"If I fished only to capture fish, my fishing trips would have ended long ago." ~ Zane Grey
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Message From The President |
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Spring is here! How do we know? Because:
a) the calendar says so,
b) wildflowers now blossom along our rural roads and highways;
c) you or your spouse have started gardening and spring-cleaning activities;
d) you started reorganizing your fly boxes (see the article below);
e) Baseball Spring Training finally started; or
f) all the above?
The answer of course is "f", all the above. Additionally, we have Easter and Passover to celebrate along with Earth Day, Arbor Day, and Tax Day. Although the only ones I know celebrating tax-day are the IRS and accountants.
Welcome to the Zane Grey Chapter April newsletter. Our March was busy with several activities. Among those activities was an awesome time with the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club. Over 500 kids received a t-shirt, a new fishing rod, and an opportunity to win over 1500-prizes such as bikes and skateboards, backpacks, and lunch boxes. More about this event is later in the newsletter.
Some of our upcoming activities and some we list for AZGFD are varied, and we need volunteers for all these activities. Among the activities are:
- AZGFD Outdoor Expo joint booth with Arizona Flycasters Club (AFC) and Desert Fly Casters (DFC) April 2 & 3 See article below.
- ZGTU & Sun City Grand Fishing Club Fishing & Fly-Fishing Merit Badge clinic April 9
- R-C Pond and Christopher Creek area conservation projects various dates TBD mid-April
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2022 Fish Camp three sessions: June 5 – 10, June 12 – 17; & June 19 – 25 Volunteers needed for a variety of duties. Have a teenage kid or grandkid you want to teach to fish, you can send them to camp by clicking here.
We encourage you to join us for these many activities. Click here to see the various events we have scheduled. We’ll continue to update these events, so check back frequently.
We have Trout In the Classroom!!!
As Jim Walker reports, we finally delivered the eggs February 22 to 30-schools around the state. More importantly, the eggs hatched and are doing quite well. See Jim’s article below.
AZWOTU meet to tie flies, tell lies, and generally have a good time. See Susan’s article below, where she discusses the women’s initiative recent fly-tying event. Also, there is a Women’s trip to Lee’s Ferry, October 7-9, 2022.
Zane Grey was into scouting on the Mogollon rim also1 . Zane Grey, the namesake author of your chapter wrote prolifically about a few things we find interesting. Most know of the tales of the west, e.g., Riders of the Purple Sage, but he also wrote about fishing, hunting, and baseball. He wrote for several magazines, including Outdoor Life, and the scouting connection: Boys' Life. See the article below.
1 Our summer Fish Camp near Payson on the Mogollon Rim, is done in conjunction with the BSA Grand Canyon Council.
Please join us for our monthly meeting:
First Thursday of the month: 7-8:30PM
Meeting is by Microsoft TEAMS and you may access here.
Until then,
Tight Lines.
Alan Davis
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Help Wanted Needed!
Tired of doing crossword puzzles and 10,000-piece jigsaw puzzles? Then consider volunteering for a position with your chapter board. We currently are looking for a STREAM Keeper leader, and a board member at-large. If interested, 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
- Education: Zane Grey Article
- National Leadership Council
- National Leadership Council Workgroup
- Fly Girls Women's Initiative
- Bugger and Midges and Ants!
- Ladies Fall Lees Ferry Trip
- Virtual (ZOOM) Book Club: Book TBD
- Come join ZGTU at the AZGFD Expo
- Public Policy
- Legislative Update
- Helen Neville - TU National Senior Scientist
- Education: Trout in the Classroom - Hatched and Doing Well!
- Fishing:
- Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club Kids Day Event
- How to Organize Your Fly Box
- Other Angling organizations
- ZGTU and affiliates calendar
- Follow ZGTU on Social Media
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Zane Grey, prolific writer of best-selling Westerns, wrote for Boys’ Life, too |
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Zane Grey with his mustang, as published in the April 1924 edition of Boys' Life |
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“Just imagine,” the promo reads, “Zane Grey, one of the most successful writers of the day, contributing thrilling adventure experiences for the new Boys’ Life!”
Young people who opened their October 1923 copy of Boys’ Life magazine were met with those tantalizing words — and told to look for a story by Grey starting with the very next issue.
