The Trout Tale - Spring 2015

The

TROUT TALE

The official newsletter of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited Volume 3, Issue 3

Spring 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Popo Agie Anglers Chapter proud to be the water stewards of Fremont County .......Page 11

Casper ready for annual spring meeting

W

ith spring just around the corner in the Cowboy State, it’s time for Wyoming Trout Unlimited’s Annual Spring Business Meeting.

Casper is set to host this year’s event on April 17-19 and the meeting will be held at the Best Western Ramkota Inn located at 800 North Poplar Street.

Friday will be a fishing day for those interested in wetting a line on the North Platte near Casper.

Volunteers from the Casper Area Grey Reef Chapter will be on hand to take out those interested in wade fishing that afternoon. A no-host dinner will be held that evening.

Saturday will begin with breakfast at 7 a.m. followed by the annual meeting from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The meeting will be CASPER, WYOMING packed APRIL 17, 18 & 19, 2015 with information, news, guest speakers, staff presentations and council elections.

This is an excellent opportunity for chapter leadership to get tips and useful information to take back to

WYTU ANNUAL MEETING

See COUNCIL MEETING page 3

WYTU to host Trout Unlimited Western Regional Meeting in Jackson Hole on May 1 and 2

W

yoming Trout Unlimited is excited to host the Trout Unlimited (TU) Western Regional meeting this year in Jackson.

Join fellow anglers and TU volunteer leaders from across the West on May 1-2 for enlightening presentations, inspiring dialogue and engaging camaraderie with those who share the passion and dedication to TU and its mission.

The two-day event will kick off with the “State of Western TU” by TU’s Vice ABOVE RIGHT: Wyoming NLC rep Jim Broderick, left, and TU staffer Jeff Streeter are all smiles after netting a nice Snake River cutthroat near Jackson in early May of 2013.

WYTU PHOTO/Mike Jensen

President for Western Conservation, Rob Masonis.

Participants will learn from TU staff professionals and volunteer leaders about topics as wide ranging as climate change adaptation to youth education. Opportunities abound to develop governance skills and practices, discover solutions to your leadership challenges, and increase understanding of key trends and coldwater conservation issues impacting the west. The agenda will break out into dual tracks so that participants will have a plethora of topics from which to choose. As always, there will be plenty of time and opportunities for providing feedback, asking questions, networking and having fun.

TU regional meetings are occasions to be inspired

See REGIONAL MEETING page 3

‘Tie-One-On’ banquet set for May 2 in Teton Village

By SCOTT CHRISTY Wyoming Coordinator Trout Unlimited

H

ow does having fun and helping coldwater fish conservation in Wyoming at the same time sound? Pretty good, huh? Then join us at our annual Tie-One-On fundraiser banquet on May 2 in beautiful Jackson Hole.

We cordially invite you to join Wyoming Trout Unlimited and the Jackson Hole Trout Unlimited Chapter in Teton Village, for the Third Annual “TieOne-On” fundraiser banquet and auction.

The event will once again be held at the incredi-

WYTU and JHTU Third Annual ble Hotel Terra TIE-ONE-ON BANQUET and will Teton Village • Jackson Hole, Wyoming feature a reception-style dinner, no-host cash bar, raffle drawings and live and silent auctions.

Throw in some great live music and it promises to be a great evening.

A social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Wyoming Trout Unlimited and Jackson Hole Trout Unlimited have procured an impressive list of prizes for the night including fishing trips from across North America and a wealth of

See TIE-ONE-ON BANQUET page 3

NOTES FROM THE CHAIRMAN Friendships born on the water...

F

Our Spring Council Meeting is scheduled for April 17-19 in Casper. We’re looking forward to riendships born on the water. That’s one meeting in Casper with the Grey Reef/Casper Area of the things I value most from building Chapter, fishing the Platte River and having a friendships through Trout Unlimited. When likegood meeting. minded folks get together for a common cause, We also have the great pleasure of hosting the friendships are bound to develop.

Trout Unlimited Western Regional Meeting this When you’re working together on a stream spring in Jackson the weekend of May 1-3. Many cleanup project, planting willows, tagging fish, of our friends from throughout the west will be floating and fishing, enjoying an F3T film, hosting here to spend time learning, sharing and having a fly tying clinic, attending a Trout Unlimited some fun so that we can further the support we meeting, friendships are going to be forged. give our fisheries in each of our states across the That’s why many of us value our commitment west. Hopefully many of you can make these two and dedication to this special group. Yes, we do weekend events and use the time to share, learn have challenges, we have limited time, we have and have some fun. work, family and life to manage as well. But we On May 2, WYTU find time to help our along with the Jackson Hole fisheries and make lasting Trout Unlimited Chapter friendships along the way.

All of us came to Trout will be hosting the Tie-OneIf I think back over the On fundraising banquet at 30-plus years I’ve been Unlimited for many Hotel Terra in Teton Village. involved with Trout Unlimited, many of my different reasons. We all This May weekend will be packed for sure! This most cherished and lasting like to fish, we wanted to action is our primary fundraising friendships and memories event for WYTU and we are have come along because of help, wanted to make a looking forward to another my passion for fishing and difference. successful banquet with our those I have met along the JHTU friends. way.

Springtime in And because I got Wyoming. We never know when it will truly be involved in Trout Unlimited, I met many of these here, but one thing is for sure, it will eventually be friends. I went to a meeting, got involved, helped here, and with it, will come the renewal it brings to with a project or two, went fishing, served on a our rivers, streams, landscape, wildlife and board, stayed involved and made many new fisheries. friends along the way. All of us came to Trout So get out there and make some memories!

Unlimited for many different reasons. We all like to fish, we wanted to help, wanted to Calvin Hazlewood is the chair make a difference. And of WYTU and lives in Green there was a side benefit, River. He and his wife, Amy, too. We made new friends. along with their daughter Speaking of friends and Dayna and their dog Hatch, friendships, we have a enjoy the outdoors — parcouple of opportunities ticularly fishing and floating coming up within Wyoming in their drift boat. Calvin is Trout Unlimited that will also an accomplished phohelp us get together with our tographer. E-mail Calvin at old friends and hopefully calvinandamy@q.com make some new ones.

WINNER OF THE 2014 TROUT UNLIMITED “BOLLINGER AWARD FOR BEST NEWSLETTER” The TROUT TALE is a quarterly newsletter of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited.

The deadline for submission of information, photos and content for the Summer 2015 newsletter (July, August, September) will be June 30, 2015. Please send any and all contributions for the spring issue to newsletter editor Mike Jensen at: trouthut@gmail.com The TROUT TALE is available through e-mail and online on the council’s website at: wyomingtu.org

MISSION: Conserving and protecting Wyoming’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds

WYOMING COUNCIL OFFICERS: Calvin Hazlewood Chair Cole Sherard Vice Chair and Secretary Dave Sweet Treasurer Jim Broderick NLC Representative Mike Jensen Past Chair Scott Christy Wyoming Coordinator schristy@tu.org

WYOMING CHAPTERS: n Casper-Grey Reef n Curt Gowdy n East Yellowstone n Jackson Hole n Laramie Valley n Little Bighorn n Platte Valley n Popo Agie Anglers n Seedskadee n Upper Bear River n Upper Green River

OFFICE LOCATION: 409 Lincoln Street Lander, Wyoming 82520 Phone: 307.332.6700 Fax: 307.332.9299

ONLINE: www.wyomingtu.org

© 2015 Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited

Mike Jensen, Newsletter Editor • Scott Christy, Wyoming Coordinator

Page 2

SPRING 2015

REGIONAL MEETING, continued from page 1 by the work of TU staff, lessons from leaders Êand conversations with newfound friends and like-minded individuals.

The Western Regional Meeting is designed to provide TU volunteer leaders with valuable tools and skills they can bring home to help improve the effectiveness of councils and chapters. Friday and Saturday’s full-day sessions will include group discussions, concentrated workshops and opportunities for council and chapter leaders to share successes and discuss common challenges.

On Friday evening, a great western barbecue will be on tap for participants. Saturday evening activities are “on your own” in that it is not included in the registration price. However, TU will have two activities coordinated to keep participants together. For those interested, there will be a casual, no-host dinner at one of the local breweries. In addition, the Jackson Hole TU Chapter and the Wyoming Council are putting on their Third Annual Tie-One-On fundraiser in Teton Village (approx. 35 minute drive from downtown Jackson.) This is a formal fundraising event that will feature a reception-style dinner, silent and live auctions.

