PROGRESS: Trout Unlimited dedicated to region's fisheries

For over four decades, the Panhandle Chapter has promoted the national Trout Unlimited mission “to conserve, protect and restore North American cold-water fisheries and their watersheds.”  The chapter, based in Sandpoint, consists of 300 members with two-thirds residing in Kootenai County and the remainder in Bonner and Boundary counties.

The Panhandle Chapter devotes attention to various conservation, education and advocacy projects.  They all emphasize the 4-Cs of trout habitat: Clean, Cold, Connected and Complex.  Trout require clean, cold water that lacks migration barriers but yet incorporates a complexity of habitat conditions.

As a party in the 2000 Clark Fork Settlement Agreement, a component of Avista Corporation’s relicensing process for the Cabinet Gorge Dam, Trout Unlimited plays an important role in the Bull Trout Protection and Public Education Project.  This effort seeks to protect bull trout in the Pend Oreille Basin by reducing the incidence of misidentification and poaching of this protected species.

Look for the bull trout education trailer with its impressive educational displays at boat launches and other popular angling locations to learn about bull trout and their critical habitat needs.  You may have noticed the trailer parked in front of the Panida Theater in February to welcome folks to the Fly-Fishing Film Festival.

The Panhandle Chapter emphasizes youth education by teaching basic fly fishing skills to create a broader awareness of cold-water fisheries conservation.  We will partner with the Pend Oreille Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists Program to host a youth fly fishing instruction on June 6 at the Waterlife Discovery Center on Lakeshore Drive.  Advance registration is required for youth grades 7-12. More information is available at Idaho Department of Fish and Game – Pend Oreille Chapter, Idaho Master Naturalists.

Are you are looking for an instant angling fix?  We invite you to attend the annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) next February or March at the Panida Theater.  This highly popular event attracts fly-fishers to enjoy exciting films as well as the opportunity to win fly-fishing gear and guided float trips on local rivers.

While the Panhandle Chapter comprises the local volunteer segment of Trout Unlimited, we are extremely fortunate to have two national staff residing in Sandpoint.  Erin Plue, formerly a TU program manager, was recently elevated to the Idaho State Director position.  Cathy Gidley now occupies the program manager position.  An assortment of stream restoration and fisheries improvement projects are in progress with the Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe River basins.

The Priest River Watershed Group continues under the leadership of TU staff.  The mission of this collaborative effort is to support and enhance the native cold-water fishery in the Lower Priest River Watershed.

An old adage within Trout Unlimited goes like this, “If you take care of the fish, the fishing will take care of itself.”  That’s why the Panhandle Chapter exists.

For additional information contact: https://www.northidahotu.org.