Downeast TU is a chapter of Trout Unlimited, a national non-profit organization dedicated to protect and conserve North American
cold-water fish species and habitat. Membership is open to all, go to www.tu.org/
Monthly meetings are the Third Wednesday of the month from October to May
The Next Meeting is Wednesday, November 20, 2024 Information Below
Downeast Trout Unlimited Meeting November 20 2024 5:30- Fish Assemblage Data- A Tool to Determine Ecological Benefits of River Restoration: Brandon Kulik explains how fish assemblage data is used for the protection of Atlantic salmon and trout habitat, including dam removals and fish passage improvements. Hybrid meeting at the Moore Community Center 125 State Street Ellsworth, where you are welcome to bring your own snack, and via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/
Fish assemblage data is information about the variety and abundance of fish species in a specific area at a given time. This data can be used to assess the health of fish populations, and to understand the effects of human activities on the environment. Actions such as habitat improvement, restoration of river flow, and removal of dams are increasingly common in New England. How these changes may benefit an ecosystem can be assessed through quantitative monitoring methods to provide project managers and sponsors objective information to scientifically evaluate the action. Developing an understanding of the natural fish assemblages that historically occurred in Maine is critical to determining the status of the river ecosystems and for judging their potential for restoration.
Brandon Kulik has helped restore river fisheries across North America and has worked on fish passage improvements in the Kennebec and Penobscot watersheds. He pioneered the use of boat electrofishing and hydro-acoustics, as well as conducted over 40 instream flow studies of riverine fish habitat. Brandon is an active member of the American Fisheries Society and is on the Board for the Sebasticook River Regional Land Trust and the Sheepscot River Watershed Council. He has taught at Colby and Unity Colleges, coauthored and served as reviewer for articles in Rivers, North American Journal of Fisheries Management and the Journal of Great Lakes Research.
Veteran’s Day Nov. 11- In 2019, Trout Unlimited and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) established a Memorandum of Agreement for TU Chapters to provide skilled volunteers to help carry out PHWFF program activities. PHWFF is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans. DETU is proud to support our veterans in the PHWFF- Machias program. TU offers a free one year trial membership to new-to-Trout Unlimited members of the military or first responder communities. Call 800-834-2419 to learn more.
PHWFF-Machias Nov 14 6-8pm at the DSF Hatchery on 13 Willow St in East Machias. Camaderie and fly tying, this month’s fly is the Gartside Gurgler.Instructions here: https://www.jackgartside.com/
projecthealingwaters.org (mike.manning@
Nov. 11- Lauren Pickford, Maine TU Project Manager at Georges River TU. If you missed Lauren at our DETU meeting last month you have another chance tonight. The GRTU meeting is at 6pm at Maine Sport in Rockport. Pizza is available for purchase by the slice. Zoom link below will be live just before the presentation at 7PM https://us06web.zoom.us/
Changes coming in January! Starting Jan. 22 DETU monthly meetings will change to the 4th Wed. of each month. Stay tuned for a membership survey.
Rivers, Dams, and Climate Change:
Trout Talks – River Recovery in the Wake of Large Floods on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8p.m. Eastern. Click here to register for the Zoom webinar. Jordan Fields, Aquatic Resiliency Scientist with Trout Unlimited, discusses lessons learned in the 13 years since the catastrophic flooding in Central Vermont during Tropical Storm Irene and highlights specific strategies that enhance flood resilience for communities while also improving habitat for fish.
TU Climate Change opportunities The TU Climate Change Workgroup welcomes TU members and supporters who want to protect trout and salmon and their habitats from the effects of climate change. There are two ways to get involved. First, join the Climate Change Workgroup on the fourth Thursday of each month at 8 pm ET. Second, volunteer as a Climate Change Coordinator for your TU council or chapter. Help us as we foster climate awareness in our communities, include climate mitigation features in conservation projects, and advocate for emissions reductions. https://www.tu.org/get-
Maine Coast Heritage Trust Science on Tap-Nov. 21 6-8pm at Mason’s Brewing in Machias. Chris Federico, Executive Director of Project SHARE and Jacob van de Sande, Land Protection Manager with MCHT will discuss efforts to add large wood to the Narraguagus River to restore healthy ecosystem functions by recreating conditions that would have existed 100 years ago.
