September 2022
Ah, it’s September. A time for sweaters, hot cocoa, a fire in the fireplace, flailing leaves, chill in the air, crisp apples; Nah, not here. This is Arizona, and we’re back to our triple-digit days. But, with Autumn later this month we will begin having cooler days and nights eventually. As the days shorten and the nights get cooler, the mountain lakes will begin to turn-over, creating fantastic fishing opportunities.
We had an active August and look forward to a busy fall and upcoming activities.
Be sure to save the date for two fun activities next month:
-
Carp on the Fly fishing clinic, Saturday, October 1, 7:30 am – 12 Noon, we are jointly hosting with Desert Fly Casters Club. More information later in the newsletter, but, you may sign-up here.
-
Zane Grey Chapter Trout on Tap, a conservation Pint Night, Thursday, October 6, 5:30pm – 8:30pm, Spokes on Southern, 1470 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282. Come learn more about what Zane Grey chapter and Trout Unlimited is doing in Arizona and learn how you can help. Look for an invitation soon.
A couple of notes: a special shout-out to Joe Miller and Cinda Howard. Both were inducted to the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame. Many anglers joined the celebration, and outnumbered the hunters at this banquet, an unusual feat! It was great fun, and we had a chance to catch up with many friends.
|
|
|
|
Photo: George Andrejko, AZGFD
Finally, on a sad note, long time voice of AFC, education chair, past president and long-time Arizona Flycasters Club board member Ron Robinson died. See more about Ron in the newsletter below.
Scroll down to the volunteer section to learn more and look for a follow up email addressed to Zane Grey members asking for your help and support.
Additionally, thank you to all who responded to our volunteer survey. We’ve begun contacting those who are interested with more information and opportunities. If you missed the survey, and would still like to participate, you may do so here.
Board meetings - We’ve gone virtual!!!!
Please join us for our monthly board teleconferences the
First Thursday of each month @ 7:00 – 8:45 PM
Microsoft Teams meeting:
Join on your computer or mobile app
Or call in (audio only)
Phone Conference ID: 597 936 271#
Until then,
Tight Lines.
Alan Davis
|
|
Help Wanted Needed!
Consider volunteering for a position with your chapter. We are currently looking for a number of volunteers. Scroll down to the Volunteer Section for more information. Or, contact any board member, or me.
Here are some of the articles in this month's Newsletter.
- Your Zane Grey Chapter of TU has a great Instagram! Follow us here!
- Arizona TU (@trout_unlimited_arizona)
- Volunteer Opportunities and Updates:
- See above in the President's Message and below
- ZGTU Strategic Plan
- Public Policy
- Legislative Updates
- Surface Water Protection
- Next Meeting Thursday September 8th, 7PM
- National Leadership Council
- Our Conservation Voice is Yours
- Fishing
- Rim Creeks Fishing Report
- Silver Creek - Coming Soon!
- Education
- Orvis Fly Fishing Trivia
- Conservation
- Orvis Moment of Chill Video: Apache Trout Rises
- In Memoriam
- Ron Robinson
- Other Angling organizations
- ZGTU and affiliates calendar
- Follow ZGTU on Social Media
|
|
Last month's answer for Salmon "being Anadromous means..." is; They hatch in fresh water, migrate to the ocean, then return to fresh water to spawn. Here are the survey results. Congrats to the 66.7% of you that got it correct!
Scroll down to this month's Education section for this month's Trivia!
they are not fin-dominant - 8.3%
they are asexual - 25%
they only eat other living creatures - 0%
they hatch in fresh water, migrate to the ocean, then back to fresh water to spawn – 66.7%
|
|
ZGTU Volunteer Opportunities |
|
Recently the Zane Grey Chapter of Trout Unlimited (ZGTU) Chapter Board of Directors developed a Strategic Action Plan aligning our many diverse activities and helping better define our mission while setting our organizational course for the next several years.
Our focus, in formulating this plan, are the key factors that drive the Zane Grey Chapter as an organization:
- conservation;
- membership outreach;
- external and community outreach;
- chapter sustainability and leadership development; and,
- fundraising.
The ZGTU strategic plan is a dynamic document covering the next three-years and created as a map for ZGTU’s future. Our intention is implementing and updating often. Here is a link to the Plan or click on the picture below.
