Three Rivers Trout Unlimited - [Barely] August 2024 Newsletter
Written by Natasha Kacoroski, David Kyle, Alix Lee-Tigner, Rebecca Lavier, Dr. Jeff Jensen, and Jeff Norman
Can you spot the salmon in this photo? ...And can you identify it? :) Mystery salmon picture (to be revealed in the September newsletter) provided by Natasha Kacoroski
Salmon Watchers
Fall is almost here and the fish are swimming in. Get those polarized sunglasses out - it’s time to spot some salmon! For the fifth year in a row, Dr. Jeff Jensen - Three Rivers Trout Unlimited leader, University of Washington Bothell professor, and salmon researcher - is organizing Salmon Watchers, a community science program to collect data on adult salmon returns. Learn more about the program and how to volunteer at https://jsjensenblog.wordpress.com/north-lake-washington-salmonwatchers-home/.
Upcoming Volunteer Events and Chapter Activities
Tuesday, September 3rd, 10 AM - 12 PM - Lake Sammamish Post-Labor Day Park Clean-up
Help clean up Lake Sammamish State Park after the long holiday weekend! Learn more and sign up at https://www.lakesammamishrefuge.org/upcoming-events/postlabordaycleanup.
Monday, September 9th, 6:30 PM - 9 PM - Salmon Watchers Training
Per Dr. Jeff Jensen’s blog at https://jsjensenblog.wordpress.com/2024/08/26/august-26-updates-and-reminders/, this is the tentative date scheduled for an in-person Salmon Watchers Training, however, all salmon enthusiasts are welcome. Training is being held at the Environmental Education and Research Center in Saint Edwards Park, 14445 Juanita Drive N.E., Kenmore, WA 98028. To register to volunteer or stay in the loop with updates, submit the 2024 Salmon Watchers form at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/8fcb07a912bd4b85b8c823475c204e1b.Tuesday, September 10th, 6 PM - 8 PM - Leadership Meeting
Interested to learn more about chapter operations and help plan activities? Come check out our leadership meeting to better understand what we do and how you can get involved. In person at the Issaquah Hatchery Watershed Science Center (125 West Sunset Way, Issaquah, WA, 98027) with a virtual option available. Members and non-members welcome. We ask that you keep in mind that this is a working meeting and not a social event. If you would like to attend, email admin@threeriverstu.org so we can get a head count and share the virtual meeting link if needed.Saturday, September 14th, 9 AM - 6:30 PM - Education and Outreach at Salmon on Sunset
Help us connect the public to fishing with fly casting demos and share information about Lake Sammamish kokanee and Trout Unlimited! Learn more and sign up at https://form.jotform.com/242394337341052.Saturday, September 14th, 9 AM - 12 PM - DIG-A-THON Stewardship Saturday with Trout Unlimited
Help us dig out those invasive blackberries at the Anthology Open Space in Issaquah! Learn more and sign up at https://www.lakesammamishrefuge.org/upcoming-events/digathon.September 17th, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Candidates Forum
Formula Brewing, 1875 NW Poplar Way, Issaquah, WA 98027
Attend as a member of the community, volunteer, or both. This event is an opportunity to listen to the environmental views of some local candidates running for elections and ask questions to see how they plan to address local environmental concerns. If you would like to volunteer to support with parking and hosting, email us at admin@threeriverstu.org.September 24th - Little Red Fish Found: New Insights on the Mysterious Snerka Salmon by Dr. Jeff Jensen
Doors open at 6 PM, program starts at 7 PM
A presentation about our little red fish, kokanee salmon, by Dr. Jeff Jensen - Three Rivers Trout Unlimited leader, University of Washington Bothell professor, and salmon researcher. To learn more and purchase tickets for the event, go to https://www.mcmenamins.com/event.aspx?id=258070. We are still working out the details, but would like to staff an outreach table about kokanee conservation and Trout Unlimited. If you would like to help, email us at admin@threeriverstu.org.Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM - Education and Outreach at Issaquah Salmon Days
Help us talk to the public about Lake Sammamish kokanee and Trout Unlimited during the 55th Annual Salmon Days! With over 150,000 visitors, it is an incredible opportunity to connect people to coldwater fisheries conservation. Learn more and sign up at https://form.jotform.com/242403776647160.Saturday, October 12th, 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Run with the Kokanee