On Sunday, May 3, some great fishing will be available to those who are interested. Northwest Wyoming and eastern Idaho are home to some of the most well-known fly fishing waters in the U.S., including the Snake River and its many tributaries, the Green River, the Wind River, the Bighorn River, the South Fork of the Snake River and the Henry’s Fork River.

The time of year may pose some challenges with regards to weather

TIE-ONE-ON BANQUET,

and runoff, but there is always somewhere to fish in the Jackson area no matter the time of year or conditions. In a normal year, the Snake River is clear and fishable until mid-May, when runoff begins in earnest. Sunny days in this pre-runoff season provide opportunities for dry fly fishing, while streamers and nymphs work in more varied conditions. If conditions are right in terms of runoff and weather, one can expect large cutthroat trout moving aggressively to the fly. Inclement weather can be a factor; however, this keeps the less hardy anglers from the water and you may find the river to yourself. Never fear if runoff is early, clearer waters like the Henry’s Fork or the Bighorn, for example, are a relatively “short” drive away.

Don’t forget to connect with one of the TU Business Members in the area to check on up-to-the-minute water conditions, book a guided trip or stock up with a local selection of flies.

The meeting facilities and accommodations for the 2015 Western Regional Meeting are provided by TU Business Member, Snow King Resort located at 400 East Snow King Ave. in Jackson Hole. For room reservations, call (307) 733-5200.

For more information and details on the event, go to the TU website at: http://www.tu.org/get-involved/national-events/2015-western-regionalmeeting.

continued from page 1 the event, WYTU has arranged for a special rate of $110 per night at Hotel Terra’s sister hotel, the Teton Mountain Lodge.

Make sure you reference Trout Unlimited when you make reservations to receive the special room rate. To make your reservations today, call (855) 757-7847.

We hope you’ll join us on May 2, for a fantastic evening supporting and celebrating coldwater fisheries conservation in Wyoming!

COUNCIL MEETING, continued from page 1

ABOVE: A spirited live auction was the highlight of last year’s “Tie-One-On” event held at Hotel Terra in Teton Village.

ABOVE RIGHT: The event sold out last year and the crowd on hand all cheered after the live auction successfully concluded.

COURTESY PHOTOS fishing-related artwork and gear.

Tickets for the event can be purchased for $100 each with all proceeds going to benefit WYTU and JHTU. You can purchase tickets online at: wyomingtu.org/events or contact Scott Christy by e-mailing him at: schristy@tu.org or call him at (307) 332-7700 ext. 12.

In addition, if you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this highprofile event that benefits coldwater fisheries conservation in Wyoming, please contact Scott Christy for more information and details at the number above.

For those attendees who would like to stay in Teton Village the night of

SPRING 2015

your respective chapters.

The day of meetings will be capped-off with a social dinner at Poor Boys Steakhouse located at 739 North Center Street. Good food and drinks will be provided by the Wyoming Trout Unlimited Council.

On Sunday, breakfast will be served at 7 a.m. A presentation on North Platte Water Management will be given at 8 a.m. by John Lawson, former director of the Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming. Following John’s presentation, a tour of the Wyoming Game & Fish Department’s Dan Speas Hatchery in Casper will take place. The Dan Speas Hatchery is the most modern fish hatchery in Wyoming.

Following the tour, attendees will depart for their respective home waters.

The Best Western Ramkota Inn has a special room rate for the event of $89.99 per night. The rate will be available until April 2, so if you haven’t got your room reservation, call today. They can be reached by calling (307) 266-6000.

For more information or to register for the Spring Council Meeting, go to: https://wyomingtu.givezooks.com/events/2015-wyoming-troutunlimited-annual-meeting.

Page 3

Welcome to God’s Country...

WELCOME TO

WYOMING!

The staff, volunteer leadership and 1,700-plus Trout Unlimited members in Wyoming offer a “big old welcome” to the participants of the 2015 Trout Unlimited Western Regional Meeting and the 3rd Annual Tie-One-On Banquet in Jackson Hole. We’re extremely proud to host both events and sincerely hope you’ll enjoy your stay in the Cowboy State! Thanks for coming.

BEVERLY SMITH

CATHY PURVES

NICK WALRATH

MIKE JENSEN

JEFF JUDKINS

Vice President for Volunteer Operations

Science and Technical Advisor, Sportsmen’s Conservation Project

Upper Green River Project Manager

WYTU Past Chairman and Newsletter Editor

Popo Agie Anglers Chapter President

HILLARY WALRATH

DIANA MILLER

Laramie Valley Chapter President

Salinity Coordinator for the Henry’s Fork of the Green

WYTU Conservation Chair

DAVE GLENN Intermountain Region Director Sportsmen’s Conservation Project

CORY TOYE Wyoming Water Project Director

STEVEN BRUTGER Rocky Mountain Manager, Coldwater Conservation Fund

SCOTT CHRISTY

BARB ALLEN WYTU Chairman

Jackson Hole Chapter President

COLE SHERARD

RICK SLAGOWSKI

WYTU Vice Chairman and Secretary

Upper Bear River Chapter President

DAVE SWEET

ROBB KEITH

WYTU Treasurer and Yellowstone Lake Project Manager

Seedskadee Chapter President

CALVIN HAZLEWOOD

Wyoming Coordinator

WALT GASSON Director of Trout Unlimited Endorsed Businesses

JEFF STREETER North Platte Project Manager

TOMMY THOMPSON

JIM BRODERICK

DON CLAUNCH

Bighorn Basin Project Manager

WYTU National Leadership Council Representative

Casper-Grey Reef Chapter President

PATRICK HARRINGTON BIRNEY HOLBERG East Yellowstone Chapter President

CHAUNCEY GOODRICH Upper Green River Chapter President

JIM STATES Platte Valley Chapter President

BOB MASON Curt Gowdy Chapter President

ROGER MILLER Little Bighorn Chapter President

Conserving and protecting Wyoming’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds 409 Lincoln Street • Lander, Wyoming 82520 • Phone: 307.332.6700 • Fax: 307.332.9299

Page 4

SPRING 2015

W Y O M I N G

B U S I N E S S

S P O T L I G H T

In harmony with the land...

By WALT GASSON Director of Trout Unlimited Endorsed Businesses Editor’s Note: Freddie Botur and Upper Green River Project Manager Nick Walrath contributed to this article.

I

remember the first day I met Freddie Botur. I’d heard of him. You almost can’t not hear about a guy like Freddie in a state like Wyoming.

After all, as former governor Mike Sullivan said, it’s a small town with really long streets. My first impression was that I liked him immediately — long, tall drink of water, battered straw cowboy hat, short pony tail, and a straight up honest guy. We talked a bit. After all his home water runs into my home water, so we’re practically neighbors. And before I knew it, we were friends. We connected in the It’s about values way we saw the country, the real life values, for health of the streams and the sustaining the health of the people who live on them. resources or these Aldo Leopold said that incredible lands, these conservation is a state of pristine waters, for harmony between men and family, for country, for land. He said that a land ethic, a shift from being a conqueror generations to come of the land to being a part of a community and a steward of the land, reflects an ecological — Freddie Botur, conscience. When we Wyoming Rancher cultivate this ecological and land steward conscience, we start learning to live in harmony with the land or the stream. If you’ve ever talked with Freddie Botur, you know what I’m talking about. This is a guy who understands harmony with the land and the stream on his home ground.

It’s one thing to talk about these things. It’s a better thing to understand them. Sometimes it’s a hard thing to actually do them on the

“

“

land that sustains you and your family. But that’s what Freddie has done on his place near Big Piney. He’s worked with Trout Unlimited (TU) to improve fish passage and habitat. Century old diversion dams kept Freddie in a constant battle with the river to keep his fields in operation. The river would rip the dams apart and Freddie would have to rebuild them. All the while each new diversion built was blocking fish access to habitat above.

This was not harmony with the land or with the stream, and it just didn’t sit well with this rancherconservationist.

Today Freddie doesn’t battle the river, he’s working with it. He worked with TU to install new diversions that work with the natural processes of the river to deliver water to his hay fields, allow fish to freely pass and create great pool habitat. He has improved the riparian habitat along his stream by a better grazing management system, and has switched to a yearling operation to reduce his dependency on winter feeding. All these things are working together toward not one goal but many, throughout the system.

This ranch stretches for miles, from the forested flanks of the Wyoming Range to the Green River. The work is never done, and a wise steward is constantly adjusting cattle numbers and distribution to maximize the health of the animals and the land that sustains them. But Freddie isn’t content. Harmony remains a little out of reach. He is currently leading the way to install fish screens on his head gates to prevent fish from becoming stranded in his irrigation ditches. When he sees fish dying in the ditches and stranded in his fields, he sees a project not done. It isn’t a project that will put more water on the field or more grass in front of the cows.