We are now looking to you, our chapter members, for help in reaching our Chapter goals! We know we have many talented chapter members that could assist in various ways, and we encourage you to become involved. Whether it’s an hour a month or more we want you! This will be a fun and rewarding endeavor! If you would like to know more and or are ready to “jump in” please reach out to:
|
|
Legislative Update - Nate Rees
With the 2022 state legislative session in our rearview mirror it's time we start preparing for next year. My goal is to identify legislation in other western states that protects water resources, access to public lands and supports the outdoor recreation industry. I’ll then workshop these bills with some of our key allies in the House and Senate, ideally introducing a pragmatic piece of legislation that stands a fair chance of passing in the 2023 state legislative session. On top of this, I will continue to meet with and educate our state lawmakers on the importance of public lands in Arizona. During this time I’ll be leaning on the AZTU PPC for insight / feedback on potential new legislation. These exercises will go on from now till the end of the calendar year.
ADEQ Moving Forward with Implementing the Surface Water Protection Program (SWPP)
The update for September:
1) We continue working closely with ADEQ on their Technical Paper on the Economic, Social and Environmental (ESE) Cost/Benefit Analysis. We continue to be concerned that the value of fishing, both as an economic driver and as a quality-of-life driver may be undervalued in the model.
2) ADEQ did not update the Protected Surface Waters list to include the 6 waters that are on the AZGFD's Native & Wild Trout list in their Coldwater Sportfisheries Strategy Document for 2019-2029 (which is the foundation of our Arizona Priority Waters List) that are not in the Protected Surface waters List in the ADEQ Draft Rule. They are seeking additional information from us and AZGFD and will consider them for a future release of the Rule.
The history from last month's Newsletter:
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is aggressively moving forward with the roll-out of the SWPP. They have published 5 Technical Papers and the Draft Rule. This Rule includes the list of which surface waters are going to be protected, called the Protected Surface Water List (PSWL). Eighty-six of the ninety-one waters on our AZTU Priority Waters List are on the PSWL and we are working with ADEQ and AZGFD to get the other five added. One aspect that we are watching closely is how the Economic, Social and Environmental (ESE) Cost/Benefit Analysis is going to be modeled. This is the tool ADEQ will be using to determine whether to add or remove a water from the PSWL. We want to make sure that the Social and Environmental value of waters are considered, not just the potential creation of jobs and tax revenues. By statute, the Rule must be finalized by year-end.
Here is a link to the technical Papers and the updated Draft Rule:
We believe that this implementation of the SWPP is critical to protecting our fresh, clean water in AZ as it will dictate how waters not protected by the federal Waters of The US (WOTUS) Rule will be managed.
Upcoming Events
September Meeting: Thursday, September 8th at 7:00 PM
|
|
The AZTU Public Policy Committee (PPC) hosts a virtual meeting on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 until 8:00 PM. If you are interested, please contact Tom Osterday at PublicPolicyChair@az-tu.org .
|
|
Our Conservation Voice Is Yours! |
|
We can’t get away from the news that climate change is happening. Whether you believe that it’s exacerbated by mankind or simply a natural occurrence in earth’s climate history, the fact is that global warming is happening. Last April, on Earth Day, President Biden signed an Executive Order to fortify and preserve America’s forests, help mitigate wildfires and battle deforestation. |
|
|
Many Trout Unlimited members cheered. That’s because, as a TU member, you care. You care about nature. About our world. About our future. For that, we thank you.
At the recent TU Annual Meeting, former Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics for the US Department of Agriculture, Dr. Shefali Mehta presented an unfiltered discussion about how to cope with current climate change impacts and how to identify opportunities that can change its trajectory. In her presentation, Dr. Mehta discusses “ecogrief” and the feeling of helplessness. She suggests that by bringing different perspectives into the discussion we can devise new ways to deal with climate where environmentalists do not have to be at odds with the private sector and our capitalist society. The key may be nurturing a diversity of ideas by bringing people of various backgrounds into the discussion.
|
|
|
|
A real-world example of how diversity in thought and perspective can result in amazing outcomes is MIT’s Media Lab. The Media Lab combines people with a passion from all walks of life—art, biology, physics, etc. Some of the resulting technologies include growing |
|
If you would like to learn more about Trout Unlimited’s mission and goals, or how you can help, please contact Arizona’s NLC representative, Susan Geer, here or at the link below.
|
|
Social Media:
Check out the Instagram page for
|
|
|
|
Rim Creeks are Fishing Strong |
Even with the frequent rains, the Rim Creeks above Payson have been fishing great lately. One dedicated member recently had a 20+ fish, 3-species day, hopping between two of the Rim Creeks.
