bears confront a changed landscape. This may be more distress than the average angler wants to think about on any given day, but the scene of our angling will not escape what is happening now. Izaak Walton enjoyed his angling in the shadow of the violence of the English Civil War, the troubling backdrop to his bucolic escape, the largely unseen impetus for his retreat into nature and his absorption in angling. We now face a more exquisite problem—whether we like it or not, our innocent escape to nature takes us to the heart of our historical moment and the challenge of sustainability in the face of global climate change. The fate all of preceding human history, a natu- environmental consequences of human of the rivers and fish we have worked ral background for life on Earth. The activity on the ecology and sustainability so hard to protect from conventional earth’s atmosphere, which determines of this planet. environmental threats remains to be the survivability of all bios, has become Angling is supposed to be an escape seen. And our response to this chal- a poorly-designed and uncontrolled from worries, a truancy from work and lenge remains to be judged. chemistry experiment. Weather is no responsibility, a respite from politics and longer merely weather and the seasons economics, a chance to get away from Wit’s End are no longer a charming variation whatever, to pursue leisure or adventure, Wolftree Farm on the theme of the natural year. We to cast a line on a good river or a quiet are angling in the Anthropocene, as lake for the pleasure of it. But angling, 1 J. R. McNeill’s Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth Century World (W. some scientists and philosophers have along with everything else, now takes W. Norton) is an excellent textbook summary informally designated the current place in a profoundly changed context. of the environmental consequences of the “epoch”—an era without precedent in And the rivers and fish, the seasons and Industrial Age and the challenges facing the which we are forced to confront the days we love are poised on the brink of twenty-first century.

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BLUE LINES

[ by Tom Reed]

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I had forgotten about the in the shade of a 200-year-old oak, on hook and drifted into deep cold quail skin. It had been salted and partnered with three good setters and water, twitched. Swung. And again. stored. At another house in another an Italian-20 ready for the hunt. And again. Would these feathers from decade. There had been a packing job One of those setters is gone now a bird in parched Arizona desert take and a move and the box it sat in was and the pup then is in late middle age an ocean fish on a soaked Oregon or stored in the shop. Years slipped. now while the rock-star female of that Washington stream? Would they lure a But then something stirred in the Arizona cover now shuffles on legs jawed-up toothy brown from a Rockies waters off our country’s left coast. locked in the squeeze of arthritis. But meander? Perhaps root out the shake, Steelhead. Pulled by time. Moving up that moment was something. A time rattle and roll of a B.C. bull trout? the rivers in the throat of late autumn. etched. All three dogs released into a Taking game, hooved or feathered, My lady, whose addiction to sea- tawny land of tall grass and live oak, is a special thing and one that is almost run rainbows is a strong pull on a dancing and flowing and spinning exclusively American. Eating that gift wild heart, found the skin. Found all through century-plant and yucca, of the hunt is one thing. But actually the material I had been storing with vaulting over rock and ravine. Wind removing bits of that harvest and the idea of building a “man-cave” at and the bird… pulling canine instinct turning those pieces of feather and some point in the future and setting forward. And following that trio of hair into creations and imitations is up an elaborate fly-tying bench. The bird dog. In full trust. another kind of bounty entirely. man-cave languished for lack of a plan, We hunted united, for dog men There is something very special and a deeper dearth of funds. But know there is not singularity in this about the tug of a fish pinned on a fly the burn to fish for those slab-sided pursuit. It is team. Plurality. We. you tied. And if you have created that wild trout swimming out of fly using parts of another salt to fresh certainly did adventure, an epic told with not. She would tie up some I will take the time to find just shotgun, bow or rifle, you offerings while I would head have raised your game just a to Nevada to chase chukar the right patch of hair from her tick. Another level. on broken crags in a hard hide to tie caddis imitations at Tomorrow, as the frost land. So the skin came out sinks deeper into the soil, and the fancy bench was the winter bench in my future I will carry a rifle into the realized on a kitchen table man-cave to catch a wild trout on hills, hoping to catch a cow with breakfast’s dishes and the Yellowstone during the fabled elk on a frozen hillside, an a half-cup of coffee shoved elk to fill my freezer and feed to the side. She would fish Mother’s Day hatch. Full circle. the people I love. But perhaps and I would hunt. if I am truly fortunate, I will It is a thing of beauty, this take the time to find just the coat once worn by a bird. Black and Making birds, crouching, creeping right patch of hair from her hide to tie white and chocolate and tan. A fusion and the freeze, one or the other or the caddis imitations at the winter bench of feather that is the attire of the male other—even the pup—on point and the in my future man-cave to catch a wild Mearns quail. Material for steelhead honoring. Birds up before the gun and trout on the Yellowstone during the flies, but it had been a wonderful little the swing. The 20 bucks, once, twice, fabled Mother’s Day hatch. Full circle. game bird. So when it came out, that and warm and beautiful desert quail are Memory piled upon memory. hunt was again upon my soul. delivered to hand. That night, grilled It is winter now, full mean measure over mesquite coals and the pocket Tom Reed works for Trout Unlimited of it and 18-below this morning. Both knife carefully skinning and trimming from his home near Pony, Montana. woodstoves burning strong and space fat and flesh. Salting the hides for He is the author of several books and heaters in the basement of this other- another kind of game. An altogether a regular columnist in TROUT. Email century house to hold back the freeze. different kind of adventure. Thinking him at [email protected]______It was winter then too, and I camped then of those harlequin feathers tied

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When the is Done… What DamWhen Happens is the Next? DamDone… is Done…What WhatHappens HappensNext? Next? BY NATE SCHWEBER KEVIN SCHAFER / ALAMY

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n a windy delta in As pressure builds across the country Northwest Washington where the to tear out more outdated dams, biolo- brawny Pacific Ocean swallows a river gists say the Elwha is already giving vivid whose waters gush clear down from examples of an important ecological the snowcapped Olympic Mountains, idea called life history theory. This a natural wonder has much to compete theory, they say, gives a framework for with to be called “awesome.” understanding wild trout and salmon But on a late July afternoon, on a that could be as vital to coldwater fish Onew outcrop of pebbled beach braided conservation in this century as was the through with fresh channels of the idea of catch-and-release in the last. murky Elwha River, fisheries biologist “This work, it is going to be the John McMillan shouted the word after benchmark for others,” says McMillan, he saw a giant splash near the far bank. who for years studied fish in this river for “Chinook,” says McMillan, his short, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric black beard split by a big, white grin. Administration before taking a job “Hope it’s one of many.” with TU in the fall of 2014. “Things That silver flash of endangered fish we learn here are going to determine was charged with extra anticipation how we remove other dams, and how because demolition workers were set to we treat the fish.” blast away the last of two outdated dams Standing beside green tufts of sword on the lower river soon. For more than a fern and thimbleberry that shroud a century the dams had locked out salmon small, clear Elwha tributary called Little and steelhead that tried to swim the River, McMillan points to the stream Elwha from the sea to the mountains. bank. After the first Elwha dam fell, he Anglers around the world cheered says, salmon returned there, spawned when the last scraps of dam were knocked and died, and their carcasses rotted. loose on Aug. 26, 2014, the capstone of When the next salmon came, animals this $350 million river restoration—the knew to come eat them. largest dam removal project in U.S. “We’re seeing marine derived nutri- history (which TU played a pivotal ents back in this ecosystem,” he says. role in orchestrating). For fish biolo- “Birds eating fish eggs again.” gists, the unbinding of 70 miles of the Across the bottom of the stream lie Elwha and its tributaries preserved in a series of parallel antennae used to Olympic National Park made for a rare track one of two types of tags that now opportunity to study the ways a river monitor the Elwha’s migrating fish. regenerates under the best of natural These antennae send signals to a digital conditions. These waters are home to a database whenever young fish swim by full suite of native salmonids—Chinook, that are outfitted with small trackers Coho, sockeye, pink and chum salmon, called PIT tags. In September 2011, as plus steelhead, coastal cutthroat and work crews packed explosives into holes bull trout. bored into the Elwha dams, McMillan “It’s an incredible laboratory; there’s and his colleagues caught adult salmon, an absolute imperative to do this steelhead and bull trout in the river and monitoring well,” says Robert Masonis, stitched onto them more sophisticated TU’s Vice President for Western tags, with 18-inch radio antennae that[ Conservation. He is one of many who they could follow by walking the banks estimate that annual fish counts in the with receivers held in the air. Elwha will jump back from a modern As the dams were blown away bit by nadir of 3,000 to a historical average bit, and sediment backed up for decades

of some 400,000. spilled forth, the Elwha ran gray and JEREMIE MONROE

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“Chinook. Hope it’s one of many.”

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[ KEVIN SCHAFER / ALAMY

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rough like a gravel pit. McMillan hiked habitats, migrating at different times the reservoir that collected all the glacial the riverbanks with a radio receiver held and growing all sorts of sizes including, flour, silt, dirt, pebbles and cobble that high, searching. in the case of historic Elwha Chinooks, flushed down the Elwha River from the “In a place that looked like a waste- more than 100 pounds. Olympic Mountains. The settling of land, there were still fish,” McMillan “We’ve seen a rapid reawakening of the sediment here, and in a reservoir says, “But the key is you have to be able life history strategies,”says George Pess, above the older Elwha Dam eight miles to make sure they can get to clear water.” a research fishery biologist for NOAA. downstream, meant that in the five After all of the lower dam had been “Everybody wants to know, will the big lowest miles of river there often wasn’t trucked away for highway gravel, wild Chinook come back? I don’t know, but enough gravel for the few remaining Chinook salmon and steelhead swam into the life history diversity came back right salmon and steelhead to spawn. These Little River for the first time in a cen- away, and diversity leads to population sediment traps also meant no replenish- tury. Into Indian Creek, another clean resilience and population abundance.” ment from erosion at the mouth of the tributary, a few degrees warmer than The more biologists learn about river for the shellfish beds depended Little River, came Coho and sockeye. life history strategies, the more many upon by members of the Lower Elwha McMillan watched these fish spawn. agree—a wide range of life history Klallam Tribe, who, when the Elwha In Little River, different species of strategies is crucial for the security fish built redds in the same patches of of any animal population. Called the gravel, each in succession. But some “Portfolio Effect” by TU scientists, this Coho salmon pounded their nests atop idea likens staving off ecological ruin the redds of brook trout, a non-native with investing in the stock market. species that fishery managers across Each life history strategy represents the West have spent many thousands a stock, and the wisest way to avoid of dollars trying to poison. bankruptcy is to have a broad array, “It really shows how salmon enter and spread out risk. at different times and stagger their use “That is one of the coolest things, of resources,” he says. “And if you want watching the life history diversities DAVE HERASIMTSCHUK DAVE

Scientists say that unbuckling the dams released into the river a sediment load like nothing seen in the Pacific Northwest since the eruption of Mount St. Helens. to get rid of brook trout, reintroduce take shape, because that’s going to help Dam was capped in 1912, were not yet native Coho.” us with so many things,” McMillan recognized as U.S. citizens. After Chinook eggs hatched in Little says. “The more complex the habitat, “The sediment has always been part River, biologists expected the fry to soon the more diversity you have—that has of the equation,” says Maynes, who has swim out to sea, as did the offspring of meaning much beyond fish.” high cheekbones and freckles and wears Elwha Chinooks that had managed to a hardhat decorated with an Elwha spawn below the dam. But some of the sticker that reads, “Natural Wonders new fry instead held in the freshwater ther important lessons from Never Cease.” for more than a year. the Elwha have come not from its fish, Scientists say that unbuckling the Biologists realized immediately that Obut from its rocks. dams released into the river a sediment this was an example of the life history From a concrete ledge swooped load like nothing seen in the Pacific theory. New access to their old environ- by barn swallows, on what had been Northwest since the eruption of Mount ment had made reappear in these salmon a lip of the Elwha’s uppermost dam St. Helens. It exploded onto the stunted another life history strategy. Life history at Glines Canyon, 210 feet above the delta at the mouth of the river and strategies are all the ways that animals churning river, Olympic National grew to such massive size that the new behave to survive in their environment. Park spokeswoman Barbara Maynes beach could be seen from space. Bull They are something in between an points upstream at a basin of black tree trout that managed to find sanctuary adaptation, and an evolution, scientists stumps that punch through terraces of in Little River had noses rubbed raw say. In trout and salmon, these strate- gray sediment. For nearly 90 years this to the bone, suggesting that they had gies can include spawning in various blight lay at the bottom of Lake Mills, been sandblasted by sediment, or had

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felt their way upstream rock-to-rock like of basalt shoved skyward by a crash of “No New Wilderness” and “Stop Wild blind men through a quarry. tectonic plates. Since the peninsula Olympics.” Something else concerned a few biolo- around them was settled by Europeans, The Elwha River Ecosystem and gists just after the first dam fell. Only clashes between peoples of different Fisheries Restoration Act, signed by two species of fish, Chinook salmon and environmental visions has caused only President George H.W. Bush in 1992, wild steelhead—the strongest swimmers moderately less upheaval. was, in all senses of the word, a water- of the Elwha fish family—immediately By the early 1900s, logging companies shed moment. It allocated millions for made it past the dam site. A bushwhack had systematically gnawed down whole the federal government to buy out the down to the river’s edge gives a clue to forests of the country’s most lush Western James River Corporation, a timber why. In the early 1900s, giant chunks hemlock, Douglas fir, Sitka spruce and company that owned both of the Elwha MARK CONLIN / ALAMY of stone were dynamited off the canyon red cedar trees. President Theodore dams. (Once the dams electrified the walls and dumped in the river to shore Roosevelt battled them back in 1909 entire Olympic Peninsula—by their end up the base of the dam. Without the dam, by declaring 600,000 acres of the they could power barely half of a single the Elwha gushed over these boulders Olympic range a national monument. Japanese-owned paper company in Port as a shallow torrent of foam. Current Still, a Canadian utility magnate named Angeles, Wash.) rearranged some of the boulders in Thomas T. Aldwell built the Elwha Dam, The town of Port Angeles received 2014, and more species of salmon made promoted the opening of yet more timber more than $160 million to upgrade its it through, but the channel might still mills, and lent his voice to a political howl municipal water system for the onslaught take work, officials say. that by 1915 bowed President Woodrow of sediment. Tens of millions more were “Further adjustments may be needed,” Wilson to shrink the national monument allocated to reinforce flood-control Maynes said. “It’s something we’re by half. President Franklin Delano levies in the dam-altered river basin monitoring.” Roosevelt, Theodore’s fifth-cousin, to protect homes, and also re-carpet That the Elwha’s resurgence would restored the original acres in 1938 when the beds of the drained reservoirs be a little fraught is no surprise in a he created Olympic National Park. But with native plants including: Oregon land where friction is as defining a his decree stanched no dissent. Circling sunshine, Alaska brome, blue wildrye, characteristic as rain. The Olympic the national park today are swaths of snowberry, wild cherry, oceanspray and Mountains themselves are a crumple clear cuts decorated with signs that shout Nootka rose.

