Trout Unlimited, Clackamas River Chapter Newsletter Archive

J. Michelle Swope
Fly Fishing for Sea Run Cutthroat in Puget Sound and other Salty Places

CRTU is kicking off our meeting season with our friend of TU from Washington State, J. Michelle Swope.

J. MIchelle currently leads Oly Women on the Fly and is a guide in the Puget Sound for Sea Runs and the Olympic Penninsula for Steelhead.

She will present a program on fly fishing for Sea Run Cutthroat. While she will talk fondly of Puget Sound Sea Runs, the tips and techniques work equally well in Oregon Estuaries. Fish are active now so this is a timely presentation!

J. Michelle was raised on the north end of the Hood Canal in Washington State. She grew up fly fishing and exploring the gorgeous rivers of the Olympic Peninsula. In 2016, seeing a great need for more active cold-water conservationists, she started Oly Women on the Fly, a group that focuses on teaching women fly fishing and fly tying, as well as conservation and stewardship.

When not sharing her knowledge of the fly with the people, you can find her guiding for trout, salmon and steelhead, teaching rowing, or fishing for that magical unicorn of the water on her favorite North Olympic Rivers.

J. Michelle has her Masters from Bastyr University in Applied Behavioral Science, specializing in organizational development and leadership training.

Upcoming Speakers

Oct. 8: John Epifano
Global Native Trout Conservation

Nov 12, Craig Schuhman, Klamath Basin Fishing

Dec 10, Harry Rectenwald Hydropower industry projects and impacts on fish migration.

Projects and Volunteer Opportunities

Down the River Cleanup

CRTU is partricipating in the Down the River Cleanup on the Clackamas River, There are many roles to fil both on the water and on land. You will need to pre register before you can attend. Go here to register

Sandy Watershed Council River Cleanup

The Sandy Watershed Council will host a lower river and upper river clean ups on September 14 and 21. Volunteers needed on both dates

Check here for details.

Outings!!!!

Not too late to catch the last 2 outings of the year. Fall River near Bend in September and the Lower Deschutes in October are premier outings. Join the Portland area chapters for a great time and fishing in Central Oregon.

Check the schedule for a trip near you!

Youth Fly Fishing Camp a big success!

The Chapter hosted our 14th annual Youth Fly Fishing and Conservation camp for 2019.

Fifteen eager campers started the 4-day camp by learning the ropes with basic casting and learning knots used on the water.

The next day broke with an early breakfast, then off to fishing the Collawash. All the campers had chances at hooking fish using the new casting skills learned the day before.

Our CEO Chris Wood joined for lunch and provided campers and parents great information on Trout Unlimted and the importance of preserving public lands. Our camp is held in Mt. Hood National Forest, a great example of recreation on Public Lands.

After lunch, the watershed classroom teaches campers the important connection between macro invertebrates, riparian zone and water quality interactions.

Returning to base, campers are introduced to the first fly tying session of the weekend, tag teamed with a session of "Know Your Fish Guts" hosted by Caroline Peterschmidt, USFWS biologist.

Day 3 starts off with fly tying and the knots test. Each camper is expected to learn the basic knots so they can be self sufficient on the water. After campers tie flies for Fish Lake, we're off to our hike into the lake. the cooler weather and our later start gave campers the advantage. The mayfly hatch came off on schedule and fish started rising within casting distance. Many campers caught some beautifull native cutthroat.

Campers sleep in a bit on day 4 but jump into fly tying and the final game of the camp, casting golf. Camper teams navigate the course to avoid hazards and find the target with the fewest casts.

Our camp is staffed all by volunteers with cooperation from the USFS biologists Jack Williamson and Tom Horning, USFWS Manager Caroline Peterschmidt. TU would also like to thank PGE for a grant of $2000 awarded to our 2019 camp.

Thanks to CRTU and TVTU volunteers!

Save the Date!
Important Upcoming Events

The next Oregon Council Meeting will be held on October 12 in Bend. Stay tuned for details.

The TU National Annual meeting will be held in Arkansas, October 3-4.
Click here for registration

November 14th! Save this date for a dinner at the Eastburn supporting the Oregon Council.

The Following Businesses have Supported our Chapter and the Oregon Council of TU. Please support them with your business.

NW Fly Fishing Outfitters

Royal Treatment Fly Fishing

River City Fly Shop

The Portland Fly Shop

Pelican Brewing