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/join305Downeast and use chapter code 305 Downeast TU.
Monthly meetings are the Fourth Wednesday of the month from October to May at the Moore Center, 125 State Street, Ellsworth, ME
gmail.com (joeyrizzoart[at]gmail[dot]com). Rizzo’s art can be seen at https://fineartamerica.com/#ChanceSculpture #JoeyRizzoArt #BangorPublicLibrary #Downeast TU #Trout Unlimited #DowntownBangor #ArtoberBangor
https://downtownbangor.com/
At our Feb. 26 meeting DETU members voted unanimously to increase the number of board members to 14. Election of officers will be held at the Annual Meeting April 23. All current DETU officers have termed out; if you are interested in assisting DETU as an officer or as a board member contact President Rob Packie rbpackiegmail.com (rbpackie[at]gmail[dot]com).
Flies & Lies -Fun with fly tying! Meet on Sundays twice a month through April from 5-7:30 pm 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. March 2 & 16, April 6 & 20. Contact Bob Bechtold at 207-288-4957 or trichoptera42gmail.com (trichoptera42[at]gmail[dot]com)
Volunteer Hours from April 1 2024 to March 31 2025 Due: We must file an Annual Activity Report by May 15 in order to receive member rebates from TU National. Your participation helps DETU with fundraising. Volunteer time begins the minute you step out of your home or office to travel to a meeting or event. Categories:
Communications & Engagement: Attending chapter meetings, writing newsletters, emails, maintaining website and social media, hosting non-conservation events that build community - such as fishing trips, chapter gatherings, fly tying or fishing classes, etc.
Advocacy / Lobbying: submitting testimony to the legislature, writing letters to the editor, supporting national advocacy campaigns, attending public hearings etc.
Conservation & Science: restoration or reconnection projects, water quality studies, insect sampling, temperature monitoring, etc.
Fundraising: planning and hosting in-person and online fundraising activities.
Veterans & First Responder Services: Project Healing Waters, planning and participating in activities for the military and first responder communities.
Youth Education: Trout Camp, kids fishing days, school and non-school based youth programs and activities, Trout in the Classroom/Salmon in the Classroom.
Contact Tammy Packie tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) for a sample worksheet. Submit Hours to Dana Hunter djhunter271gmail.com (djhunter271[at]gmail[dot]com)
DETU Winners Choice Raffle Tickets $10- Shad Fishing on MAY 17TH or 12 Lobsters! Two winners will be drawn on April 23. The first winner has their choice of prize. Experience a day of fly-tying and fly-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. Gear will be provided if needed. The lobsters, donated by Inland Seafood, Milbridge, (A big thank you to Bill Phinney!) will need to be picked up. At last count about 80 tickets had been sold. Contact Al West for information at aldime04658gmail.com (aldime04658[at]gmail[dot]com).
Maine TU- TU is hiring a Field Technician- Focus on strategic wood addition (SWA) projects. The field tech will lead a seasonal crew to conduct this habitat improvement, utilizing chainsaws, grip hoists and other hand tools to selectively place trees into stream channels. The field technician will assist the Maine Project Manager in data collection, reporting, permitting, and project implementation on other restoration projects. Contact TU Project Manager Lauren Pickford. Lauren.pickfordtu.org (Lauren[dot]pickford[at]tu[dot]org) For application: https://recruiting.paylocity.
Trout Camp Application Deadline April 1, camp June 22-26 2025
Trout Camp builds tomorrow’s conservation leaders, giving teens a foundation in biology, entomology, and sustainability, all while having fun. Students ages 13-17 are eligible for this unique learning experience at Evergreens Campground in Solon on the Kennebec River. Cost for tuition, room & board is $800, a $200 deposit is due upon acceptance. Forms are on the Maine TU Council website https://tumaine.org Contact DETU Education Coordinator Mike Elkavitch melkavitchgmail.com (melkavitch[at]gmail[dot]com) for information.
Help Replenish Flies for Trout Camp: Thank you Dan & Penny Legere! The former owners of the Maine Guide Fly Shop donated 15 dozen flies recently. Please join them by donating a half dozen flies of the same pattern to camp. Mail them to Director Robb Cotiaux at 91 Tufts Rd. New Gloucester, ME 04260 or bring them to a meeting as Rob Packie is mailing a box from DETU in the spring.