The first of these stories, the magazine promised, would have “more action, thrills and excitement crowded into it than you have ever believed could be put into one piece of writing.”
Boys’ Life — and Grey himself — delivered on that grand promise with “Roping Lions in the Grand Canyon.” In this true story, written and photographed by Grey, the author recounts his experiences capturing mountain lions alive.
The 14-part serial started with the November 1923 edition and continued until the April 1924 issue, with Boys’ Life printing two or three chapters per issue.
Yes, that means Grey and Boys’ Life kept readers on the edge of their seats for six months — a testament to the patience of young people at the time.
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This year celebrates what would have been Zane Grey’s 150th Year. Here is a look back on the Western writer’s contributions to young readers.
See the entire article here
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Zane Grey at his home in Altadena, California |
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Communications - National Leadership Council Workgroup Spotlight |
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Are you in the loop?
Do you feel like you are connected to what’s going on in Trout Unlimited? If not, you’re not alone. Many Trout Unlimited members have reported that they feel out of the loop learning important ideas, messages, and other communications. The Communications Workgroup has been organized to strengthen these communiqués across the council and chapter levels. It is vital to our organization that member leaders encourage involvement at all levels and across messaging platforms such as social media, TU’s various forums, newsletters and local/regional/national meetings.
The goals of the Communication Workgroup are:
- Clarify the role and function of the National Leadership Council (NLC)
- Facilitate communications between all NLC workgroups
- Foster communications between NLC and councils and chapters
Sound like something you’d like to know more about? Any TU member can participate in the National Leadership Youth Education Workgroup. The workgroup meets monthly (virtually) to share resources and ideas.
If you would like to learn more about Trout Unlimited’s Youth Education Workgroup, please contact Arizona’s NLC representative, Susan Geer, at the link below.
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Buggers and Midges and Ants, OH MY!
Sharon Richardson taught a "sold out" crowd how to tie some universally useful flies including a Wooly Bugger, Zebra Midge and Foam Ant. She said there is nothing quite as satisfying as catching a fish with a fly you tied (unless it's catching a fish with a fly you tied on a rod you built)!
A big thank you to the Arizona Game and Fish Department for donating the meeting space.
Stay tuned for more fun women's events coming up!
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Oops! We Checked Our Math--Pricing Update For Ladies
Fall Lees Ferry Trip
October 7-9, 2022
AWOTU is pleased to announce a ladies’ guided fall fly fishing trip to Lees Ferry! Described as “The World’s Largest Spring Creek,” Lees Ferry offers fly fishing in crystal clear tailwaters surrounded by sandstone cliffs, making for a spectacular and unforgettable experience. Come meet other women anglers, learn from top guides and enjoy a weekend getaway to this world-renowned trophy trout fishery, located in our own backyard.
All levels welcome!
Details: Check into the lodge on Friday, October 7 and enjoy a welcome happy hour with the group at the restaurant on-site. We will start early on Saturday and enjoy a full day on the water, wading and boat fishing. Depart on Sunday at your leisure.
8 spots guaranteed, with 2 fly fishers per guide boat. We will run a wait list and add more if possible.
Cost: $550, SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY (double occupancy less but there is an additional 3% fee if using a credit card.) Included in cost: Happy hour, 2 nights lodging, full day of guided fishing with boat (two anglers per boat), including lunch.
At participant’s own expense: Tip for your guide (15-20% of fee is customary), other meals, beverages and purchases. Fee to get in/park at the Glen Canyon Recreation Area (see below). Transportation to and from Marble Canyon.
Park Fee: The launch site is a short drive from the lodge, located inside Glen Canyon Recreation area. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle/4 occupants. If anyone has an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass or Senior Park Pass, please BRING IT and maybe we can carpool.
Lodging/Rooms: Lodging is at Cliff Dwellers Lodge is located at Mile Post 547 N Hwy 89A in Marble Canyon, AZ. We have reserved enough rooms for each person to have her own room, or you may double up with a friend. Queen and Full rooms include two beds. King rooms have one bed. Please specify preference when reserving and indicate if you plan to share a room. Room allocations will be made first-come, first served.