“You won’t get a better opportunity to look at what taking care of a stream will result in, than on the Elwha.”

the Elwha and camped and thought, to harvest 50 percent of all return- ‘God, this is beautiful, this is perfect, ing salmon. Using a hatchery, which but there’s no salmon, what can be scientists say allows growth of just a done?’” says Elofson, 62, who wears few of a fish species’ many life history short salt-and-pepper hair, a crescent strategies, the highest annual return smile, and has just changed out of black of Coho salmon seen by the tribe has rubber boots used early that morning to been 8,000. But fisheries biologists harvest Dungeness crabs. predict that if the full range of Coho He adds, “I lived with dams my whole salmon life histories flourish again in time, I never even thought of them the undammed Elwha, the return could “I’m a little bit sappy, it’s a masterpiece coming down.” be many thousands more—a huge net of people actually working together and He says the tribe is now open to some- gain of premium wild Pacific salmon cooperating,” says Maynes, the park thing almost as unthinkable—phasing out for tribal fishermen to sell. spokeswoman. “It’s an amazing story its fish hatcheries. In 2011, the tribe was “I’m hoping it won’t be too long,” of how society changes, and how values sued by wild fish advocacy groups who Elofson says. “You won’t get a better change.” charged that stocking hatchery fish in opportunity to look at what taking care A middling allocation, $35 million, the Elwha would hurt the recovery of of a stream will result in, than on the paid for what the act will be best remem- wild salmon and steelhead. The tribe Elwha.” bered for: dam demolition. countered that its members are entitled In early September 2014, Olympic In a handsome wooden office build- to a steady supply of fish through the National Park biologists snorkeling ing not far from the sprawling new river’s regeneration process. The suit upstream of the former Glines Canyon beach, Robert Elofson, the Elwha River was dismissed in 2013. saw three Chinook salmon. These were Restoration Project Director for the What can sway the tribe, Elofson says, the first fish in 102 years to swim the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, says he still is economics. In the 1970s, some 50 Elwha from the sea to the mountains. feels astonished at how much has changed. years after being granted U.S. citizen- In the annals of natural wonders, “As a young man, a park service ship, Washington tribes were granted their life history strategy promised to employee, I hiked to the headwaters of by a state judge the unprecedented right be awesome.

Jersey Natives

BY JOE CERMELE Driving by Hunter’s Lodge Motel on Route 46, the scene isn’t what you’d expect. There is one traffic light flashing yellow at the intersection, one gas station and an old milk shake joint called P.J.’s Drive-In. Just up the road, a crudely painted farm stand sign advertises corn and pies. I’m technically in the Appalachians, though just barely, and while the hills all around are beautiful, they’re not big enough to be called mountains until they roll slightly west into Pennsylvania. In the roughly 1,000 square miles west of Route 206 and north of Interstate 78, you won’t find much other than high taxes that exemplifies the worldview of New Jersey. Springsteen nor Bon Jovi have ever penned lyrics about towns in the state’s northwest corner like Buttzville, Califon or Blairstown. If anything, the region is more Creedence Clearwater with a splash of Skynard, and if you had to peg a part of Jersey “trout country,” this would be it. This is where I caught my first 20-inch trout on the fly in high school, and where an angler looking to catch a native brook trout—New Jersey’s state fish—would arguably have his or her best shot. At least that’s what I told myself when

I became a Jersey native chasing Jersey natives last summer. PUCKETT PAUL BY JOE CERMELE, ILLUSTRATIONS BY PHOTOS

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Scrappy And The Plague ever thought given the summer heat. There is a stretch of the Pequest River By my estimation, the bow would have that breaks out of the woods into a been dumped in a good distance down field of tall grass, running behind a river in the spring of 2013. Its colors small country-weathered commercial were so vibrant, I was sure it had been property with dilapidated barns and a long time since it swam in a raceway. rusted Mack trucks along the banks. What I learned next was that the The flow is narrow and glassy and looks little trout I was after are much easier so much like Western hopper water, it to catch when you’re not trying. When I furthers the illusion that you are more was a kid, I’d pluck the occasional small than 70 miles from New York City. I’m brook or brown with a spinner and only holding a five-foot, ten-inch bamboo be concerned with it being too short to rod named “Scrappy” by the old man take home. It wasn’t until later when who built it and left it in my care, and I became devoted to the fly rod that I I’m watching exactly what I want—two realized these fish were different. Too tiny trout—rising against the far bank. little to be state stocked and too perfect When I make my first cast with a small to be state raised. Adams, they both refuse. All I end up Today, with the sun brightening the crystal clear water more and more by the minute, the rises happen with less frequency, and each cast that doesn’t

with at the end of the drift is textbook eat from a 14-inch rainbow. This is highly perplexing. Though I’ve always known there were wild and supposedly native trout in New Jersey, I never spent much time targeting them. What made me suddenly interested was the plague. In late summer of 2013, the state hatchery announced that the bacterial disease furunculosis had infected most of the trout that were to be stocked in the fall and following spring. Because of produce on the first drift isn’t likely because I’d only be rehashing what can this, no waters, or waters with feeder to produce on the second or third. easily be found in a Google search. That tributaries, that were known to hold Scrappy and I walk away disappointed is, after all, how I found the trickle I wild and native trout were stocked for in only managing one trout that broke was looking down upon in mid-July. I fear of contamination. the foot-long mark. think I was dripping more sweat from Here then was an opportunity to the hike in than there was water run- learn what New Jersey’s streams could ning through the miniature canyon, produce after a season of being left Net Search but despite the meager summer flow, purely to Mother Nature. The first If you want names of alleged native trout the water was shockingly cold. lesson, thanks to the rainbow, was that streams in New Jersey that are more Armed with a tenkara rod and stocked trout hold over in this particular remote, I’m not going to supply them. half-dozen flies, I knew that trout—if river much longer than I would have Not because I want to protect them, but there were any in this stream as the

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THOUGH I’VE ALWAYS KNOWN THERE WERE WILD AND SUPPOSEDLY NATIVE TROUT IN NEW JERSEY, I NEVER SPENT MUCH TIME TARGETING THEM. WHAT MADE ME SUDDENLY INTERESTED WAS THE PLAGUE.

Net suggested—would not come easy. approach toward each tiny pool. Even the surface. I set and miss, and all but I purposely came here because it is not with the tenkara rod, there is no room the first three feet of my line ends up one of the known streams that run to cast. It’s a delicate balance of getting tangled in a combo of branches overhead through state park land, pounded close enough to sling-shot the fly and briars to my right. by fishermen and disturbed into spots no wider than the It’s a half hour before I’m re-rigged by stone-skipping hikers. It’s mouth of a five-gallon bucket and upstream at another pool that the third similar stream I’ve while not snapping every twig could host a player. The shot somehow visited in a week, and am under foot and shaking every lands perfectly in a tiny chute between thus far troutless. bit of brush on the way. two boulders at the head and flushes Given my love of Philly At the third pool I deem down into the hole. A splashy rise takes cheesesteaks and Jersey worthy of a cast, my the caddis under, and I’m treated to the pizza (mother’s milk), fly gets sucked less-than-impressive fight of a dace. On I don’t exactly move under the sec- the next fling, the bug veers right of through the woods ond it touches the center lane, circling in the paltry with the grace and back current. As it lazily drifts into a stealth of a native shady spot along the rocks, it gets Lenape Indian, hit again. I ski the little brook though today I’m trout across the surface and into trying my best, care- my net. It’s over in less than two fully planning my seconds, but the fish is absolutely

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perfect. By the end of the day I would from New Jersey Fish & Wildlife as they manage one more of equal beauty, but electro-fish two sections of the South the burning question remains; are they Branch to get counts and measurements really natives? of the wild trout. Given that I fish this river more than any other in the state, I couldn’t resist the opportunity, and The Shocking Truth hoped the experience would shed some The problem with identifying native light on the true state of the natives. trout in Jersey is that just about all the But before all else, it put the fear of of streams that would have grown them God in me. historically have either had fish planted “If you feel the slightest tingle, get in them to bolster wild populations, out of the water immediately,” Shawn or connect to waters that have been Crouse shouted over the hum of the stocked for decades and now support generator trailing on a floating barge wild browns and brook trout that behind a line of volunteers working naturally use the tributaries. down river “There is enough current in Such is the case with the rivulet that the water to stop your heart.” I was the flows from the hills and runs—quite idiot who wore boots with metal studs, literally—right under Shannon’s Fly & and while I wanted to stick close to the Tackle Shop in Califon and into the netters scooping up every stunned fish, South Branch of the Raritan River I slinked away to the bank and watched down the street. I was studying it when from a distance. shop owner Jim Holland pulled up. The piece of river Crouse, the fish- He is a full-time eries biologist in history teacher who charge of native bought Shannon’s fisheries manage- fished it before, and though I knew there 10 years ago, ment in the drain- were wild fish here, I never expected though it has been age, was shocking the yield the crew picked up by the end a staple in Jersey ran along a quiet of the stretch. Carefully sorting each trout country since country road fish into dish pans, the group counted 1973. Inside, the flanked by the seven wild brook trout and 49 wild dusty skin mounts, water on one side browns in a short 150-meter run. Forty vintage tackle, and corn fields on of those fish were classified as young-of- and creeky floor the other. I had the-year. Later, a few miles up river, a make you feel like you’re in a fly shop in Vermont. The same goes for Rambo’s Country Store just down the block, and the bookshop on the corner. Califon could have been Norman Rockwell’s muse. “There are so many wild fish in the South Branch that we don’t even bother fishing the tributaries around here,” Holland says as he frantically grabs a few bottles of water and granola bars from the back room of the tiny shop. “There are just trout everywhere around here, man.” With that, we’re out the door. Holland and I are fishing today, but not in the traditional sense. He has arranged for me to join him and a team

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in one stream will be totally unrelated to those in a similar stream only a few miles away.” Given that many of the waters in Northwest Jersey are supporting such strong numbers of wild fish, it’s hard to be discomforted by the lack of knowledge about what true natives may still exist. Quite honestly, I was so taken aback by what I saw during the study, in a way I became more impressed that

GIVEN THAT MANY OF THE WATERS IN NORTHWEST JERSEY ARE SUPPORTING SUCH STRONG NUMBERS OF WILD FISH, IT’S HARD TO BE DISCOMFORTED BY THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT TRUE NATIVES MAY STILL EXIST.

in such a crowded state with its share of environmental issues, wild fish are thriving. Perhaps that’s because it’s easier to marvel over a pristine brook trout produced by electricity in easy- access water than one in its purest form in a far-off, isolated trickle. If nothing else, I gained a new appreciation of a river I thought I knew everything about. As the volunteers packed up their gear, I overheard Holland joking with Crouse about how much more this second stretch of river yielded. second 150-meter stretch would keep the “It’s very possible that they exist, Behind them, traffic roared down guys counting for almost an hour and but with no genetic records of true Route 513 through the quaint hamlet releasing nearly 200 trout, the biggest natives, even if we did genetic testing of Long Valley. of which was a brown that measured now it would be almost impossible to “So we learned that bigger trout a whopping 21 inches. It was the most tell,” Crouse explained as he finished like affluent areas with some anti- eye-opening experience I’ve ever had up his stream assessment notes on a freeze in the water,” Holland said as a trout fisherman in Jersey. When clipboard standing mid-river. “It’s with a smile. Crouse laughed, and the day was done I asked Crouse about interesting though. We’ve looked at Holland added, “These Jersey trout true natives, and his answer was what the genetics of brook trout in some of are tough bastards.” I expected after seeing how many wild the more remote streams, and there’s fish live in just this one system. a family tree that emerges. The fish

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BY CHRRISI TOT PHHER CAMA UTUTO

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41 TROUT WINTER 2015 TONY WRIGHT/EARTHSCAPES / ALAMY WRIGHT/EARTHSCAPES TONY

You can move mountains with a canoe paddle . Nudge a sweep stroke with the wooden blade and I can put that canine of a forested peak anywhere I want, move the islands and inlets of this gangly, lake-sized pond wherever it suits me. I can slowly swing an unbroken horizon of northern woods to any vantage, be the center of any circle. On stillwater, on a morning laced with a light fog shredded by loon calls, the nifty little 12-foot canoe I rented floats free like a compass needle not yet settled down. I smoke a cigar, glorious indulgence at 8 a.m., and start taking in woods and water I haven’t seen since I was a child, so long ago this feels like a beginning rather than a return. I had driven up to the western Adirondacks through interesting country, north over the Allegheny Plateau by interstate from central Pennsylvania, and then northeast up the Chenango Valley on New York’s Route 12. The Chenango looked good, with a decent flow for August, but I assumed too warm for trout fishing except in the spring holes known to locals who had earned the river’s summer secrets. (I buy an

out-of-state fishing license for New York MARK BOWIE every year, and I get twitchy to get my 50 bucks’ worth every time I cross the passage of time. But a fisherman on the factories of Utica, and then 28 bent me border.) I passed well-tended farmland road needs to be either pressing on or north and east into a world of woods and and well-kept, un-gentrified towns on gassing up for the next stretch. A little water. At Old Forge, I drove the south 12’s gentle curves and easy grades, some Neil Young and Creedence Clearwater side of Fourth Lake hoping to catch unsung slice of American life being eased my middle-aged mood along. a glimpse of a sign at a dirt road that lived out between the well-worn cities I was 200 miles from home, sloping leads to a humble family vacation place of Binghamton and Utica. I passed down into the Mohawk Valley, before I haven’t seen since I was 10 years old. close enough to my undergraduate alma I finally left the long reach of the I missed it, or it wasn’t there. Past that mater to feel a strong gust of nostalgia Susquehanna watershed. I got flickering unfound point, I was where I wanted to and some mixed emotions about the glimpses of the beautiful rail yards and be. I was in the Adirondacks. Resonant

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as an axe stroke on oak, the name is all got my head handed to me on the Bog, No need to swarm the St. Regis. It’s you need to hear. and enjoyed good fishing on that slow, no angling hot spot, though there is The Adirondacks can paralyze you deep stretch of the Raquette upstream fishing to be done and native trout in with angling possibilities. You have to of Tupper Lake. But eventually I ended some of its most remote places if you resist flock shooting all the tempting up toying with the horizon on Long are willing to shoulder a canoe as well water flickering by the car window and Pond in the St. Regis Canoe Wilderness, as paddle your way around 18,000 acres not jam on the brakes every time you see smugly smoking that cigar and listening of kettle ponds and eskers, flowages of a ripple of current or a green mirror of to the call and response of loons in the every description, bogs and marshes stillwater. I caved at times—had some fog. It was late August, and the fishing thick with wetland vegetation. Part of beginner's luck on the Moose River, was slow, but I was where I wanted to be. the so-called “north flow” of the west-

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ern ‘dacks, a wonderfully tricky sorting course, in the Adirondacks, as in Maine, of drainages headed, in their own sweet a pond may be a sizable body of water. time, toward the St. Lawrence. Small, But for the most part this landscape distinct mountains clothed in a thick is scaled to the close quarters of coves quilt of spruce, hemlock, northern and inlets, points and necks—the rocky cedar, and some magnificent white pine ledges smallmouth like, weedy shallows stitched in places with northern hard- full of colorful perch, and deep-water woods—sugar maple and moosewood weed beds worth getting a lure or fly and the birches, of course—yellow and down into. white—that somehow stir your heart to The St. Regis will slow you down, the core by the solemn, ragged look of get you in an observant, thoughtful them. Kingfishers chittering in every groove. And although in August you cove, loons tending their tan young. No are more likely to bring a perch or bass sound but the wind and the weather, to the side of the canoe, or have to put late-afternoon thunderstorms tuning up with the hi-jinks of a pumpkinseed up for an evening performance. Mind- or the unfortunate encroachment of bending night skies clouded only by white suckers, there are brook trout the smoke of a small campfire. Classic in places it takes time to puzzle out, canoe country. No motors, no noise and willful remnants of native Adirondack nonsense. Paddle and portage (carry wildness hidden in the coldest recesses in Adirondack parlance) if you want of ponds that are, by the look of them, to get to the next pond, camp quietly unfathomable. in isolated sites perfectly poised to take Charles Cotton suggests we “fish like you as far back in time as you want or an artist,” and on new water what else need to go. is there to do? An expert in nothing In the St. Regis, I had what I have except my own experiences, I enjoyed always enjoyed most, quiet backcountry the slow trial and error of learning angling in an undisturbed place, wilder- how well I could angle out of the little ness if you like, though I wouldn’t put Placid Boatworks Spitfire with its spare too fine a point on that. The St. Regis is freeboard and delicate trim (but a in a unique way as good as backcountry surprisingly stable craft for a 22-pound

Charles Cotton suggests we “fish like an artist,” and on new water what else is there to do?

gets—a post-glacial landscape of mod- boat that was a joy to portage). A little est heights and depths, a Rorschach of graphite ultralight easy to grab and cast beguiling water that doesn’t seem to have at the end of a paddle stroke was my fish any commitment to going anywhere finder, and if it found no trout, it bent except where the gentle dictates of gravity with wonderful parabolic enthusiasm ease the show along. You poke around when a smallmouth bass took it on for at the edges of ponds to find the flow exercise. I had a 5-weight rigged with a to the next one or the foot of the next searching dry fly—often a small Wulff, carry. Beyond that healthy, mixed-age Humpy or trusty elk-hair caddis—but and diverse forest, a low-slung, boreal needed a sink-tip rig to get down to horizon comes in and out of view offer- trout, an 8 ½-foot 6-weight, a self-built ing hints of the larger contours of the rod I had put a full-Wells grip on to region, all of it testimony for the wisdom help punch big streamers into the wind. of the Adirondack Preserve, which has It takes some art to keep three rods done so much for so long to protect a from becoming a clattering comedy in huge swath of eastern backcountry. Of a small boat, but I enjoyed the patience

MARK BOWIE 45 TROUT WINTER 2015

required to do this kind of angling of the elements in doling out the pos- well. You don’t want to send a dopey sibilities can’t much be argued with and commotion out over these quiet waters, is perhaps deeply instructive. The loons embarrass yourself in front of the loons. seemed to fish with acceptance of the way A net, eager to tangle itself in anything, things were. Unlike most of the quiet would have added certain indignity to paddlers I occasionally encountered, the proceedings, so I worked at my sys- I was fishing, and that left me at the tem of bringing fish to the port gunwale, mercy of my intentions and the center getting hemos quickly to the hook and of an inconsequential little drama. I twitching all but the larger perch free. wanted something from those ponds—a Except for a water bottle hung on a trout—and I was going to be schooled thwart and a map in a ziplock taped next for a few days before I was rewarded.

