By Charles Betzler
While perusing the booths at the Saturday, May 13, Sapulpa Parks and Recreation Outdoor Expo in Kelly Lane Park, I came across four fly fishermen who belong to the Oklahoma Chapter #420 of “Trout Unlimited” which is based in Tulsa.
I immediately asked them about the mission statement of their organization. I was told that they are a conservation group that advocates clean water and protecting bodies of water throughout the country. They also promote fly fishing and work with children in the classroom and at fishing events to introduce them to trout conservation and fishing.
While gathering information, I mentioned that I have been fishing since I was eight years old and had never caught a fish using artificial lures. I explained I had tried them all following instructions by seasoned anglers, but to no avail.
Scott Hood, the Youth and Adult Education Coordinator for the group, told me that he would remedy that and began by outfitting a fly rod with a fly lure, and what looked like a pea-sized bobber with a toothpick inserted to hold it in place. I was informed that what I called a bobber is referred to as a “strike indicator.”
Hood then taught me how to hold the fly rod, how to cast it, and finally how to work the lure. After about 15 minutes or so, I told him it was no use and that was my lot in life, Scott, however, would not give up.
Once again, I cast out into the pond at Kelly Lane Park, after a couple of casts,I saw the strike indicator suddenly move, I set the hook, and to my utter amazement, I actually pulled in a fish, albeit a small one.
So, under the expert tutelage of Scott Hood, My losing streak was broken, and with my newly found confidence, I am now prepared to repeat my success at some future date.
Hood Described the ”Trout in the Classroom” program:
“Trout in the Classroom is a program offered by our chapter, there are 4, 000 of these tanks all over the United States. We supply the school with a 55-gallon tank, a chiller to keep the water cold, it has to be below 65 degrees for trout. We bring them eggs in October from Washington State. There are a thousand eggs and 14 tanks in the Tulsa Region. We put about 350 eggs in each tank. The kids raise them from eggs to fingerlings. In March or April, we take them to the lower Illinois River and the kids let them go.”
This band of highly skilled fishermen was most impressive as I watched them show people how to fly fish. If they can teach me how to use artificial lures, they can teach anyone.
The following is from the Trout Unlimited (TU420) website:
“The purpose of this document is to provide you with talking points to talk about TU to friends, anglers, and potential supporters. Your role as a TU Ambassador is critical to achieving our mission. Consider using these statements and supporting information alongside your own stories as an angler and conservationist to create a personal TU elevator pitch. The 2017 Annual Report has more TU facts and stories that you can use at your discretion.
Trout fishing is a pastime by millions of Americans. It connects families, as well as communities, to nature.
Trout rely on cold, clean waters to survive and reproduce naturally—without the habitat, there are no fish, and without the fish, there is no fishing. Since 1959, Trout Unlimited has been focused on protecting, reconnecting, restoring, and sustaining coldwater fisheries. The organization has grown exponentially in recent years, now working with an annual budget of nearly $50 million, and involving 300,000 members and supporters throughout the United States. There is no other organization of this scale and reach specifically focused on the work that improves habitat vital to trout and salmon. Trout Unlimited is a science-driven organization that practices a unique form of collaborative stewardship that brings industry, state and federal agencies, and others together. And the effects of TU’s work on clean water are felt thousands of miles downstream, benefitting millions of people, whether they enjoy trout fishing or not.
TU is a complete conservation organization. From on-the-ground restoration work to policy work in the halls of government, TU is unique in its approach to conservation.
TU offers uniquely-focused expertise. No other organization can claim the same level of diverse staffing and volunteer expertise, from biologists, policy experts, communicators, organizers, trustees and support staff, specifically focused on improving trout and salmon habitat.
TU is a community. We consist of staff and volunteers who work in our home waters to make lakes,streams and their watersheds healthier for everyone.
TU is non-partisan. As an organization, our focus is on protecting, reconnecting and restoring our waters, not political agendas.
TU is driven by science. Sound science applied with experience and common sense help us consistently accomplish conservation success both on the ground and in the policy arena.
TU is collaborative. We work with all stakeholders that share our goals—from industry and corporations to governmental agencies and fellow conservation groups—to accomplish conservation success.
TU is a medium to communicate. Through our media and membership, our reach is huge, and allows us to share successes, challenges and calls to action far and wide.
TU is a good investment. With 87 percent of all funds raised going directly to conservation, we put our money to work on the ground. Moreover, because many of TU’s efforts are leveraged through its vast volunteer network, in terms of physical work accomplished, dollars invested in TU yield over eight-times return on investment.
TU is FUN. Our organization recognizes that most of its members and supporters are anglers, and come to TU because they love to fish. Fishing is our “front door,” to engaging present and future generations of anglers as conservation advocates.”
To find out more about this worthyorog8inzartuon, go to http://www.tu420.com