Maine Sierra Club webinar series on the environmental and cultural effects of dams. https://www.sierraclub.org/
Good information in this article about Renewable Energy and Dams in Maine https://themainemonitor.org/
Thank you Downeast Salmon Federation for replacing an undersized and deficient culvert on Sodom Brook in Deblois. This brook was designated an area of special management by Maine IFW because of its cold-water inputs to the Narraguagus River. A 4’ pipe was replaced with a bridge designed by DSF Fisheries Biologist and DETU member Mike Manning using the Stream Smart Road Crossing Program guidelines. Now a natural stream channel exists that opens nearly a half mile of critical habitat for Atlantic Salmon and Eastern Brook Trout. While DETU did not fund this project Trout Unlimited has an Embrace a Stream grant program if you know of fish passage impediments near you.
Flies and Lies-Fun with fly tying! Next meetings are Nov. 17 & Dec. 1. Meetings take place twice a month on Sundays from 5-8pm in Bar Harbor at the Machias Savings Bank on Cottage Street. Free and open to anyone interested in the art of fly tying and the sport of fly fishing. Contact Bob Bechtold at 207-288-4957 or trichoptera42gmail.com (trichoptera42[at]gmail[dot]com) for information.
Rising Trout Award Nominations are now being accepted. This award given by DETU recognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions to fulfilling our mission to conserve, protect, and restore cold-water fisheries and their watersheds. We will accept nominations through December from any DETU member for this award. We will choose the recipient in January and the award will be given at the 2025 Annual Meeting on April 23.
Shad Raffle Returns with a Twist- Winners Choice of 2 Prizes! Tickets $10 each. SPRING SHAD FISHING for one MAY 17TH or 12 LOBSTERS! Drawing April 23 Two winners will be drawn. The first winner has their choice of prize and the second winner will receive the remaining prize. As we did last year DETU will soon be mailing members one ticket for this raffle. Purchase it for yourself, gift it to a friend, or buy the ticket and designate that you want the prize to be given to a veteran. Experience a day of fly-tying and fly-fishing for American Shad. Your day will begin with fly-tying at 8am in Milbridge, followed by four hours of fishing on the Narraguagus River with Al West, Registered Maine Guide and DMR record holder for the largest American Shad caught on a fly rod. DETU members Mike Elkavitch and Bob Bechtold will offer fly tying guidance and supply the flies needed for a successful day of Shad fishing. Dress for the weather and bring your own snacks. Gear will be provided if needed. The lobsters will need to be picked up, location TBD. For more information contact Al West at aldime04658gmail.com (aldime04658[at]gmail[dot]com)
Maine Council TU https://tumaine.org/ TU activities in Maine, Trout Camp info and forms, and a link to Lauren Pickford’s photos from her October Downeast visit.
TU National: President and CEO Chris Wood celebrated conservation wins in his 2024 annual State of Trout Unlimited talk: Watch the full recording here: https://bit.ly/40nTFUN
TU is non-partisan. Regardless of what party is in the White House, TU will always push them to maintain our sacred commitment to the lands and waters that sustain our great nation. Words from Chris Wood on elections and the work ahead. Read his full thoughts here: https://bit.ly/3UNiplR
https://www.tu.org/magazine/
December 18 meeting Jason Smith- Freshwater Underwater Drone Photography
Need a Gift? Downeast Trout Unlimited Gear: Hats $25, Brook Trout pins $15, Earrings $16.
Downeast Trout Unlimited chapter 305 is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. Go to www.tu.org/join305Downeast to join--half price for new memberships! Call 800-834-2419 to renew. Mail donations to Downeast Trout Unlimited, c/o Dana Hunter, Treasurer; 9 Lobster Pool Road Little Deer Isle, ME 04650. Contact DETU Secretary Tammy Packie, tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) or visit https://www.downeasttu.org/ or Downeast TU on Facebook
Join Trout Unlimited and other advocates working to restore migratory fish populations on the Kennebec River to urge FERC to take advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to require effective fish passageways on the Kennebec. There are several ways you can help:
1.Sign our petition. TU will include this petition with the detailed comments we will send to FERC.
