When: 1st Thursday of the month: Unless otherwise noted by **!!
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Where: Whiskey Jacques 521 Main St, Ketchumn, ID
Guest speakers present local and global fishing opportunities, discuss tactics and stewardship practices
Learn about opportunities to participate in local projects and conservation efforts.
Wednesday, Dec. 5th Program:
“The Effects of Dams on Salmon& Steelhead in Idaho”
Presenter: Kevin Lewis, Director, Idaho Rivers United.
“IDFG has decided to close the steelhead fishing season in Idaho for the year (which typically starts in September and continues into May the next year). Threats of litigation, the Endangered Species Act, and bureaucratic wrangling are part of the official explanation, but the real problem is that there just aren’t enough wild steelhead making it back to Idaho.
The decline of Snake River wild steelhead has been dramatic. In the early 1960s, over 100,000 wild steelhead returned to the Snake River. This year, by Nov. 15, when the vast majority of wild steelhead have already returned, only 11,719 wild steelhead had passed Lower Granite Dam. And fewer than 2,000 of those wild fish are the large B-run steelhead so highly prized by anglers. “(1)
While there are many impacts on Steelhead and Salmon recovery, Dams are the gorilla in the room. There will be a time for Q&A about the current returns and resource management after the presentation. Come and join us in what is certain to be an engaging evening. Admission is free, all are welcome.
1: Quoted from published TU article “ Give Idaho’s wild Steelhead a chance” https://www.tu.org/blog-posts/give-idaho’s-wild-steelhead-a-chance
You can read the full article on this website.
Program Calendar 2018-2019
September (no meeting)
Thursday, October 4 5:00-7:00 PM
Scott Lake, Idaho Director, Western Watersheds Project
“The Effects of Cattle Grazing on Our Fragile Watersheds”
Thursday, November 1 5:00-7:00 PM
Chad Chorney, professional fishing guide and photographer
“Let’s Take an Amazing Photo”
**Wednesday , December 5 5:00-7:00 PM
Kevin Lewis, Director, Idaho Rivers United
“The Effects of Dam Removal on Salmon and Steelhead Recovery”
Thursday, January 3 5:00-7:00 PM
Keri York, Trout Unlimited, Big Wood River Project Manager
“Update: Big Wood Initiative”
Thursday, February 7 5:00-7:00 PM
Dan Garren, Regional Fisheries Manager, IDFG
Pat Moore, Hatchery Manager, Mackay Fish Hatchery
Bart Gamett, Fish Biologist, USFS
“Copper Basin: Survey Results and Plan for the Future”
Thursday, March 7 5:00-7:00 PM
Jeff Burley, Director of Adaptive Sports, Higher Ground
“Take a Veteran Fishing”
Greg Loomis, Executive Director, Silver Creek Alliance
“News from Silver Creek”
Thursday, April 4 5:00-7:00 PM
Larry “the legend” Larsen, Owner, Snake River Fly, Pocatello
Dave Raisch, professional fishing guide, Snake River Fly
“Secrets of South Fork of the Snake Revealed”
Thursday, May 7 5:00-7:00 PM
Alan Byrne, Anadromous Fish Manager, Idaho Fish and Game
“The status of Steelhead Runs in Idaho”
On October 8th, Hemingway TU volunteers gathered at Silver Creek Preserve to partner with The Nature Conservancy planting native plants of various sizes to help protect and restore areas of the preserve. Dayna Gross the Preserve Manager oversaw the plantings and lunch was provided for all the workers. It was a rewarding day for all the participants. Their will be more opportunities for planting and stream restoration in the future. Dave Spaulding, our Project chair coordinated and participated in this restoration effort.