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Helping the Wood River to breathe
The room is full for the banquet. I first came across the Narragansett chapter of Trout Unlimited seven or eight years ago, when a few frustrated members contacted me and complained that the chapter was assisting the state in stocking over native fish in violation of TU policy. After a time, the chapter stopped, but…
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Five flies for April
The guys at Trouts Fly Shop in Denver hit the Colorado River recently, and they did some serious damage to the river's lively browns and rainbows using baetis imitations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWumZ51uwOo Five Flies for April Baetis, often imitated in the dun form by the venerable Blue-winged Olive, are great springtime flies, and among the first mayflies…
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The Western Coachman
I love old-school flies. I think it comes from my involvement, many years ago, with the Trout Unlimited chapter in Salida, Colo., when I was the news editor of the local paper there. After penetrating the initial crustiness of the "old timers" at the chapter meetings, I made some great friends there, and these guys…
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Bringing fish back to Yellowjacket Creek
The Russian River is one of the most famous steelhead fisheries in California. It is also one of the highest priority watersheds for Coho salmon recovery in the Golden State. For many years, TU has worked to support Coho recovery in the Russian River watershed. Our Redwood Empire Chapter has supported this effort through a…
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Protecting Oregon’s steelhead heritage
The legendary Frank Moore, center, with TU's vice president for Western Conservation Rob Masonis (l) and Dean Finnerty, NW Region director for TU's Sportsmen's Conservation Project. Few Oregonians have had a more profound, positive influence on so many people in the Beaver State than Frank and Jeanne Moore. This remarkable couple, whose decades-long efforts to…
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High-sticking with an indicator
Indicator nymphing has long been an accepted method for reaching trout that are feeding throughout the water column. But not everybody employs the high-stick method when using an indicator, and they should. It really improves your chances. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQYqExJ--cc Orvis' Pete Kutzer on high-sticking with an indicator. Above, Orvis' Pete Kutzer demonstrates how to incorporate a…
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When “yesterday” actually happens today
Matt Jennings and I are standing on the bank of Wisconsin's Root River on an early spring day. And we are plotting. “I think we need to cross down there,” says Jennings, who then starts pointing his fly rod at various spots in the river. “We’ll hit that one first, then that one, and then…