In partnership with Northwest Trails, we are co-hosting our 13th annual Run with the Kokanee 5K and 10K! This event is not only fun, but also an important fundraiser for the chapter. If you would like to participate as a runner or walker, learn more and register at https://nwtrailruns.com/events/run-with-the-kokanee/. If you would like to volunteer, learn more and sign up at https://form.jotform.com/242438714814156.Tuesday, October 15th, 4 PM - 6 PM - Salmon Watch at the University of Washington Bothell
Save the date! Salmon are storming the University of Washington Bothell with a new campus-wide salmon and sustainability event. We are still working out the details, but will be staffing an outreach table about kokanee conservation and Trout Unlimited. If you would like to help, email us at admin@threeriverstu.org.Thursday, October 17th - Lake Sammamish Kokanee Release
Save the date! The annual kokanee fry release at Lake Sammamish State Park is set for Oct 17th. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we are still working out the details, but will be staffing an outreach table. If you would like to help, email us at admin@threeriverstu.org.
Barrier Assessment Team - Naches Project, Photo provided by Dean Campbell
Barrier Assessment Team - Naches River Project
From left to right, Josh Kerwood, Natasha Kacoroski (that's me!), and Peter Lehman at the outlet of our second site. Photo provided by Josh Kerwood.
By Natasha Kacoroski, Three Rivers Trout Unlimited Volunteer Leader
Over the August 24th and 25th weekend, Trout Unlimited volunteers supported the U.S. Forest Service by assessing 16 fish passage barriers in the Naches River area. Organized by Trout Unlimited Washington Council Vice Chair, Dean Campbell, volunteers came from all over the state, including 5 new individuals that completed training on Saturday.
I was also new, but luckily completed training with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) prior because I could only make it out Saturday evening. I was a little nervous driving over after a long day’s work to camp for the night and then spend the day in a remote area with people I didn’t know, however, I can honestly say that it was one of my most fun volunteer experiences. Everyone was friendly and it was cool to meet with people from different chapters around the state. I also got to connect with some Three Rivers Trout Unlimited members that I had not met yet!
Projects are often on forest roads in the middle of nowhere, which requires significant travel time, so during sign-up one of the questions asked is something along the lines of “How far are you willing to travel for a project?” I remember thinking about the question in terms of fishing. I tend to drive 2-3 hours at most to get to a good spot to catch a fish, so I probably won’t want to drive further than that to not catch a fish…
Overall, this volunteer event ticked all the boxes for me: Get to play in the woods? Check. Get to hang out with awesome people? Check. Get to collect data? Check (I’m a data nerd). Get to support fish conservation? Check. Get to fish? Possible check - dependent on location and time. Sadly, my weekend strategy devolved into throw stuff in car and go, so I didn’t bring gear, but I know other volunteers went fishing!
Hey Dean? Sign me up to drive twice as far. I’m in.
If you would like to join the Barrier Assessment Team, check out https://www.washingtontu.org/barrier-assessment-team. If you would like to learn more about WDFW fish passage training and be notified of future training opportunities, go to https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/habitat-recovery/fish-passage/training.
Hiking down to outlet. Photo provided by Peter Lehman.
Inside culvert outlet. Photo provided by Peter Lehman.
Update - Lake Sammamish Kokanee Fry Transport Success
In August, King County partners transported 193 kokanee fry to the Long Live the Kings Glenwood Springs Field Station. These little fish will be raised to provide the next generation kokanee - up to 50 thousand - to be released into Lake Sammamish. Learn more and view pictures, got to the Long Live the Kings Facebook post at https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=905775041581039&id=100064456549114&mibextid=WC7FNe&rdid=LHVMmvXDy773BjN1.