The present slipped away without getting lost. That happens a lot in the ‘dacks—quiet moments of vertigo steal on you and you’re not quite sure what day, or year, it is.

to it, everything else was well stowed in In the end this angling is about a waxed canvas basket-pack behind me. moments and the fine grain of experi- I’m at the stage in life where I take ences afield—like the insistent ticking of pride in the mileage on my gear—an sedges on the hull when you poke around ancient Silva compass in a worn leather the recesses of a marsh; the rustling sheath on one hip and a Buck 102 that flutter when geese pass low overhead; has seen 10,000 whettings on the other. the walnut-stained water of a deep, cold I had an old red-bone Case trapper in flowage that sluices with unexpected my pocket, along with a handy little take- decision from one pond to another; the down sharpening steel. Dull knives are dark rumple of a rising brook trout in for fools. I stowed a Gransfors hatchet the failing light of a long, late-summer for dressing fuel for small dead-branch evening; or the way curls of dry birch fires and brought a little Sven saw I bark pass the flame of a match around haven’t used since my salad days in the a fistful of tinder. In the St. Regis, I felt southern Appalachians. I even found like I was moving through one black and a metal match safe I believe survived white photograph after another, posed

somehow from Boy Scout days. I was in vivid moments that were somehow MARK BOWIE unaccountably vain about all this. But being framed in the past as I paddled you know how angling is, when we are and cast. The present slipped away enough if you want to spend a couple into it and enjoying it, and how when without getting lost. That happens a lot of days in pursuit of that hour, or some alone we fish as if someone was watching, in the ‘dacks—quiet moments of vertigo other pond and hour that suits you. as if it was important that we fish well steal on you and you’re not quite sure When you’re in the mood, maybe every with good gear and no luxury or show. what day, or year, it is. You’re carrying journey toward trout is mythopoetic: Much of the time, I had to set the a canoe up over a railroad embankment I crossed a large pond in a big wind canoe in a light breeze to drift a shoreline and catch yourself stopping to admire that churned up waves I needed to stay angled the way I needed and then got whatever it is we are drawn to see in a carefully squared up to in my small in whatever casts the drifts would give curve of rusting tracks leaning through craft. The milk-jug baler got some use. me. There was work to this, and some the woods on rotted sleepers. When I made the lee shore, I paddled frustration on windier days that forced I had good trout fishing, for an through a marsh of water lilies, arum me to troll weighted streamers without hour one evening, at the farthest pond and pickerel weed and those ranks of plan or chuck heavy lures or spoons I reached. I’ll keep the name a gentle- ticking sedges that hid the heart of the about without faith. But the fairness man’s secret. You could find it easily flow to another pond. I crossed the

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perfect oval of that pond to find the inlet of thin spruce that flipped the drainage the wild native trout of our questing. stream blocked by a beaver dam. Nearby on me. I had started “downstream” when And I got them, dark fish, like trout was a boggy flowage that meandered up I set out on that first big pond and now in a Winslow Homer painting, like that drainage another way, a passage I was headed up that stream the beavers something from the past. of water so thin I had to heave myself had dammed. Not the easiest way to get forward with my hands in places and to the St. Lawrence. Two volatile red Chris is the author of several books, so narrow I had to dig my paddle into squirrels (are there any other kind?) including A Fly Fisherman’s Blue Ridge and the bank-side vegetation being careful chattered annoyance at my intrusion as Hunting from Home. The book review around the sundews and pitcher plants. I slipped the boat into the reassuringly columnist for Gray’s Sporting Journal and The hero’s journey is sometimes absurd. cold water of the furthest pond which a long-time columnist for TROUT, he I made the carry and took two trips—a looked, I think now with some guilt, like makes his home at Wolftree Farm and stiffish workout—scouting the way first the least disturbed piece of water I have teaches in the creative writing program hauling my gear and then going back to ever seen. It did look like something in at Bucknell University. get the canoe to bring it up over a ridge a story. We expect trout in such places,

47 TROUT WINTER 2015

SIX SOUTHEAST ALASKANS MAKE A

QUIET CASE AGAINST TRANSBOUNDARY MINES

rom the seat of a float plane several thousand feet above the Taku River, Chris Zimmer, Alaska Director of the non-profit Rivers Without Borders, points to a line of felled trees snaking up a mountainside. “That’s the border with British Columbia,” he says matter-of-factly. Behind us, Taku Glacier is still in view, a 2.5 miles wide path of ice serrated with deep crevasses that shine an unnaturally bright blue. The Taku, in contrast, flows nearly white, testament to its glacial origins. (Note to self: if fishing the Taku, use big dark flies.) A few miles further east we circle over the grounds of the Tulsequah Chief mine, spread along the Tulsequah River upstream of its confluence with the Taku. Before operations ceased in 1957, gold, silver, zinc, copper and lead were mined here. The site consists of a few Quonset huts, some heavy machinery, a red building that Zimmer identifies as the water treatment facility and a few rectangular ponds adjacent to the structure. It seems innocuous enough, except these ponds contain acid mine drainage, an acidic soup with toxic heavy metals in it. And since the water treatment plant is closed, when these ponds overflow the pollution goes right into the river. The mine has been polluting the Tulsequah River, and also likely the Taku, with acid mine drainage since the mine was abandoned more than 50 years ago. As I write, the Tulsequah is getting very close to renewing its operations. And four other large- scale mines on the headwaters of two other major southeast Alaska rivers—the Stikine and the Unuk—have either gained approval or are in the process of being reviewed. These rivers—along with the Taku—are among the most productive salmon rivers in the state. As the bumper sticker goes, “We All Live Downstream.” This is true of the commercial and sub- sistence fishermen of Bristol Bay, and it’s equally true of the thousands of residents who make their living—and have built their lives—around the fecund waters of the Taku, Stikine and Unuk. The catch is that the downstreamers in southeast Alaska have little recourse in beating the development of these mining projects back as they reside on the east side of the border. There is growing support across the region for the United States State Department to utilize the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 (which clearly states “boundary waters and waters flowing across the boundary shall not be polluted on either side to the injury of health or property on the other”) but the State Department so far

Mt. Polley Mine tailings has not committed to this

AP PHOTO/THE CANADIAN PRESS, JONATHAN HAYWARD CANADIAN PRESS, JONATHAN AP PHOTO/THE course of action. The gravity of the damage these mines could inflict upon Alaskan waters (and Alaskans) has been underscored by the recent failure of a four square kilometer tailings pond at Mt. Polley Mine in southern British Columbia… a mine owned by Imperial Metals, which is preparing to begin operations at the Red Chris Mine on a tributary of the Stikine. The numbers—in terms of salmon escapement, fishing jobs and over all dollars pumped into the Southeast Alaska economy—tell a powerful story. But the stories of those Alaskans who’d be impacted by the mines (and their seemingly inevitable fallout) convey the urgency of the situation in an equally compelling manner. A few follow below.

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THE GILLNETTERS

Len “Pete” Peterson and Heather Hardcastle Taku River Reds

“Some people call the Taku Inlet fishery the Gentleman’s Catch,” ventured Pete Peterson as we sat in the galley of the Heather Anne at its mooring at the Aurora Harbor in Juneau’s Gastineau Channel. “Many of the fishermen there have advanced degrees,” Heather Hardcastle, Pete’s daughter and the Heather Anne of the boat, chimed in. “They’ve made a conscious decision to fish.” “One of the fishermen out there was a college professor during the school year,” Pete added. “He was told that he had to teach one summer. He quit teaching.” The marina is usually referred to as “Aurora Harbor.” Peterson came to Juneau in 1970 for a teaching job that was supposed to last two years. Like so many, he never left. But a schoolteacher’s salary wasn’t quite enough to support a family, so he sought summer work. “I did carpentry, drove a schoolbus, then crewed with a friend who was trolling,” he continued, “but none of it was very lucrative. I eventually earned enough to get my own gill- netting boat in 1981. It paid for college for my kids.” The kids—Heather and her brother Scott—were part of the team from early days. “We were always out there with mom and dad,” Hardcastle recalled. “I loved the band Abba, and would make up songs and dance routines where I’d sub in lyrics about sockeye to an ABBA song. My version of “Super Trouper”went like this: Tonight the sockeye salmon they are gonna find us Swim into our net Baby don’t you fret We are gonna get the set. “One time, the net got caught in the prop. My mom stripped down to her skivvies, put on a snorkel and mask and jumped in. It was pitch dark and the water was 55 degrees. She got the prop untangled. I thought she was a rock star!” Taku River Reds was born out of necessity. Thanks to a glut of farmed salmon, “I ALWAYS FELT markets for wild caught fish crashed. “I realized that we had to do something to THAT THESE WILD add value to our fish or not bother to fish,” Peterson said. “We tried smoking, making lox, making jerky. None of it worked. Then we came upon the idea of SOCKEYE, IF pressure bleeding the fish from a troller friend. As soon as the fish come in the HANDLED WELL, boat, we run salt water through the fish’s circulatory system to expel the blood. SELLS ITSELF. IT’S This process prevents bacterial growth and thereby prevents any fishy smell and improves shelf life. It’s a higher end product, but the market is there. I always felt FOOD AS ART.” that these wild sockeye, if handled well, sells itself. It’s food as art.” —Pete Peterson Taku River Reds provides income for Pete and his wife, Heather’s family and another family—plus the other fishermen provide fish to the company. “I have to say that I always enjoyed returning to teaching at the end of the fishing season,” Peterson added. “I had autonomy as a teacher. I was responsible for the kids, but I didn’t have to worry about the school going up on the rocks.”

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THE PROCESSOR

Mike Erickson Alaska Glacier Seafoods

Auke Bay shimmers in the summer Alaska sun from the loading dock at Alaska Glacier Seafoods on the north side of Juneau. Snow-flecked mountaintops in the distance likewise glimmer as boats move across the water. Inside the scene is not as pretty. A conveyor belt moves chum salmon along an assembly line attended by a platoon of young men and women clad in yellow rubber bibs. A machine lops off the head, one set of workers scrape out the roe, another the guts and then the fish are graded according to meat color, stacked high in crates and flash frozen. Immense plastic tubs hold fish blood and guts… which will later be used. The scent of the processing floor is not like roses… though for Mike Erickson, it smells like a good business proposition. “Juneau was never considered a big fishing town as Alaska goes, but that’s “JUNEAU changing,” he said, in a conference room looking down on one of the pro- WAS NEVER cessing lines. “Our market is worldwide. This year we’ll purchase from 250 CONSIDERED to 300 different vessels. There are usually two or three people per boat. I can’t tell you how good you feel when you go home knowing that you helped A BIG FISHING create two or three jobs.” TOWN AS At the plant itself, Alaska Glacier seasonally employs another 150 to 160 ALASKA GOES, people; some 40 employees work year round. “It’s not the most attractive BUT THAT’S work—the plant is wet and cold, and the hours are long,” Erickson continued. “But we have some people that have been with us for 10 or 15 years. We must CHANGING. be doing something right. My guiding principles are work hard and be honest. OUR MARKET IS Something that speaks to the quality of our workers: of every 20 skippers that WORLDWIDE.” bring their catch in, maybe one will watch the scales.” Alaska Glacier has found success by adding value to their seafood wherever possible. “We want every fish to go out in a value-added state,” Erickson said. “It requires more attention to detail, but I don’t want to ship work overseas. We try to use all the fish. We used to utilize 60 to 70 percent; now it’s 90 to 95 percent. “We’ve had opportunities to expand through acquisition, but we didn’t want to, in part for our quality of life. I’ve got happy employees, a solid company, a good life—what more could I want?”

Richard J. Peterson President of Central Council (Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska)

At the Central Council headquarters in an office park near the Juneau airport, Richard Peterson made it very clear that he does not see his con- stituency as stakeholders in the rich tapestry of Alaska’s resources, and their continued well-being. “The native people in Alaska are as much a part of the environment as the trees and the fish. We are a resource. I don’t know if there’s any way in western culture to describe exactly how we relate to the land. I bristle when people suggest we subsist off the land. I can go to Fred Meyers [a grocery chain] and subsist. “When I go to my family’s fishing grounds in June and July, I go not “WHEN I GO TO just for food, but (also) for spiritual nourishment. It’s as much a religious MY FAMILY’S experience as anything else. When I’m there I belong, I know who I am… FISHING GROUNDS though I understand that people who don’t have this sort of relationship with the land might see this as fluff. IN JUNE AND JULY, “I believe that resource extraction has its place. There’s a desire here I GO NOT JUST for industry for economic viability, but we need to make sure our natural FOR FOOD, BUT resources are in balance. I wasn’t that alarmed about the mines until I FOR SPIRITUAL asked the KSM [Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell] representatives some simple questions. I was condescended to; they weren’t transparent. ‘Don’t worry,’ NOURISHMENT. they said. ‘The dams [that hold the toxic tailings] are covered for 100 IT’S AS MUCH years. Just take our word.’ What about the 101st year? It’s not ‘will it fail?’ A RELIGIOUS It’s when. It might be a long time, but it will fail. “Then what? These mining operations have potential to impact our EXPERIENCE AS land and water like nothing that’s ever been seen before. The disaster at ANYTHING ELSE. Mt. Polley raises the legitimacy of our concerns. When are our natural WHEN I’M THERE I resources going to be held in the same esteem as a project’s ‘commercial BELONG, I KNOW potential?’ “The Tlingit and Haida’s culture and self-perception is dependent on WHO I AM.” the land. Any threat to the land and its resources is a direct threat to our existence. If the salmon go away, that changes how we are.”