Trout Camp Volunteers Needed: If you are able to help contact Camp Coordinator Robb Cotiaux rcotiauxgmail.com (rcotiaux[at]gmail[dot]com) ASAP to complete the screening process.
Penobscot Fly Fishers: Thank you to DETU members Arthur Benson, George Leinbaugh, and Rob and Tammy Packie for staffing our table at the Cabin Fever Reliever and to other members who helped make the day a success. We sold a few raffle tickets, hats and pins, and two new memberships. DETU & PFF Fly Tying Coordinator, Casey Shannon needs volunteers to teach fly tying to students at Brewer High School March 31- April 3. Contact him at pc.shannon27gmail.com (pc[dot]shannon27[at]gmail[dot]com)
DETU Officers and Directors Election will be held at our Annual Meeting at the Moore Center in Ellsworth at 5:30pm, April 23, 2025. Current slate of candidates:
President vacant
Vice President Al West
Secretary Karen Svenson
Treasurer Arthur Benson
New Board Members
David Klausmeyer
Vince Messer
Casey Shannon
Returning Board Members
Robert Packie
Tammy Packie
Dana Hunter
George Leinbaugh
George Marnik
Mark Whiting
Penobscot River Trip October 18: Hosted by the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company this 9.5 hour trip will combine fun, photography and environmental education and will include stops at 10 lighthouses. Join members from the founding organizations of the Penobscot River Restoration Trust including the Penobscot Nation, American Rivers, Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Audubon, Natural Resources Council of Maine, The Nature Conservancy, and Trout Unlimited and learn about their past and current conservation efforts on Maine’s largest river.
Naturalist Zack Klyver and Bob Trapani Jr., President of the American Lighthouse Foundation, will host the tour and photographer Michael Leonard will be onboard to help you “get your best shot.” B&H Photo Store will have camera lenses for you to try out and to discuss your photography equipment needs. Cost is $229, but if you are an active TU member or member of one of the organizations representing the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, you can receive a 25% discount. Likewise, if you choose to become a TU member you can then receive a $57.25 discount Contact Rob Packie rbpackiegmail.com (rbpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) or Tammy Packie tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) to confirm your membership status and receive the discount code. (The BHWW site says "temporarily closed"- go to Oct. 18 on their calendar and you can purchase tickets).
TU National: CEO Chris Wood discussed the loss of federal funding and the effects it will have on restoration projects with TU leaders on March 4. Federal funds should be released for work that has already been done, but all other funding has been frozen so all future field work is on hold. Collaboration between conservation and community organizations will be even more important in the future. Wood noted that this is a time when our Agency partners who administer Public Lands, NOAA, National Forest Service, BLM, USFWS, need our support. The concern is the dismembering of these agencies could lead to the sale of our public lands. He concluded by saying “As long as lands remain in the public domain, TU will play a role.”
TU uses federal funding to restore trout and salmon habitat while creating clean water and jobs that strengthen the US economy. By partnering with federal agencies TU injects millions into local economies, supports small businesses, boosts tourism, and ensures communities thrive alongside healthy rivers and streams.
TU is asking our supporters to contact their congressional delegations to urge federal agencies to swiftly complete their review of popular conservation programs and restore critical federal funding for restoration projects that support rural communities. We encourage you to share the action alerts below via social media. There are sample letters you can use to send comments to your representatives.