2. Submit personal comments to FERC. These may be submitted through FERC's electronic comment portal, which can be accessed at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/
Thanks in advance for joining Trout Unlimited and our partners in the Kennebec Coalition: Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Rivers, Natural Resources Council of Maine, and the Conservation Law Foundation to support this important effort to ensure the survival of Atlantic Salmon in the U.S.
Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery and Museum Tours The salmon have spawned and the fry are hatching. Would you or your group like a tour? Call Senior Biologist Denise Buckley at 207-469-7300.
Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs): Forestry operations that use best management practices protect the natural ability of watersheds to support life. By preventing stream sedimentation, BMPs can maintain streambed properties and the clean water that allows fish and the aquatic insects they depend on to feed and spawn. Leaving trees that shade and provide leaf litter to waterbodies limits changes in water temperature and chemical characteristics that could improve the ability of trout to reproduce. FMI: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/
Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. Call 800-834-2419 to renew or go to tu.org/intro to join and use chapter code 305 for Downeast Trout Unlimited. Donations may be mailed to Downeast Trout Unlimited, c/o Dana Hunter, Treasurer; 9 Lobster Pool Road Little Deer Isle, ME 04650. For more information contact Tammy Packie, tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) 207-
Reel Craft Pass The Reel Craft brewery booklet promotes craft beer and flyfishing, with 50% discount on 1 beer at over 50 Maine locations throughout 2024. Cost $20. Available at The Reel Craft Pass on Facebook or www.reelcraftpass.com Reel Craft Pass is donating a portion of the proceeds from their 2024 Maine Edition of the Reel Craft Pass to DETU. We have received over $400 to date.
Downeast Trout Unlimited Gear: Hats $25, Brook Trout pins $15, Brook Trout Earrings $16.
TU Maine State Council is seeking donations for a $150,000 legal defense fund to hire lawyers to help Maine TU deal with Brookfield in the FERC dam relicensing process for the Ripogenus, Rumford Falls and Aziscohos Hydro Projects Legal action may be necessary to protect the fisheries on these waters. Contact Steve Heinz, heinzmaine.rr.com (heinz[at]maine[dot]rr[dot]com) for more information.
Draft Water Quality Certification: Green Lake Hydroelectric Project
Project Folder: Green Lake Hydroelectric Project
Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) chapter 305 is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. New memberships are half price. To join DETU go to www.tu.org/join305Downeast To renew call 800-834-2419. Donations may be mailed to Downeast Trout Unlimited, c/o Dana Hunter, Treasurer; 9 Lobster Pool Road Little Deer Isle, ME 04650. For more information contact Tammy Packie, tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) 207-
Membership: Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. Membership link and discount for new members: The Individual rate is $17.50, half price the normal rate of $35. DETU will receive $15 for recruiting new members. To join go to www.tu.org/gmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com)
TU National Over 300 TU volunteers, including Tammy Packie, State Council Rep for the National Leadership Council, TU staff, anglers and conservationists from around the country attended CX3 in September to celebrate coldwater, conservation, and community on the Spokane River in Washington. CX3 2023 showcased partnerships with the Nez Perce Tribe, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and others to emphasize the importance of collaboration to address complex environmental challenges. Fishing on rivers with local volunteers (Tammy went with the leader of the Gonzaga Costa 5 Rivers group to learn about their activities), a stream clean-up with the Spokane Riverkeepers, the Annual Awards banquet and Members Meeting, and casting with Spokane Women On The Fly (Tammy tried fly-casting for the first time!) were fun activities for all ages. The focus of Cx3 2023 was removing the lower four Snake River Dams. Participants were given a tour of Lower Granite Dam, engaged in insightful discussions, workshops, and viewed the powerful film Covenant of the Salmon People to help understand the critical issues surrounding these dams. Thank you to all the presenters, including our keynote speaker, Nez Perce Chairman Shannon Wheeler. Attendees left CX3 armed with knowledge to advocate for the removal of the lower four Snake River Dams to recover Idaho’s salmon and steelhead. To learn more about the accomplishments TU has made in the past year and goals for the future watch President and CEO Chris Wood’s State of Trout Unlimited presentation on YouTube. Next year’s CX3 is in the Twin Cities, MN. from Sept. 25 – 29 2024.