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THE TROLLER

Brian Merritt Commercial Fisherman/Teacher, Wrangell

“MY DAUGHTER Brian Merritt moved to the town of Wrangell when he was three. “My IS 20 AND SHE dad came here to teach school and fish,” he began. “Now I teach fourth grade and fish.” Where Pete Peterson and Heather Hardcastle set gill SAID RECENTLY, nets, Merritt likes to troll. “I run 18 hours out of Wrangell to the open ‘YOU KNOW, DAD, Pacific,” he explained, “and troll offshore. I’ll fish all the way from Cape I MIGHT COME UP Muzon (at the southernmost border with British Columbia) to Cape Edgecomb (near Sitka). I do some drift-netting later in the summer, but AND FISH KINGS it’s a different deal. It’s not as satisfying.” WITH YOU EVEN When asked about the appeal of trolling, Merritt’s already enthusiastic WHEN I HAVE A manner almost bubbled over. “Part of the reason I do it is for the money, FULL-TIME JOB.’” much of it is for the thrill. You catch a lot fewer fish than the gill netters, but it’s exciting. Trolling for king salmon is the best job in the world, you get paid while having fun! Just because you hook ‘em doesn’t mean you’ll land them.” He explained how trolling works. “You have four lines, each with a cannonball (to get the lines down). Each line has six to 20 leaders, and each leader has a lure attached. You might use spoons, you might use hoochies [which resemble a rubber squid]. It’s about outsmarting them; one guy might get five fish on a pass, the other guy 40. I own $5,000 worth of hoochies and sometimes I still don’t have the one the kings like! “On a typical day when I’m trolling, I wake up at 2:30 and begin the run out. There will be 20 or 30 mast lights on the water as you head out. On the way, I’ll tie gear. I’m often six or 15 miles offshore; if that’s the case, I won’t come back into port for a few days. I’ll get up early and fish all day. On a good day in the summer season, you might get 100 king salmon. This year, I got 191 on the first day of our seven-day season. The boat can hold 1,000 iced fish. The processors don’t want fish that are more than five days old, so whether you’ve filled the boat or not, you head in after day five. I can get $70 to $80 for a king salmon. They’re paying you for a job you love; kind of like teaching fourth grade. My daughter is 20 and she said recently, ‘You know, Dad, I might come up and fish kings with you even when I have a full-time job.’

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THE TOUR GUIDE

Brenda Schwartz-Yaeger Owner, Alaska Charters & Adventures

“I’m the fourth generation in my family to get some portion of my liveli- hood from the Stikine River,” Brend Schwartz-Yaeger mused from the seat of her boat in one of Wrangell’s sheltered marinas. “My ancestors were big game guides, trappers, fishermen and crewed riverboats going up the Stikine. My dad was a fisheries biologist. He might have been the first white man to hike all the tributaries of the Stikine.” Schwartz-Yaeger wears a few different hats to make ends meet in Wrangell as so many Alaskans do—in her case, artist, commercial fisher and tour operator. “In the summer, I captain a custom jetboat that was designed to let me get back into the nooks and crannies of the Stikine… and back out,” she continued. “John Muir described the Stikine as ‘a Yosemite Valley 100 miles long.’ There are peaks up to 10,000 feet, rug- ged mountains with glaciers reaching down, wolves, moose, beavers and bears, brown and black. It’s a big chunk of wilderness; for wilderness to function, you need vast areas like the Stikine. Most of my clients (200 to “IT’S HARD FOR 300 a season) are photographers or nature lovers. I try to give them an PEOPLE TO WRAP overview of the place, a beautiful cruise with a stop every 30 minutes to explore. It’s hard for people to wrap their mind around the river—even THEIR MIND recognize that it is a river. The scale is humbling. I like to make people take AROUND THE a breath and realize how insignificant we are, that we’re not in control. RIVER—EVEN I’ve had people have a life-changing experience out there; others want RECOGNIZE THAT to rush back to the mall! “You can take this boat all the way up to Telegraph Creek—that’s 167 IT IS A RIVER. miles. It’s amazing to think of the steamships once plying the river that THE SCALE IS far upstream. There was a time when the Stikine was a highway and a HUMBLING.” workplace for the native peoples. At times hrough history, no one really knew exactly where the border [between Alaska and British Columbia] was. I don’t think we can take the Stikine country apart and say, “Canada, you do what you want.” As far as fish and nature and the river are concerned, there’s no line there.”

Wrangell Mountain Range ENDRES / ALASKA STOCK © PATRICK COPYRIGHT TROUT WINTER 2015

By Zachary Dingus or over 15 years now, Navy submarines and aircraft carriers. Trout Unlimited has Deeter has covered the fly-fishing offered fly rods for market for years as an editor-at-large life members to show with Field & Stream and editor-in-chief our appreciation of of Angling Trade, as well as co-authoring their dedication and the best-selling Little Red Book of Fly Fishing. lasting commitment to conserving, Johnson is an experienced angler, F protecting and restoring North and savvy marketing executive whose America’s coldwater fisheries. We’ve agency work has led him from Chicago always focused on a high-end trout to New York, London and eventually model—typically a 9-foot, 5-weight. Washington, D.C. and TU. For 2015, we decided to push the I was there to be a “test pilot,” envelope. We wanted to create a rod because while we were focused on that can only be obtained by being a design and marketing, it was mostly TU life member. And we wanted that about fishing. Believe me, we all spent to be a unique, “statement” rod that plenty of time on the water. Our goal: reflects the performance and values to produce the ultimate dry fly rod. that TU life membership stands for. Cruising on a couple of dories We started by partnering with navigated by Combs and Rosenbauer, Orvis. Last summer, I was part of a we tried a wide range of rods, TU delegation that included TU chief from 4-weights to 6-weights (many marketing officer Joel Johnson and 5-weights), both mid and tip flexes at TROUT magazine editor Kirk Deeter different lengths, to fiberglass rods and that visited the Orvis Rod everything in-between. design and manufactur- We fished ponds and the ing facility in Manchester, Battenkill River to gauge Vt. There, we worked the strength, presentation with Tom Rosenbauer, and precision of various the company’s marketing rods. director, as well as Shawn In the end, the choice Combs, Orvis’s lead rod was unanimous. We landed designer who has been the on the Helios 2 blank, a technology guru behind mid flex 4-weight measur-

The Making of a “Life” Rod “Life” The Making of a many of Orvis’s recent ing 8-foot, 6-inches. breakthrough products, Joel Johnson, Tom Rosenbauer Rosenbauer and Deeter including Helios 2. and Zachary Dingus leaned toward the 4-weight The team is well early on. Having fished known, respected and knowledge- together in a number of far-ranging able. Rosenbauer is the author of The fly-fishing locales, from Chile to the Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide, and he hosts the Catskills, to the high alpine streams of Orvis Podcast. Before joining Orvis, Rocky Mountain National Park, they Combs worked in the energy indus- share many of the same philosophies, try, developing nuclear fuel for U.S. one of them being that they both fish

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their unparalleled craftsmanship or dedicated workers, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to offer such amazing rods and reels to you. Joel Johnson at the Orvis rod shop Once we zeroed in on the model, we set out to create a stunning and unique look for this rod. It features a midnight blue blank with a custom 4-weights and lighter nearly every time TU green wrap above the hook keeper, they fish for trout. and a special “Trout Unlimited Life “I very, very rarely fish anything Member.” It’s also accented with custom heavier than a 4-weight for trout, no nickel silver and a California Buckeye matter where I am… even throw- Burl uplocking reel seat. ing grasshopper flies out in We’ve paired this Montana,” said Rosenbauer. rod with Orvis’s “I like the sensitivity and feel legendary CFO reel. when it comes to fighting trout, Made in the U.S., and with the modern materials this special run and tapers we use, one doesn’t features a custom have to sacrifice power to find TU green color and finesse.” a “Trout Unlimited” Deeter added: “As I was inscription. casting different models, I was This trip was playing in my mind different filled with firsts for scenarios, like throwing small me… It was my first terrestrials on a stream in the Orvis rod test pond business trip and my Driftless Area in Wisconsin, or first time in a plane chasing gulpers on the Madison Arm (I’m 23 years old and deathly afraid of of Hebgen Lake, and the common heights). It was also a first for Trout denominator always seemed to be the Unlimited. Never before has TU put

Never before has TU before so muchNever put thought and into collaboration producing a fly this rod and of reel combination achievement. “life” a indeed is It caliber. 4-weight. And if you’re going 4-weight so much thought and collaboration into for dry-fly fishing, I like 8-foot, 6-inch producing a fly rod and reel combina- as the length that optimizes accuracy tion of this caliber. It is indeed a “life” in tight spots.” achievement. Combs led us through the Orvis rod The rod and reel will be available shop to give us a better sense of what as part of our next life membership goes into manufacturing each and every campaign (existing members can get fly rod. He walked us through the step- them too). Stay tuned for details. by-step process of building a fly rod… and Joel even helped put one together! Touring their facility really gave me an appreciation of what Orvis does and what they stand for, because without

57 TROUT WINTER 2015

Big Bows... and Slobbering Lake Monsters By Nelli Williams Oh, how I hope he loves this. The rain-laden wind whipped my face. My hands, gripping a steaming mug of tea were ice. My three-year-old, with his face buried in my chest, giggled with uncontrollable glee as my husband sped the boat around a bend toward the lake. It was before dawn on day four of a five-day do-it-yourself fishing trip in Bristol Bay. We had pulled Mason out of bed (slightly bribed by a Spiderman glow stick), rolled him into his rain gear, and hopped in the boat to try to be the first to a nice run that had been fruitful the day before. Waking a sleeping child is a game of roulette most parents know well. It’s a roll of the dice. We could have easily had a crying cranky kiddo on our hands, but instead, he was giggling. I took a sip and enjoyed the moment. We reached the seam. And, after getting a snack, searching for and finding the prized stick left in the boat from yesterday, and retrieving the glow stick from a quick swim, both my husband and I had lines in the water. We celebrated the small victory. As my indicator drifted, I off-handedly mentioned the legendary lake monster I had learned of earlier this summer from some local kids, thinking that he would be occupied with quietly trying to

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spot him in the rocking waves while I Fishing trips are now much less about could concentrate on my not-yet-easy- to-come-by-dead-drift. Rookie move. the fishing, less about slowing down and Instead… finding peace on a river. Now they are about “Momma, what color is the lake monster?” snacks and giggles and chaos when you “Orange,” I said without hesitation, manage to hook a fish and ensure that your I’d played this game before and hoped the idea of an orange (his favorite color) kiddo and rod all stay in the boat. lake monster would satiate his curiosity for more than 30 seconds (except when for a while. Wrong the little guy was passed out in the pack again. during naptime), and were completely “If he was black exhausted by the end of each day. he’d be hard to see.” But it was worth it right? “Yep, he really It has to be worth it I kept telling would,” as the sun myself, and through moments of started to lighten question, deep down I knew it was. the clouds and I Fishing trips are now much less about finally had a nice the fishing, less about slowing down line placement. and finding peace on a river. Now they “Daddy, does he are about snacks and giggles and chaos slobber?” when you manage to hook a fish and “Probably.” ensure that your kiddo and rod all stay “What color?” in the boat. But most of all it’s about “The slobber?” doing all that we can to show our son “Yep.” the wonders of a river, and the gifts of “Purple.” released—a fairly smooth start to another wild places. A moment spent contemplating the good day on the river. Toward the end of the day, Mason orange sea monster with purple slobber. My husband and I had gotten a few reeled in a tiny rainbow trout nearly I made another cast. A gust of wind. raised eyebrows, dragging our toddler all on his own. We helped him unhook Great, the split shot wrapped around on a five day fishing trip to remote it and he gripped it, as gently as any my strike indicator. southwest Alaska. Even though he was excited just-turned-3-year-old can. His “How many teeth does he have?” the seasoned co-captain of our drift eyes were brimming with sparkle. After “At least 20,” I muttered with line in boat for weekend outings, we knew five admiring it a few seconds, he wound my mouth dealing with the tangle and consecutive days in a boat would be a up with his best overhand throw, and another hand frantically searching for challenge. In the end we had gone with tossed it back into the river. those M&M’s I’d stashed in my pack, our gut, kept our fingers crossed and I hope in 20 years, he is on a river, never mind that the sun hadn’t risen yet. threw rules about no chocolate before soaked to the bone and rain whipping “Where is he? I don’t see him!” lunch out the window. his face, with a sparkle from a five-inch “You might not see him, he lives Watching our son race back and forth trout still alive and well in his soul. I under water.” with joy from one end of the boat to know he very well he might decide he “Will he eat us?” the other to hang over the side of the doesn’t like fishing, and live far away “Not likely. Look, Daddy has a boat to see the fish before we released from Bristol Bay’s wild rivers. But fish on! “ them, playing astronauts on gravel bar between now and then we are going “Mommy, do you think the boat will “rocket ships,” and hearing him giggle to do everything we can to nurture be crunchy?” with uncontainable joy as he helped that sparkle into enough of a flame to “Very likely. Do you want to touch dad drive the boat erased any second keep him coming back to the river for daddy’s fish?” of our doubts. more. We’ll see if it takes. “I sure do!” We fished fewer hours, likely caught Oh, how I hope he loves this. Whew, lake monster at bay, a happy, less fish, had to keep the foul language to if question-filled, thee-year-old and a minimum when the big ones got away, the first fish brought to the boat and couldn’t carry on an adult conversation

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ActionlineNews from the Field Wisconsin 2014 Annual Meeting awards recap 62

Massachusetts Chapter receives $20,000 64

Kentucky Hatchery Creek project begins 65

Pennsylvania Fly-Fishing club at Lehigh University 65

Utah & Idaho Single-Fly events prove to be excellent fundraisers 67

Wisconsin Teen Summit 66

Washington Kids and Coho fry 67

Tools and Tips Chapter activities for winter, new nember necruiting, chapter promotion, regional meetings… and more 68

Stream Champion Marie Belcastro 70

2014 National Conservation

State Council Award for Youth Education Leadership Award: Excellence: JOHN WRIGHT, NEW MEXICO COLORADO COUNCIL John Wright is the driving force of youth education for Truchas Chapter Through their efforts in integrating in New Mexico and for Trout in the Classroom programs across the work in conservation, partnerships state and nationally. Seven years ago, TIC did not exist in New Mexico and membership engagement across and there was no roadmap to follow. John made it happen. all levels of TU the Colorado Council exemplifies the model of “One TU.” Youth Education Leadership Award: JOHN THURMAN, TENNESSEE Golden Trout Award: John Thurman believes the natural environment is the best learning SEBAGO CHAPTER, MAINE #328 environment where kids can get excited about conservation—with From dam removal to science-based conservation and advocacy, the added bonus that he gets to play in the stream. For more than to youth engagement and more, the Sebago Chapter is a strong a decade, John’s focus has been on developing youth interest in model of what an active and engaged TU chapter can accomplish. natural aquatic systems.

Silver Trout Award: Bollinger Newsletter Award: SOUTHERN WISCONSIN COUNCIL #061 THE TROUT TALE, WYOMING COUNCIL The Southern Wisconsin Chapter is more than just a strong A good newsletter carries the message of TU to members and lets chapter, it is a group of dedicated volunteers that embodies them see how it is unfolding in their own back yard. A great news- the “One TU” message, and embraces and enacts the ideals of letter, like quarterly The Trout Tale, engages those members, excites Protect, Reconnect, Restore and Sustain. them about the work and motivates and encourages them to take an active role in TU’s success.