https://www.tu.org/
https://www.tu.org/powering-
Maine’s Congressional Delegation: Senator Susan Collins 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-2523 Augusta: (207) 622-8414 Bangor: (207) 945-0417 Biddeford: (207) 283- 1101 Caribou: (207) 493-7873 Lewiston: (207) 784- 6969 Portland: (207) 780-3575
Senator Angus King 133 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5344 Augusta: (207) 622- 8292 Bangor: (207) 945-8000 Presque Isle: (207) 764- 5124 Scarborough: (207) 883-1588
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree 2162 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-6116 Portland: (207) 774-5019 Waterville: (207) 873- 5713
Congressman Jared Golden 223 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-6306 Bangor office: (207) 249-7400 Caribou office: (207) 492-6009 Lewiston office: (207) 241-6767
Tips on Communicating with Your Legislator: Give a little background about yourself. Explain, in your own words, why the issue/bill is important to you and how it will affect you and your community. If possible, give a brief example from personal experience that conveys how the bill will correct (or create) problems for you and other Maine people. BE CONCISE. Legislators receive information all the time, so they will appreciate - and remember - those who get to the point quickly. State your reason for reaching out up front. Give the name of the bill or the issue it addresses. Give your contact information so you can be reached if there are any questions.
Union River Survey of Recreation in the Union River Watershed https://www.surveymonkey.
Lakes of Maine Webinar Series: https://www.lakes.me/winter-
2025 Spawning Smelt Survey Training Help collect information on where, when, and how many smelt are spawning in streams, brooks, and rivers along our coastline. Zone 3 session for volunteers east of Penobscot Bay on April 7. Contact Danielle Frechette via danielle.frechettemaine.gov (subject: Spawning%20Smelt%20Survey%20Inquiry) (email) with any questions. REGISTER FOR THE APRIL 7 TRAINING
Final EIS on the Kennebec Dams: According to the Kennebec Coalition, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Penobscot Nation, and the Conservation Law Foundation an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) issued on Feb. 28 for four dams on the Kennebec River ignores science and could lead endangered Atlantic salmon to extinction because the dams block access to prime Atlantic salmon spawning habitat on the Sandy River. In 2024, many TU members were among more than 2,000 anglers, local businesses, scientists, and others who spoke at public hearings and submitted comments calling for a plan that would restore millions of sea-run fish, including alewives, blueback herring, American shad, eel, protect critically endangered Atlantic salmon, and promotes recreational and economic development along the river.
Speak up for Maine's Rivers: LD 430, would impose a moratorium on dam removal, making it even harder to restore rivers like the Kennebec. Please take a moment to contact your state legislators and urge them to oppose LD 430. You can find their contact info here.
Maine Environmental Priorities Coalition: Trout Unlimited is a member of EPC, an alliance of 39 conservation, climate action, and public health organizations. Each year we collectively identify policy priorities to protect land, water, and wildlife; and cultivate healthy Maine communities, act on climate change and further environmental justice. For a list of legislation, fact sheets and more go to https://www.protectmaine.org/
Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District Brook Trout Sale: Order by April 15 for private pond stocking. Each buyer must have a stocking and transporting permit-$10. permit application to stock waters in Maine.
Brook Trout $3.50 each
Oxygen Bags $7/bag (up to 20 fish per bag)
Fish Food $22 per 10lb bag
Minimum order is $50.00
Trout delivered June 2 to 474 Bucksport Road, Ellsworth hcswcdinfohancockcountyswcd.org (hcswcdinfo@hancockcountyswcd.
Maine Audubon & Fish Lead Free: Lead sinkers and jigs weighing 1 oz.or less or 2.5 inches or less in length cannot be used in inland waters. Beginning in September 2026 painted jigs of the same size will become illegal to use. Audubon will collect tackle at all the Maine Sportsman’s shows and will give you lead free samples.Eastern Maine Show Mar 14-16 Orono.
Upcoming Talks & Activities
April 5-Fly Tying at the Wendell Gilley Museum
April 19 DETU & the Wendell Gilley Museum host Bucky Owen for a talk on three Maine Restoration Projects: Bald Eagles, the American Chestnut, and the Penobscot River.
April 23 Rory Saunders- Downeast Salmon Restoration presentation
April 26 DSF Smelt Fry
April 29 Fly Fishing Course begins
May 28 Colby Bruchs- Atlantic Salmon Smolts & Returns on the Narraguagus River at Helen’s in Machias.*In person only*
Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. New memberships are half price. For NEW memberships only go to www.tu.org/join305Downeast. Use the link and DETU will receive $15. Call 800-834-2419 to renew. 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 visit https://www.downeasttu.org/ or Downeast TU on Facebook
|
|
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/
|
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!
