Education serves as the pathway for cultivating a passion for conservation. Through imparting the joy of fly fishing to our members, we instill an appreciation for the significance of our cold water fisheries. This emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts aimed at protecting, reconnecting, and restoring our vital ecosystems. The Hemingway TU Chapter is committed to providing diverse experiences for adults and the youth of the Wood River Valley. Below you can find information on youth programming, Spaulding Scholarship, and our blog highlighting various outings. To stay in the loop please join our mailing for regular updates on engagement opportunities.
YOUTH EDUCATION
Every year, Hemingway TU offers a range of educational opportunities to enrich the lives of youth in the Wood River Valley. For the last 14 years, we have had the privilege of working with approximately 130 kids.
The students immerse themselves in a day at the Hayspur Fish Hatchery, where they explore trout breeding, engage in a bird walk to learn about bird identification, participate in an engaging game focusing on ecology and conservation, and receive hands-on instruction in the art of catch-and-release fishing with fly rods. Our collaboration with Idaho Fish and Game ensures expert-led excursions through the hatchery and the stocking of the pond with rainbow trout, promising a day filled with laughter, bent rods, and beaming faces.
For more information or to be part of this great effort please please contact:
Bob Knoebel, Youth Education
Trout Unlimited, Hemingway Chapter
info.hemingwaytu@gmail.com
208-720-0005
SPAULDING SCHOLARSHIP
Trout Unlimited has established the Dave Spaulding Memorial Scholarship to honor Dave and perpetuate his memory by recognizing promising students from local high schools who aspire to earn a college degree in one of Dave's primary interest areas: conservation, STEM fields, biological sciences, ecology and/or history. Beginning with the class of 2022, students graduating from all Blaine County high schools are invited to apply for a $1500 renewable grant. One student has been selected each year, meaning that four students in total will be supported after four years and for each year thereafter. A student may reapply for the grant each year they are in college, multiplying the $1500 grant to a $6000 grant in total over the four years.
DONATE TO THE SPAULDING SCHOLARSHIP
ONGOING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
ALTURAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Hemingway TU members play an important role in teaching kids to fish and to appreciate our environment. Volunteers helped to SUSTAIN the sport we love by sharing our skills. We will spend the day with 80 fourth-graders from the Alturas Elementary School many who are first-time anglers! The day included fishing, birding , games and a tour of the hatchery (thanks Jamie Mitchell and your staff at Hayspur!). These enthusiastic kids had a great day as they caught a trout and then released it to watch it swim away. Volunteers always experience a reward for their efforts when they see the smiles on the faces of these kids.
YMCA
We have had many very successful events fishing with YMCA students. There are always lots of large fish caught on flies and released, resulting in big smiles on the faces of these ambitious anglers. Owls, yellow warblers, Northern harriers and red winged black birds, were just a few of the bird sightings the accompanied a fun and educational tour of the fish hatchery by the IDFG crew.
HIGHER GROUND YOUTH
This was our final youth education/fishing outing for the year. It was a thrill for these youngsters to be able to catch and release Rainbow Trout, see birds and play some games that helped them learn about the environment and go through a tour of the trout hatchery. Come out and volunteer to take some kids fishing. It is always a lot of fun for both the kids and the volunteers. Contact Bob Knoebel, Chairman, Youth Education, 720-0005 to volunteer.
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