But like Freddie says, “For me, it’s not just about profit, or how many cattle you own. It’s about values, real life values, for sustaining the resources of these incredible lands, these pristine waters, for family, for country, for generations to come.”

Where to find them: Cottonwood Ranches — Freddie Botur Big Piney, Wyoming 83113 • Phone: 307.730.8000 e-mail: freddiebotur@mac.com SPRING 2015

Page 5

Population control season in Wyoming

By CORY TOYE Wyoming Water Project Director

I

have a love-hate relationship with the “Population Control” season in Wyoming. The January to March push plays mercilessly with your senses. Just when the weather makes a turn towards good times and singing drinking songs with Mike Jensen around a campfire, the mercury plummets 80 degrees. Instead of laughs and too many beers, it’s back to Netflix and the curse of trying to find one movie that makes you feel good about your subscription.

However, the weather during this time of year keeps the population in this state down and that is a good thing. Screaming wind and short growing seasons play a large part in why residents can fish all day on their favorite stream and never see a soul.

This is also a slower part of the year for the Wyoming Water Project. We don’t have any equipment in the river and instead of recon trips across the state to find the next great project; we are tethered to the computer filling out grant applications, reports, invoices and reimbursement requests. However, a proficient offseason leads to more money for a great project season — so there is plenty of motivation.

In an attempt to find a little optimism during a nasty winter day, here are some recent wins in Wyoming.

update

Meeteetse High School and the Adopt-A-Trout Program About three years ago, the Meeteetse School district partnered with Trout Unlimited (TU) to implement the Adopt-a-Trout (AaT) program.ÊThe students collected movement data from Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the Greybull River to identify potential projects and to monitor success of recently completed reconnect projects. The students learned about the watershed, the fishery and a little fly fishing.Ê As a follow-up to the AaT COURTESY PHOTO/Mike Power Program, TU’s Big Horn Basin Project Manager, Tommy Thompson, worked with the science classes to take the curriculum to the next level.ÊStudents were asked to identify a project that could be completed to improve habitat for YCT and other native fish.ÊThe students identified a fish screen project on an important spawning tributary.

During the course of this exercise, the students applied to be a contestant in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow contest.ÊEarlier this winter, the Meeteetse School District was awarded $20,000 for winning the state competition, $35,000 more for becoming a national finalist, and now are off to compete in NYC.ÊAt the time of writing this article, the Fish Screen Project is one of the 15 national finalists in the contest. On March 15, the students will travel to New York City to present to a panel of judges and with any luck will be one of the five selected to head to Washington D.C. in April for the chance to win $120,000! We will keep you posted — there will be an opportunity to vote for the project online to improve their chances.

Until then, think about how great it is that a handful of students from

Page 6

Meeteetse, Wyoming (population 300ish) are heading to New York City (and hopefully DC) because of trout!

Regardless of the outcome of the contest, the Meeteetse students will spend next school year fabricating the fish screen in their shop classes and installing it on a diversion structure to prevent the entrainment of YCT into an irrigation ditch on a local ranch.

The Governor’s Water Strategy Many of you have seen the media releases surrounding the release of Wyoming Governor Mead’s Water Strategy. TU staff and volunteers participated in this process to ensure coldwater conservation was considered as part of the discussion about the future of Wyoming’s water resources. TU staff submitted comments to the Governor and we were pleased when the final strategy was released that two of the ten initiatives identified included fish passage and river restoration. The strategy calls for collaboration when replacing and rehabilitating irrigation infrastructure to include fish passage and protection. This initiative has already created new discussions with TU staff on some major projects around the state that will have significant positive outcomes for coldwater fisheries. Another initiative encourages communities to develop strategies, financial tools, technical expertise and partnerships to restore rivers to improve water quality, improving recreational Gov. Matt Mead opportunities and aesthetics.

The Encampment River Restoration project was mentioned specifically as an example of a successful effort. TU’s Upper North Platte Project Manager, Jeff Streeter, is an instrumental player in that project.

We are excited that partnerships to improve fisheries are encouraged in the water strategy. Our bread and butter in this state is getting involved with aging irrigation infrastructure and investing in designs and project completions that benefit local fisheries. The willingness of water users and agencies to consider our involvement in large water development projects will lead to great partnerships in the future.

The 2015 Project Season One of our most prolific and consistent project partners is the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust (WWNRT). Recently, TU submitted about $300,000 in proposals to the WWNRT to pay for a portion of next year’s project funding. With new and ongoing projects from last year, TU and our partners will invest nearly $2 million into restoration work for FY15.

Many of these projects include countless hours of volunteer time going toward initiation or implementation. One of the greatest successes that we have enjoyed is how much participation we receive from chapters to see these projects through. It is motivating and encouraging to see so much local buy-in for coldwater fishery restoration work across the state — TU is making a difference out there and future generations will benefit for the time and effort you commit each year!

I am looking forward to 2015 we have plenty of work to do and lots of fish to catch! If you see Mr. Jensen, ask him to sing you a line of “Red Solo Cup,” by Toby Keith, he has an incredible voice — especially around 2 or 3 am.

Cory Toye serves as the Wyoming Water Project Director for Trout Unlimited in Lander, Wyoming. He and his wife, Morgan, and son, Joe, live near Pavillion. Team Toye enjoys everything big, wonderful Wyoming offers — especially the Wind River, the Absaroka Mountain Range near Dubois and Home Depot in Casper. Email Cory at: ctoye@tu.org

SPRING 2015

WYTU NEWS NOTES

Wyoming’s Brutger accepts new position as Rocky Mountain Manager for CCF Trout Unlimited is excited to report that Steven Brutger has accepted the position of Rocky Mountain Manager for Trout Unlimited’s Coldwater Conservation Fund.

For the past five years, Steven has served as the Wyoming Energy Coordinator, leading TU’s efforts and work in places like Little Mountain and the Wyoming Range.

In his new role, Steven will be responsible for cultivating and growing the Coldwater Conservation Fund in the region, which is a critical component to supporting nearly every aspect of TU’s work.

“We are extremely thrilled for Steven and his new position in Trout Unlimited,” said former WYTU chairman and current newsletter editor Mike Jensen. “I know I speak for the other volunteer leaders of WYTU when I say that Steven will be sorely missed. We wish him and his family nothing but the very best.”

Unfortunately, Steven and his family will be relocating to Bozeman, Montana to better execute his new duties, but rest assured, WYTU staff, volunteers, members and conservation partners can expect to see him in Wyoming quite often.

As you travel around the great state of Wyoming, we hope you’ll get to know the natives...

Bonneville Cutthroat Trout: Oncorhynchus clarki utah

Snake River Cutthroat Trout: Oncorhynchus clarki behnkei

Trout Unlimited receives grant from NRCS for Upper Bear River work Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout: Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri

By JIM DeRITO Fisheries Restoration Coordinator Trout Unlimited Trout Unlimited (TU) is the lead partner on a fisheries restoration initiative on the Upper Bear River that was awarded $1,200,000 from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in January 2015. The Upper Bear River Stream Restoration and Irrigation Efficiency project was one of about a hundred projects to receive funding from throughout the country for NRCS’s new Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

The Upper Bear River in Utah and Wyoming is home to Bonneville cutthroat trout that reside in the cold, clear water that comes from the Uinta Mountains. The river also provides irrigation water to numerous ranches that are served by canals and other infrastructure that were built by the early settlers. TU has been working with producers and partners to upgrade and improve diversions, fish passage, and instream flows throughout thirty miles of river. The next phases of the project will improve water management and irrigation water delivery at five

Colorado Cutthroat Trout: Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus Conserving and protecting Wyoming’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds...

That’s what we do.

Join us.

409 Lincoln Street Lander, WY 82520 Phone: 307.332.6700 www.wyomingtu.org

See NEWS NOTES page 8 SPRING 2015

Page 7

NEWS NOTES, continued from page 7 different canals over the next several years.

These improvements will enhance ranching, keep fish out of canals, and keep water in the river and that will result in more Bonneville cutthroat trout and better fishing.

The success of this grant proposal was made possible with the support of numerous partner organizations, including the Upper Bear River TU chapter, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Forest Service, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and Westmorland Kemmerer, Incorporated.

on the amount of debris in Trout Unlimited the river.