President's Message
With fall fast approaching I want to bring all of you up to date on new and ongoing activities in our chapter. Over the summer DETU continued to advocate for habitat preservation and promote fly fishing. I attended the Downeast SHRU meeting and participated in the second Family Fishing Day with Island Heritage Trust in June. Several DETU members assisted Project Healing Waters on a weekend fishing event and taught fly-casting at a Pleasant River Fish and Game Conservation Association event in July. DETU board members continued efforts to partner with community organizations to preserve water quality and promote fish passage.
Several NGO's concerned about the Union River have contracted with a firm to do an economic study on the river. Two consultants will be conducting interviews and would like to hear from members of DETU at 8:00am on Sept. 26 at Flexit Cafe on Main Street Ellsworth. Jen and Bryan will be set up immediately to your left as you walk in the Cafe. Any and all are welcome. I will be there and would like to invite you to come and share your views. They will hold a public meeting at the Ellsworth Library at 6pm 9/26 as well.
MDI Region Hazardous Waste Collection Day Saturday September 21 from 10-2pm. Residents of Mount Desert island, Cranberry Isles, Frenchboro, Swans island and Lamoine can prevent toxic substances from entering water sources by bringing their household hazardous waste or universal waste to MDI High School for disposal at no charge. For more info on the event go to http://www.acadiadisposal.org/
Bob Bechtold, one of our members, is starting a Flies and Lies group on October 6th. The meetings will take place twice a month on Sundays from 5-8pm in Bar Harbor at the Machias Savings Bank on Cottage Street. The meetings are free and open to the public. Contact Bob at 207-288-4957 or trichoptera42gmail.com (trichoptera42[at]gmail[dot]com) for information.
Speaking of flies, Robb Cotiaux, Maine TU's Trout Camp Coordinator, has put out a request to the Maine chapters for donations of flies suitable for use on the Kennebec River. The camp's stockpile of flies is running low and needs replenishing. He is asking the fly tiers among us to donate a half dozen or more of the same pattern. Of course those members who don't tie flies, like me, can also donate flies. After 50 years of fly fishing I have accumulated boxes of flies, many of which I don't use, or have more than I need. I have been going through my boxes and pulling out those to send to Trout Camp. Flies should be sent to Robb Cotiaux at 91 Tufts Road New Gloucester, ME. 04260.
2024 Trout Camp: Everyone had a good time, fish were caught, and new skills learned. The two teen mentors were excellent, and Cody Leighton, from DETU, has stepped up to adult camp board member status. Many thanks to all who taught, stayed overnight, and supported our efforts. Trout Camp 2025 will be held from Sunday, June 22 to Thursday, June 26. Applications are on the State Council TU website. If any member is interested in volunteering please contact me for details.
The Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Machias group (PHWFF-M) is continuing to grow. They meet monthly at the Downeast Salmon Federation headquarters where they tie flies with some DETU members, host speakers, and view fly fishing films. In October the group will be going to Echo Lake in Acadia National Park for an afternoon fly casting clinic and Brook Trout fishing. I will be there teaching with a couple of other DETU members. If anyone wants to join or become a volunteer with PHWFF please contact me or Mike Manning, Program Lead, mike.manningprojecthealingwaters.org (mike.manning@
DETU is continuing to advocate for fish passage to be included in the design for the rebuilding of the Branch Lake dam. The city of Ellsworth has formed the Branch Lake Fish Passage Working Group that includes city staff, a member of the Branch Lake Association, Down East Trout Unlimited, Downeast Salmon Federation, and Green Ellsworth. At this time we are waiting for the engineering firm to submit their preliminary design drawings.