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Awards

a 40-day pilgrimage to the Olympic Peninsula he discovered Best Website Award: the decline in steelhead. He raised the money to shoot Wild Pennsylvania Council Reverence: The Wild Steelhead’s Last Stand. View a film trailer and WWW.PATROUT.COM______learn about the Wild Reverence tour at www.northforkstudios.net The Pennsylvania TU website has become the go-to resource for anyone looking to find out what is hap- Distinguished Service Award: pening with coldwater conservation JOHN HUNT, MINNESOTA measures across the state. Whether helping his local Chapter, making the Minnesota council stronger or leading efforts across the country in his national roles, John’s impact on TU is incalculable. Youth Education Leadership Award: CHARLES “CHUCK” DINKEL, MID-ATLANTIC COUNCIL Chuck Dinkel’s impact on Trout in the Classroom goes far beyond Distinguished Service Award: the local and state levels. His dedication and leadership in growing KERRI RUSSELL, ARKANSAS TIC in the Mid-Atlantic region has helped build the program to After serving as the Arkansas Council chair for two years, in 2010, over 72 schools and centers. Kerri was appointed as Arkansas’ National Leadership Council representative. At the national level, Kerri quickly became fully immersed in a range of work, serving as vice-chair of the Women’s Distinguished Service Award: Initiative Workgroup before taking over as chair in 2013. She is also WILLIAM WELLMAN, NEW YORK currently the chair of the Land Conservancy Workgroup and serves Bill Wellman has been a force for TU on the Energy Workgroup and Access Workgroup. for more than 20 years in New York. Whether leading his Lake Champlain Chapter in the north country of Distinguished Service Award: New York as president, treasurer ED ALBRECHT, CONNECTICUT and now board director, serving as In 2007 Albrecht took over a 45-gallon tank and $200 worth of a regional vice-president of the New equipment in his hometown of Chesire, Conn., and began running York council for 20 years, taking on the Salmon in the Classroom program for his local Hammonasset the role of council secretary for six Chapter. One tank became four, salmon transitioned to trout and years, partnering with TU chapters across the lake in Vermont or Trout in the Classroom started to grow. focusing his efforts on hydro relicensing, there is very little in New York TU that does not have Bill’s fingerprint on it. Distinguished Service Award: META ARMSTRONG, SOUTH CAROLINA Trout Conservation Award: Three decades after a chance meeting with Mountain Bridge Chapter PROFESSIONAL: DAVID PROPST AND JAMES BROOKS members at a boat show, Armstrong has become a dedicated mem- Thanks to the work of James and David and the Gila Trout ber and has impacted the organization at all levels for the better. Recovery Team they have guided with their strong personalities, witty humor and adept leadership, the future is bright for Gila trout and a model for recovering an endangered fish species has Distinguished Service Award: been created. MATT TUCKER, MISSOURI In less than 18 months, Tucker and his small band of volunteers have built a chapter with nearly 800 members and a very active Conservation Award: volunteer presence. COMMUNICATION: SHANE ANDERSON, WILD REVERENCE After a devastating skiing accident in the 2000 winter X-Games, TROUT will have a conversation with this year's Mortensen Anderson found therapy, purpose and passion in fishing. After Award winner, Jon Christiansen, in its next issue.

63 TROUT WINTER 2015

Grassroots Spotlight On-the-ground chapter success stories

Southeastern Massachusetts TU Chapter Receives $20,000 MASSACHUSETTS

and thermal impact caused by periodic flooding of the bogs and subsequent releases of solar- heated water into Red Brook will come to an end. The funds that the Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter has received from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust will be spent on the final design and permitting of the project. Some of the funds will also go toward a study of macro- invertebrates in Red Brook to help shed light on the impacts of pesticide use by cranberry operations. While it is antici- pated that Red Brook’s macro- invertebrates will respond to the decommissioning of the bogs, a base line is needed to establish

The Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter The stage was set for the final of TU has received $20,000 from the phase of Red Brook’s restoration Massachusetts Environmental Trust for when, in 2009, the Massachusetts the restoration of Red Brook where it Division of Fisheries and Wildlife flows through 70 acres of cranberry bogs purchased 245 acres from the cran- in the stream’s headwaters. berry growers, A.D. Makepeace Red Brook is a sea-run brook trout Company, to complete the protec- stream that empties into the northern tion of Red Brook along its entire end of Buzzards Bay near the west end of 4.5 mile corridor. In the autumn of the Cape Cod Canal. TU volunteers have 2014, under a lease agreement with been working to restore Red Brook and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the extent of macro-invertebrate recov- its salter brook trout population since A.D. Makepeace completed their last ery over time. A pictorial history of Red the early 1990s. To date, TU and a long cranberry harvest from the 70 acres of Brook will also be partially funded by the list of partners, including The Trustees bogs through which the Red Brook flows. MET grant. of Reservations, Massachusetts Division After more than 100 years of cran- The Massachusetts Environmental of Fisheries and Wildlife, Massachusetts berry culture, the bog complex, appro- Trust is funded by the sale of license Division of Ecological Restoration and the priately named Century Bog, will be plates to state residents wishing to sup- A.D. Makepeace Company, have removed decommissioned. Red Brook’s channel port the restoration and protection of four dams, restored riparian wetlands where it flows through the bogs will be the Massachusetts environment. This is and placed hundreds of logs and root naturalized, and the bogs will be restored the second grant that MET has awarded wads into Red Brook to restore habitat as nearly as possible to the complex wet- to the Southeastern Massachusetts diversity. lands they once were. The flash flooding Chapter of TU.

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depths, habitat types and temperature gra- dients for aquatic wildlife, including trout. The final piece of the new stream slopes through a series of step pools for about 400 feet before emptying into the Cumberland River, allowing trout to move between the river and the newly created stream. Project Manager Andy Mowrey said the $1.8 million Wetland and Stream Mitigation Program project should take about six months to complete. “The end result is a stable functional stream channel, removal of large amounts of sediment pollution from the Cumberland River, high quality aquatic habitat and a unique fishing opportunity for anglers,” said Mowrey. Cumberland River For more information on the in-lieu fee program see http://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Pages/ reap the benefits in many ways,” said Stream-Team-Program.aspx.______Hudson. “Not only will this project improve Hatchery Creek water quality in Hatchery Creek and the Cumberland River, it will minimize a very Project Begins serious and costly erosion problem affect- ing the Corps’ Kendall Campground. It KENTUCKY Fly Fishing Club at will also provide additional recreational opportunities for those campers using the Lehigh University U.S. Corps of Engineers Lt. Col. John L. campground.” Hudson and Kentucky Department of With Lake Cumberland back to normal PENNSYLVANIA Fish and Wildlife Resources Commissioner lake levels, visitation is again increasing Gregory Johnson joined the U.S. Fish and in the region. “This is an opportunity to Students at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Wildlife Service, state legislators and Russell improve the Lake Cumberland project area Pa. formed a Fly Fishing Club in the fall of County officials Friday, Aug. 8, in breaking for the benefit of the Cumberland River 2014. The process started last year when ground for a new wetlands and stream res- and multiple project purposes, such as several members from the Hokendauqua toration project just below the Wolf Creek environmental protection, fish and wildlife Chapter met with interested students and National Fish Hatchery at Jamestown, Ky. habitat and recreational opportunities such faculty members, and Chapter member Hal The nearly mile-and-a-quarter-long res- as trout fishing,” said Johnson. Black gave a presentation on the College toration of Hatchery Creek has been in the The plan calls for the 380 foot grouted Outreach portion of TU’s 5 Rivers Program. planning stages for nearly five years. channel now carrying the flow from the Several students showed interest in the “We are excited to get this restoration hatchery to be reworked into a more natu- program and agreed to follow through and underway,” said Johnson. “It will more ral stream setting. After construction, this start the process of organizing the club. than triple the current length of Hatchery new channel will remain open to the public. At the start of the fall semester all clubs Creek, replace degraded, bare banks with Water leaving this section currently were given the opportunity to recruit new gradual sloping contours and create natu- flows into the deeply incised and eroding members, and The Fly Fishing Club was ralized pools, riffles and also re-establish gully. This gully will be partially and enhance 5.5 acres of forested and filled in, diverting water into the emergent wetlands on Lake Cumberland newly created stream. project lands.” The new stream will flow Over time, water flowing from the hatch- down the valley more than a ery has eroded a gully that funnels harm- mile through created riffles, runs, ful fine sediments into the Cumberland glides and pools that have been River. This project is an ambitious venture carefully designed to offer attrac- to change this undesirable situation and tive habitat for aquatic wildlife. create in its place a stream that provides It will at times split into multiple high quality habitat for fish. channels and flow through sec- “The development of this project has tions surrounded by wetlands. been a true partnership between all the This is all intended to provide a agencies involved and the Corps will variety of stream flow velocities,

6565 TROUTTROUT WINTER FALL 20122015

able to sign up approximately 50 interested students. Mitchell Kaliner, a junior finance major in the College of Business agreed to take on the position of president. Other officers were elected and the club became affiliated with the Hokendauqua Chapter’s College Outreach Program. Twenty-two members of the club met with Hokendauqua Chapter members for a day of fishing on a crisp Sunday in October. They were invited to fish at Chapter member Bob Saks’ stocked trout pond, which has also been used for the Chapter’s Project Healing Waters Program. The group was divided into a morning session of nine and an afternoon session of volunteered to help at the event. The 13. After introductions, ‘Joint Lehigh Valley Chapters’ have worked students were given a together on numerous events in the past. brief description of TU Visit the Chapter’s website, www.hokendau-______and the Hokendauqua qua.tu.org______to see photos and more informa- Chapter. They were tion on upcoming events. instructed on the basics of fly fishing, and a Got big news from your chapter? fly casting seminar was We want to hear about it. presented. A majority of The Actionline section of TROUT provides the students had never a perfect forum for exchanging informa- fly fished before, but tion and sharing successes. Send us all students hooked, a short item—150 to 300 words— played and landed at describing your project or event, why it was significant and, if possible, how least one sizeable trout it might benefit other chapters. Send before their session was over. involved with the Chapter’s Conservation Actionline submissions, plus photos (digi- After lunch the second group went activities. They were also invited to attend tal images are preferred), to Samantha through the same process as the first. The the Chapter’s Fly Tying Class starting in Carmichael at [email protected], 1777 weather warmed and the trout were more January. North Kent Street, #100, Arlington, VA., active. More activities with the club will be Several members of the Monocacy, Little 22209, (703) 284-9422. forthcoming. The club would also like to get Lehigh and Forks of the Delaware Chapters

This summer, 24 teens, three youth counselors and many volunteers gath- ered for TU’s third annual teen summit. It was held in Wisconsin’s beautiful Driftless area, and the five days included planning meetings, conservation education and plenty of fishing.

Attendees are currently writing up HEIDI OBERSTADT BY PHOTOS their reflections of their experiences, which will be posted at www.tu.org. TEEN SUMMIT

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Single-Fly Events Prove to be Excellent Fundraisers

As TU continues to grow both in terms of its conservation capacity and the staff needed to carry out some of the nation’s most important restoration and protection work on the ground, the organization is get- Kids & Coho Fry ting more creative when it comes to raising money. This summer, Come Together at Cove Pond TU hosted “single-fly” fund-raising events on two of the West’s most iconic rivers: the Green in northwest Utah and Idaho’s fabled Big Wood River, which starts above Sun Valley and flows through Ketchum and Hailey on its way to Magic Reservoir. The events, which allow par- ticipating teams of anglers to use a single fly to record a number of fishing accomplishments over a single day of fishing, helped raise more than $40,000 for TU. Eleven teams he Normandy Park Community Club and the Duwamish-Green Chapter teamed participated on the Green and nine up to provide the children of Normandy Park and surrounding communities an teams participated on the Big Wood. opportunity to plant Coho salmon fry at the “Cove” rearing pond on Sunday, Winners of the Utah Single Fly T March 16, 2014. Approximately 60 kids and adults braved the rainy weather and had were Herb Patterson, Spencer Higa, a great time giving the one-inch long Coho fry a send off. Travis Gillespie and Jed Stewart. In 2006, the Normandy Park Community Club in cooperation with Washington The team of Dave Perkins and Justin Department of Fisheries, the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and Trout Unlimited Petty won the Big Wood Single Fly restored the pond on the Cove property to emulate a “beaver pond,” which in nature, event. is a prime Coho salmon and sea-run cutthroat trout rearing area. Naturally occurring To enter a team in next year’s beaver ponds on streams provide several benefits to young salmon: the ponds are Utah Single Fly, contact Dave loaded with bug life, the ponds provide a refuge from flood waters and salmon fry living in ponds expend less energy than their cousins living in streams. Kumlien at [email protected]. To fish in the Big Wood Single Fly, con- Coho salmon fry live in the freshwater stream environment for 12 to 18 months before “smolting” and moving into the saltwater environment, eventually traveling to tact Chad Chorney at ______cchorney@ tu.org. Alaska to feed, then returning to spawn. Pink, Chum and Chinook salmon fry on the other hand migrate to saltwater after spending only three months or so in freshwater. What that means to Coho fry that live in urban streams is that the water quality must remain good for the entire year. One pollution or extreme flooding event can wipe out an entire population of Coho juveniles. TU maintains a Coho salmon restoration hatchery on Miller Creek, which raises and releases approximately 130,000 Coho fry into local streams each year. Ron DeSilva is the TU Chapter President and Russ Welker is the Hatchery Director for the Chapter project. Dr. John Muramatsu also runs the TU “Salmon in the Classroom” program for several local schools where students watch salmon eggs hatch in refrigerated aquari- ums provided to their schools by TU. Those fry are also released in local streams by the students. A small number of the salmon fry released by the kids at the Cove Pond will return to Normandy Park streams October through December, three years from now. — Andy Batcho

6767 TROUTTROUT WINTER FALL 20122015

By Beverly Smith [ Director of Volunteer Operations ]

Promote Your Chapter Events and Win up to $2,500! Getting the word out about your chapter’s events and activities is one of the best ways to grow your membership, engage volunteers and increase the impact of your conservation, education and fundraising efforts. The new TU Event Printshop—in partnership with TicketPrinting.com—provides______you with an easy-to-use and affordable way to print high- quality, beautifully designed posters, flyers, postcards, tickets and more. The online printshop makes it easy for you to personal- ize these products with your chapter’s event information. Whether you are promot- ing your upcoming Chapter Activities Ideal for Winter chapter fundraiser, hosting a family fishing day, or planning a con- Winter is the ideal time for inside activities and the sharing of fishing- servation project, the posters, postcards, tickets related knowledge, though chapter fishing outings are also great winter events. Chapters can benefit from the cabin fever their members are and more are sure to help you fill seats, draw a feeling by focusing on offering fun, fishing related outlets to enjoy time larger crowd and promote your work. talking with people who share their passion. Activities that are ideal for TicketPrinting is a strong supporter of winter events include: conservation and TU. For the launch of the • Conservation: Setting up booths at fishing and outdoors shows to new TU Event Printshop, TicketPrinting has educate the angling public on TU’s conservation and youth education donated $10,000 to TU to award to our chap- work; presenting your chapter’s conservation projects to area clubs such ters in the form of a grant contest. What’s more, as Kiwanis or Garden Clubs to seek financial and volunteer support; TicketPrinting will be donating back 20 percent holding a restoration planning meeting with local watershed associations, of all purchases made through the printshop state agency staff and others to plan for the coming spring and summer. to TU. Entering your chapter in the grant • Community: Hosting a Fly Fishing Film Tour screening event to recruit competition is easy. Simply log into the Tackle new members and spend quality time with existing members; holding a Box at www.tu.org and click on the “TU Event chapter holiday party; running a series of chapter fishing clinics on top- Printshop” link to design, print and order your ics such as fly tying and rod building, or demonstrations on reading the water or understanding local hatches. first batch of posters, postcards, tickets and other event promotional products. • Fishing: Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean your chapter can’t Every chapter that places an order will be go fishing! Try hosting a “New Year’s Day” fishing trip to a local river, or a trip to a local river well-known for winter midge fishing, or late winter entered in a random drawing for grants ranging stonefly or blue wing olive hatches. from $250 to $2,500.

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calendar All web conference trainings are held at 8 p.m. EST. Contact Jeff Yates to register. Recruit New Members with the Fly Fishing Film Tour Jan. 14: Training: Planning The Fly Fishing Film Tour (www.flyfilmtour.com)______is a A Spring River Cleanup and traveling event made up of many short, excellent films Planting Project which your TU chapter or council can host and show at a local venue. Last year the Fly Fishing Film Tour Jan. 20: Training: Chapter and (also called the F3T) was seen by more than 50,000 Council Membership Chair anglers. For many TU chapters, hosting an F3T screen- Roundtable ing has been a great way to attract and recruit new and younger members, build community among existing members and raise the profile of their chapter in the local community. The F3T Feb. 3: Training: New Chapter gives chapters an easy way to draw in an audience who are interested and receptive to hearing Leader Orientation TU’s conservation and education message. Hosting a tour is easy to do and you will be sup- Feb. 9: Training: New Council ported along the way by TU staff and the F3T’s experts. For information on how to host an F3T Leader Orientation event in your chapter, go to the Tackle Box on www.tu.org, or contact Jeff Yates, Acting Director of Volunteer Operations, at [email protected]. Feb. 26: Training: TroutBlitz – How to Help Monitor Local Trout Populations with a Fly Rod!

Mar. 7: Mid-South Regional Chapter 990’s Due to the IRS by February 15 Meeting – Branson, Mo. In order to remain compliant with the obligations of a 501(c)(3) organization, each TU chapter and council is required to file a Form 990 financial statement with the IRS by Feb. 15, 2015. May 1-2: Western Regional Meeting – Jackson Hole, Wyo. Each chapter and council must file its own forms with the IRS, filing the Annual Financial Report on www.tu.org does not satisfy the IRS requirement. Chapters and councils with gross receipts May 30-31: Northeast Regional under $50,000 (on average over three years) will only need to file the short 990N e-postcard. Meeting – Providence, R.I. However, chapters or councils with gross receipts over $50,000 (on average over three years) will need to file the Form 990 or 990EZ. For more information, contact volunteer operations June 6-7: Mid-Atlantic Regional staff or visit irs.gov. Meeting – Frederick, Md.

REGIONAL MEETINGS TU REGIONAL MEETINGS are occasions to be inspired—by the work of TU A Fun Weekend of Learning staff, lessons from leaders and conversations with newfound friends. Join and Camaraderie for TU fellow anglers and TU members and volunteers from across the country at the regional meeting closest to you to learn how to join and build an engaged Members and Volunteers community of anglers with a shared passion for conservation and fishing in your area. Regional meeting dates and locations are listed in the calendar on this page as well as on www.tu.org under “Get Involved / National Events” Whether you are a TU member looking to learn more about our work and ways you can get involved, or a current volunteer hoping to improve and grow your impact with conservation and education programs in your community, regional meetings offer something for everyone. Along with presentations, roundtables and Q&A sessions with TU staff, regional meetings offer fun, social activities including barbecues, group meals and, of course, great fishing with local volunteer hosts who know the secret spots on their local streams!

69 TROUT WINTER 2015

“I gave her a rod and taught her to roll cast,” recalls Kirk. “She was a natural and after 10 minutes impatiently expressed, ‘That’s enough of the lessons, I know how to fish now.’” That day, while it Marie Belcastro rained cats and dogs, Ohio Belcastro cast for the rainbow, brown, brook and tiger trout stocked at Little Pickerel Creek, which flows into Sandusky Bay and eventually, Lake Erie. For most of John Kirk’s “The one thing that I do not like is 25 years as an angler, the removing the fish from the fly,” says sport of fly fishing has been Belcastro. “I turn my head when it is time dominated by men. That to do that!” is, until recently. According to Kirk, his mother-in-law “Since childhood, fly continues to learn and develop skills, fishing was something I did with the mostly from watching other anglers. guys—especially my annual fishing trip “She is very competitive, always aware to Montana,” says Kirk, who has served of what others are catching,” says Kirk. in almost every leadership position at “We are sorry we didn’t introduce her TU’s Emerald Necklace to fly fishing many years Chapter and is a fix- ago. It is truly a sport Favorite Fly: ture at the Rockwell which can be enjoyed by An Egg Pattern and a Black Springs Trout Club in Stream people at every age and Woolly Bugger Castalia, Ohio. stage in life.” These days, Kirk Now 94, Belcastro Favorite (and only) Place Champion to Fish: sees more women continues to go fly fish- Rockwell Springs Trout Club enjoying the sport— ing four or five times a on Little Pickerel Creek especially within his own year, including for each family. For example, upon retirement, birthday. She is often accompanied by Most Memorable Fish: his wife Karen picked up a rod and began her children, grandchildren and great- 14-inch Rainbow Trout accompanying him along local stream grandchildren. Sometimes they are chat- caught on her birthday banks and eventually, in Montana. But tering; other times everyone is lost in that’s not the end of the story. their thoughts. Without fail, Belcastro On a rainy day a few years back, four is always the last one in for lunch and generations of Kirk’s family convened at the last one off the stream at the end of the Club to celebrate his mother-in-law’s the day. 90th birthday. Marie Belcastro, known Her daughter, Karen Kirk, could as “GG” (Great Grandma), expressed an not be more proud of the family’s new interest in fly fishing as John introduced fly-fishing enthusiast. She notes, “Who his three- and five-year-old granddaugh- knows, maybe we’ll spend her 100th ters to the sport. birthday in Montana.”

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TU Teens catch all the benefi ts of a regular TU membership plus a chance to participate in fl y fi shing camps, contests, gatherings of TU teen members, and plenty of opportunities to volunteer and have fun.

Visit www.tu.org/teens or call 1-800-834-2419 for more information!

71 TROUT WINTER 2015

Art of Angling [ By Dave Whitlock]

The Traditional Dry Fly

SINCE ITS CONCEPTION IN THE 1800s, mayfly you’ve just presented is a moving Just as the basic definition of a wet the dry fly has been an important experience that is seldom forgotten and fly is a fly that sinks into the water, mainstay in most every trout fisher’s fly addictive to the degree that some trout fly the dry fly is a fly that floats on water. box. It may be that beautiful, aquatic fishers never fish any other way again. Actually most dry flies are captured in mayfly adults—most the water surface film likely Ephemera danica— The Parts and Proprtions of the Traditional Dry Fly leaving some or most of floating like delicate the fly extended above sailboats on the smooth the surface. My refer- surface of English chalk ences suggest that the streams inspired man to traditional dry fly was first fly fish for trout. originally created to The design, effective- imitate duns and spin- ness, grace, beauty ners of ephemera—the and charm of these mayfly—by Frederick flies have captured the Halford who lived in devotion of fly-fishing England in the late writers, poets, artists 1800s. After the tradi- and fly tiers throughout tional dry fly was well the centuries. I was established in Europe, so moved when I first The traditional Theodore Gordon, an witnessed this danica dry fly, in order American enamored to function as emergence on the Itchen its originators with Halford’s work, in Hampshire, England. intended, must be began tying and then The experience of seeing tied with the correct fishing these flies in proportions using a Tail length (TL) = shank length (SL) a trout rise to the surface high-quality dry-fly Body length (BL) = 2/3 SL the Catskills and other and capture a mayfly, hook and the finest, northeastern trout web-free, extra-stiff Hackle-barbule length (HL) = 1 ½ hook gape (HG) and then rise again cock hackle. Wing length (WL) = 1 ¼ hackle length (HL) waters around 1889. to an imitation of the American fly-fishing

123

1. Mayfly duns sit on top of the surface film with only leg ends protruding below the surface. 2. The hypothetical perfect float for a traditional dry fly. 3. The more typical float of a traditional dry fly attached to the leader. Note how the hook and part of the barbules protrude below the surface.

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historians affectionately honor Mr. tinents, were considered practical only acceptance on our faster- flowing trout Gordon with the esteemed title of on calm, slow-moving chalk streams, streams began and has continued in ‘Father of the American Dry Fly’ and spring creeks and still waters. But after popularity and design development his Quill Gordon is most symbolic of Emlyn Gill wrote Practical Dry Fly Fishing in ever since. the traditional dry fly in North America. 1912 followed by George LaBranche’s Here in the United States, traditional These early dry flies, on both con- The Dry Fly and Fast Water in 1914, the fly’s dry flies are often known as “Catskill”

Twelve traditional Catskill-style dry flies with the mayfly dun most are meant to imitate. 1 The challenge to reproduce these classics—the shapes, colors, transparency and proportions—with my art pencils was both demanding and extremely 2 3 satisfying. These beautiful Catskills are examples of the wonderful tying skills of Rube Cross, Winnie and Walt Dette, Harry and Elise Darbee and Art Flick. 4

Flies – Top and right to left:

1. Grey Fox Variant

2. Red Quill 5 3. Whirling Blue Dun 6

4. Light Cahill

5. Greenwell’s Glory

6. Hendrickson

7. March Brown

8. Ginger Quill 7 8 9. Quill Gordon

10. Pale Evening Dun 9

11. Adams

12. Dun Variant

10 11

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dry flies. Delicate and beautiful, they opinion, the variations are acceptable are designed and constructed to alight within their opportunistic feeding softly on the surface film and to rest drive and limited reasoning. upright and mostly above the surface The traditional dry fly patterns as does the mayfly dun that it most mostly reflect the general color and frequently imitates. To achieve this marking patterns of the mayfly hatches performance it is tied on a small, very- indigenous to the waters being fished, light wire hook with extra-fine silk or or as Ernest Schwiebert coined it, nylon thread, using the finest-sized “matching the hatch,” in his book of cock hackle, duck-wing feather seg- the same title published in 1955. These ments, duck breast or flank feathers, patterns are mostly duns (gray), sulfurs herl, hackle stems and water-animal (pale yellows) and olives. The attractor fur. To create perfect balance, the traditional dry flies, such as the Royal wings, hackle, thorax, body, tails Coachman, were seldom as popular and heads call for very stringent among the Catskill dry-fly purists. proportions and little or no cement If you’d like to know more about is used. The most important imitative traditional dry flies and how to tie the characteristics of the traditional dry fly classic patterns, I’d recommend the are the wings, then thorax, abdomen, following: Ray Bergman’s Trout; Edison legs and lastly the tail. This priority Leonard’s Flies; Darrel Martin’s The Fly was established from observation of Fisher’s Craft; Art Flick’s Streamside Guide; what was thought a trout sees from its and Ernest Schwiebert’s Matching the underwater eye view of mayfly duns Hatch. Each of these provides a special and spinners on the surface as they historic viewpoint of the traditional float into the window of the trout’s dry fly. vision. The order of importance for The traditional dry fly is still choosing and fishing the fly was then popular today, especially in our eastern thought to be: size, presentation, color, streams and still waters. The good form, buoyancy and transparency. news for this design is that we are The hypothetical perfect float position constantly improving on the hooks, of the traditional dry fly is seldom, if threads and tying materials, especially ever, achieved because of the fly’s con- the extra-high quality genetic cock nection to the line and leader, the way it hackle. The high-floating fly lines, is tied, the presentation, the condition tapered leader designs and wonder- of the water surface and how well it ful rods available today also enable actually floats. The hook and hackle us to be more successful at casting, barbules often protrude well below presenting, drifting and catching the surface in an unnatural manner. with these delicate flies. There are Yet trout, wild and tame, eagerly take usually assortments of traditional this less-than-perfect imitation if dry flies available in fly shops and presented with an acceptable size, color website stores. However, there truly and good drift. Discussions among fly is a magic to finding just the right fishers and tiers on why this is so are materials and fine hooks and correctly wonderfully thought provoking. My tying to proportion these historic dry own observation is that trout display a flies, and then tempting a beautiful different rise action to the traditional trout to the surface. It’s one of those dry fly than they do to the naturals, incredibly fulfilling experiences in which seems to imply that, in the trout’s trout fly fishing. Give it a try. ______

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75 TROUT WINTER 2015

Support Trout Unlimited’s Business Members

Orvis Retail Store Mountain Hardware and Sports Dvorak Fishing and Rafting Fishing Manager Bran Nylund Expeditions Trout Unlimited Business members Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Truckee, CA 96160 Bill Dvorak (480) 905-1400 (530) 587-4844 Nathrop, CO 81236 are TU ambassadors in protecting, www.orvis.com [email protected] (719) 539-6851 restoring, reconnecting and sustaining www.mountainhardwareandsports. (800) 824-3795 Peace Surplus, Inc. __com [email protected] North America's coldwater fisheries. Flagstaff, AZ 86001 www.dvorakexpeditions.com (888) 779-4521 To become a TU Business member North Coast Solar [email protected]______Brian Hines Fishpond, Inc. contact Walt Gasson at (307) 630-7398 www.peacesurplus.com Santa Rosa, CA 95407 Ben Kurtz (707) 575-3999 Denver, CO 80223-1346 or [email protected]. [email protected] (303) 534-3474 ARKANSAS www.ncsr.com benkurtz@fishpondusa______www.fishpondusa.com Outfitters Guides Lodges Dally’s Ozark Fly Fisher Steve Dally Pacific Watershed Associates, Cotter, AR 72626 Inc. Freestone Aquatics, Inc. Danny Hagans Clint Packo (870) 435-6166 Arcata, CA, 95518 Littleton, CO 80127 [email protected] ALASKA (707) 839-5130 (303) 807-7805 Classic Casting Adventures www.theozarkflyfisher.com [email protected] Tad Kisaka Noseeum Lodge [email protected] ______John Holman www.freestoneaquatics.com Airventures Alaska, Inc. Sitka, AK 99835 McLellan's Fly Shop www.pacificwatershed.com Casey Long King Salmon, AK 99613 Fayetteville, AR 72703 (907) 738-2737 Freestone Outfitters, LLC Wasilla, AK 99687 (907) 232-0729 (479) 251-7037 Rise Up River Trips [email protected] Monica Stark Clint Packo (907) 631-3377 (800) 791-1529 [email protected] www.flyfishsitka.com ______Placerville, CA 95667 Littleton, CO 80127 [email protected][email protected]______www.mcflyshop.com www.airventuresalaska.com www.noseeumlodge.com (530) 957-9148 (720) 448-5621 Copper River Lodge [email protected] Pat Vermillion White River Trout Lodge [email protected] ______www.flyfishfreestone.com Alaska Alpine Adventures Iliamna, AK 99606 Rainbow King Lodge riseuprivertrips.com Dan Oberlatz Iliamna, AK 99606 (406) 222-0624 Jo Anna Smith Anchorage, AK 99518 800-458-6539 The High Lonesome Ranch [email protected] Cotter, AR 72626 (907) 301-9997 [email protected] COLORADO www.copperriverlodge.com ______(870) 430-5229 [email protected] Scott Stewart/Scott Bystol ______www.rainbowking.com [email protected] www.alaskaalpineadventures.com ______Alpine Angling DeBeque, CO 81630 Crooked Creek Retreat www.whiteriverlodge.com Jeff Dysart (970) 283-9420 Dorothy Baker Royal Coachman Lodge Pat Vermillion Carbondale, CO 81623 [email protected] Alaskan Angling Adventures Kasilof, AK 99610 ______Dillingham, AK 99576 (800) 781-8120 www.thehighlonesomeranch.com LLC. (907) 260-9014 Mike Adams 406-222-0624 CALIFORNIA [email protected] [email protected] Cooper Landing, AK 99572 [email protected] www.alpineanglers.com Mirr Ranch Group www.crookedcreekretreat.com ______Kenneth Mirr (907) 595-3336 www.royalcoachmanlodge.com American River Resort Tom Van Noord Angler’s Covey Denver, CO 80209 [email protected] Crystal Creek Lodge Coloma, CA 95613 David Leinweber (303) 623-4545 www.AlaskanAnglingAdventures.com Dan Michels Tikchik Narrows Lodge Bud Hodson (530) 622-6700 Colorado Springs, CO 80904 [email protected] King Salmon, AK; 99613 ______Anchorage, AK 99522 www.americanriverresort.com (800) 753-4746 www.MirrRanchGroup.com Alaska Fly Fishing Goods (907) 357-3153 Bradley Elfers (907) 243-8450 [email protected] www.crystalcreeklodge.com Juneau, AK 99801 [email protected] Bix Restaurant and Supper Club www.anglerscovey.com North Fork Ranch [email protected] ______Douglas Biederbeck Dean and Karen May (907) 586-1550 ______www.tikchiklodge.com San Francisco, CA 94133 Arkanglers Shawnee, CO 80475 [email protected] Denali Fly Fishing Guides 415-433-6300 Salida CO 81201 (303) 838-9873 www.alaskaflyfishinggoods.com Rick McMahan Wilderness Place Lodge Jason Rockvam/Cory Wendt [email protected]______Buena Vista CO 81211 (800) 843-7895 Cantwell, AK 99729 Anchorage, AK 99519 www.bixrestaurant.com (719) 539-4223 [email protected] Alaska River Adventures (907) 768-1127 George Heim (877) 753-3474 [email protected] www.northforkranch.com [email protected] Cooper Landing, AK 99572 [email protected] Buff, Inc. www.arkanglers.com www.denalifishing.com ______Santa Rosa, California 95403 OneFish Engineering, LLC (888) 836-9027 www.wildernessplacelodge.com (707) 583-8991 Boulder Boat Works, Inc. Suzanne Huhta [email protected] EPIC Angling & Adventure, [email protected] Steven R. Ehredt Fort Collins, CO 80521 www.alaskariveradventures.com Women’s Flyfishing ______LLC Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf www.buffusa.com Longmont, CO 80501 (970) 237-0739 Rus Schwausch Anchorage, AK 99524 (303) 678-0055 [email protected] Alaska Sportsman’s Bear Trail Alaska Peninsula, AK Cedar House Sport Hotel (907) 274-7113 [email protected] www.onefishengineering.com Lodge (512) 656-2736 Jeff and Patty Baird Nanci Morris Lyon [email protected] www.boulderboatworks.com [email protected] ______Truckee, CA 96161 Palace Hotel King Salmon, AK 99613 ______www.womensflyfishing.net www.epicanglingadventure.com (866) 582-5655 Colorado River Outfitters Fred Klein Lodge: (907) 246-2327 [email protected]______Paul Killino and Jim Brunjak Salida, CO 81201 Cell: (907) 469-0622 Expedition Broker www.cedarhousesporthotel.com Bond, CO 80423 (719) 207-4175 [email protected] Greg Schlachter ARIZONA ______(970) 653-3474 [email protected]______www.fishasl.com/naknek/ Haines, AK 99827 Cole Wealth Management Florio Restaurant info@colo______radoriveroutfitters.net www.SalidaPalaceHotel.com (907) 766-3977 Martin T. Cole Douglas Biederbeck www.coloradoriveroutfitters.net Alaska’s Bearclaw Lodge (877) 406.1320 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 1915 Fillmore Street Rainbow Falls Mountain Trout Rob Fuentes [email protected] (480) 275-6354 San Francisco, CA 94115 Conejos River Anglers Richard Johnson Dillingham, AK 99576 ______www.expeditionbroker.com (480) 205-7435 (415) 775-4300 Pat Blankenship Woodland Park, CO 80866 (907) 843-1605 (719) 687-8690 [email protected]______foh@florios______f.com Antonito, CO 81120 [email protected]______Grizzly Skins of Alaska www.colewealth.com www.floriosf.com (719) 376-5660 [email protected]______www.bearclawlodge.com Rochelle Harrison and www.rainbowfallsmt.com [email protected]______Phil Shoemaker Imus Wilkinson Investment Fly Fishers Club of Orange County www.conejosriveranglers.com Alaska’s Legend Lodge King Salmon, AK 99613 John Williams Rancho Del Rio Jack Johnson Management Jeff Gibson (907) 376-2234 Eb Wilkinson Santa Ana, CA 92711-3005 Cutthroat Anglers Bemidji, MN 56601 Bond, CO 80425 [email protected] Tucson, AZ 85718 (915) 415-9920 Jim Buckler (281) 586-3313 ______(970) 653-4431 www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com (520) 777-1911 [email protected] Silverthorne, CO 80498 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.ffcoc.org (970) 262-2878 ______www.legendlodge.com ______www.ranchodelrio.com Keen Eye Anglers www.imuswilkinson.com [email protected]______Kyle Kolodziejski His and Her Fly Fishing www.fishcolorado.com Brightwater Alaska, Inc Cooper Landing, AK 99572 Frank Shelby Rep Your Water Chuck Ash Lees Ferry Anglers Garrison Doctor (541) 851-1143 Terry and Wendy Gunn Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Duranglers Flies & Supplies Anchorage, AK 99516 Lafayette, CO 80026 [email protected] Marble Canyon, AZ 86036 (949) 548-9449 John Flick and Tom Knopick (907) 344-1340 ______(720) 883-4645 www.keeneyeanglers.com (800) 962-9755 (877) 508-9449 Durango, CO 81301 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]______(970) 385-4081 ______www.brightwateralaska.com ______www.repyourwater.com Naknek River Camp www.leesferry.com www.hisherflyfishing.com [email protected] Jim Johnson www. duranglers.com Rio Outfitters King Salmon, AK 99613 Matt Heron Fly Fishing Brent Cranfill (907) 439-2895 Matt Heron Olympic Valley, CA 96146 South Fork, CO 81154 [email protected]______(719) 588-7273 www.naknekrivercamp.com (518) 225-6587 [email protected] [email protected]______www.mattheronflyfishing.com www.riooutfitters.com

