Years ago, when I worked for TU’s Public Lands Initiative, we’d often wind down a big day in the field with a cocktail. Back then, the PLI was what I liked to call the TU Delta Force. We existed, but we never really acknowledged that fact—our staffers weren’t biologists or policy wonks. We were anglers,
I was in Denver a couple of weeks for a family thing, and I got to spend some time with my aunt and uncle in the city’s suburbs. My uncle is an avid fly fisher—he and I went to northern Saskatchewan this past summer and spent four days on a boat together chasing pike. We
Fundraising Events For decades, the traditional means by which a TU chapter or council raises funds is by holding an annual fundraising banquet. This is still the primary way that most chapters and councils raise funds, and is an important part of any fundraising event strategy, but there are new and evolving ways that are
Nicco stood next to me along the middle reaches of Patagonia’s Malleo River in the fading Argentine light. Willows shrouded the creek, and I could only see the silhouette of the big Fat Albert as it drifted in the heavy water just across river. Nicco, my guide for the day, chose the hefty, foam monstrosity
By Matt Moskal It’s a heart-warming phenomenon when stress, hardship and tragedy bring people together. Groceries are delivered to elderly neighbors, engineers fabricate ventilators seemingly out of thin air and corporations donate millions to those in need. Even in the most polarized of eras, hardship brings out the best in humanity. For Colorado conservationists, nowhere
That’s when the magic happens — when the Dolly, all colored up for the fall spawn, sprints from under a rootball or from the depths of the dark water at the edge of a drop-off and attacks the fly. And when you can see it all happen? OMG
Editor’s note: The following is exerpted from TU’s book, “Trout Tips,” available online for overnight delivery. False casts are free, and they’re great for helping you measure out and judge distance. But they also spook fish. Several years ago, I stopped false casting directly over my target and started moving my false casts a little
The new Orvis Ultralight Wading Jacket is the company’s latest offering for inclement weather fly fishing. Video of Hank Patterson's Awesome Ultralight Wading Jacket Review However, as our good friend Hank Patterson points out, the weather really has be inclement in order to adequately test the product. So, for now, all we can really say
Biots used in fly tying are often tough to handle. As Tim Flagler notes in the video below, they’re slippery and not always cooperative. But biots make good flies great—can you imagine a really good Prince nymph without a goose biot tail? Video of Biot Basics – Biot Tails Above, Tim offers up a really
Last week, I shared Tim Flagler’s video on building round rubber legs for terrestrial patterns. It’s a brilliant (and relatively simple) way of crafting rubber legs that always rest at that perfect 90-degree angle. Video of Mop Hopper Above, Tim puts the method to use in his Mop Hopper pattern, a great high-floating terrestrial that
FishSki Provisions is a family business and for Tania and Rob, there is nothing better than a long day fly fishing or skiing followed by sharing a wholesome, healthy, full flavored meal with friends and family. They’re named FishSki because Rob and Tania’s three favorite things and passions in the world are Southwest foods, fly
By Eric Booton Confidence overwhelmed me as I rode in the bow of the canoe. My cousin and I, paddling in tandem, raced toward the “pike of gold” at the end of the rainbow that Alaska’s midnight sun had put on display for us. The rainbow was particularly noteworthy, in fact. Powerful enough to captivate
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially proposed today to rescind the 2015 Clean Water Rule, established under President Obama in 2015. This action begins a process of unraveling years of work to protect some of the most critical streams and wetlands in our country. The agency is giving Americans only 30 days to weigh in
By Mark Taylor The local river is a trout river. Sort of. From October through May the state dumps thousands of hatchery-reared rainbows and brookies into it. By summer those fish are long gone, caught and creeled by locals who are both dedicated and skilled. Then the river is back to what nature intended, which
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Erin Mooney, TU National Press Secretary (703) 284-9408 Trout Unlimited Launches New Home Rivers Initiative on Michigan’s Rogue River Project to restore urban watershed near Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids, Mich. – Trout Unlimited has launched a new watershed-scale restoration project on the Rogue River. Aimed to protect and restore the Rogue
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Erin Mooney, TU National Press Secretary (571) 331-7970 TU Applauds EPA’s proposal to Curtail Toxic Air Pollution Arlington, Va. – Trout Unlimited (TU), the nation’s leading trout and salmon conservation organization, lauded EPA’s long-awaited proposal to tighten controls on toxic air pollutants from some types of coal-and oil-fired power generating facilities.
Feb. 4, 2015 Contact: Chris Hunt, Trout Unlimited, (208) 406-9106 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Fly fishing industry leaders back Waters of the U.S. Owners and CEOs ask Congress to allow rule-making to continue WASHINGTON, D.C.–Leaders of four top fly fishing gear manufacturers today called on Congress to abandon efforts to scuttle an Environmental Protection Agency/Army Corps
Photo: An angler fishes a small Montana stream that is protected under the Clean Water Rule. A new executive order begins the process of removing protections from this and thousands of other small headwater streams and wetlands across America. Today, Preside alt=”” title=”” />nt Trump signed an executive order that begins to unravel the protections
A young volunteer moves one of the seemingly countless tires found in Shoshone River during a cleanup arranged by the East Yellowstone Chapter of Trout Unlimited near Cody, Wyoming. Photo provided by the East Yellowstone TU Chapter By Brett Prettyman The Shoshone River near Cody, Wyoming, put off an impressive tire hatch over the weekend
A new report from the Outdoor Industry Association shows anglers spend $35.7 billion annually on fishing. Brett Prettyman photo By Brett Prettyman “Priceless.” It is a typical response from anglers when asked the value of being able to get out and stand in their favorite river hoping to hook up. But a value has been
