Search results for “great lakes”

Fishing through trying times

Published in Voices from the river

Uncertainty can be trying. Fishing is replete with uncertainty under normal circumstances and can test our patience and resolve. But the entire world is living in much more trying times than those trivial factors of fishing, and it is wearing on all of us. As good citizens, we will make it through these tough times, and luckily for

TU and Forest Service team up for Michigan intern program

Published in Responsible Recreation, Featured, Youth

In 2020 Trout Unlimited, in partnership with the Huron-Manistee National Forest, ran a program that employed interns on three Wild and Scenic Rivers.  The interns represented both Trout Unlimited and the Forest Service, informing river users of the regulations, providing information on coldwater resources as well as Wild and Scenic designations and Leave No Trace principles.  Interns were stationed at river landings to check permits (where required) and educate

You gotta believe

Published in Trout Talk, Featured

The number-one question I have always been asked, and still get asked, is, “what’s that one, special tip that matters most?” “What’s the one thing that separates the best anglers from the rest?

Tying the Ruptured Egg Cluster for the spawn

Published in Fly tying

In just a few weeks, spring spawning trout, whitefish and suckers will migrate and begin clearing redds in rivers and streams all over America. Between late February and even into June or July at higher elevations, there will be eggs in the water, and that means predatory trout and char will be on the prowl.   Fly fishers

For crayfish flies, keep it simple

Published in Trout Talk

I have a friend who is an extremely talented fly tier. His creations are intricate and gorgeous. And they would certainly catch fish, too, if he ever actually fished with them. But he doesn’t. Because, you know, who wants to risk losing a fly that it took an hour to tie? While creating fancy flies can

Communications Resources

While our mission is conservation, one of the most important areas we can focus on as a chapter or council is effectively communicating all we do at the local level to build awareness, attract and engage members and supports, and increase our impact. Good communications is critical to increasing attendance and participation, inspiring volunteerism, and

Finding a stream for Greenbacks

Published in Uncategorized

Photos: Tim Toohey, West Denver Chapter By Jeff Florence The small creek along Herman Gulch in the mountains west of Denver may not seem like much, and in some places it’s no more than two feet wide. But it’s still able to maintain a strong ecosystem that allows cutthroat trout to survive. After much consideration

The F3T hits western Colorado

Published in Uncategorized

Fishing the Uncompahgre River near Montrose, Colo. Film Tour. Montrose, Colo. This Saturday. Be There (If You Can). I always enjoy a chance to get to Montrose/Telluride area of Colorado, because that’s where I did a lot of fishing in my growing up years. It’s a special region, with a great fishing community, and more

Video spotlight: Life of a Guide

Published in Video spotlight

There was a time when I thought being a fishing guide would be about the coolest existence a guy could experience. That all changed one rainy Father’s Day weekend some 15 years ago when renowned guide Rod Patch floated me and my wife down the Cardiac Canyon reach of the Henry’s Fork. From bouncing the

Video spotlight: How to drift a soft hackle

Published in Video spotlight

Soft-hackle fishing can be absolutely deadly, particularly for trout that are feeding higher in the water column, but not quite on top. These are the fish that are after emerging bugs, and soft-hackle flies very often draw strikes from these dialed-in fish. Video of How To Drift A Soft Hackle – Fly Fishing Video –

Applying for Grants

Applying for Grants Grant funding accounts for 15% of all charitable giving in the U.S. and can be a great way for your chapter or council to tap into larger funding pools and take on larger and more complex projects. However, it is also a competitive area with many competing interests and organizations vying for

The Western Coachman

Published in Fly tying, Fishing, TROUT Magazine

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

Don’t be afraid to try new things

Published in Trout Tips, Fishing

Editor’s note: The following is excerpted from TU’s book, “Trout Tips,” available online for overnight delivery. The part of the world I fish most is full of small, clear and very tight spring creeks. To most, that means delicate presentations of small dry flies, and sometimes, I’ll do just that. More and more, however, I’ll

Casting a sink-tip line

Published in Trout Tips, Featured

Sinking and sink-tip lines are great for getting flies down deep in the water column where the big trout eat, but they can be a pain to cast and then recast. First, these lines are heavy—hundreds of grains, for the most part. Second, they don’t really allow for nimble fly casting. These lines are made

Apply now for Stihl equipment grant

Published in Uncategorized

There’s “Stihl” time for Driftless Area chapters to apply for a grant to purchase equipment from the forest and landscape equipment company. Stihl continues to be a great partner for TU’s work in the Driftless area, strengthening a collaboration that started several years ago.  Under the partnership agreement, Stihl representatives from the Midwest region gather

A memorial for a giant

Published in Conservation

A few weeks ago, the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited and other partners met in Lovells, Michigan to dedicate a memorial to Art Neumann, the last surviving founder of Trout Unlimited who passed away last year. It was a great day, and Art’s kids—TU members in good standing—attended the dedication, and wanted me to pass