Seedskadee Chapter were The water that passes feeling lucky on St. through the screen will go to Patrick’s Day. the extensive wetland system That’s when they on the refuge. turned on the Hamp II fish Project partners found that screen for the first time. this screen will keep The 12-foot diameter cone thousands of trout out of the screen has three wipers WYTU PHOTOS/Nick Walrath wetlands and in the Green with River each year. brushes and is powered by a 600 watt solar system. The brushes run for a minute-and-a-half every few hours depending See NEWS NOTES page 15

Upper Bear River Chapter to host 8th Annual Fundraising Banquet The 8th Annual Upper Bear River Trout Unlimited Fundraising Banquet will be held on May 9, in Evanston. The event will be held at a new location — the historic Roundhouse (located next to the Machine Shop).

According to chapter president Rick Slagowski, the event once again promises to be a great one. He noted that there will be games, raffles and silent and live auctions. Dave’s Meats will once again be catering the event.

Last year, tickets sold out. If you are interested in attending, Slagowski advises getting your tickets now. You can contact him by calling (307) 679-0074.

New fish screen up and running in Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge

By NICK WALRATH Trout Unlimited Green River Project Manager The Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Wyoming, along with the local

Page 8

SPRING 2015

Yellowstone cutthroat numbers continue positive trends

By DAVE SWEET Yellowstone Lake Special Project Manager for Wyoming Trout Unlimited

T

he Yellowstone Lake Working Group held its annual meeting in Bozeman on February 3. In attendance were representatives from the National Park Service, USGS, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, National Parks Conservation Association, Yellowstone Parks Foundation and of course, Trout Unlimited from Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. This all-day meeting reviewed the results from 2014 in all areas and outlined plans for 2015.

The following is a summary of the highlights from that meeting.

Lake trout suppression in 2014 continued to exceed expectations. A total of 277,000 lake trout were netted by a record 74,500 units of netting (one unit is 100 meters of net soaked for one night). The total number of lake trout netted declined from 2013 (about 300,000) even though the effort increased and it was carried out almost exclusively by the contract netters, the Hickey Brothers. Thus the catch per unit of effort (CPUE) declined for the third year in a row in all mesh sizes used. This is indicative of a declining lake trout population across all age classes.

Since 2011 when the effort was significantly increased, the CPUE has declined to less than half of its 2011 level in spite of improved knowledge of lake trout movements, locations, patterns, etc. and a switch to the professional netting crew.

Yellowstone cutthroat numbers and age class distribution continued a three year positive trend. All of the population indicators for the cutthroats have shown improvement. Most significant is the distribution netting results. This is a long standing sampling of the cutthroat numbers that involve placing specific nets in the same locations, the same time of the year (early August) and setting them for the same length of time.

The overall number of cutthroats caught have essentially tripled over the past four years, and more imporOver the past three tantly, we are seeing an years, a still small, yet increasing number of juvenile and midyear age significant increase in classes. cutthroat spawners has In 2011 and in the years preceding that, essentially no been counted juvenile cutthroats were found. This is indicative of severe lake trout predation on these fry and resulted in no recruitment into the population. Basically, only large old cutthroats were in the system.

Over the past three years the juvenile survival has increased dramatically and allowed these juveniles to mature into mid-age classes that are the core of the spawning population. Other cutthroat population indicators have also shown a three-year positive trend. The NPS has historically done walking surveys of about a dozen small feeder streams to Yellowstone Lake in the spring. They look for many things, but one of them is a count of observed cutthroats in the streams. These numbers dropped to essentially zero in the early and mid-2000s.

Over the past three years, a still small, yet significant increase in cutthroat spawners has been observed. Angling survey results have also shown a similar improvement. Anglers are catching more cutthroats than in many

update

SPRING 2015

years with the catch rate approaching 1.5 cutthroats per hour. Again, more mid-age classes are being seen.

In addition to the positive trends in population metrics, the telemetry is starting to reveal very important information on lake trout movement and seasonal patterns. A significant number of active and potential spawning areas have been identified with confirmation ongoing. The patterns of use (dates of spawning, day/night use, staging areas, movement patterns onto the spawning beds, scope of the area, preferred substrate, etc.) of these areas are being delineated. Also under study is the vulnerability of the ova and fry to various suppression techniques. Two of these techniques (elctroshocking and suction dredging) are being actively evaluated on a couple of these known spawning areas. Both are showing great promise and are scheduled for further testing in 2015.

Logistical issues are being optimized for both techniques. One key parameter for alternative suppression is how long the lake trout fry remain on the spawning beds after hatch. We are surprised to learn that many of the fry remain on those spawning areas well into the summer months after the long months under ice. This is important in that it opens the opportunity to target those fry during that early summer time frame.

As positive as all of these results are, it is absolutely critical for everyone to understand that we are a long way from success on Yellowstone Lake. The sustained effort cannot wane. A population crash of lake trout is anticipated which will further allow the cutthroats to recover. However, if constant pressure is not maintained on the lake trout numbers (either by continued netting, alternative suppression of the ova or fry, or most likely, a combination of these two), the lake trout population will rebound and we will be faced with another period of cutthroat declines.

Until and unless someone defines a methodology to totally remove the last lake trout, ongoing but hopefully much less expensive suppression will be with us for a long time.

Dave Sweet has been a member of Trout Unlimited since the mid-70s. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Trout Unlimited as well as former chairman of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited.

He currently is serving as the treasurer of the council and is a former president and current board member of the East Yellowstone Chapter in Cody. He was recently inducted into the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame. Dave and his wife, Cathy, are the parents of two daughters — Cindy, an attorney in Casper, and Diana, a fisheries biologist for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department in Jackson — and they live in Cody. Dave loves to fish for any species; hunt for whatever crawls, flies or walks; and ride his horses. Email Dave at: davidps@tritel.net.

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OUR PUBLIC LANDS AREN’T FOR SALE

By GREG McREYNOLDS Sportsmen’s Conservation Project Field Staff

H

unting and fishing are part of our American identity. Outdoor recreation fills our hearts and drives our economy.

So it rankles sportsmen when a few out-of-touch but vocal legislators around the west try to take the places where we have hunted and fished and relied on for generations and put them at risk.

In Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, Idaho, Colorado, Utah and other states, legislators have tried to push through resolutions that would seek the transfer of our American public lands to the states.

Considering that states have made a long practice of selling their own lands and, in many states, limiting sportsmen’s access to state lands already on the books. No- camping laws are common and other state lands are simply closed to public access.

Nearly as bad is the failure to acknowledge that without public lands, most of us wouldn’t have the opportunity to hunt and fish. Without our National Forest and BLM lands, we’d be relegated to less access and smaller spaces until eventually our hunting tradition would become the exclusive domain of the rich and privileged.

Idaho hunters and anglers begin their rally with the Pledge of Allegiance. Nearly 250 sportsmen and women rallied at the state capitol in Boise on February 12 to tell legislators their public lands are not for sale.

COURTESY PHOTO/Bill Schaefer, Boise, Idaho So this spring, as legislators contemplated bills to pursue takeover of our American lands, sportsmen converged on capitols around the west. There were 250 gathered in Boise, 150 in Denver, 350 in

New Mexico and 500 in Helena. They held signs and gave speeches and wore camo. They stood united as sportsmen and said, “Our public lands are not for sale.”

WYTU opposes two bills in Wyoming Legislature

By SCOTT CHRISTY Wyoming Coordinator Trout Unlimited During Wyoming’s 2015 Legislative two bills were brought forth relating to public lands management and potential transfer of lands or transfer of management. Wyoming Trout Unlimited opposed both of bills.

HB209 “Transfer of Federal Lands” This bill sought to require transfer of title for most federal lands in Wyoming from the federal government to state ownership. While the ultimate legality of such a state bill is questionable, it passed the House before stalling out in the Senate.

Wyoming Trout Unlimited believes that this bill would clearly have had negative impacts on fisheries on federal lands due to increased development, privatization and loosened protections for watersheds.

SF51 “Study of Federal Lands Management” Senate File 51 originally sought to allocate $100,000 to study both the transfer of federal lands to the State of Wyoming and/or the management of federal lands being turned over to the State of Wyoming.

Through the committee process, the bill was amended to remove transfer of lands from the bill language and, as passed by both the Senate and the House, constrained itself to study the state taking over management of federal lands.

The original fiscal note attached to this bill was $100,000 but was amended down to $75,000 by the House.

This bill passed despite the fact that the State of Wyoming has allocated money the previous two sessions to study this exact issue without measurable results.Ê LEFT: More than 100 sportsmen and women braved a late February snowstorm to rally against a Colorado proposal to transfer American public lands to the state of Colorado.

