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
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PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS CAN BE FOUND HERE - March Newsletter
No Foolin’ TU membership Increase starts April 1- Join before April 1 and save! Trout Unlimited's individual membership rate will increase from $35 to $45 per year on April 1. This is the first rate change in over two decades. During that time threats to our coldwater fisheries have intensified and the cost of conservation has grown. Membership dollars are vital to keep TU's work moving forward, funding habitat restoration and clean water advocacy. Call 800-834-2419 to renew today!
Join Downeast Trout Unlimited www.tu.org/join305Downeast
NEW memberships are still Half price!
Trout Unlimited benefits include:
Trout magazine subscription
Local Chapter News
Advocacy at the State & National levels
Access to TU’s online community
Volunteer Opportunities
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Open Water Fishing Begins April 1 No matter where you fish, April offers some of the best early-season action for trout and salmon as fish become more active. Before heading out, take a moment to review the 2026 fishing regulations, including any special rules for the waters you plan to fish—such as bag limits, length limits, and gear restrictions. You can also use the Maine Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool for up-to-date regulations and quick answers while you’re on the go.
Open water fishing can be hazardous! Anglers and paddlers are eager to get on the water, but inland water temperatures average 40 degrees in April and typically don't rise above 50 degrees until early May. Temps below 70 degrees can cause hypothermia in 30 minutes. If you are an angler, boater, or outdoor enthusiast who explores Maine's waters follow these cold water safety tips for a safe season:
· Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.
· Always wear a life jacket to increase chance of survival if an incident occurs.
· Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
· Check the forecast before you go.
Call to Action- Call your legislators to ask them to support LD 2141, which directs $2 million annually from Maine’s unclaimed beverage container deposits to the Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund and another $2 million to the state’s Working Farmland Access and Protection Program. There are between $10-17 million in unclaimed bottle deposits each year, if unclaimed the money remains with the bottling industry. This is public money that should be put to use to support the environment.
The Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted in favor of this bill, now it must pass the full Legislature. Help by calling your legislators and asking them to protect Maine’s environment by voting in favor of LD 2141. LD2141 will likely be voted on by the full Legislature this week.
· Find your State Senators here
· Find your State Representatives here
Ellsworth Moose Lodge Rail Trail Clean-Up Sat. April 4 Noon- Volunteers will partner with City of Ellsworth staff to care for the rail popular trail, which connects downtown Ellsworth to Ellsworth Falls. Accumulated litter and debris from the winter. Volunteers for this trail clean-up or future efforts can contact Anthony Wyman, Ellsworth Moose Lodge President at 207-664-5199.
NO Flies & Lies April 5- Happy Easter! Final meeting April 19 2026- DETU Life Member Bob Bechtold hosts a gathering for anyone interested in sharing the art of fly tying and the sport of fly fishing. Meet at the Machias Savings Bank 96 Cottage Street Bar Harbor. Bring your own supplies and snacks. Free Fun with Fly Tying! Contact Bob at rtbechtoldgmail.com (rtbechtold[at]gmail[dot]com) or 207-288-4957.
TU Northeast Regional Rendezvous April 10-12 2026 Roscoe NY A few tickets left! TU Rendezvous are weekends packed with fun, fishing, and hands-on conservation activities. Meet and mingle with TU staff, scientists, and volunteers from across the country to network, make lifelong friends and fishing buddies. Share ideas for how we can grow TU’s efforts to support fisheries, cold, clean waters and communities
TU Volunteer Hours from April 1 2025 to March 31 2026 due April 15 We must file an Annual Activity Report in order to receive member rebates from TU National. Logging your chapter participation activities helps TU with fundraising. Remember, your volunteer time begins the minute you step out of your home or office to travel to a meeting or event!
Categories are Communications & Engagement: Attending chapter meetings and gatherings, fishing trips, fly tying and classes all count towards volunteer hours.
Advocacy / Lobbying: submitting testimony to the legislature, writing letters to the editor, supporting national advocacy campaigns, and attending public hearings.
Conservation & Science: restoration or reconnection projects, water quality studies, insect sampling, temperature monitoring, etc.
Veterans Services: Participants and volunteers in Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing-PHWFF
Youth Education: Trout Camp, kids fishing days, school and non-school based youth programs and activities such as Trout or Salmon in a Classroom.
Contact Tammy Packie at tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) for a sample worksheet. Submit hours to DETU Treasurer Arthur Benson at ajbrxyahoo.com (ajbrx[at]yahoo[dot]com)
DETU Fundraiser with 3 prizes: First prize- West Branch Pond Camps Cabin for Two June 12-14 2026. One of the oldest camps in Maine, this is a great place to fish, bird, or relax in peace and solitude in the woods. Second prize- $100 LL Bean Gift Card; Third prize a half dozen Maine lobsters. Lobsters will need to be picked up. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. Drawing April 22 at our Annual Meeting. Proceeds to benefit our youth education programs and habitat conservation projects. Contact Al West for information at 207-632-7267 or aldime04658gmail.com (aldime04658[at]gmail[dot]com)
April 1 at Noon How River Impacts Lead to Lake Impacts Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) host Dr. John Field, Field Geology Services- The legacy effects of logging on watersheds and how it relates to creating successful habitat restoration today. https://us02web.zoom.us/
Maine TU Job Posting Seasonal habitat Field Technician: For information click here:
https://recruiting.paylocity.
Grand Lake Stream Hatchery April Fin Clipping Ernie MacDonald from PFF has agreed to coordinate volunteers with the hatchery. It is an interesting kind of event where you can truthfully say that you caught hundreds of salmon in one day. If you are interested in participating, please contact Ernie at penobscotflyfisheryahoo.com (penobscotflyfisher[at]yahoo[dot]com).
Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are hosting their annual dissolved oxygen (DO) meter check on April 9, 2026. FREE- Volunteers can drop off meters at 6 locations across Maine. MeterFest 2026 ensures that water quality data remains accurate and consistent, aiding in the protection of Maine lakes. Contact LSM or Jeremy Deeds at DEP Jeremy.deedsmaine.gov (Jeremy[dot]deeds[at]maine[dot]gov) or 207-446-1473 before April 1. Details and the required form are available at https://www.
Downeast Trout Unlimited Gear: Hats $25, Brook Trout pins $20, Brook Trout Earrings $16.
Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. For membership renewal call 800-834-2419. For NEW memberships go to www.tu.org/join305Downeast.
Mail donations to Downeast Trout Unlimited c/o Arthur Benson Treasurer, 32 Cottage Way Hampden ME 04444. If you have more equipment than you need please consider donating it to help DETU raise money for our conservation and education programs. Please Follow Downeast TU on Facebook or visit https://www.downeasttu.org