Amenities/Other activities: A restaurant and a fly shop are located on site. There are no other stores in the immediate area, so you will want to pack accordingly. In addition to sightseeing, other activities in the area including kayaking, SUP and boat rentals. Learn more at https://cliffdwellerslodge.com
About Lees Ferry: “…Described as “The World’s Largest Spring Creek,” the Colorado River at Lees Ferry is a massive, clear running tailwater fishery. The river runs 15.5 miles from the outflow of Lake Powell at Glen Canyon Dam to the upper end of the Grand Canyon. …
RESERVATIONS/QUESTIONS: Please contact Eileen at ekleinaz@gmail.com to RSVP and make a deposit of $300 to claim your spot!
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Social Media:
Check out the Instagram page for
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Come Join ZGTU at AZGFD EXPO! |
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Attend the 2022 Outdoor Expo – April 2 – 3
Come cast a line at the joint Zane Grey Chapter, Arizona Flycasters Club, and Desert Fly Casters Club Pavillion
Admission and parking are free
April 2 – 3, Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The largest hands-on outdoor expo in Arizona is set for April 2 – 3, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Outdoor Expo will feature everything from wildlife exhibits and family fishing tanks and trying out firearms in a safe, controlled environment on the range.
“We’re not aware of any other free event that combines conservation, recreation and industry into such a welcoming environment for the public,” said Ty Gray, AZGFD director. “This is where people can find plenty of hands-on activities, see educational exhibits, test and purchase the latest equipment and products, and connect with social organizations that can provide countless ‘next step’ experiences to support their outdoor passions.”
Another great event is expected with more than 150 exhibitors, including outdoor recreation and conservation groups, government agencies and commercial vendors of outdoor products and services.
Although this year’s event will be a bit scaled back with a different layout than Expos of past years, there will still be plenty of hands-on fun for all ages:
- See live wildlife “animal ambassadors”
- Try out target archery
- Check out family fishing at an artificial pond
- Visit with various firearm manufacturers in a safe, controlled environment
- Purchase wildlife assets (antlers, hides, skulls, head mounts, wildlife artwork) that have been donated, seized in law enforcement investigations, or obtained from animals killed in vehicle collisions
- Engage with numerous outdoor groups, agencies and commercial vendors
- Purchase food and beverages from a variety of food vendors
Admission and parking are free. Expo hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. The Outdoor Expo is easy to find, located on Carefree Highway, about 1/2 mile west of I-17 in Phoenix.
The title sponsor for this year's Outdoor Expo is Shikar-Safari Club International. Gold sponsors are Sig Sauer, POF-USA, and Kimber America.
Information is also located at:
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Legislative Update - Nate Rees
The 2022 legislative session is in full swing! Nate and the Public Policy Committee (PPC) membership are meeting with AZ legislators and testifying at committee hearings during the 2022 Session.
For many of us, the process by which a bill becomes law in AZ can be confusing. Nate Rees presented the process at our February PPC meeting. We are including it here for your review, in case you missed it in last month's newsletter. Please contact Nate Rees if you have any questions at nathan.rees@tu.org
Some current legislation that we’re still working on is listed below:
-SB1270 would dedicate five million annually to the Arizona Heritage Fund. This fund pays for park/ trail maintenance, historical site preservation and much more. Funding comes from the AZ lottery fund. Currently this bill has passed the Senate floor, House Land/ Ag. and Rules committee. Next stop is the House floor for a vote. TU supports this bill.
-HCR2024 is a resolution opposing the global 30x30 initiative that aims to conserve/ restore 30% of our lands and waters by 2030. This bill has passed the House, Senate Natural Resource and Senate Rules committee. Next stop is the Senate floor. TU opposes this bill.
-HCR2038 is a resolution supporting proper forest management, highlighting the need to thin and prescribe burn our overgrown forests. This bill has passed the House, Senate Natural Resource and Senate Rules committee. Next stop is the Senate floor. TU supports this bill.
Helen Neville - TU National Senior Scientist
Helen Neville, the TU National Senior Scientist was our guest speaker at our March Public Policy Committee meeting. She has been with TU since 2006. She works on ecology and the conservation needs of salmon and trout, consults with state and federal agencies, and also focuses on strategies regarding climate change impact. She resides in Boise, Idaho.
It was a great opportunity to get advice and guidance from such an incredibly knowledgeable trout expert from TU National on our efforts to complete our Priority Waters list. All states are currently working on their respective Priority Waters lists to submit to TU National.