TROUT UNLIMITED PHOTO/Josh Duplechian, Denver, Colorado

Page 10

SPRING 2015

popo agie anglers

•

lander, wyoming

The water stewards of Fremont County...

By SCOTT CHRISTY Wyoming Coordinator Trout Unlimited

T

he Popo Agie Anglers have the distinct pleasure of being the chapter who stewards the waters of Fremont County, essentially encompassing the waters on the east flank of the Continental Divide coming out of the Wind River Range of Wyoming.

Founded in 1989, the Anglers have been a strong voice for fisheries conservation in central Wyoming. Past projects include: Luckey Pond Construction The Anglers, with the help of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, constructed a local kids’ fishing pond that is used year round by local youth and features a disabled access and aerator for improved winter fish survival. Each year the Kids’ Fishing Day is held at Luckey Pond and draws hundreds of local Fremont County Youth.

Popo Agie Angler Chapter President Jeff Judkins with a beautiful brown trout.

WYTU PHOTO/Steven Brutger

with a low flow channel through City Park in Lander and sponsoring genetic testing of cutthroat trout inhabiting drainages off the North Fork of the Popo Agie in the Wind River Range.

In addition, the Anglers remain active advocates for other area fisheries such as the Sweetwater, and the streams on the eastern flank of the Wind River Range. By the time this goes to print the Anglers will have also held a fantastic fundraiser for coldwater fisheries conservation on March 28, at the newly finished Lander Community Center.

If you’re in the Lander area and want to get involved with our local Trout Unlimited chapter, you can reach Popo Agie Anglers President Jeff Judkins at: jeff_judkins@nols.edu. We’d love to see you around!

Popo Agie Anglers

Chapter Scrapbook:

North Fork Popo Agie Riparian Fencing The Anglers helped fence an important stretch of public access fishing on the North Fork of the Little Popo Agie to keep cows from over-foraging on riparian plants that can provide shade and bank stabilization.

Little Popo Agie willow planting This effort undertaken with local middle school students was aimed at controlling erosion on a previously overgrazed portion of the Little Popo Agie that has yielded a more stable channel with improved habitat.

The Anglers have also been instrumental in local fisheries education, hosting the annual Kids’ Fishing Day in Lander, teaching casting and fly fishing demos at local schools, and partnering with TU’s Adopt-A-Trout program to study local fisheries. In addition, the group has been involved in a number of entrainment studies toward the mouth of Sinks Canyon to figure out if the loss of fish from the Middle Fork to irrigation infrastructure is substantive.

As the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie runs directly through Lander and is prone to dewatering leading to warm temperatures and lack of habitat in the summer, the Popo Agie Anglers are committed to helping heal Middle Fork for the better.

Future potential projects include helping

WYTU CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT

SPRING 2015

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: Josh Oakleaf and Popo Agie Anglers

Page 11

WYTU

habitat projects in Jackson Hole.

For more information about the JHTU Chapter, contact chapter president Barbara Allen at 307.413.3510 or e-mail to: info@jhtroutunlimited.org.

By LESLIE STEEN Chapter Vice President

Information Provided By DON CLAUNCH Chapter President

The Jackson Hole Chapter rang in the new year with a new website at jacksonhole.tu.org. Hosted within the TU.org portal, the site has up-to-date information on our projects and events. We followed this up with a well-attended winter quarter members’ event at the Q Roadhouse and Brewery on January 13, which featured presentations by Cory Toye, Wyoming Water Project Director and Anna Senecal, Aquatic Habitat Biologist for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department in Jackson.

Like much of Wyoming, we’ve had an unseasonably warm winter — so we’ve had fish on the mind even more than usual for this time of year and have been actively planning for the spring and summer ahead (and fishing too). In March, we participated in two local events: the F3T Film Tour’s Jackson screening on March 13 at the Center for the Arts (proceeds benefited the Jackson and Teton Valley, Idaho, TU chapters), and the “Sustainability Series” panel discussion on water conservation that took place on March 19 at Spark JH, hosted by sustainability-minded non-profits and businesses in celebration of World Water Day. Chapter board members have been reaching out to local businesses for donations for the JHTU & WYTU “Tie One On” Banquet and Fundraiser on May 2nd at Hotel Terra in Teton Village. We are always grateful to the businesses and outfitters in the Jackson Hole community that support this event so that we can raise funds for fisheries conservation and education in Jackson and across Wyoming. Tickets are now on sale and we hope to see you there.

JHTU is a partner of the WGFD-led Edmiston Spring Channel Enhancement Project. The project seeks to enhance rearing and spawning habitat for cutthroat trout on a tributary of Fish Creek that flows through the town of Wilson, with support and input from stake holders and private landowners. JHTU provided funding support for the project’s design and planning phase, which is nearly complete. We are also helping local WGFD staff to plan a special 25th anniversary Kids Fishing Day in Jackson on June 3.

We continue to hear about, and look forward to supporting, new opportunities for fish

The Casper Area Grey Reef Chapter meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Wyoming Game and Fish offices in Casper.

At the February meeting, we heard a wonderful presentation from Travis Neebling, Fisheries Biologist of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, on “An Overview of the Reservoir Research Program in Wyoming”.

The March chapter meeting was held on March 4 and members discussed upcoming preliminary events that the chapter will be involved with. They include: • The Fly Fishing Film Tour will be held April 1 at the Casper Studio City Stadium East. This year, Grey Reef Chapter will have a booth to promote the chapter and to hold some fundraising activities.

• WYTU Annual Spring Council Meeting.

The statewide meeting will be held in Casper and hosted by the Grey Reef Chapter on April 17-19. Many members from around the state will be in attendance and some are planning to get some time on the Platte River Friday. The chapter would like to provide hosts to help take these members out on the river.

• Stream Girls. The Grey Reef Chapter is sponsoring a Stream Girls weekend in conjunction with the local Girl Scouts the weekend of August 8. This event introduces Girl Scouts to fisheries habitat, stream and fisheries management, fly fishing and other TU related topics.

More information will be forthcoming on this event and if you are interested in volunteering to help, please let me know.

If you are interested in volunteering or looking for additional information, contact Don Claunch, chapter president at 307.266.5979.

CHAPTER CHATTER JACKSON HOLE CHAPTER

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CASPER-GREY REEF CHAPTER

POPO AGIE ANGLERS CHAPTER Information Provided By CATHY PURVES Chapter Secretary We applied for a grant with the Wyoming Wildlife & Natural Resources Trust Fund for

$180,000 recently for the Middle Fork Popo Agie Low Flow Channel Habitat Improvement Project.

The chapter also hosted our 25th Annual Fundraiser and Banquet on March 28 at the new Lander Community Center and it was another big success for our chapter.

We’ve been asked by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Bureau of Land Management to participate in the riparian and stream improvement project for tributaries of the Sweetwater River near Sweetwater Canyon.

This multi-stake holder project is a multiyear proposal that seeks to improve poor habitat, stream flows and fishing through several “miniprojects” along various tributaries that flow into the Sweetwater River.

Beaver once inhabited many of these streams and it is the intent that part of the goal will include reintroduction of beaver back to these streams at some point.

The PPA will be one of two volunteer groups (TNC the other) that will assist with this enhancement project and contribute through volunteering with on-the-ground work and funding contributions.

On-the-ground work might include conducting annual riparian vegetative monitoring through photos, along with any other item that might be of interest to our members.

We will be asked to commit for some level of challenge cost and those details are currently being worked out. Other partners include state lands and the landowner/lessee, Abernathy Ranch.

We elected a new and full board and are very excited with all the new volunteers who will no doubt contribute to the growth of this great chapter.

UPPER BEAR RIVER CHAPTER Information Provided By RICK SLAGOWSKI Chapter President The Upper Bear River TU Chapter has had a busy start to 2015!

We would like to welcome our newest board members to our chapter —Victoria Kelm, Secretary, and Robin Rhodes, Conservation Chairman. A big thanks to these fine volunteers for stepping up and keeping our chapter on the rise!

See CHAPTER CHATTER page 13 SPRING 2015

CHAPTER CHATTER, continued from page 12 In January, our chapter hosted a screening of Hank Patterson’s Reel Montana Adventure. We had a great turnout that included 51 folks from Evanston and the surrounding area. Hank and his crazy antics had us all in stitches. We also added eight new members to our chapter that evening.

In regards to our big Booth Ditch project on the Bear River, design plans are underway to replace a push-up dam on the river. Our chapter has already provided $4,500 toward this project.

The project will be the benchmark for future development and projects that will help “Bring Back the Bear” and support our mission to protect cold, clean, fishable water.

Mark your calendars now for May 9, as we host our 8th Annual Upper Bear River TU Chapter Fundraising Banquet.

This year’s event will be held in the Historic Evanston Round House. As always, you’ll find great raffles, games and live and silent auctions! Don’t miss it. Tickets are selling fast.

Get yours today by calling Rick Slagowski at 307.679.0074 for more information.

On June 27, we’ll once again host our extremely popular Kids’ Fishing Day event at the Ice Ponds located in the Bear Greenway.

This is one of our city’s favorite events that features several hundred children on hand to try their luck at catching fish and enjoying a day of fishing, food, prizes and fun!

Cheers to thinking like a fish!

LARAMIE VALLEY CHAPTER Information Provided By PATRICK HARRINGTON Chapter President In the past year, Laramie Valley Trout Unlimited has been focused on establishing a solid foundation of active members and has been working to identify effective conservation projects in the Laramie Valley.

During 2014 our club was reinvigorated with our new leadership that includes: Patrick Harrington as chapter president, Cole Sherard as vice president and Haley Powell as secretary.

Cole also serves as vice chair and secretary for Wyoming Trout Unlimited and Haley previously held the youth chair position for Wyoming Trout Unlimited.

We also welcomed several new board

SPRING 2015

members with diverse experiences in the fisheries world.

We have been fortunate to work closely with Wyoming Trout Unlimited to develop goals for our chapter and are looking forward to some big projects in the future.

CURT GOWDY CHAPTER Information Provided By BOB MASON Chapter President The Curt Gowdy Chapter hosted the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) for the first time on March 7, and it was a huge success.

A very large crowd was on hand at the Kiwanis Community House in Cheyenne to watch this year’s film tour. A silent auction and raffle drawing was held as well.

In addition, for every non-Trout Unlimited member that attended that evening, they were provided with a complimentary TU membership courtesy of Maven Outdoor Equipment Company in Lander, Wyoming (www.mavenbuilt.com). A special thanks to the crew at Maven for their incredible support and contribution.

Upcoming chapter events include the following: • Kirk Deeter, editor of TROUT magazine will give a presentation on Thursday, March 26, at 2 Doors Down (118 East 17th St.) in downtown Cheyenne. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.

• April meeting TBA. • The hugely popular Women’s Fly Fishing Clinic will be held on Saturday, May 2, at the Laramie County Community College from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Our annual Crow Creek Cleanup will take place on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information, contact Bob Mason at 307.287.9455.

SEEDSKADEE CHAPTER

By CALVIN HAZLEWOOD Past President Greetings from the Seedskadee Chapter in Rock Springs and Green River. Hope this finds everyone doing well and getting prepped for spring in Wyoming!

We sure have had some weird weather this winter and it seemed like spring in late January and early February. Now it’s back to winter again for a while I guess.

The Seedskadee Chapter has been busy since the first of the year. Many good things are planned for 2015 and we are looking forward to another year of fun and exciting opportunities.

We had chapter elections in January, and thanks to Robb Keith for stepping up into the president’s position and continued support within the chapter from our other dedicated board members.

We’re looking forward to the vision and direction that Robb will bring to the chapter as he leads us into 2015.

We have many opportunities for folks to have some fun and support our fisheries here in southwest Wyoming along the way.

Plans are underway for cottonwood/willow cuttings and plantings on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), putting our newly installed fish screen into service on the Hamp II ditch this spring, selling our commissioner’s license at the Muley Fanatics Banquet on March 7, Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) film and fundraiser on April 2, in Rock Springs, Project Healing Waters float on April 21-22 on the Green through Seedskadee NWR with the Refuge and other partners, chapter programs, plans for Take-A-Kid Fishing Day in June and many other fun and fishy opportunities.

Planning is also underway to lay out other project opportunities to help on our river and streams this summer and fall.

Our chapter and board meetings are taking on a new look this year with board meetings happening earlier in the evening followed by chapter programs and meeting. Hopefully this will allow more folks to get engaged and participate while only committing to one evening per month. We are also holding the meetings on a different evening of the week — Tuesday — as opposed to our traditional Thursday night to try to see if some new folks can attend and participate. We’ll see how things go and adjust as necessary.

Thanks again to everyone that helps to make our chapter strong and working to help our fisheries. We truly appreciate everything that everyone brings to the chapter and our mission, as all these varied folks from differing backgrounds bring great things to share and support our efforts. Without each of you, we couldn’t do the things we do.

I hope to see many of our other chapter friends from throughout the state in Casper at the Spring WYTU Council Meeting on April 1719, and/or up in Jackson Hole at the Trout Unlimited Western Regional Meeting on May 1-2.

In the meantime, get out and make some memories!

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WYOMING COORDINATOR

REPORT

Increasing our presence with the legislature...

O

ver the past two years, Wyoming Trout Unlimited has increased our presence during the legislative sessions in Cheyenne and have actively followed bills that pertain to coldwater fisheries in Wyoming. We’ve participated in putting on a sportsmen’s reception both of those years and have seen some successes such as funding for science pertaining to saving the Yellowstone cutthroat in Yellowstone Lake.

This session we supported one bill changing simple statute language surrounding Wyoming’s Aquatic Invasive Species program. We were pleased that these housekeeping changes requested by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department were very much supported by both houses of Wyoming’s 2015 Legislature and will make our AIS statues cleaner and more efficient.

The other two specific bills we followed pertained to public lands being moving from federal management and ownership to Wyoming state management and/or ownership.

WYTU opposed these bills and you can read more about them in the article on public lands on page 10 in this spring edition of The Trout Tale.

As Wyoming Trout Unlimited continues to engage with decision-makers on behalf of our coldwater fisheries, I want to say above all else that it is you — our members and volunteers — who make the difference in the conversation. When you take the time to write a legislator an e-mail or a letter, or attend an interim committee meeting to stand up and speak for coldwater fisheries conservation, Wyoming’s elected officials listen. As opposed to the inaccessible politics that most of the country experiences, the opinions of Wyoming’s people still really matter to Wyoming’s legislators, especially when the Trout Unlimited members like you take the time to personally get involved in the process. Wyoming’s legislature is still made up of citizens rather than professional politicians and it shows in the way that they very much value your input as they make decisions. This isn’t to say that a Wyoming legislator will always agree with your vantage point, but in our experience they are always honestly open to listening.

By the time this issue of The Trout Tale is published, the legislative session will have wrapped up, but our work for the year won’t be done. We’ll keep following bills in interim committees for the next budget session and keep you informed about how to get involved. If there are issues critical to coldwater fisheries conservation, it is very likely that we will reach out to you to engage your elected officials and share your viewpoints.

In the meantime, thanks again for lending your voice for the fisheries resources we all care about during this session, and we’ll look forward to keeping you in the loop.

Scott Christy is the Wyoming Coordinator for Trout Unlimited.

Originally from Iowa, Scott has an incredible passion for the outdoors — camping, hunting, fishing and whitewater rafting. Scott lives in Lander in order to foolishly chase golden trout in the high country of the Wind River Range all summer.

He also pretends to bow hunt for big game in Wyoming, but really only brings home the occasional grouse. E-mail Scott at: schristy@tu.org.

Page 14

CALENDAR WYTU APRIL 17-19, 2015 The annual Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited Spring Business Meeting will be held in Casper at the Best Western Ramkota Inn. Keep in mind great fishing this time of year on the Platte River. See page 1 for more information.

MAY 1-2, 2015 Western Regional Trout Unlimited meeting will be held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, at the Snow King Resort near downtown.

This is an incredible opportunity right here in our own backyard. Check out the details on page 1 and 2.

MAY 2, 2015 The Third Annual Tie-One-On Jackson Hole Chapter and Wyoming Trout Unlimited Banquet will take place at Hotel Terra in Teton Village. This incredible fundraising event benefits both the Jackson Hole chapter and Wyoming Trout Unlimited.

Tickets are now available. Check out page 1 and 2 for more information.

MAY 2, 2015 The Curt Gowdy’s annual Women’s Fly Fishing Clinic will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne. For more information on this hugely-popular event, contact Bob Mason at (307) 287-9455.

MAY 9, 2015 The 8th Annual Upper Bear River Trout Unlimited Fundraising Banquet will be held at the historic Roundhouse in Evanston.

Great raffles, silent and live auctions and more! For tickets or for more information, call Rick Slagowski at (307) 679-0074 AUGUST 27-28, 2015 The Utah Single Fly event will take place on the famous Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam. Watch the Trout Unlimited website for details as they become available.

