March 26 Meeting “A Fisherman’s Dream for the Kennebec River” w Steve Brooke. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2jxbquJeT4yyNs6dYKCeWw

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)

March 11 7pm George River TU: Meet Robb Cotiaux, director of Maine TU Trout Camp. The camp is for students 13-17 years old who are interested in learning more about fly fishing, fly tying, sustainability, climate change, native fish, and how they can become leaders in these vital areas. Jim Wescott will speak about the Crooked River Priority Waters Project. Both will discuss how conservation partnerships and public relations began and continue to this day with additional plans to improve the watershed for local landlocked salmon populations.  Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96625627646?pwd=dU1ET2Jtb0dlblBNemt2Z2pXbmlTZz09

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)

March 26 5:30 pm Meeting at the Moore Community Center and Zoom. The presentation will be “A Fisherman’s Dream for the Kennebec River”. Steve Brooke. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2jxbquJeT4yyNs6dYKCeWw

Before the Kennebec was industrialized by European settlers, this unique watershed, which includes Merrymeeting Bay and the archipelago of islands below Bath, produced enormous populations of sea-run fish that helped feed indigenous populations as well as nourish the Gulf of Maine ecosystem.  In the 1980’s the Kennebec Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited recognized the river’s potential and formed the Kennebec Coalition. They spearheaded the removal of the Edwards Dam in Augusta.  Since this head of tide dam was removed the Kennebec’s lower tributaries have shown significant increases in populations of river herring.  Sadly, the Gulf of Maine's population of Atlantic salmon was listed as an Endangered Species by the federal government. Four main stem dams still block the migration of all sea-run fish above Waterville to their spawning and nursery habitat.  The question is what comes next to restore Kennebec’s once vibrant fisheries? 

Steve Brooke is an art conservator who became an environmentalist. He served as Project Coordinator for the Kennebec Coalition during the removal of the Edwards Dam in Augusta, which restored fisheries and improved wildlife habitat on the Kennebec and sparked a movement for free-flowing rivers across the US. After retiring from the State Planning Office as a Senior Planner for the Land for Maine’s Future Program he joined the board of “Upstream”, a non–profit organization working to restore alewife, blueback herring and American eel to the Cobbosseecontee Watershed in Gardiner

DETU Winners Choice Raffle Tickets $10- Shad Fishing on MAY 17^TH 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.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/2969290/Trout-Unlimited-Inc/Field-Technician---Maine

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/conservation/action-center/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f122073%2fRespond

https://www.tu.org/powering-the-restoration-economy-and-rural-jobs/

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.

Maine Sustainability & Water Conference March 27 Augusta Civic Center-. Register today! Contact Ruth halsworthmaine.edu (halsworth[at]maine[dot]edu)

Mitchell Center Sustainability Series: Mondays at 3pm. UMO & Zoom                                                          
March 10- Kathleen Billings, Stonington Town Manager
Wicked Storms and Rising Oceans: Leading an Island Community in Peril

Union River Survey of Recreation in the Union River Watershed    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6BLB8TD  Collecting information from local residents about how they currently use the river and lakes, as well as how they would like to use them if given new opportunities. More info here https://sites.google.com/hubltd.com/union-river-economic-impact/home

Lakes of Maine Webinar Series: https://www.lakes.me/winter-webinar-series-2025

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/environmental-priorities-coalition/priorities/  and https://www.protectmaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EPC_Summary_2025.pdf  

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

Order online

Print/Mail Order Form

Trout delivered June 2 to 474 Bucksport Road, Ellsworth hcswcdinfohancockcountyswcd.org (hcswcdinfo@hancockcountyswcd.org) or https://hancockcountyswcd.org/trout/

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