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Ripple Creek Lodge Escape to Blue Ridge LLC, GOLD LEVEL MARYLAND MONTANA Glacier Anglers Dan and Kerri Schwartz Darwon Stoneman Blue Ridge, GA ii WorldCast Anglers Meeker, CO 81641 Ecotone, Inc. Absaroka Beartooth West Glacier, MT 59936 Pamela Miracle Mike Dawkins (970) 878-4725 Jim Morris Outfitters, Inc. (406) 888-5454 Alpharetta, GA 30023 Victor, ID 83455 [email protected] Jarrettsville, MD 21084-0005 Cameron S. Mayo [email protected] ______(866) 618-2521 (800) 654-0676 www.ripplecreeklodge.com (706) 413-5321 (410) 420-2600 Big Timber, MT 59011 www.glacieranglers.net [email protected][email protected]______(406) 579-3866 [email protected]______www.worldcastanglers.com Steamboat Flyfisher www.EscapetoBlueRidge.com www.ecotoneinc.com [email protected] Greco’s on the Fly John Spillane www.aboadventures.com Capt. Brett Greco Savage River Lodge Steamboat Springs, CO Fly Fish Blue Ridge ILLINOIS Ennis, MT 59729 (970) 879-6552 Gene Rutkowski Mike Dreisbach Angler's West Flyfishing (406) 640-2627 Frostburg, MD 21532 [email protected]______Cherry Log, GA 30522 Innate Fly Fishing Company LLC Outfitters [email protected] www.steamboatflyfisher.com (706) 455-5640 Benjamin Glick (301) 689-3200 Matson Rogers www.grecosonthefly.com Libertyville, IL 60048 [email protected] Emigrant, MT 59027 [email protected] Steel City Anglers www.flyfishblueridge.com (847) 337-7580 www.savageriverlodge.com (406) 333-4401 Healing Waters Lodge Ben Wurster [email protected] [email protected] Greg and Janet Lilly Pueblo, CO 81003 River Through Atlanta Guide www.innateflyfishing.com Waterwisp Flies www.montanaflyfishers.com Twin Bridges, MT 59754 (719) 778-3059 Jim Greene (406) 684-5960 Service Chevy Chase, MD 20815 [email protected]______Chris Scalley Beartooth Flyfishing [email protected] (800) 462-2935 ______www.steelcityanglers.com Roswell, GA 30075 IOWA Dan and Nancy Delekta www.hwlodge.com [email protected] (770) 650-8630 Cameron, MT 59720 Coldwater Guide Service www.waterwisp.com Tenkara USA [email protected] (406) 682-7525 Journey Rent-A-Car Daniel W. Galhardo ______Rod Woten Taylor Hartzheim www.riverthroughatlanta.com Stuart, IA 50250 [email protected] Boulder, CO 80305 www.beartoothflyfishing.com Bozeman, MT 59718 (888) 483-6527 (515) 491-5712 MASSACHUSETTS (406) 551-2277 Unicoi Outfitters [email protected] [email protected]______John Cross ______Fly Fish the Deerfield Guide Big Hole Lodge [email protected]______www.tenkarausa.com www.coldwaterguideservice.com Craig Fellin www.journeyrentacar.com Helen, GA 30545 Service (706) 878-3083 Chris Jackson Wise River, MT 59762 Telluride Outside [email protected] (406) 832-3252 GOLD LEVEL John Duncan ______LOUISIANA Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 www.unicoioutfitters.com [email protected]______ii Linehan Outfitting Telluride, CO 81435 (413) 325-1677 Gator Tail Lodge www.bigholelodge.com (970) 728-3895 [email protected] Company Brent Cenac Tim Linehan [email protected] www.flyfishthedeerfield.com Bighorn Angler ______IDAHO Houma, LA 70361 Troy, MT 59935 www.tellurideoutside.com (985) 858-5950 Steve Galletta North 40 Fly Shop High Hook Oregon Wines Fort Smith, MT 59035 (800) 596-0034 [email protected]______T. Mark Seymour Willowfly Anglers Calvin Fuller (406) 666-2233 [email protected] Three Rivers Resort Ponderay, ID 83852 Leverett, MA 01054 www.fishmontana.com [email protected]______Almont, CO 81210 (208) 255-5757 413-218-0638 MAINE [email protected] www.bighornangler.com Long Outfitting (888) 761-3474 [email protected] ______Matthew A. Long Appalachian Mountain Club www.fishhookvineyards.com email@3ri______versresort.com. www.north40.com Bozeman Reel Livingston, MT 59047 www.willowflyanglers.com Maine Wilderness Lodges Dan Rice Shannon Leroy Vedavoo (406) 222-6775 Fincognito, Inc. Scott Hunter (406) 548-2858 Doug Faude Greenville, ME 04441 [email protected]______Lancaster, MA 01523 Bozeman, MT CONNECTICUT Sagle, ID 83860 (207) 695-3085 www.longoutfitting.com (307) 399-0780 [email protected]______(208) 610-3320 [email protected] [email protected] www.bozemanreel.com Madison Valley Ranch, LLC J. Stockard Fly Fishing [email protected] www.outdoors.org ______Kent, CT 06757 ______www.vedavoo.com Elizabeth Warren & Dan Larson www.fincognito.com Budget Host Parkway Motel Ennis, MT 59729 (877) 359-8946 Vanessa Haines Bowlin Camps Lodge (800) 891-6158 [email protected]______Henry’s Fork Lodge Tom Scala Livingston, MT 59047 MICHIGAN [email protected] www.jsflyfishing.com Island Park, ID 83429 Patten, ME 04765 (406) 222-3840 ______www.madisonvalleyranch.com (208) 558-7953 (207) 267-0884 Country Anglers [email protected]______Mill River Fly Rods [email protected] Bill Lanzoni [email protected]______Jac Ford www.budgethostparkway.com Missoula River Lodge www.henrysforklodge.com Wallingford, CT 06492 www.bowlincamps.com Saginaw, MI 48609 Joe Cummings (989) 280-3238 The Complete Fly Fisher Missoula, MT, 59808 (203) 815-2414 office The Lodge at Palisades Creek David Decker Chandler Lake Camps [email protected] (877) 327-7878 (203) 506-6600 mobile Jason Bouchard ______Wise River, MT 59762 www.countryanglers.com [email protected] [email protected]______Justin Hays Ashland, ME 04732 (406) 832-3175 ______www.millriverflyrods.net www.montanaflyfishingguide.com Irwin, ID 83428 (207) 290-1424 Wolfe Outfitters [email protected]______(866) 393-1613 [email protected]______Capt. Ben Wolfe www.completeflyfisher.com Montana Angler Fly Fishing FLORIDA [email protected] www.chandlerlakecamps.com Beulah, MI 49617 Brian McGeehan www.tlapc.com (231) 883-4265 CrossCurrents Fly Shop Bozeman, MT 59718 A Fishing Guide Eldredge Bros Fly Shop & (877) 442-4294 (406) 522-9854 business Steve Friedman Middle Fork River Expeditions Guide Service www.wolfeoutfitters.com Chris Strainer (406) 570-0453 cell Islamorada, FL 33036 James Ellsworth Jim Bernstein Craig, MT 59648 [email protected] [email protected] (305) 393-3474 Stanley, ID 83278 Cape Neddick York, ME 03902 (406) 235-3433 (800) 801-5146 www.montanaangler.com [email protected]______(877) 427-9345 [email protected] [email protected] www.afishingguide.com [email protected] MINNESOTA www.crosscurrents.com Montana Fishing Outfitters www.idahorivers.com www.eldredgeflyshop.com Lewiston Area Trout Guides Southwick Associates Fishtales Outiftting LLC Pat Straub and Garrett Munson Mystic Saddle Ranch Mark Reisetter Michael Stack Donna Leonard Great Northern Vacations Helena, MT 59601 Herbert Gunderson Lewiston, MN 55952 Sheridan, MT 59749 Fernandina Beach, FL 32035 (406) 431-5089 (904) 277-9765 Stanley, ID 83728 David Surprenant (507) 523-2557 (406) 842-5742 (208) 870-7630 [email protected] [email protected]______(303) 717-0291 Greenville, ME 04441 [email protected] [email protected] www.minnesotatrout.com www.montanafishingoutfitters.com [email protected] ______(207) 745-5330 fishtalesoutfitting.com www.southwickassociates.com www.mysticsaddleranch.com [email protected] ______Namebini Montana Troutfitters greatnorthernvacations.com Flyvines Quadrant Consulting Carl Haensel Erin Kane Costa Justin King Marguerite Meyer Steve Sweet Duluth, MN 55804 429 S 1st Street Red River Camps Bozeman, MT 59715 Daytona Beach, FL 32117 Boise, ID 83705 Jen Brophy-Price (218) 525-2381 Missoula, MT 59801 (406) 587-4707 (386) 274-4000 (208) 342-0091 Portage, ME 04768 [email protected]______(406) 671-7462 [email protected] (800) 447-3700 [email protected] (207) 554-0420 www.namebini.com [email protected] ______www.troutfitters.com www.costadelmar.com www.quadrant.cc [email protected] www.flyvines.com www.redrivercamps.com Tight Line Media MISSOURI Montana Trout Stalkers Gallatin River Lodge Joe Dilschneider Kris Millgate Steve Gamble GEORGIA Weatherby’s Fishing Guide Branson Ennis, MT 59729 Idaho Falls, ID 83405-0242 Jeff McEvoy Bozeman, MT 59718 John Sappington (406) 581-5150 GOLD LEVEL (208) 709-0309 Grand Lake Stream, ME 04668 Branson, MO 65616 (888) 387-0148 [email protected] [email protected] ii Atlanta Fly Fishing School ______(207) 796-5558 (417) 434-2823 [email protected]______www.tightlinemedia.com [email protected] www.montanatrout.com Mack Martin [email protected]______www.grlodge.com Cumming, GA 30040 www.weatherbys.com www.flyfishingguide.com (770) 889-5638 [email protected]______www.atlantaflyfishingschool.com

