August 2025 Newsletter
It’s August, it’s hot, and even our mountain streams are warm, and generally too hot to fish. August is also “back-to-school” time for those of us in Arizona. I still have trouble getting my head around school starting in August, it was always the Tuesday after Labor Day when I was a kid. . . But this also means time again for Trout in the Classroom. See Jim Walkers article later in the newsletter.
Welcome to the August 2025 newsletter.
Our team continues to make great strides in our quest of protecting, reconnecting, restoring, and sustaining the cold-water fisheries of Arizona. But we need your help! Consider volunteering for Trout In the Classroom.
We ran into a glitch for our Flagstaff Pint Night … stay tuned for more information … we still hope to find a venue for a night in August.
Your ZGTU board asks that as you read through this newsletter, and please think about how you would like to join in and help promote fishing, conservation, education, and love of nature. You may contact me or any board member to let us know about your ideas.
Arizona Council is going to the Hall of Fame
As reported last month, Arizona Council is going into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame. The Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited is helping sponsor this event. Please come out and join us on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak 7677 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85020. We expect to have a couple of tables honoring the council’s induction and hope you can join us. More details later in the newsletter, but you may reserve your seat now by clicking here.
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Finally, we would like to thank all our volunteers and supporters for their continued dedication to Trout Unlimited and our mission. We could not do what we do without your support, and we are grateful for each and every one of you.
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Save the Date!
Pint Night Friday, August 22, 4:30PM – 7PM, Flagstaff TBD
Zane Grey Chapter is co-hosting a Pint Night with Back Country Hunters and Anglers and Arizona Wildlife Federation, in Flagstaff, Friday, August 22, at a Venue TBD. Stay tuned for more information
Watch for our announcement regarding our next Pint Night.
We plan these events as an occasional series of live meetings for our members, and to make new friends. So, stay tuned … there are more to come! We'll determine our next event during our board meeting and let everyone know where we take our act on the road next.
Your ZGTU board asks that as you read this newsletter, please think about how you would like to join in and help promote fishing, conservation, education, and love of nature. You may contact me or any board member to let us know about your ideas.
We hope you can join us, or better yet volunteer to help with these many and varied activities.
Until then,
Tight Lines.
Alan Davis
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Coming up in Zane Grey Land
Arizona Fly Casters' monthly meeting happens on August 12th at the American Italian Club 7509 N. 12th Street, Phoenix, AZ. Meeting starts at 7p.m.
Desert Fly Casters' monthly meeting will be on Wednesday, Aug 13th at the Elks Club, 1775 W. Chandler Blvd, Chandler. Meeting starts at 7 p.m. No Guest Speaker the club is hosting their annual SWAP meet. Come out and get some gear.
And, if you need to renew your TU membership you can do it here easily. This link should take you directly to the renewal page.
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July Meeting Summary
The AZ Council of Trout Unlimited Public Policy Committee (AZTU-PPC) held its normal monthly meeting on July 10, 2025, at 7:00 pm. Ed Sanchez with the Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD) was our guest speaker for the July 2025, AZTU-PPC meeting. Ed is the Chief of Legislative and Government Affairs for the AZGFD. He stated that there was an enormous number of bills drafted for the 2025 legislative season, but no real adverse bills regarding public land sales were signed into law by the Governor. He also noted that all of the AZGFD requests for infrastructure dollars were ultimately approved including dollars for the fish hatchery upgrades. He noted that the invasive New Zealand mud snail is a problem in certain streams in the state. He anticipates that there will be a lot of public land sale bills drafted in the upcoming 2026 legislative season.
Legislative Update
The 2025 state legislature session has concluded with the passage of the State's fiscal 2026 budget!
All references to Public Land Sales were eliminated in the Big Beautiful Bill as a result of the continuous efforts and communications by the sportsmen and the outdoor community!
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The National Office of Trout Unlimited has created a new TU Advocacy Champions online community group. If you are interested in receiving the periodic emails from the Advocacy Champions, please email Doug Agee at doug.agee@tu.org and request to be put on the email list.
Silver Creek Reed Removal Project
Tom Osterday - Past Chair AZTU PPC
The Arizona Game & Fish Department will host another Silver Creek Reed Removal Project in September 2025. This is a great opportunity for boots on the ground and rakes in hand that is done every June and September to assist fishermen and fisher-women in getting access to the Silver Creek stream. The exact date of the Reed Removal Project is Tuesday, September 16, 2025, and the start time will be forthcoming. If interested in participating, please contact Tom Osterday at tgosterday@gmail.com.
Groundwater Management in Rural Arizona
Tom Osterday - Past Chair AZTU PPC
Unfortunately, the legislature was unable to come together to advance meaningful legislation to provide protection to groundwater in rural Arizona when it becomes threatened. Both the Republicans and the Democrats proposed bills, but they were so far apart that no serious effort was made to reconcile them.