In our conversation, it was reassuring to hear from her that AZ is well ahead of most states in our planning, and that we clearly have focused on improving conditions for our two native trout species (Apache and Gila trout), while also addressing the needs of our important wild trout waters.
There are issues like the impact of forest fires, limited quality stream mileage in the historic range of these native trout, and the fact that some of these waters are currently inhabited by wild populations of brown, rainbow, or brook trout that could significantly hinder recovery plans that our plan will need to address.
It is vital that the Plan reflects the need for creating significant stretches of stream and watershed capabilities for these native trout to reestablish, to the best of their ability, while balancing the value that anglers place on the existing wild populations of non-native trout in the state. She emphasized the importance of connectivity of the waters where the native trout live to promote genetic diversity and to support their needs for various water conditions in different life stages and trout need movement. And isolated fish tend to have smaller populations. Helen stated that connectivity is crucial in Arizona and barriers need to be removed. The Little Colorado River has an inherent problem in that it has isolated pockets. She noted that biologists are beginning to recommend “Genetic Manual Exchange” by physically moving fish.
Nate R. stated that AZ has 6 watersheds and approximately 40 native/wild trout streams.
The Goal of Priority Waters is to have “Meaningful Changes within 5 Years”.
Upcoming Events
April Meeting, Thursday, APRIL 14th at 7:00 PM: We will focus on the Action Plans that came out of our Strategy Summit.
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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@zanegreytu.org
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Trout in the Classroom - Hatched and Doing Well |
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What's New Since the Eggs Arrived?
On February 22nd, using over 20-volunteers, we delivered eggs to 30-schools throughout Arizona participating in this year's TIC program.
Teachers and volunteers alike reported very positive receptions. Many deliveries of the bags of eggs included alevins (a newly hatched trout still carrying the yolk).
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We are already planning and preparing for the 2022 - 2023 school year program.
You can find applications and information on the Arizona TIC program at www.aztic.org.
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Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club Kids Day |
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ZGTU member Dan Briley and I went to Yuma to help some Zane Grey chapter Yuma members staff a knot tying clinic and fly-casting instruction at the Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club’s annual Kids Day.
We weren’t quite sure what to expect, but what an event! We arrived late afternoon Friday, March 18, and found our location, set-out some of our materials, and decided it best to come back early morning and complete our setup. We then joined our hosts David Parish and Brandt Barksdale, the Kids’ Day Master and Commander, for a great BBQ beef dinner, and some socializing.
Saturday morning, we arrived around 5:00AM, and it was still dark. Local members Gerry Quigley, Chaunce Dorcich, and Dick Ollar had already begun the setup. Once we had light, we were able to launch Chance’s kayak and set up the casting targets.
Over 500 kids received a t-shirt, a new fishing rod, and an opportunity to win over 1500-prizes such as bikes and skateboards, backpacks, and lunch boxes. The event was on 40+ acres, and included such activities as:
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- Archery range
- BB gun range.
- Glassing station
- Slingshot range
- Predator calling
- Tanks of blue gills
- Face painting
- Dinosaur dig
- Jumper houses
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- Lure painting
- Knot tying
- Kayaking
- Animal track ID
- Tortoise encounter
- Fly casting.
- Turkey calling
- Gold mining & panning
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KEY FACTS FROM YUMA KIDS DAY
500+-kids served
100+ Volunteers
500+ fish caught & released
1500 raffle prizes (3/kid)
2500+ hot dogs served
1500 arrows shot
80,000 ft of fly line cast
We had a great time, and we know the kids enjoyed the day.
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HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR FLY BOX (6 GREAT WAYS) |
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Fly box organization is a surprisingly important task for anglers. So, if you’re looking for a few tips on how to organize your fly box, stick around. In this post, I’m going to cover 6 of the best ways to do just that.
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Looking for a Fishing Opportunity? |
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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: |
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AZ Flycasters Club
@ The 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
Check website for details.
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General meeting 2nd Wednesday of each month. Social Event 6-7 Meeting @ 7PM Great speakers; check website for details.
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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:
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Join Trout Unlimited Today!
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REMEMBER:
Your Conservation License Plate Supports TU Programs
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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 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.
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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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