Trout in the classroom gets kids involved with coldwater fisheries by raising trout from fry to fingerlings in aquariums cooled by chapter-supplied chillers. Teachers build lessons around ecology, environment, and the specific needs of trout and salmon as students take ownership of their fish. The day the fingerlings are released is a big day for the fish but especially for the students.
Casting for Recovery brings together the therapeutic world of fly fishing and women with breast cancer. The Basil Woods, Jr. chapter supports Casting for Recovery financially, with flies tied by members, and through participation during the week-long gathering in New Hampshire's premier fly fishing region centered on Pittsburg.
Fly Tying Classes for beginners and intermediates are taught during the coldest winter months by chapter members who are expert fly anglers and fly tyers as well as great teachers. The classes run for six weeks, once a week in the evening for two hours and costs $75. Students provide their own materials and vise (we will let you know what materials you need to start). Classes are held at W.S. Hunters on Storrs street in Concord. Students can purchase what they need (or want) at Hunters.
Our annual Conservation Banquet is the next best thing to being out on the water. Held in March, the chapter puts on a fun evening complete with a live auction, a silent auction, bucket raffles, silent raffles, special raffles for special items like custom fly rods, fishing kayaks, and shotguns. A blackjack table is a center of action. The banquet part includes tables of appetizers, a fantastic buffet, plus a dessert table as well as a cash bar. Speeches are short and enjoyment runs night-long as we catch up with each other, re-commit to TU's goals, and raise funds for our projects. TU national and all chapters are non-profit organizations.
If all of us chapter members were still between the ages of 14 and 17, applications for Kid's Trout Camp would overwhelm the Post Office. Eight young people (boys and girls) are selected from the pool of New Hampshire applicants to attend Trout Camp held in Pittsburg. The cost is minimal as the state TU Council and individual chapters defer some of the costs. For one week in July, campers learn about stream ecology, watershed environments, entomology (a fancy name for studying bugs - especially aquatic ones in our case), fly tying, fish habitats, and most importantly how to fly fish. Each day, campers are on the water fishing with the assistance of one-on-one councilors. Applicants are asked to write a short essay on why they want to go to TU Trout Camp (click here for the 2011 brochure and application.)
Trout Unlimited:
