It's been several months since our last newsletter and a lot has happened in that time. This month I want to take a moment to let you know a bit of what has been happening over the past few months.
First of all our webmaster, Dustin Rocksvold has redesigned and launched a new website for Sac-Sierra TU. If you haven't been there in a while it's worth checking out at www.sac-sierratu.org. We will be updating the website regularly with information on conservation related issues, projects and events.
In June of this year Trout Unlimited hosted the first TU Fish Camp for kids. The three day event was held at the Sagehen Creek field station outside of Truckee. Lisa and Ralph Cutter and Dave Lass, the Northern California field coordinator for TU were the instructors for the camp. 15 kids age 11- 15 participated and had the opportunity to learn about stream biology, bug sampling, fly casting, knots and stream restoration. On the third day volunteers from Truckee River TU, Reno Sagebrush TU and Sac-Sierra TU helped the kids tie flies and then guided them for a day of fishing on Sagehen creek. Fortunately the fish were willing to play and most of the campers hooked and landed fish. Plans are already underway to expand the camp for the summer of 2013.
Members from TU, CFFU, Davis Flycasters and Cal Trout participated in the third annual Casting Call at the California State Capitol. Casting Call is a joint TU & CalTrout legislative outreach event designed to raise awareness of the issues facing California's trout and salmon species. Volunteers from the various fishing clubs and TU chapters demonstrated casting and gave free casting lessons to anyone interested. The highlight of the event was a friendly casting competition between Republicans and Democrats. The event has been very successful in raising the profile of TU and CalTrout within the Capitol and will be held again in June of next year.
I am really excited to announce that TU has been able to raise the money to hire Adam Butler, a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo as a full time Grass Roots Organizer. Adam will be working with the TU chapters in the greater Sierra region to expand the effectiveness and reach of TU. Adam starts November 1st and will be based out of the TU office in Truckee, California. This addition to the volunteer side of TU will make a huge difference and help us to be even more effective in fulfilling TU's mission in cold water fisheries conservation.
Tight lines,
Kevin Mather