Kokanee Fry, Photo provided by Trout Unlimited
Volunteer Tim Allen and thrilled Compass Outdoors Adventure camper with bluegill catch, photo provided by Jeff Norman
Compass Outdoor Adventures Youth Fly Fishing Instruction
By Jeff Norman, Three Rivers Trout Unlimited Volunteer Leader.
Our TU chapter finished another year of mentoring youth who attend the Compass Outdoor Adventures Day Camp near North Bend, Washington. In October 2021, a program manager from Compass participated in our annual Run With the Kokanee 5K-10K. Subsequently, we met with Compass and decided to offer several 90-minute sessions for their day campers, beginning in June, 2022. We continued this program for 2023 and 2024.
There are usually 12 kids, 9-10 years old, accompanied by 2 camp counselors. Compass is adjacent to a Mt. Si Parks Dept. Frisbee golf course, which was originally a regular golf course. The kids walk or ride bikes to meet us next to a pond on the course. We give them a brief talk about the difference between a spinning rod and a fly rod. Most have never seen a fly rod or cast one.
It’s best to have 1 volunteer for every 2 campers. Our Chapter provides the rods, reels and accessories. We teach the basics of fly casting, and how to do a pick-up and lay-down cast to a hula hoop target. We also show how to play a fish, and how to strip in line. Then we swap out the yarn on the tippet for real flies.
The golf course pond has no drainage to any stream or river. With WDFW and Mt. Si Parks permission, we stocked it with Bluegill and a few Bass in 2022. We’ve observed the Bluegill spawning nests and have seen a range of fish sizes, so hopefully they are reproducing. There are lovely, black and white Dragonflies (Twelve-Spotted Skimmer) and Damsel Flies that flit amongst the vegetation along the shore. Mt. Si looms above the valley floor.
Now the lesson really begins, when each camper casts line with an actual fly. Often those pointers we just provided get lost in the excitement and challenge getting the fly out there. Sometimes, a school of Bluegill or Bass will swim within 3 feet of the shoreline but turn up their noses at a nicely offered nymph. They don’t always bite when we want. If somebody calls out, “I’ve got a fish!”, others might stop fishing to go see for themselves.
The campers always have a good attitude and are eager to learn a new skill. It’s a pleasure to work with all of them. Many thanks to our Team Leader and “equipment manager” Bruce Tyson, and the rest of our volunteers – Bill Gerdts, Frank Yandrasits, Tim Allen, Tim Opitz, Jack Crowley, Kristen Wyatt and all others.
Cedar River Clean-up Volunteers, Photo provided by Jeff Norman
Cedar River Clean-up Recap
The annual Cedar River Clean-Up was held on August 10, 2024. This event has been managed independently of any club for a few years. Keaton “Big Hoss” Zyskowski is the leader of this effort. He works part-time as a Guide for Ellensburg Anglers and offers walk and wade trips on the Cedar during June-August. He also has a Podcast, “The Young Guides”, which you can find on various podcast platforms. They discuss guiding, fishing and hunting topics, covering Washington and Alaska.
About sixty men, women and kids showed up at Ron Regis Park by the Maple Valley Highway. We were organized into several groups and given a location assignment. TU member Dave Kyle and I were in a group that was assigned to Maplewood Roadside Park, River Mile 3. This stretch has two pedestrian bridges and connects to a nice park and the Cedar River bicycle trail. The banks below the bridges had the usual collection of beer bottles, broken glass and other litter.
Unfortunately, the nearby forested banks hide homeless encampments. We didn’t blunder into one, but there was evidence, including a makeshift latrine. There’s some very nice water in that direction, but don’t go by yourself – bring some friends, just in case. The most unusual item retrieved was a Lime Scooter, the kind you find in Seattle that have a GPS unit and battery installed – but both were missing. Keaton also waded over to the other side to carry back a large throw rug that was in good condition. A rusted door panel was hauled out, and another group removed a very large truck tire.
Altogether, we collected dozens of bags full of litter from the river, the banks, trails and parking lots. At about 11, we gathered again at Ron Regis. We had a Jimmy Johns lunch, then a raffle with some nice items.
This event is usually held on the second Saturday of August. Keep an eye out on social media next summer for announcements and registration.
