November 2022
It’s November, and a time for us to be thankful. Even in Arizona there are cooler temperatures, and while not quite “frost-on-the-pumpkin” type days, our triple digit days are behind us for a while. For the most part, we survived the pandemic and life is beginning to return to normal … it just costs more now!
Welcome to the November Zane Grey Newsletter. Our activities are beginning to heat up. We had a very successful slate of October events. We started with a joint Desert Fly Casters Club-Zane Grey Chapter Carp on the Fly, fishing clinic, Saturday, October 1. Next, we hosted TU on Tap, a conservation Pint Night October 6; we plan these as a series of live meetings for our members. So stay tuned … there are more to come!
Salt River Saturdays return:
See below for dates and information on the return of these popular events!
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Additionally, thank you to all who responded to our volunteer survey. We’ve begun contacting those who are interested with more information and opportunities. If you missed the survey, and would still like to participate, you may do so here.
And guess what – we’ve entered the 21st Century . . . we can now text you with important updates, reminders, and other information. We promise we won’t SPAM your phone, the most we’ll send is three-messages a month. But you’ll need to ‘opt-in’ to get our text messages. You can opt-in here
Recently the Zane Grey Chapter of Trout Unlimited (ZGTU) Board of Directors developed a Strategic Action Plan aligning our many diverse activities and helping better define our mission while setting our organizational course for the next several years.
So, this Fall, we are kicking off our volunteer recruitment in concert with our strategic plan.
Additionally, thank you to all who responded to our volunteer survey. We’ve begun contacting those who are interested with more information and opportunities. If you missed the survey, and would still like to participate, you may do so here.
We thank you for your help and support.
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Board Meeting - We’ve gone virtual!!!!
Please join us for our monthly board teleconferences
the first Thursday of each month @ 7:00 – 8:45 PM
Until then,
Tight Lines.
Alan Davis
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Help Wanted Needed!
Consider volunteering for a position with your chapter. We are currently looking for a number of volunteers. Scroll down to the Volunteer Section for more information. Or, contact any board member, or me.
Here are some of the articles in this month's Newsletter.
- Your Zane Grey Chapter of TU has a great Instagram! Follow us here!
- Arizona TU (@trout_unlimited_arizona)
- Conservation & Fishing
- Salt River Saturdays Return!
- Public Policy
- Legislative Update
- ADEQ Comment Period regarding Surface Water Protection Program
- Officer Succession Plan
- Upcoming Events: Meeting Thursday Nov 10th @ 7PM
- National Leadership Council
- Every Vote Counts
- Education
- Trout in the Classroom (TIC): Video Premiere
- Volunteer Opportunities and Updates:
- See above in the President's Message and below
- ZGTU Strategic Plan
- Member Photos
- Carping Clinic and Fishing Day
- Women's Trip to Lees Ferry
- Other Angling organizations
- ZGTU and affiliates calendar
- Follow ZGTU on Social Media
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Partnering with Desert Fly Casters Club and Arizona Flycasters Club, we plan a series of Salt River Saturdays.
Come out for coffee, conservation, camaraderie, and an opportunity to fish the Salt River. Oh, and of course we'll have donuts!
*** Note: There will NOT be a Salt River Saturday, this Saturday November 5th, the Salt River Saturday conflicts with a joint Arizona Flycasters Club (AFC) and Desert Fly Casters Club (DFC) Striper Bass fishing outing to Lake Pleasant. Please join them for a great opportunity to fish for these aggressive fighting fish. More information here. Joe Staller at joestaller@yahoo.com or 602-568-9431, or Tom Knight at outings@azflycasters.org or (623) 234-9147.
We'll hold these events more or less fortnightly beginning in November, and generally follow this schedule: Click Here for Schedule
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Saturday, Nov. 5th -- CANCELLED
Saturday, November 19th
Saturday, December 3rd
Saturday, December 17th
Saturday, January 7th
Saturday, January 21st
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Saturday, February 4th
Saturday, February 18th
Saturday, March 4th
Saturday, March 18th
Saturday, April 1st
Saturday, April 15th
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Legislative Update
The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law this past August. It delivers major wins for public lands, native and wild trout and salmon fisheries, and communities already facing the impacts of a changing climate. Read more about how this legislation will help TU’s mission of conserving coldwater fisheries.
TU was awarded a $200k grant from the Bureau of Reclamation to start our phase 1 planning work in the headwaters of the West Fork Black River. Eventually this restoration work will consist of building beaver analog dams, planting willows, forest thinning and culvert improvements. Read our proposal HERE
The Rural Groundwater Working Group has been working to pass resolutions at the city and county level that outline the need for groundwater monitoring outside of AMA units. This might sound familiar because it’s similar to legislation we’ve been trying to pass at the state capitol for three years now. Unfortunately, this resolution has failed to pass in Pinal and Maricopa County. With increasing concerns over water conservation, we’re expecting to see a more formal push for this legislation in the upcoming 2023 state legislative session. Read the resolution HERE.