Trout Unlimited has hired a new Maine Project Manager, Lauren Pickford. I've invited Lauren to speak at one of our meetings to outline her goals for TU in Maine. Lauren has a Masters degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Unity College and has worked on a number of watershed projects in the Sebago and Belgrade Lakes areas.
As a reminder, our Annual Meeting is in April. This is an important meeting as all four officers on the board will have reached their term limits and will be stepping down from their current roles. We are looking for replacements to step up and help out the chapter. If you can help support DETU in this important way please contact me. I will be sending out more information on this in the upcoming months.
At this time our member meetings will continue to be hybrid on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm at the Moore Center in Ellsworth, beginning October 16 and going through May. We are in the process of lining up speakers for this year, and do not have a speaker for October yet. Some of the topics to be presented are a Brook Trout study by IFW, Fly Fishing in Cuba, and Frenchman's Bay Conservancy's land acquisitions in the Union River watershed. If you would like to do a presentation, or know of someone who would be a good speaker, please contact me, Tammy, or Mark Whiting our Program Coordinator. mark.c.whitinggmx.com (mark[dot]c[dot]whiting[at]gmx[dot]com)
Finally I want to pass on a word about wading safety. I just read an article on this subject and in it they said that when it comes to wading, be a chicken. Chickens rarely drown. For years I neglected an important piece of equipment, a wading staff. I added that to my equipment this year. After years of not listening to friends urging me to use one I finally got the message. Since using it this season and seeing how much easier and safer wading is I can't believe I was so foolish for so many years. I urge those of you who don't use a wading staff to get one and use it. And let's not forget a wading belt, another piece of safety equipment that can save your life.
We hope you had a great summer and thanks for supporting DETU. If you’re not already a member consider joining us today to support our work and connect with Downeast Maine’s fishing community. www.tu.org/join305Downeast
Rob Packie
President Downeast Trout Unlimited
rbpackiegmail.com (rbpackie[at]gmail[dot]com)
207-288-5442 –h
207-610-0976 -c
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Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. Call 800-834-2419 to renew or go to tu.org/intro to join and use chapter code 305 for Downeast Trout Unlimited. Donations may be mailed to Downeast Trout Unlimited, c/o Dana Hunter, Treasurer; 9 Lobster Pool Road Little Deer Isle, ME 04650. For more information contact Tammy Packie, tpackie
288-5442 or visit https://www.downeasttu.org/ or our Facebook page Downeast TU:https://www.facebook.com/
pages/category/Nonprofit- Organization/Downeast-TU/
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Donations can be sent to:
305 – Downeast Chapter Trout Unlimited
9 Lobster Pool Road, Little Deer Isle, ME 04650
The Coastal Stream Survey Project is a collaborative effort that began in 2014, and seeks to recruit volunteer anglers to gather data on wild brook trout in Maine’s coastal rivers and streams. Wild brook trout may move considerable distances during the course of their lives. Some wild brook trout that live in coastal streams may spend part of their lives in both saltwater and freshwater, a life history strategy called "diadromy.” Diadromous brook trout may leave their freshwater environment for periods ranging from a few months to over a year. Typically, they migrate from fresh to salt water at an early age, probably to take advantage of the more abundant food resources in salt water estuaries and perhaps also to seek thermal refuge during certain times of the year. Learn more about the Coastal Stream Survey.
Volunteer Anglers Needed
We need your help! Thanks to the overwhelming response from anglers and the conservation community, we are pleased to announce the launch of the seventh consecutive year of the Remote Pond Survey Project. There are lots of exciting places to explore this year, and we are seeking new and returning volunteers to assist with this effort. You too can be part of this exciting conservation effort and backcountry adventure!
The success of this project is entirely dependent on the data collected by volunteer anglers, so please consider helping with the Remote Pond Survey Project. This is your chance to make a significant contribution to the conservation of native brook trout in Maine. If you love to fish for brook trout and are looking for an adventure, we need you!
