Fly Fishing events coming to Eugene, TU fundraiser

Monday December 8: Fly fishing movie Drift
The local chapter of Trout Unlimited will be showing the new fly fishing movie Drift at the David Minor Theater in Eugene, 5:30-7:30pm. One of the featured anglers in the movie, and editor of the new fly fishing magazine Catch, Oregon’s own Brian O’Keefe will be at the showing to talk about the film and his fly fishing travels. The cost is $10 and the proceeds from the event will go to the McKenzie Upper Willamette Chapter of Trout Unlmited. Tickets are pre-sale only and are available at The Caddis Fly shop in Eugene. Call 541-342-7005 for details.

Thursday December 11: Fly fishing for salmon seminar
Fisheries biologist and fly fishing fanatic Jay Nicholas will be giving a seminar on fly fishing for salmon in Oregon at The Caddis Fly Shop on Thursday evening, 6-9pm. Jay is a 30-year veteran of ODFW and is an expert on Oregon’s coastal rivers. Jay’s seminar will cover how to fly fish for salmon, fly tying demonstrations and gear selection. The class costs $20, call the shop for more details: 541-342-7005.

TU Cascades High Lakes outing this week

Attention current, lapsed, and/or wanna-be Trout Unlimited members! Your local chapter (TU 678) is again traveling into the mountains for high lakes fishing adventures. You may have missed our previous outings this summer but there is still one more opportunity. These trips have been very popular and are a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

This month we plan to visit the Benson Lakes complex located in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. The trip will take place on September 13th-14th. To get there head up the McKenzie Hwy 126 and take the Hwy 242 scenic bypass. Take the turnoff to the left for Scott’s lake and follow the signs to the Benson Lake trail head. The hike into the lake (our base camp) is about 1.5 miles and we will be hiking out from there to reach the other lakes in the area. Waders and float tubes will greatly improve your catching opportunities. A 3 to 5wt fly rod is recommended although light weight spin cast and bait cast setups can also be effective. Fly selections should include wooly buggers, chironomids, pheasant tails, and mayfly patterns. These are overnight trips so please bring a backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and food. The mosquitoes have been worse than usual this year so come prepared. If you have any questions please contact Todd Mullen at 935-2189 before Friday. We hope to see you there.

TU Oregon Council launches new blog site

Trout Unlimited's Oregon Council has launched a new blog to help keep the state's multiple chapters informed on fisheries issues. Oregon State Council Chair Tom Wolf has a post on TU's legislative agenda for the coming year, plus new chapter news -- Chetco River baby! Winter road trip, anyone?

Trout Unlimited banquet funds trout and salmon protection in Oregon

The Trout Unlimited Banquet held Feb. 11 at Territorial Vinyards winery was a huge success. Volunteers raised money to fund local Trout Unlimited projects in the coming year. Members voiced opinions on what direction the chapter should take in 2007. The consensus was that Chapter 678 should organize more trips, both habitat restoration and fishing.

The Eugene Chapter of Trout Unlimited plans to participate in more riparian habitat restoration and monitoring of the Swift Creek project with USFS and ODFW. The Chapter will also be hosting several fly fishing trips in the coming months, including a March Brown trip on the McKenzie and several Cascades High Lakes trips.

Look for an events calendar in the coming weeks, in the mail or at a fly shop near you!