SEPTEMBER 16-20, 2015 Annual Trout Unlimited meeting in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

If you have an item for the WYTU calendar, please e-mail to Mike Jensen today at: trouthut@gmail.com.

SPRING 2015

Mild weather allows fish screen project to be completed

HOLES IN MY WADERS

By TOMMY THOMPSON Trout Unlimited Bighorn Basin Project Manager The only good thing we can say about the snowpack-eating midwinter heat wave Cody had in January and February this year is it allowed Wyoming water project staff to catch up on the construction of some projects.

We installed a fish screen on the North Fork of the Shoshone River which will eliminate entrainment of out-migrating fish every fall as they find their way back to Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

Additionally, we built six cross vanes on Timber Creek — a Greybull River tributary.

These will eliminate upstream passage barriers at four irrigation diversions and, for the first time in several decades, will allow migratory Yellowstone cutthroat trout to access 12 miles of spawning and refugia habitat in this WYTU PHOTOS/Tommy Thompson important headwater stream.

Seedskadee Chapter receives $14,500 for commissioner tag Saturday, March 7, was a great day and one that the Seedskadee Trout Unlimited Chapter in Rock Springs and Green River will never forget.

That’s the day the chapter’s commissioner tag sold for an incredible $14,500 at the annual Muley Fanatics Foundation Rock Springs banquet and live auction.

A local Green River outdoorsman purchased the coveted tag.

“We appreciate and value our partnership with the Muley Fanatics Foundation,” said past Chapter President Calvin Hazlewood. “We greatly appreciate the opportunity to sell our tag at their banquet.”

Hazlewood also thanked Wyoming Game and Fish Department Commissioner Mark Anselmi from Rock Springs for providing the tag to the chapter. He noted that the proceeds from the tag sale will be used toward the local Adopt-A-Trout/Burbot program and for other local conservation and habitat projects in and around the area.

Do you have an item for “WYTU News Notes?”

WYTU NEWS NOTES

‘God bless Wyoming and keep it wild’

I

first arrived in Wyoming as a permanent resident in the spring of 1990. It was a major milestone in my life and I looked forward to everything the Cowboy State had in store for me, my wife and our yellow lab.

Within minutes of my showing up for my new job on my first day, I was quick to notice a piece of art on the wall of the boss’s office. I stared at it for a moment and let it soak in. Really soak in.

In the frame was a poster that featured a photograph of some rugged, snowcapped mountain peak shrouded in a cold, cloud cover. Below the mountains were pine trees, including one big, gnarly, twisted pine tree.

A quote was featured below the photo. It read “God bless Wyoming and keep it wild.” The quote was attributed to 15-year-old Helen Mettler and there was a notation stating the quote was the last entry made in her diary in 1925.

I was fascinated. I told myself I would have to get one of those posters to hang on my wall someday.

Well, snooze you lose. Time went by and when I got around to ordering one of the posters, they were out of print. Needless to say, I was bummed.

Until recently that is. I did stumble across a website of the photographer of that famous picture and featured quote, and he has a new poster available. Yahtzee. After 25 years, I finally ordered that poster and I’m looking forward to having it hang proudly behind my bar in the man cave. It will serve as a reminder to count my blessings and know that I made the right decision to come to Wyoming 25 years ago.

When I ordered the poster, it was interesting to learn a few factoid’s about the photo and the quote.

First, the photographer’s name is Paul Martin and he lives in Jackson Hole. The picture is of the famous Patriarch Tree in Grand Teton National Park.

Second, there’s an incredible story behind the quote. Here’s an article that was printed on September 2, 1926 in the Jackson Hole Courier. Keep in mind that Helen went by the nickname of “Becky.”

GIRL PLUNGES TO DEATH IN TAGGART CANYON Miss Becky Mettler, a fifteen-year old guest of the Bar BC Ranch fell 100 feet to her death in Taggart Canyon last Monday afternoon. The young lady was one of a small party of girls who with Mrs. Irving Corse were making a pleasant jaunt into the mountains. The party had stopped to view the magnificent scenery and Miss Mettler, previously warned by Mrs. Corse, climbed into a dangerous position. She called for help and while

Send your information via e-mail to Scott Christy at: schristy@tu.org or Mike Jensen at: trouthut@gmail.com

SPRING 2015

“

“

NEWS NOTES, continued from page 8

See HOLES IN MY WADERS page 18

The man who coined the phrase ‘Money can’t buy happiness’ never bought himself a good fly rod!

— Reg Baird

Page 15

NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Hello Wyoming Trout Unlimited — I’m listening...

A

wise man once advised me, “You’ve got two ears and one mouth. Use them in proportion.”

Those of you whose company I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying probably figure one of two things: that advice has fallen on deaf ears or I’m blatantly ignoring it. I can assure you I am not deaf, despite what my wife may think because she had to tell me three times how to do the same load of laundry. For the record, I swear I did it exactly how she told me which means it can’t be my fault that the king-size sheets shrunk so much they will now barely fit on a bed more suitably sized for a Cabbage Patch doll.

I can also assure you I am not blatantly ignoring that advice. Who wouldn’t heed timeless tidbits such as not playing ball in the house – sorry about all those vases and mirrors, Mom; setting a real back-up alarm for important early-morning meetings – what do you mean dogs don’t count?; or never starting to fulfill a dare by saying, “Hold my beer and watch this” – it’s probably best that most of the days of my early adulthood pre-date the viral age. So apart from the part of me that is an alleged sleep deprived, laundry incompetent, juvenile delinquent, what is it that makes me think of using my ears and mouth in proportion now?

It occurs to me that I have been trying so earnestly to fulfill the portion of my National Leadership Council responsibility that is the two-way communication between national Trout Unlimited and all of you that I haven’t used my ears and mouth in proportion. What do I mean by that? It is one part of my job to be a conduit for communication between TU national and all of you. For examSo apart from the ple, the Volunteer Operations staff part of me that is an alleged will frequently send out reminders about tax filing deadlines, updates sleep deprived, laundry on pending federal legislation, or incompetent, juvenile best practices for chapters and councils. Whether in this column or elsedelinquent what is it that where in this newsletter, it is hoped makes me think of using my that you receive all the information ears and mouth in and access to resources you need to have the greatest impact on our proportion now? coldwater fisheries. Oftentimes we’ll highlight significant pieces of information from Lines to Leaders, the monthly e-newsletter from the VolOps staff. All of these things constitute information from national. What about information to national?

In order to ensure your voice is heard within the whole of TU we are organized in a manner such that it is my job to “hear” your voice and, in turn, voice it to national. As we already established, however, I am running my mouth more than opening my ears to you.

“What types of things should I voice,” you may ask? Let me give you an example that is close to home: Yellowstone Lake. This is a bit of an oversimplification but the stream of engagement goes like this: members of the East Yellowstone chapter engaged the WYTU, WYTU had the Wyoming NLC engage a working group of the NLC, the working group engaged the entirety of the NLC to put Yellowstone Lake on the National Conservation Agenda and make it a priority of all of TU. Before you know it…WHAM! BAM! An item of local importance becomes an item of national importance and we start to see results for the cutthroat trout in the lake!

Okay, that’s probably oversimplified. My point is that perhaps you have a local issue or concern and don’t know how to tackle it. Maybe it’s something that is bigger or more complicated than you can handle. Maybe it’s something that affects more than just your chapter or state. If you think it is significant, or even if you think it’s insignificant, I’d like to hear about it. So with that... my ears are

Page 16

open.

Anyone?

Since I know our esteemed editor is only going to give me so much space here to “listen,” how about you just e-mail with anything you might have. Really, I do want to hear about it.

In the meantime, I’ll run my mouth some more to tell you about some fantastic ways your chapter can get out in the field this summer. What’s that? You have a big restoration project planned? Awesome! Do it! We all love getting good projects in the ground to help the fish. However, what’s next after that project? Or, what if you don’t have a project of any size but want to get engaged with some of your fellow members to figure out what projects might be out there? The TU science team has myriad ways that chapters get involved with activities that are fun but also help inform us about the state of our fisheries. Let me tell you about a few of them.

TroutBlitz!

TroutBlitz is a citizen-science project aimed at cataloging the rich diversity of North America’s native salmonids, including trout, steelhead, char, whitefish, grayling and salmon. Through photography and angling, TU’s membership can contribute to a single, easily accessible, geo-referenced photo library of native salmonids across their geographic range.

In addition to documenting native trout biodiversity, TU members can contribute to scientific understanding of the introduction of non-native species by providing geo-referenced photos of these fishes when afield. In order to make TroutBlitz successful, we need your help. With just a fly rod, camera and a GPS unit, you can make a valuable contribution to science.