With the current Colorado River Management plan expiring next year, it is doubtful that rural groundwater will get much attention because of the urgency of coming to a new agreement among the seven basin states.
Upcoming Public Policy Events
The next regular scheduled AZTU-PPC monthly Teams meeting will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 7:00 pm. Our guest speaker will be a video provided by Kate Miller, the Director of Government Affairs at TU National. She will provide her thoughts about the future of public land sale legislation.
The AZTU-Public Policy Committee hosts a virtual Teams meeting on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM. If you are interested, please contact Ron Stearns at PublicPolicyChair@az-tu.org.
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Planning for the 2025 - 2026 school year program is well underway.
We are continuing to expand the program statewide from 36 schools and ask for your assistance in promoting the program. If you know of a school that would be interested in knowing more about the program, information can be found at www.aztic.org and questions can be directed to info@aztic.org. Schools throughout the state that participated in last year's program can be found at TIC Schools.
A tentative date of October 30th has been scheduled for the delivery of eggs to the schools.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the TIC Program in some way can let us know at sign-up.
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Join us as we host a series of Salt River Saturdays with our Fishing Club partners, Desert Fly Casters Club (DFC), and Arizona Fly Casters Club (AFC), and of course with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD).
Stay tuned for the next season of Salt River Saturdays later this fall!
| | Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited Inducted into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame | | |
On May 2, 2025, Wildlife for Tomorrow announced that the Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited is to be inducted into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame.
In response, Chairman Alan Davis stated:
The Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited is honored to be inducted into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame by Wildlife for Tomorrow and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. This recognition celebrates our longstanding dedication to conserving and restoring Arizona’s cold-water fisheries and aquatic habitats.
We proudly join an esteemed group of individuals and organizations committed to protecting Arizona’s outdoor heritage. This honor fuels our passion to continue advocating for healthy waterways and thriving ecosystems for future generations.
Thank you to Wildlife for Tomorrow and all who support conservation in Arizona—we look forward to celebrating at the induction banquet on August 23, 2025, at Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak!
You can join the fun too! The Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited is helping sponsor this event and is sending registration information soon. We expect to have a couple of tables supporting the council and hope you can join us. Tickets for the event are $150 and includes your choice of Meat or Vegetarian. You can reserve your spot now by clicking this link and pay online. Be sure to specify your meal choice and the names of those attending. Read more and register here.
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The Arizona Council consolidated the Arizona Trout Unlimited chapters. Effective January 1, 2025, much of eastern and southern Arizona, Kingman and Navajo County east and south including White Mountains: Show Low, Greer, etc., is becoming a part of the Old Pueblo Chapter based in Tucson.
The Mogollon Rim, and areas west of Kingman, including Flagstaff, Lees Ferry and the Colorado River down to Yuma become part of the "new" Zane Grey Chapter based in Phoenix. The below map will give you some idea of the new alignments. The Green areas are the new Zane Grey Chapter, while the Blue areas are the Old Pueblo Chapter's new alignment. The non colored areas are National parks, Military reservations, or other government areas, do not have postal delivery Zip code, and few if any residents.
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The Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation (AZSFWC) license plate fund is derived from the sale of wildlife conservation license plates and member organizations as well as non-member organizations are eligible to apply for those funds.
The Arizona TU Council and Chapters have received funds over the past thirteen years to support the Annual Native and Wild Trout Conferences, Fish Camp, Trout in the Classroom program and various conservation projects.
The next time your registration comes up for renewal, choose the conservation license plate option at registration to show your support for conservation and our projects.
| | Looking for a Fishing Opportunity? | | Below is a list of fishing organizations in Arizona. Feel free to join, explore, visit their websites or attend a meeting to find out more information: | |
Arizona Flycasters Club
@ The Arizona American Italian Club
7509 N 12th St
Phoenix, AZ 85020
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Fly-Fishing Social Event night - 2nd Tuesday of each month. Great speaker and awesome raffle. Donations support our Community outreach partners from Veterans to Youth activities.
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Desert Fly Casters Club
@ Chandler Elks Club
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Home - Desert Fly Casters
General meeting 2nd Wednesday of each month. Social Event 6-7 Meeting @ 7PM Great speakers; check website for details.
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Sun City Grand Fishing Club | | | | | | |
Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club | | | | | | |
White Mountains Fly Fishing Club | | | | | | |
White Mountains Lake Foundation | | | | | | | |
Join Trout Unlimited Today!
Not a member yet? Looking for a gift idea? Join today at Trout Unlimited!
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Committed to
Protecting, Connecting and Restoring Arizona's watersheds and fisheries.
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Combined Calendar
AZ Trout Unlimited & Chapters, Arizona Flycasters Club and several other area fishing and conservation calendars
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You may access our calendar here.
Zane Grey Trout Unlimited
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| | Protect. Reconnect. Restore. Sustain. Conserving coldwater habitat in the desert southwest. |
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