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PRO Outfitters NEW HAMPSHIRE Zero Limit Adventures PENNSYLVANIA Fish Tech Outfitters VIRGINIA Katie Boedecker Byron Gunderson Lopstick Lodge Michael D. De Rosa Helena, MT 59624 Roderick de Greef Webster, NY 14580 Aquatic Resource Restoration Salt Lake City, UT 84121 44 Outdoors, Inc (406) 442-5489 585-766-2421 Lee Irwin (801) 272-8808 Art Major Pittsburg, NH 03592 Seven Valleys, PA 17360 Winchester, VA 22601 [email protected] (603) 247-4647 [email protected][email protected]______www.prooutfitters.com www.zerolimitadventures (717) 428-9368 www.fishtechoutfitters.com (540) 905-0031 [email protected][email protected] [email protected] www.lopstick.com ______Prudential Montana Real Estate www.arrc1.com Flaming Gorge Resort www.44outdoors.com Bryan C. Atwell, Realtor NORTH CAROLINA Bozeman, MT 59718 Arnot Sportsmen’s Assoc., Inc Kevin Clegg Cabins at Rose River Farm NEW JERSEY Ron Signor (406) 579-7616 Hunter Banks Company Dutch John, UT 84023 Douglas Dear Frank Smith Arnot, PA 16911 Syria, VA 22743 [email protected]______GBW Insurance (877) 348-7688 Asheville, NC 28801 (570) 638-2985 www.bryanatwell.com Glenn Tippy [email protected] (703) 930-8229 (828) 252-3005 [email protected] ______Flanders, NJ 07836 ______www.flaminggorgeresort.com [email protected] Riverside Anglers, Inc. (800) 548-2329 [email protected]______www.roseriverfarm.com/ Alice Owsley [email protected] www.hunterbanks.com Gleim Environmental Group accommodations.html ______Stephanie Rider Flare Construction, Inc. ______MT Outfitter #9435 www.gbwinsurance.com/ Jeremy Richins West Yellowstone, MT 59758 Jesse Brown’s Outdoors Carlisle, PA 17013 Duck Down Inn Bill Bartee Coalville, UT 84017 (406) 640-1698 Ramsey Outdoor (717) 258-4630 Lisa Powell Charlotte, NC 28210 (435) 336-2888 [email protected] Marty Brennan [email protected]______Rockville, VA 23146 ______(704) 556-0020 [email protected] www.riversideanglers.com Succasunna, NJ 07876 www.jwgleim.com (804) 240-1559 (973) 584-7798 [email protected] Park City Fly Shop www.duckdowninn.com Sportsman and Ski Haus [email protected] www.jessebrowns.com Jim’s Sports Center Chris Kunkel ______Terry Malloy Chris Edelen www.ramseyoutdoor.com Park City, UT 84098 Dunburn Farms Bed and Clearfield, PA 16830 Kalispell, MT 59901 Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions (435) 645-8382 Breakfast Will Lillard (814)765-3582 John Lentz (406) 755-6484 GOLD LEVEL [email protected] Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 [email protected] ______Glade Spring, VA 24340 cedelen@spo______rtsmanskihaus.com ______www.parkcityflyshop.com ii Shannon’s Fly and (828) 577-8204 www.jimssports.com (276) 475-5667 www.sportsmanskihaus.com Tackle Shop [email protected]______Park City Outfitters [email protected]______Jim Holland Stillwater Anglers Fly Shop www.lillardflyfishing.com Nemacolin Woodlands Brandon Bertagnole www.dunburnfarms.com Califon, NJ 07830 Resort & Spa and Outfitters Park City, UT 84098 (908) 832-5736 Nantahala River Lodge Mike Steiner Chris Fleck Mickey and Annette Youmans (866) 649-3337 Matt Miles Fly Fishing [email protected]______Ohiopyle, PA, 15470 Matt Miles Columbus, MT 59109 Topton, NC 28781 [email protected] www.shannonsflytackle.com (724) 329-6771 Lynchburg, VA 24504 (855) 785-5987 (912) 596-4360 www.parkcityoutfitters.com [email protected]______(434) 238-2720 [email protected]______(800) 470-4718 www.nemacolin.com R.A. Smith Custom Fly Rods [email protected] www.stillwateranglersmt.com NEW MEXICO [email protected] ______Ross Smith www.mattmilesflyfishing.com www.nantahalariverlodge.net Fountain Green, UT 84632 Sunrise Pack Station Brazos River Ranch TENNESSEE Shane McClaflin Bo Prieskorn (435) 445-3497 Mossy Creek Fly Fishing Belgrade, MT 59714 Las Vegas, NM 87701 OHIO River’s Way Therapeutic Fishing [email protected] Colby Trow (406) 388-2236 (505) 453-1212 Center www.bamboosmith.com Harrisonburg, VA 22801 [email protected] [email protected]______Alert Stamping &Mfg. Company Bryan Ulrich (540) 434-2444 Bedford Heights, OH 44146 Red Canyon Lodge www.sunrisepackstation.com www.nmoutfitter.com Bluff City, TN 37618 [email protected] (440) 232-5020 Mark Wilson (423) 538-0405 Dutch John, UT 84023-9732 www.mossycreekflyfishing.com/ Sweetwater Travel Company Dos Amigos Anglers [email protected] Wayne Thurber [email protected]. (435) 889-3759 www.alertstamping.com www.riversway.org Ms. Guided Dan, Jeff & Pat Vermillion Taos, NM 87571 [email protected] Kiki Galvin www.redcanyonlodge.com Livingston, MT 59047 (575) 758-4545 Artifex Financial Group South Holston River Lodge Falls Church, VA 22043 (888) 347-4286 [email protected]______Doug Kinsey (703) 893-7020 Dayton, OH 45419 Rising [email protected]______www.dosamigosanglers.net Jon Hooper [email protected]______(855) 752-6644 Dylan Rothwell www.sweetwatertravel.com Bristol, TN 37620 Salt Lake City, UT 84119 www.msguidedflyfishing.net Land of Enchantment [email protected] (423) 878-3457 (855) 771-3474 Triple-M-Outfitters Guides www.artifexfinancial.com [email protected] Tangent Outdoors Mark Faroni Noah Parker [email protected]______Steve Phlegar www.southholstonriverlodge.com Dixon, MT 59831 Velarde, NM 87582 OutdoorMetrics www.risingfish.com Pembroke, VA 24136 (406) 246-3249 (505) 629-5688 Steve Vickner (540) 626-4567 [email protected] Columbus, OH 43219 RodsReelsandGear.com [email protected] ______TEXAS Wayne Hamilton [email protected]______www.loeflyfishing.com (614) 551-1916 www.triplemoutfitters.com Orem, UT 84097 www.newrivertrail.com [email protected] Action Angler Trout On The Fly The Reel Life www.outdoormetrics.com Chris Jackson (800) 390-9343 Wynn Cane Flyfishing Nate Stevane Nick Streit New Braunfels, TX 78132 [email protected] Daniel Wynn Cameron, MT 59720 Santa Fe, NM 87501 Tight Lines Jewelry (830) 708-3474 www.RodsReelsandGear.com Wise, VA 24293 Renee Schatzley Gall (406) 580-7370 (866) 804-7335 [email protected] 276-393-2247 [email protected] Toledo, OH 43606 RoundRocks [email protected]______www.actionangler.net Trent Hamblin [email protected] www.montanatroutonthefly.com www.thereellife.com (419) 290- 5573 www.wynncaneflyfishing.com (419) 535-8888 Logan, UT 84321 [email protected]______Wild Trout Outfitters GOLD LEVEL [email protected]______UTAH J.D. Bingman www.roundrocks.com ii Taos Fly Shop www.tightlinesjewelry.com WASHINGTON Outfitter #614 Camp Chef Steve McGrath Big Sky, MT Nick Streit Time Timer, LLC Spinner Fall Guide Service Emerging Rivers Guide Hyde Park, UT 84318 Scott Barrus (406) 995-2975 Taos, NM 87571 David Rogers Services (575) 751-1312 Cincinnati, OH 45243 (435) 512-5001 Dutch John, UT 84023 Derek Young [email protected][email protected]______(877) 771-8463 [email protected]______(877) 811-3474 Snoqualmie, WA 98065 www.wildtroutoutfitters.com [email protected] www.taosflyshop.com [email protected] www.campchef.com ______(425) 373-6417 www.timetimer.com www.spinnerfall.com [email protected] Falcon’s Ledge www.emergingrivers.com NEVADA NEW YORK David Danley Donup OREGON Altamont, UT 84001 VERMONT Silver Bow Fly Fishing Jeremy Ochsner North Flats Guiding David Blinken (877) 879-3737 Sean Visintainer Reno, NV 89519 H&H Outfitters Quimby Country Lodge and East Hampton, NY 10028 [email protected]______Spokane Valley, WA 99216 (775) 657-6050 Alex Hudjohn www.falconsledge.com Cottages (917) 975-0912 Ray Dagile (509) 924-9998 [email protected] 4322 Dilley Road [email protected] Averill, VT 05901 [email protected]______www.donup.org ______Forest Grove, OR 97116 Fall River Fly Rods www.northflats.com (802) 822-5533 ww.silverbowflyshop.com [email protected] Jason Zicha Nevada Cattlemen’s Association www.hhoutfitter.com Midway, UT 84049 [email protected] Sportsman’s Warehouse #210 Stephanie Licht Tailwater Lodge www.quimbycountry.com Chris Tucciarone (208) 240-0028 Nick Vannater Elko, NV 89803 Royal Treatment Fly Fishing Altmar, NY 13302 [email protected] Federal Way, WA 98003 (775) 738-9214 Joel La Follette (315) 298-3434 www.fallriverrods.com (253) 835-4100 [email protected] West Linn, OR 97068 [email protected] ______nvannater@sportsmanswarehouse. www.nevadacattlemen.org ______(503) 850-4397 www.tailwaterlodge.com __com [email protected] www.sportsmanswarehouse.com www.royaltreatmentflyfishing.com

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WEST VIRGINIA JD High Country Outfitters INTERNATIONAL BAHAMAS SPAIN UK – WALES Jackson, WY 83001 Angler’s Xstream (307) 733-7210 Deep Water Cay (Bahamas) Salvelinus Llyn Guides Parkersburg, WV 26101 ARGENTINA Ridgeland, SC 29936 Ivan Tarin J. Noel Hulmston [email protected] (877) 909-6911 www.highcountryflies.com (888) 420-6202 50008 Zaragoza Spain Nefyn, PWLLHELI LL53 6LF Carrileufu Valley Lodge T Int + (0)1758 721654 [email protected] Pancho Panzer [email protected]______(003) 469-6164 C Int + (0)7774 610600 anglersxstream.com Live Water Properties El Bolson, Rio Negro (8430), www.deepwatercay.com [email protected] Macye Maher [email protected] Argentina http://www.salvelinus.es/ ______Harman’s Log Cabins Jackson, WY 83002 fly_fishing/further.html www.llynguides.co.uk +54-9-2944-330254 ______Cabins, WV 26855 (866) 734-6100 CANADA [email protected] (304) 257-2220 [email protected] ______www.carrileufuvalleylodge.com Frontier Farwest Lodge (800) 436-6254 www.livewaterproperties.com Derek Botchford manager@wvlogcabins ______Nervous Waters Fly Fishing Telkwa, BC V0J 2X0 www.wvlogcabins.com The Lodge at Jackson Fork (877) 846-9153 Ranch Capt. Martin Carranza [email protected] Bondurant, WY 82922 ______(786) 266-5068 www.bulkleysteelhead.com WISCONSIN (866) 953-1290 [email protected] [email protected] ______Fontana Sports Specialties ______www.nervouswaters.com Scott Lake Lodge John Hutchinson www.jacksonfork.com Rhinelander, WI 54501 Get www.chimelodge.com Madison, WI 53717 (888) 830-9525 (608) 833-9191 Maven [email protected] Brendon Weaver Patagonia River Guides [email protected] Travis Smith & Rance Rathie www.scottlakelodge.com Involved… Lander, WY 82501 www.fontanasports.com Patagonia, Argentina (800) 307-1109 USA: (406) 960-4066 Tight Lines Fly Fishing [email protected] Argentina: 011 54 2945 48 0407 CHILE For information on TU’s Tim Landwehr www.mavenbuilt.com [email protected] Magic Waters Patagonia De Pere, WI 54115 www.patagoniariverguides.com Eduardo Barrueto Business Members program, (920) 336-4106 North Fork Anglers Tim Wade Coyhaique, Chile [email protected] or to update your listing, ______Cody, WY 82414 056-67-241532 www.tightlinesflyshop.com AUSTRIA (307) 527-7274 [email protected] please contact Walt Gasson [email protected]______Association Die Bewirtschafter www.magicwaterspatagonia.com WYOMING www.northforkanglers.com c/o Clemens Gumpinger at [email protected]. Tb Gewässeroekologie Arrow Land and Water, LLC Reel Deal Anglers JH, Inc. 4600 Wels Chad Espenscheid Rhett J. Bain Austria / Europe Big Piney, WY 83113 Jackson, WY 83002 436648333208 (307) 231-2389 (877) 744-0522 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ______www.diebewirtschafter.at www.reeldealanglers.com Bear Basin Adventures Heath & Sarah Woltman Rock Creek Anglers Fort Washakie, WY 82514 Clark Smyth (307) 349-4630 Saddlestring, WY 82840 (307) 840-3579 (cell) (888) 945-3876 [email protected] [email protected] www.bearbasinadventures.com www.rockcreekanglers.com

Cottonwood Ranches Rocky Mountain Ranch Freddie Botur Management Big Piney, WY Jim Broderick (307) 730-8000 Jackson, WY 83002 [email protected] (307) 690-9189 [email protected] Dunoir Fishing Adventures, LLC www.rockymountainranch Jeramie Prine management.com Lander, WY 82520 307-349-3331 Snow King Resort [email protected] Jim Goslin www.dunoirfishing.com Jackson, WY 83001 (307) 733-5200 Extreme Surveys, Inc. [email protected] Neil Neumeyer www.snowking.com Dubois, WY 82513 (307) 455-2796 Steady Stream Hydrology, Inc. [email protected]______Cheryl Harrelson www.extremesurveys.com Sheridan, WY 82801 (307) 674-6010 Fish the Fly Guide Service [email protected]______& Travel www.steadystreamhydro.com Jason Balogh BORDERS SEQUOIA NATL PARK, CALIFORNIA Jackson, WY 83001 Sweetwater Fishing (307) 690-1139 Expeditions, LLC [email protected]______George H. Hunker III Three hours from Los Angeles. 360-acre ranch, completely fenced with nearly www.fishthefly.com Lander, WY 82520 (307) 332-3986 one-half mile of river frontage. Swimming holes and fishing on your private river and Four Seasons Anglers [email protected] John Blyth ______www.sweetwaterfishing.com separate ponds. Two attractive/furnished cabins, Laramie, WY 82070 a separate office/studio. Sequoia National Park (307) 721-4047 Two Rivers Emporium [email protected] Mike Kaul views, valuable water rights, main highway frontage, www.fourseasonsanglers.com Pinedale, WY 82941 (800) 329-4353 partially zoned for future mixed-use development, Hydro Logic, LLC [email protected] Carla Rumsey, P.H. ______www.2rivers.net Three Rivers, California. One of a kind property! Laramie, WY 82073 (307) 399-2094 Wind River Outdoor Company $2,195,000 www.kaweahriver-ranch.com [email protected] Ron Hansen http://hydrologicusa.com/ Lander, WY 82520 (307) 332-4402 Bill Haxton • phone: 559.679.6990 • [email protected][email protected]______www.windriveroutdoorcompany.com

79 TROUT WINTER 2015

CASE’S FLY FISHING KNIFE

Case’s Fly Fishing Knife was Ahead of its Time BY PAUL BRUUN

ome gear just looks and feels right in your hand. U-shaped hook disgorger just like it was designed S Case’s Fly Fishing Knife is my truest example for the job. When it came to disengaging poppers of just such an instrument. greedy bluegill had magically crammed inside their Before the imported red Swiss Army Knife tiny mouths, this blade was a bug saver. became indispensable to American outdoor Rarely did the engraved three-inch measur- lovers, the mechanical precision of this shiny ing ruler on the knife’s back side come into play. device from W. R. Case & Sons would have But the slender slot screwdriver that extended made even modern multi-tool design genius from one end of the frame was indispensable for Bill Leatherman,drool. tightening the always-loosening Pflueger Medalist Early stainless steel knife-edges struggled to reel rim screws. maintain anything resembling sharpness. Yet this Although I went to great lengths to always flat implement’s folding blade cut like a scalpel. return it to the bottom right side zippered pocket Despite countless trout belly and bone surgeries, of my fly vest, after years of admiration and use I never remember needing to sharpen it. this masterpiece couldn’t avoid being a victim of The scissors were tight, and neatly snipped my most-treasured-item-loss curse. excess fly line, as well as blood knot ends, and I will be forever depressed at the disappearance easily haircut a tiny Adams into either a nymph, of this knife partner that shared over a half-century spinner or midge. The folding bodkin, fly tying of priceless trouting memories. Replacement parlance for a needle, was indispensable for would be a prohibitive challenge even if I acci- opening cemented hook eyes, attacking wind dentally encountered a generous collector. knots, digging out splinters and poking open For replacement therapy, a photo of a Case’s tubes of glue. Fly Fishing Knife resides on my computer screen. The least used blade on my treasured trout tool There, memories abound and another loss isn’t was the file. However, even that tapered into a imminent.

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