Trout Unlimited

  Among the high-mountain meadows of the Golden Trout Wilderness, small streams serve as the headwaters of the Kern and Owens Rivers. These alpine streams are vital to the health of golden trout, California’s state fish, as well as the surrounding ecosystem and downstream communities. Over the summer, Trout Unlimited’s California Inland Trout Program spent three months living and working in these meadows alongside our partners at the Inyo National Forest and California Department of Fish and Wildlife to lead the Golden Trout Meadows Restoration Project. Now in its second year, this program aims to restore meadow functionality and critical fish habitat in 20 alpine meadows across the Kern River Plateau using low-tech, process-based methods to revitalize golden trout streams and bolster the resilience of the ecosystem in the face of a changing climate. Read more from Lindsay Fitzgerald about a summer spent in these meadows – beloved by anglers, hikers, fish and wildlife alike – and the ongoing, expansive nature of this restoration work: https://bit.ly/48l7lSN

TROUT magazine editor Kirk Deeter remembers writer John Gierach, who passed away last week: John’s talent was that he related well to the ‘everyman’ angler, but his skill as a writer transcended. He was proof that while the world is filled with anglers who want to write stories, it’s rare to find a truly gifted writer who happens to have a deep understanding of what the fly-fishing world is really all about. We were very lucky to have John Gierach and Bob White contribute 30 columns to TROUT magazine. I was a fan when they produced their columns for Fly Rod & Reel beforehand, and when when that magazine sadly closed, John and Bob wanted to continue in TROUT magazine. That was a gift to me as editor and to the many thousands of TROUT readers who looked forward to their column in every issue. Those columns were compiled into John’s books, and all his works will remain artifacts of what will always be remembered as a special era in the fly-fishing world. Things won’t be the same without John, but I count my blessings that I was able to work with him, fish with him, and consider him a friend. 📸 Photos 1 & 2 courtesy of Missy Sprouse Photography, captured at the 2023 Hooks for Books fundraiser in Missoula, MT

We have spent decades fighting to protect the public lands where we hike, float, camp, and pursue wild fish and big game—and we can’t let up now. The state of Utah recently filed a legal complaint with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking state control of 18.5 million acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. If the lawsuit succeeds, it could set a dangerous precedent, putting at risk public access and conservation gains across millions of acres of public lands nationwide. Read more from TU’s president and CEO about what’s at stake, why this could be the biggest threat to public lands yet, and how you can help: https://bit.ly/4h1NAnc

It's National Salmon Day, and we're celebrating a milestone for salmon on the Klamath 🎉 Following the removal of the four Klamath River dams, the first salmon has passed the former site of the Iron Gate dam, marking their return to historic spawning grounds that have been unreachable for decades and demonstrating the profound impact of protecting and reconnecting habitat. From removing the lower four Snake River dams to improving fish passage on Maine’s Kennebec River to establishing permanent protections for Bristol Bay, there’s more work to be done, and salmon need our help. This #NationalSalmonDay, take action to reconnect and protect salmon habitat ⬇️ Remove the lower four Snake River dams: https://bit.ly/4evwc7V Establish permanent protections for Bristol Bay: https://bit.ly/2vYz7TC

We have the privilege of inspiring curiosity among future generations. And we have a responsibility to protect our rivers and streams so they may enjoy them for years to come. Blue lines, those small streams that may even go unnamed on a map, are the source of the coldest, cleanest water — benefitting fish and providing healthy drinking water to communities downstream. Raise your voice to protect clean water for future generations so they may continue to access clean drinking water and experience the joy of healthy fish: https://bit.ly/4eETE3d #TUBlueLines

"To this day, if you offered me quiet and solitude and small native fish or larger, more crowded rivers with big stockers, I would always choose the former. Clearly, that is a personal preference, but blue lines are more than a boost to my psyche. "Blue lines are the sources of our coldest and cleanest water. They harbor the highest abundance of native trout and salmon, as they are generally in less developed higher elevation areas." Take a blue lines journey with TU President and CEO Chris Wood: https://bit.ly/4dzPdFo #TUBlueLines

Hurricane Helene has left a path of unimaginable destruction. The scope of this disaster is beyond what many of us have ever experienced, and our hearts are with those of you who are suffering the impacts of this devastating event. This storm affected everyone from saltwater anglers along the Gulf to trout fishing communities in the southern Appalachia, but the waters and fish possess the incredible ability to recover and respond to events of this scale. Right now, our focus is on supporting the people and communities devastated by this storm, locating the missing and addressing immediate needs. In the wake of this event, we’re reminded of the strength and resilience of this region, which “has always shown a deep strength in the face of hardship.” We’re confident that our TU community will embrace and embody our community-focused mission and spirit during this time. For those looking to offer support, and for those of you in need of support, TU and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association have compiled a list of resources and organizations that can help: https://bit.ly/3TV8M4j 📸: NC DOT

The world's largest dam removal in history is officially complete. The contractors working with the Klamath River Renewal Corporation have wrapped up the work at all four dam sites, and the latest images are in—showcasing a free-flowing Klamath like we haven’t seen in decades. All the temporary bridges, diversion infrastructure and dam materials are gone, but the story doesn't end here: restoration and recovery efforts will continue for years to come as wild salmon and steelhead begin to return home. Check out this StoryMap to learn more about the campaign to remove the Klamath dams and the ongoing habitat restoration upstream: https://bit.ly/3BslWiT 📸 Photos by Swiftwater Films.

A new report explores the relationship between energy and water in Arizona – leaving us with more questions than answers about the future of the Southwest’s water supply due to population and economic growth. Arizonans deserve more transparency about how, when and why their water is used. Right now, we only have limited information about groundwater pumping to supply power plants in Arizona because only 16 of the 57 reported data. As we ramp up energy development on our public lands, we need to understand how much water is being used in energy generation to help guide smart decision-making about our water resources and our energy portfolio. Water usage in energy production should be part of the conversation about the right mix of energy sources that can provide Arizonans with the energy they need while also conserving water and fish and wildlife habitat. Read the report: https://bit.ly/3Y57eHq

The Olympic Peninsula, home to wild salmon and steelhead, is a place of beauty, hope and collaboration as Trout Unlimited and our partners work to restore it. Bolstered by federal infrastructure investments and dedicated partners, TU is working to restore critical habitat while, at the same time, improving infrastructure in local communities. Watch the inspiring story "Olympic Peninsula: Restoring Rainforest Rivers" here: https://bit.ly/3XAb7SW #TUPriorityWaters #BipartisanInfrastructureLaw