ADEQ Comment Period for the Record of Decision for the Surface Water Protection Program (SWPP)
On August 18th, ADEQ issued their Record of Decision (ROD) in the Arizona Register. This is the official announcement by the Department to the public that they are issuing their final plan to implement the SWPP. The comment period closed on September 17th. On behalf of the AZTU-PPC, Tom Osterday submitted a comment letter. Jim Strogen also submitted a comment letter on behalf of the Gila Trout Chapter and the AZTU Conservation Committee. Our comments focused on two areas:
1) One of our greatest concerns is that the Social and Environmental values are often underestimated in the Economic, Social and Environmental Cost/Benefit Analyses. It is quite easy to identify the fees developers will pay, the taxes to be paid on a new development or business or the additional jobs to be created. But the Social and Environmental values are often harder to quantify, as acknowledged in the Technical Paper. We are proposing that ADEQ capitalize on a new report.
We emailed Senior Staff on July 13th, 2022, informing them about a report published by the United Nations-backed Intergovernmental Science-Policy platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). 139 countries have endorsed the report. The "authors hope the guide they've drawn up with the help of experts from a wide range of disciplines will make it easier for governments to consider more than the economic benefits of a project when deciding whether and how to go ahead with it."
Here is a link to the press release done by IPBES:
We ask that ADEQ use this state-of-the-art approach to assessing the social and environmental value of waters while executing the cost/benefit analyses when considering adding or deleting a water from the Protected Surface Waters List.
2) We have notified the Department multiple times, most recently on August 6, 2022, that there are 6 waters that are on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Coldwater Sportfisheries Strategic Vision Document for 2019-2029 which are listed as waters for native or wild trout that are not on the Protected Surface Waters List (PSWL).
Here is the list of those 6 waters:
1. Benny Creek (LC)
2. Benton Creek (LC)
3. Grapevine Creek (Agua Fria drainage/MG) Creek - Black River (SR)
4. Hayground Creek (SR)
5. McKittrick Creek (UG)
As waters where AZGFD is either currently managing populations of native or wild fish, or where they are planning to do so in the future, these waters should be protected. Please add them to the PSWL.
We will continue to monitor the SWPP implementation plans.
Execution of Officer Succession Plan
As we have been planning since November of last year, Ron Stearns has ascended from the Vice Chairman role to the Chairman position effective October 1! Ron was raised in Winslow, AZ into a railroad family. His dad was a fisherman and a hunter and he got Ron started at an early age. He had a bamboo fly rod that Ron started using in high school. Ron received an accounting degree from ASU in 1974, and was able to get a CPA certification a couple of years later. He went to work in Tucson in 1975 with a national accounting firm that transferred him to their Phoenix office in 1995. He had a total of 45 years with 2 firms in the accounting profession. About 10 years ago, Ron started getting active again with fishing and hunting, his passions, after years focused on his career. After retirement, he contacted Alan Davis in February 2021 to get active in the Zane Grey TU Chapter. In April 2021, Tom Osterday invited him to get more involved in the AZTU-PPC committee. Ron took on the Vice Chairman role in May of this year.
Dave Rozema, from the Gila Trout Chapter, has volunteered to serve as Secretary of our Committee. Dave Rozema retired as the Coconino County Attorney in 2017 and has been fly fishing throughout Arizona and North America since then. Dave has a special love for small streams and wild trout. He is a member of Payson Fly Casters and the TU Gila Chapter. Dave has been married to his childhood sweetheart Linda for forty years; they have four daughters, fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Tom Osterday will continue his participation in the leadership of the PPC as the Former Chairman.
Upcoming Events
November Meeting: Thursday, November 10th at 7:00 PM. Our guest speaker will be Elvy Barton from SRP.
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The AZTU Public Policy Committee (PPC) hosts a virtual meeting on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 until 8:00 PM. If you are interested, please contact Ron Stearns at PublicPolicyChair@az-tu.org .
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Your vote absolutely matters! |
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Trout Unlimited is a non-partisan conservation organization. But we are united in our dedication to conserving our coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. If you care about Arizona’s water, then make sure you don’t forget to research and vote for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD) board candidates that make the most sense for you.
Because of growing concerns over the water crisis on the Colorado River, the CAWCD board members will very likely be affecting your daily life. A full 80% of the State’s population is affected by the Central Arizona Project and the groundwater replenishment district that the CAWCD oversees.
Think your vote doesn’t make a difference? Then read on:
- 2018: The Democratic primary for Baltimore County executive in July was decided by just 17 votes.
- 2017: A Virginia House of Delegates race ended in a tie out of more than 23,000 votes cast. The tie was broken by pulling a name, placed in a film canister, out of a bowl.