Stream Temperature Monitoring Trout prefer cold water, often less than 65°F, and stream temperature has a strong influence on their well-being. TU restoration projects often target improving stream temperatures, and keeping a record of temperature variability and trends can be an important tool to help confirm the success of these efforts or identify where further work is needed. Waterproof data logging thermometers offer a simple, affordable means to fill this need.

Check out TU’s Temperature Monitoring Primer at: http://www.tu.org/sites/ default/files/science/pdfs/Water%20Temperature%20Monitoring.pdf Stream Temperature Monitoring Handbook at: http://www.tu.org/sites/default/files/watertemperature-monitoring-v3-final.pdf” \t “_blank” for details on how your chapter can implement a temperature monitoring program.

Didymo Sampling Didymo is a small diatom that causes a big problem:Êlarge algae mats that smother stream substrates.ÊTU is working with scientists at the University of Idaho to help collect water samples in order to better understand the distribution of this noxious alga.

If you suspect there is something “funky” growing in your favorite stream this might be the perfect program for you.

Stream Water Quality Trout Unlimited believes that angler-based, citizen-science water quality monitoring efforts will play a large role in the preservation of coldwater fish species and their habitats as well as ensure years of recreational opportunities for future generations.

Unfortunately, many state agencies and environmental organizations simply do not have the resources to adequately monitor our nation’s bountiful flowing freshwater resources. Trout Unlimited chapters, members and other volunteers

See NLC REPORT page 17 SPRING 2015

NLC REPORT,

continued from page 16

can help fill information gaps by collecting water quality information and collaborating with state agencies, environmental organizations, and local universities to promote the health of rivers and freshwater ecosystems and ensure the enjoyment of these resources for generations to come. To this end, TU has developed a Water Quality Manual (http://www.tu.org/sites/default/files/WaterQuality.pdf” \t “_blank) to provide chapters, members, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts and others interested in water quality with the information necessary to monitor their local streams.

River’s Calendar Trout Unlimited, the University of Massachusetts and partners are developing the River’s Calendar (http://riverscalendar.drupalgardens.com/” \t “_blank), a community science program in which trout anglers will record the seasonal timing of aquatic insect emergence, fish movements and riparian plant flowering while fishing.

This information will be translated into detailed calendars of hatches and other riparian life for each river studied — suitable for use by anglers and other river recreationists. This information will also form the basis for an objective, science-based examination of the phenology of streams — the timing of life cycles and how they are influenced by environmental and climate change.

Do you find any of these programs interesting? Has their mere mention sparked an idea of something more specific to your stream? If so, you can find further information about all of them (and more!) under the “Angler Science” tab of the TU.org website. Can’t find that? Just drop me a note or ring me up and I’ll help get you going in the right direction. With the guidance of the TU science team, we can get you started on something that is incredibly simple and only requires one or two members.

Or we can help you get something started that might be more intensive. Either way, these tools exist to help you achieve the goals you have for your home waters.

As you sit there contemplating which of these programs might be right for you, I’ll shut my yapper so you can think.

As Frasier Crane used to say, “I’m listening.”

Jim Broderick serves as the National Leadership Council representative for the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited. He and his wife, Becky, along with their two dogs, Bear and Cooper, and a pond full of Snake River cutthroat trout live in Jackson. Jim is the owner of Rocky Mountain Ranch Management and in his free time, he enjoys driving drift boats in search of epic fly fishing. E-mail Jim at: jim@rmrm.biz.

blogs WORTH CHECKING OUT: TROUT UNLIMITED: www.tu.org/connect/blog LOUIS CAYHILL: www.ginkandgasoline.com/blog TOM REED and CO.: www.mouthfuloffeathers.com WALT GASSON and FAMILY.: www.threeelkmeadow.blogspot.com STEVEN BRUTGER.: www.stalkingtheseam.com ORVIS.: www.orvis.com/news/flyfishing FIELD & STREAM (Often featuring our friends Tim Romano and Kirk Deeter): www.fieldandstream.com/fishing/flyfishing SPRING 2015

classifieds WYTU TU BUSINESS MEMBER BECOME A TROUT UNLIMITED BUSINESS PARTNER! TU Endorsed Businesses are partners with TU in helping anglers experience the passion of fishing and the peace of being out on the water. As the professionals of the fishing industry, their influence is unmatched in sustaining a community for anglers to share and learn more about fish and fishing.

Perhaps most importantly, these businesses actively share TU’s commitment to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds for future generations. TU offers two types of business memberships: The TU Endorsed Business membership for outfitters, lodges, fly shops and other fishing-related businesses and the TU Endorsed Guide membership for independent guides. To learn more about this program or for more information, call Director of Endorsed Business Walt Gasson in Cheyenne, Wyoming at (307) 630-7398.

MISCELLANEOUS GREAT LOOKING WYOMING TROUT UNLIMITED HATS. Everybody is talking about them and everybody wants one! Get your WYTU ball cap today for only $20. Order yours by calling Scott Christy in Lander at (307) 332-6700 or by e-mailing him at: schristy@tu.org.

WYTU CAN KOOZIE. Get your great looking brown and gold can koozie with the WYTU logo on it! Only $5 while supplies last!

Call Scott Christy in Lander at (307) 332-6700 or e-mail him today at: schristy@tu.org.

You can reach over 1,700 members of Wyoming Trout Unlimited with your classified ad in this quarterly newsletter! For only $20, you can have your ad placed in the Summer 2015 newsletter that will be published on July 1, 2015! To place your ad, contact Wyoming Coordinator Scott Christy by e-mailing him at schristy@tu.org.

Page 17

HOLES IN MY WADERS, continued from page 15

n Bighorn River n North Platte River n Snake River n Wiggins Fork (Private Access) n And more!

That’s right! You could be one of 4 lucky winners of 8 great guided fishing trips in Wyoming and surrounding waters!

25 per ticket or 5 tickets for $100 $

All proceeds raised will benefit WYTU and Jackson Hole TU fisheries conservation efforts in Wyoming.

Winners will be drawn the night of May 2, 2015 at the “Tie-One-On” banquet in Jackson. Ticket holders need not be present to win.

To get yours before they are gone, call Mike Jensen at (307) 421-3188 and leave a message!

WYOMING TROUT UNLIMITED

Speaking of coming to Wyoming, I know all of us from Wyoming Trout Unlimited — staff, executive committee and volunteers — would like to offer a big

Mike Jensen currently serves as past chair of WYTU and is the editor of the council’s “The Trout Tale” newsletter. He and his wife, Jodi, have three terrific kids, a beautiful granddaughter, and a couple of hunting and fishing labs.

Mike and Jodi call the Cheyenne area home. He’s looking forward to driving his drift boat and creating more Wyoming fly fishing and wing shooting adventures with family and good friends. E-mail Mike at trouthut@gmail.com

WIN 2 OF 8 GUIDED FISHING TRIPS!

409 Lincoln Street Lander, Wyoming 82520

Becky’s diary is quoted as saying “God bless Wyoming and keep it wild.” That quote was put on a plaque (pictured above) and hangs on the wall of St. John’s Hospital.

I have to admit, despite her tragic story and short life, young “Becky” got it right when she came to Wyoming and said “God bless Wyoming and keep it wild.”

old Wyoming welcome to those in attendance at the upcoming Trout Unlimited Western Regional Meeting and Third Annual “Tie-One-On” Banquet.

Both events will take place in beautiful Jackson Hole on the weekend of May 1-3.

We hope that everyone in attendance will have the opportunity to take in all that both events will have to offer — which is a lot. And, we hope you’ll enjoy your stay in our truly beautiful state We hope you’ll leave with some great memories of our little corner of the world. Perhaps you too, might say “God bless Wyoming and keep it wild.”

n Trout Unlimited to converge on Jackson Hole for Western Regional Meeting n Casper to host WYTU Annual Spring Council Meeting n Third Annual Tie-One-On Banquet set for May 2 n Cottonwood Ranches in harmony with the land n Wyoming TU staffer Steven Brutger takes new position as Rocky Mountain Manager of TU’s Coldwater Conservation Fund n Yellowstone cutthroat numbers continue positive trend n Much, much more!

Mrs. Corse was trying to reach her she fell into the canyon.

Mrs. Corse dispatched the girls for help while she stayed by the body. To Peter Karppi of the Half Moon Ranch and Olie Van Winkle goes the credit of bringing out the body; a four mile trip down a treacherous mountain canyon without trails or light of day to aid them, a most difficult feat of mountaineering.

The girl will be buried at her home in New Jersey.