Our Story

Chartered in 1981, the Three Rivers Chapter serves the Greater Seattle Area and has grown to more than 1,200 members, making it the largest and most active chapter in the State of Washington.

Originally named the Bellevue-Issaquah chapter, its early members searched for a project that could enhance a local fishery in need. After learning about dangerously low numbers of native Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon – a species that historically totaled in the tens of thousands and were an important food source for the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe – the chapter, along with other governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) petitioned to list the kokanee as an endangered species. In 2011, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service rejected that petition.

In hindsight, the rejected petition proved beneficial to the chapter’s efforts to save this little red fish. An “endangered species” designation would have severely restricted what strategies the chapter and its partnering organizations could implement to help the kokanee recovery effort.

Since 2007, members and community volunteers have performed kokanee fry monitoring from February to May each year on three index streams that empty into Lake Sammamish. Trapping results are used to build an escapement estimate and provide insight on the success and productivity of the spawning return. This information is also used to monitor the current decline and success of recovery efforts for these native fish. Members have also assisted in the capturing of brood stock, in identifying and removing invasive species in the watershed, and participated in projects to improve stream habitat.

The chapter helps raise awareness of the plight of the kokanee through community outreach activities, such as the annual Salmon Days Festival in Issaquah and various other environmental related events in the Greater Lake Sammamish area. It promotes responsible stewardship practices, and encourages community members to participate in restoration activities.

The chapter’s kokanee project is supported through various fundraising programs, including an annual “Run with the Kokanee” 5K-10K run and walk at Lake Sammamish State Park, the hosting of fly fishing movies, and from donations received through social media and employee giving programs. More donations are always needed and greatly appreciated!

Other important chapter activities include hosting a Project Healing Waters Fish-Out for disabled veterans, providing fly casting instruction and demonstrations, and helping young people to attend a fly-fishing academy. In 2022, under direction of WDFW, chapter members removed nearly 800 invasive African clawed frogs from several ponds in the Issaquah area. More recently, our members participated in an advisory committee comprised of representatives from numerous state agencies, the Tribes, universities, and other NGOs to develop a statewide action plan to address 6PPD-quinone, a toxic tire wear chemical that, during heavy rain events washes into Puget Sound streams resulting in acute mortality of adult pre-spawn Coho salmon.

In 2019, in recognition for its conservation efforts, the chapter received the Green Globe Award from King County. In 2023, in recognition for its leadership, participation, dedication and energy to a conservation project or advocacy toward the goals of TU, it received the “Chinook Award for a Chapter” from the Washington Council of Trout Unlimited.

Chapter members are also constantly involved with Trout Unlimited activities at the state and national level, from participation on the TU National Leadership Council, to conceptualizing, creating and leading a Barrier Assessment Team dedicated to surveying and assessing culverts and other stream obstructions to determine if they impede fish migration, to advocating for state and federal regulations to enhance and protect cold-water fisheries.

As our chapter continues our kokanee salmon recovery project and other conservation efforts and activities, we are always open to new ideas and project proposals that support the mission of Trout Unlimited. We invite you to participate.