- 2016: A Vermont state Senate Democratic primary was determined by a single vote out of more than 7,400 cast.
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Trout in the Classroom (TIC) Video Premieres |
We are pleased with the growth of the program in Arizona from 3 schools in 2016 to 40 schools in 2022 even with the delays caused by COVID.
In cooperation with Arizona Game and Fish Department, our partner, a 3.5-minute video on the Arizona TIC program was premiered at the October 5th TIC workshop for teachers and volunteers.
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The must-see video provides an overview of the Arizona program with testimonials from the students and teachers on the positive benefits they receive from the program. The video can be seen at www.aztic.org at the bottom of the page.
The eggs are now scheduled to arrive for anxious volunteers to deliver to the schools on November 14th!
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ZGTU Volunteer Opportunities |
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Recently the Zane Grey Chapter of Trout Unlimited (ZGTU) Chapter Board of Directors developed a Strategic Action Plan aligning our many diverse activities and helping better define our mission while setting our organizational course for the next several years.
Our focus, in formulating this plan, are the key factors that drive the Zane Grey Chapter as an organization:
- conservation;
- membership outreach;
- external and community outreach;
- chapter sustainability and leadership development; and,
- fundraising.
The ZGTU strategic plan is a dynamic document covering the next three-years and created as a map for ZGTU’s future. Our intention is implementing and updating often. Here is a link to the Plan or click on the picture below.
We are now looking to you, our chapter members, for help in reaching our Chapter goals! We know we have many talented chapter members that could assist in various ways, and we encourage you to become involved. Whether it’s an hour a month or more we want you! This will be a fun and rewarding endeavor! If you would like to know more and or are ready to “jump in” please reach out to:
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Recently the Zane Grey Chapter of Trout Unlimited (ZGTU) Chapter Board of Directors developed a Strategic Action Plan aligning our many diverse activities and helping better define our mission while setting our organizational course for the next several years.
Our focus, in formulating this plan, are the key factors that drive the Zane Grey Chapter as an organization:
- conservation;
- membership outreach;
- external and community outreach;
- chapter sustainability and leadership development; and,
- fundraising.
The ZGTU strategic plan is a dynamic document covering the next three-years and created as a map for ZGTU’s future. Our intention is implementing and updating often. Here is a link to the Plan or click on the picture below.
We are now looking to you, our chapter members, for help in reaching our Chapter goals! We know we have many talented chapter members that could assist in various ways, and we encourage you to become involved. Whether it’s an hour a month or more we want you! This will be a fun and rewarding endeavor! If you would like to know more and or are ready to “jump in” please reach out to:
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Thank you to all the TU and Desert Fly Casters volunteers who helped with a hugely successful carp instruction. Special thanks goes to Tom Horvath and Joe Staller for their leadership and good humor. Fun was had by all! |
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Women's Trip To Lees Ferry |
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A fun group of Women of TU were blown away by the beauty of Lees Ferry. Everyone got on some fish in that iconic setting. |
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Desert Flycasters, Az Flycasters and Zane Grey Chapter are co-sponsoring Salt River Saturday Conservation and Fishing events.
Dates starting in early November!
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Social Media:
Check out the Instagram page for
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Looking for a Fishing Opportunity? |
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Below is a list of fishing organizations in Arizona. Feel free to join, explore, visit their websites or attend a meeting to find out more information: |
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AZ Flycasters Club
@ The American Italian Club
7509 N 12th St
Phoenix, AZ 85020
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Fly-Fishing Social Event night - 2nd Tuesday of each month. Great speaker and awesome raffle. Donations support our Community outreach partners from Veterans to Youth activities.
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Desert Fly Casters
Check website for details.
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General meeting 2nd Wednesday of each month. Social Event 6-7 Meeting @ 7PM Great speakers; check website for details.
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AZFISHBOOK offers a variety of social activities. Listed below are some of the activities available.
Check out the AZFISHBOOK Groups at:
Looking for buddy to fish with?
Signup for AZFishBook Newsletter:
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Join Trout Unlimited Today!
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REMEMBER:
Your Conservation License Plate Supports TU Programs
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The Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation (AZSFWC) license plate fund is derived from the sale of wildlife conservation license plates and member organizations as well as non-member organizations are eligible to apply for those funds.
The Arizona TU Council and Chapters have received funds over the past seven years in support of the Annual Native and Wild Trout Conferences and the Trout in the Classroom programs.
The next time your registration comes up for renewal, choose the conservation license plate option at registration to show your support for conservation and our projects.
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Committed to
Protecting, Connecting and Restoring Arizona's watersheds and fisheries.
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Combined Calendar
AZ Trout Unlimited & Chapters, Arizona Flycasters Club and several other area fishing and conservation calendars
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You may access our calendar here.
Zane Grey Trout Unlimited
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Protect. Reconnect. Restore. Sustain. Conserving coldwater habitat in the desert southwest. |
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