Three Rivers Trout Unlimited - Spring 2024 Newsletter
Member & Volunteer Appreciation BBQ, Saturday, June 1st
Save the date and plan to bring your family to the Three Rivers Chapter Member & Volunteers’ Appreciation BBQ, Saturday, June 1st, from 2-5 PM at the Meadow Shelter at Lake Sammamish State Park. This is our annual event to thank all our members and volunteers who help with kokanee fry trapping, habitat restoration, park and stream cleanups, and other conservation efforts.
Besides the camaraderie of fellow TU members and volunteers, you and your kids can enjoy burgers (both beef and vegan), hotdogs, salads, and nonalcoholic beverages. Our fly-fishing experts will be offering fly casting instruction and competitions, fly tying demonstrations, and for the non-anglers we will have our Kokanee catapult and other activities for all ages, such as fish printing, creating a stream scene mural, and a restoration tour of nearby Tibbets Creek.
So, mark Saturday, June 1st, from 2-5 PM on your calendar and plan to come out to Lake Sammamish State Park to have fun and celebrate all the great conservation work of our TU members and volunteers. For more information contact and to RSVP email 3riverstu@gmail.com.
Kokanee Fry Trapping Winding Down, Future Projects in the Works
The 2024 kokanee fry monitoring numbers as of April 30th.
The chapter’s kokanee fry trapping is winding down with only a couple weeks left on the schedule. Many thanks to our volunteers who contributed more than 1,500 hours to count the fry this year. Trapping will be completed when we have a week of zero kokanee observed in all creeks. Trapping data will be sent to James Bower (King County Ecologist) who will develop an estimate of fry production from our winter spawners.
Trout Unlimited staff who also represent our chapter have been busily submitting proposals to support the restoration of kokanee and stewardship of the Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership (UWRP). While drafting and submitting these proposals, TU staff will have a short break before returning to the field.
In the meantime, here are some upcoming opportunities for volunteers:
May 11: Stewardship Saturday at the Issaquah Anthology space. We will be removing invasive plants in preparation to plant this fall. To volunteer, sign up here.
May 14: Kokanee Education Day. Come help students learn about the community’s “little red fish” in Lake Sammamish at the annual Kokanee Education Day. Volunteers must complete a review process by the school district, so reach out asap. If interested contact dkyle@tu.org.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Fishout - An Ongoing Community Partnership Success
On Sunday, April 21st, we held our annual Fly Fishing Fishout for Project Healing Waters. Started in 2005, Project Healing Waters is a nationwide organization that supports disabled military personnel with fly fishing as a form of outdoor recreational therapy. For over ten years, Three Rivers Trout Unlimited has partnered with Project Healing Waters, the Annie Pulliam Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Overlake Fly Fishing Club to put on an event every year. This was the second time that the event was held at Beaver Lake in Sammamish, and 30 disabled veterans came from across Washington and Oregon to participate. 17 boats were launched on the water, everyone caught a fish, and we estimate that close to 200 fish were caught with the biggest at about 16 inches in length. A big thank you to our program lead and veteran's representative, Bruce Tyson, for coordinating the event, the 65 volunteers in attendance, and to everyone who continues to make it possible.
Chapter Undergoing Leadership Transition
Steve Laing accepting the chapter’s 2023 “Chinook Award for a Chapter” from Washington Council Trout Unlimited (WCTU) President Pat Hesselgesser
Chapter President Steve Laing, who has led the chapter for the past two years is stepping down from his role. He recently moved back to his hometown of Eugene, Oregon, to help support his 89-year-old parents who live independently but who are dealing with some health issues. He will continue in an at-large leadership role until a new member can take on more of the administrative responsibilities of the position.
Over his two-year tenure as president, Steve created a detailed catalogue of and checklists for the events and activities of the chapter. This catalogue provides members and volunteers with the planning timeline, list of specific tasks, volunteer needs, and contacts necessary to ensure each event runs smoothly. He initiated a detailed inventory and reorganization of the chapter’s storage unit and was lead volunteer for the Salmon Days Festival booth and the Run with the Kokanee events. Under his leadership, the chapter also received the Washington Council’s “Chinook Award for a Chapter” for leadership, participation, dedication and energy to a conservation project or advocacy toward the goals of TU.
Prior to serving as president, Steve served as the chapter’s secretary and vice president. He is an avid fly angler, a life member of TU, and he will be continuing to support the mission of TU wherever he goes.
If you or anyone you know is interested in learning about leadership opportunities within the Three Rivers Chapter, we would love to hear from you. Please contact 3riverstu@gmail.com.
