Trout Unlimited will be taking over Eugene on April 1-2 for the Western Regional Meeting being held this year at Valley River Inn.
Trout Unlimited, the nation’s largest coldwater fisheries conservation nonprofit, holds regional meetings around the US and this year’s Western Regional is right here in our backyard, with over 100 TU volunteers from across the West descending on Eugene for two days of workshops, presentation, conversations, and networking opportunities.
While regional meetings are designed for current TU volunteers, they’re also an excellent opportunity for folks interested in learning more about the work Trout Unlimited does to preserve, reconnect, restore, and sustain North America’s coldwater fisheries. Whether you’re a seasoned TU veteran or someone who just enjoys trout, salmon, or steelhead and want to know more about ways to get involved with conservation efforts happening across the US, this meeting is not to be missed. You can catch the full agenda here, and registration is live here. Cost to attend is $165 including meals Friday and Saturday, or just $10 if you’d prefer to skip meals and come for breakout sessions.
The agenda is jam packed with a plenary address from ODFW Director Curt Melcher, and breakout sessions on a wide range of topics including leadership development training for TU volunteers, updates from Wild Steelheaders United, a showing of Freshwater Illustrated’s UPRIVER, and Chad Brown discussing his work with veterans and youth through Soul River Runs Wild. On top of two days of enlightening work sessions, we’ve also put together some evening entertainment that will benefit local fisheries and provide networking time for TU volunteers from across the West to talk shop and get to know some new friends.
Friday night, the Oregon Council of Trout Unlimited will be hosting a fundraiser at Ninkasi Brewing’s headquarters (195 Blair Blvd.- NOT the tasting room on Van Buren) with a silent auction and raffle items from some of Oregon’s most trout-friendly businesses. The Caddis Fly has generously donated a guided McKenzie fishing trip and a $250 gift certificate for whatever new gear is on your list. Other prizes include a Dean Finnerty North Umpqua Flywater guided trip, TU-branded Sawyer PoleCat Oars with V-Lam blades, Korkers wading boots, fly rods from TFO and Cortland, wading gear from AQUAZ, a 6-month subscription to Postfly Box, trips on the Deschutes and Madison Rivers, and much, much more! Space for this fundraiser is extremely limited, so register today if you’d like a chance at any of these items! Tickets for Friday night’s fundraiser are $55 and include attendance at Friday’s work sessions along with dinner from Mucho Gusto and complimentary beverages from Ninkasi. To signup, click here and select “Meeting Only Registration” and check the “Friday Dinner Only” checkbox.
Saturday night, the crew from Pig Farm Ink will be at Falling Sky Pour House and Deli raising a ruckus with an Iron Fly tying night, complete with mystery fly tying ingredients and prizes for the night’s best fish-catching creations. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited so show up early to make sure you find a seat and/or a vice if you’re so inclined!
Many thanks to all those who made this year’s Western Regional come together, and a big thanks to The Caddis Fly Shop for their TU Business Gold-Level support!
Kyle Smith, Membership Engagement Manager at TU
