November Newsletter

Written By Jesse Lance Robbins

Good morning from the Redsides!

In this newsletter, we're highlighting a variety of local conservation issues and engagement opportunities, as well as a couple upcoming in-person events here in the Eugene area. See below for more information.

The Redsides board has been meeting monthly and we are now looking towards early-2025 for our next in-person events and projects. We'll be holding a strategic planning session in mid-December in Springfield, and would love to have you join! Please reply to this email if you'd like to learn more.

Thanks for staying with us, and as always, reach out via email with any questions, comments, or suggestions.

Cheers!


Interim Chapter Officers,
Andy Archer
Charlie Gearing
Gardner Imhoff
Peter Jensen
Scott Lightcap
Jesse Robbins
Will Stephens

Trout Unlimited Happy Hour & Deschutes River Alliance Film

On Tuesday, Dec. 3rd, the Redsides and Bluebacks (Corvallis) chapters of TU will be holding a happy hour at PublicHouse in Springfield from 5 - 6 p.m. We'll be in 'The Study' room, which is adjacent to the Beer Hall.

Following the happy hour, we'll migrate a few blocks to the Wildish Theatre on Main Street in Springfield to view the Deschutes River Alliance's new film, The Last 100 Miles, which starts at 6:30 p.m. More information and tickets are available here.

2024 State of Trout Unlimited

From Vermont to Virginia and the Driftless to coastal Oregon and beyond, Trout Unlimited staff, volunteers, and partners are leveraging public and private dollars to restore wild and native fish populations.  

In his annual State of Trout Unlimited talk, TU president and CEO Chris Wood celebrates our wins this year—and some of the champions who made them possible. Click here to watch the address.

2024 International Fly Fishing Film Festival in Springfield

Revel Fly Fishing is hosting the International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) at the Wildish Theater in Springfield on Thursday, Dec. 5th. The IF4 is a wonderful collection of professionally made fly fishing films from around the globe that highlight the beauty and culture of fly fishing. This annual event is a time for the Eugene/Springfield community to gather and celebrate our great sport, while supporting a great cause.

The film festival will serve as a fundraiser for Fly Fishing Collaborative (FFC), a Portland based non-profit working to provide sustainable solutions to human trafficking. By partnering with the fly fishing community and local leaders in high trafficking areas, FFC fights for freedom and recovery for children affected by human trafficking each year.

Doors open at 6 p.m. to allow for viewing of the raffle and silent auction items. 13th and Louis will be playing live music starting when the doors open, and beer will be provided by Falling Sky Brewing. Food trucks will also be present on site for dinner. Show will begin at 7 p.m.  

Cost is $15 per ticket, and can be purchased online, at Home Waters Fly Fishing or Caddis Fly Shop. Day of show/at the door ticket price is $18.

Prior to the film festival, there's an in-person gathering on Saturday, Nov. 23rd, at Alton Baker and Falling Sky Brewing. Starting at 2:45 p.m. in the park, there'll be Spey casting demonstrations and then at 4:30 p.m. in the brewery, there'll be fly tying demonstrations, film teasers, beer tastings, and more!

ODFW Seeks Input on Revised Statewide Fish Passage Barrier Priority List

ODFW has developed an update to the Statewide Fish Passage Barrier Priority List, which is revised every five years.

This Priority List identifies the most critical manmade barriers to fish passage in the state and ranks them based on the amount of habitat quality and quantity blocked, current level of passage, number of species blocked and other factors. This list is used to help direct enforcement and restoration efforts throughout Oregon.

Click here to learn more and comment.

Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council Volunteer Opportunity

The City of Westfir and the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council invite you to join them in restoration efforts at the Westfir Confluence Park located at the confluence between the North Fork of the Middle Fork Willamette and Middle Fork Willamette Rivers.

On Wednesday, November 20th from 10 - 2, volunteers and staff will be removing invasive species and planting native plants as a part of ongoing habitat restoration. Click here for more information and to register.

Wild Fish For All Scholarship - Academic Scholarship for BIPOC in Fisheries Conservation

The Native Fish Society believes that supporting diverse voices builds a groundswell for the revival of abundant wild fish in the Pacific Northwest. To elevate these diverse voices and breakdown barriers to racial and gender diversity in fisheries conservation, they created the Wild Fish For All scholarship. In 2024, we are again joined by the Tualatin Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited and will be offering two Wild Fish For All Scholarships.

Deadline is Friday, November 15. Click here for more information and to apply.

Board Members & Chapter Officers Wanted!

Are you interested in helping to plan future Redsides events and efforts? We're looking for new Board Members and a chapter Treasurer to help us with chapter operations and our strategic planing, and would love to have you join us. We are also looking for volunteers to help drive our social media strategy and channels. Email us at trout@theredsides.org if you're interested in learning more.

Links, News, Events & Media

Jesse Lance Robbins