The best patterns were the Evil Olive Midge in 18+, a Parachute BWO in 18+, and a Split Case Pale Morning Dun in 18. (video)
|
|
Silver Creek Catch and Release Season Coming Soon |
|
By this time next month we know some (or many) of you will be up at the crack of dawn, and marching steadily up that thin single-track trail along Silver Creek to the hallowed upper section. October 1st represents the seasonal opening of the upper stretch along with the transition to artificial flies and single barbless hooks only.
Our hopes are high that the upper section shows some good recovery after the substantial rains of 2021 took their toll on the rainbow and apache populations.
|
|
|
|
|
So start tying your go-to Silver Creek patterns and enjoy this bit of Silver Creek knowledge as you take a break from behind the looking glass. |
|
September Fishing Education:
For this month, we decided to outsource the trivia to our friends at Orvis while we look for a newsletter solution that provides immediate feedback to your responses. A word of warning though, the Orvis trivia is a bit tougher than ours, so make sure to bring your "A Game."
|
|
|
Enjoy this Orvis Moment of Chill Video: Apache Trout Rises |
|
|
|
The recovery of the Apache Trout has been an amazing success story. Please enjoy this short ORVIS video along with this link to the AZGFD page that discusses our State Fish in more detail.
We know the Apache Trout has received a lot of attention in our newsletters (for great reason), but we honestly feel one can never get enough reminders about why we do what we do.
Thank you !
|
|
Our Deepest Condolences: Passing of Ron Robinson |
|
It is with heavy hearts that AFC announces the August 17, 2022 passing of longtime AFC member and friend Ron Robinson.
Ron was a long-time member of Arizona Flycasters Club and served as President for a few years. Then as Director of Education for about 20 years.
He loved to work with new members and had an enthusiasm and kind personality that made everyone feel welcome and comfortable.
Ron often invited members to his home to help them learn how to cast, tie flies or finish a fly rod. He volunteered his time with Casting for Recovery and Project Healing Waters.
He was a great leader and the face of Arizona Flycasters Club for many years
|
|
|
He is survived by his daughters, Kelly Hudson and Cheryl Sayler, his son Dennis Robinson, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Ron loved his family and delighted in his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family is holding a private funeral service and AFC will be hosting a gathering memorializing Ron in October. Details will follow. The family requests that contributions be made to Arizona Veterans Fly Fishing Club (the new name of the local club supporting Project Healing Waters).
The address for contributions is:
Arizona Veterans Fly Fishing
P.O Box 5081
Scottsdale, AZ 85261
|
|
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: |
|
 |
AZ Flycasters Club
@ The American Italian Club
7509 N 12th St
Phoenix, AZ 85020
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Desert Fly Casters
Check website for details.
|
|
|
|
General meeting 2nd Wednesday of each month. Social Event 6-7 Meeting @ 7PM Great speakers; check website for details.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AZFISHBOOK offers a variety of social activities. Listed below are some of the activities available.
Check out the AZFISHBOOK Groups at:
Looking for buddy to fish with?
Signup for AZFishBook Newsletter:
|
|
Join Trout Unlimited Today!
|
|
REMEMBER:
Your Conservation License Plate Supports TU Programs
|
|
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 seven years in support of the Annual Native and Wild Trout Conferences and the Trout in the Classroom programs.
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.
|
|
|
|
Committed to
Protecting, Connecting and Restoring Arizona's watersheds and fisheries.
|
|
Combined Calendar
AZ Trout Unlimited & Chapters, Arizona Flycasters Club and several other area fishing and conservation calendars
|
|
You may access our calendar here.
Zane Grey Trout Unlimited
|
|
|
|
|
Protect. Reconnect. Restore. Sustain. Conserving coldwater habitat in the desert southwest. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
