July 2026 Newsletter
- Travis Figg
- 10 minutes ago
- 14 min read
Mid Missouri Trout Unlimited CH 493
President’s Message
Dear Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited Members,
Friends it is my sad duty to inform you of the passing our long term member and friend Bob Hook. There is too much to say about Bob to write in this message so please read the announcement elsewhere in the newsletter. Bob will be missed.
Well it is past mid-Summer now so I hope you have all been able to get in some fishing in-spite of the heat. September will soon be here and it will be time for our first Tuesday monthly Shakespeare South Pizza gathering. We don’t have a program yet so we may just gather to tell fish stories. The gathering starts at 6:00 PM on Tuesday September 1. Board members are asked to come at 5:30 for a board meeting. We will have a lot to discuss so we may reconvene after the pizza gathering is over.
Ric Washburn has made some big improvements on our website. Some of you have given me some feedback which I haven’t passed on yet so if you don’t see what you want then that is on me. As always feel free to remind me when I drop the ball. Ric is still working to get the chapter a free non-profit Google Workspace. It has been challenging to meet Google’s requirements. I thank him for his hard work.
Sarah Havens, who the chapter is supporting, is making progress getting four “Trout in the Classroom” projects started. She now has most of the money she needs to get started from our chapter and from the Ozark Council. The new Ozark Mountain Chapter may be donating some money as well.
Canceling the Colorado trip this year was necessary. Water reserves are very low this year and stream temperatures are dangerous for trout in many places. There are lots of closures.
The Ozark Council held an in-person board meeting on June 27th at Lane Spring Campground. We discussed the “Trout in the Classroom” and the “Stream Connections” Projects as well as other business. Money to help the new Ozark Mountain Chapter (Springfield) get started as well as matching funds for the new “Trout in the Classroom Project” were approved.
Bill Lamberson and I went to Springfield for one of the new Ozark Mountain Chapter’s meetings early in July. They are a fun group and I was glad to be there.
The Tri-Lakes Fly Fishing Show will be September 11th and 12th. Trout unlimited will have access to a booth again and I am looking for folks to volunteer to help introduce Missouri Fly Fishers to the good work we are doing.
The Women's Free Fishing Day at Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, Missouri, is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, running from 7:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. During this event, female anglers of all ages can fish for trout without a state fishing license or daily tag fees. The chapter will have a booth and will be giving away fly boxes. I am looking for folks to help at the booth and if you can’t be there you can always tie flies before hand. Bill Lamberson can tell you what we need or you can tie your favorite cracklebacks or mohair leaches
I would like to have a stream clean up on Spring Creek (near Newburg in Phelps County) on October 2. Please let me know if you can volunteer. We hope to get a few bags of trash filled and get some fishing in on this or any of the other nearby trout streams. The sign needs to be fixed but I don’t think we will be able to coordinate that in time. That effort needs coordination with the US Forest Service.
The chapter is investigating the possibility of hosting the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) showing this year. We are looking for a venue where we can have the showing on a Sunday evening in Columbia with a place to socialize with our community before and/or after the event. Our hope is to do this in October, so stay posted.
If you are a fly tyer please consider donating fishing flies to the chapter. We have many opportunities to donate these flies either through our keep them wet program, for fundraising campaigns, or as donations to the Mayfly Project. You can always donate directly to the Mayfly Project as well. If you are not familiar with that organization
Sarah and Ben Havens are good contacts for the Bennett Springs Mayfly Project.
Trout Unlimited’s Climate Change Workgroup has been working hard on a policy for Data Centers and I hope that you keep up on what they are doing. Trout Unlimited Information about Data Center Development
Another very good resource to understanding the issue is the Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited policy statement. Click to Read PA TU Policy
Tight lines everyone.
Doug Grove
A TRIBUTE TO BOB HOOK
Reuel (Bob) Robert Hook, Jr. was a former long-time member of Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited. Bob was a Saturday morning fixture at Clearwater Fly Shop. An excellent and adventurous angler, Bob didn’t limit his fishing to trout, often taking spur of the moment trips to warmer climates for saltwater fishing. When asked how he knew what to use in an unfamiliar saltwater location, he replied, “Use something white”. He led chapter members on trips to Montana and Alaska, some of which might have been more exciting than expected!
Bob was especially known for his fly tying. He tied professionally and was very generous donating boxes of flies for children to be given away at the MMTU fund raising banquet, as well as donating beautiful trout flies for our auction. I have for many years been working my way through a Wheatley box of stimulators that Bob tied and donated. When Bob left Mid-Missouri for Florida several years ago, we roasted him at the ‘Bob Hook Memorial Banquet’.
Bob was born in Elkins, West Virginia, on May 3, 1939. He earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology in 1968 at West Virginia University in Morgantown. He was a faculty member at the University of Missouri from 1968 until his retirement in 2000 spending much of his professional life studying melanoma cancers. In 1990, he transferred to the MU College of Veterinary Medicine where he studied human sexually transmitted diseases.
Bob married the love of his life, Marilyn Wells, of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, on July 27, 1963. Bob is survived by Marilyn, daughter Kirstie De Gon (Joseph), daughter Wendy Guevel, and son Reuel Robert Hook III (Lindsey, Corey). He is also survived by 5 much-loved grandchildren.
Mid-Missouri TU will facilitate funding a grove of trees in memory of Bob.
Donations can be made by check to: Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited
Please mail to: Ty Figg 800 Norman Drive, Columbia, MO. 65201.
ADVOCACY
Passing the Passion Along
This 95 year old TU volunteer still runs down and back to the river every day while considering his legacy and encouraging future generations to engage with conservation.
Roadless Rule
Our results demonstrate that rescinding the Roadless Rule would diminish protections for rivers, and may compromise drinking water quality and affordability, reduce recreational opportunities, and threaten freshwater biodiversity.
For more than a century, forest policy in the United States has recognized the importance of protecting forested watersheds to safeguard water resources. The 2001 U.S. Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule) established Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) across approximately 60 million acres of National Forest System lands to sustain high-quality soil, water, biodiversity, and recreational values by restricting road building and commercial timber harvest. Because IRAs are administratively designated rather than legislatively protected, they remain vulnerable to policy reversals. Recent efforts to rescind the Roadless Rule have renewed concerns about potential ecological and economic consequences. Here, we assess vulnerabilities to weakened protections under the Roadless Rule by quantifying the benefits IRAs provide for river protection, clean water provisioning, recreational opportunities, and aquatic biodiversity across the conterminous United States.
We find that IRAs protect over 130,000 kms of streams and rivers, representing 2.5% of total river length, and serve as the primary protection mechanism for more than 100,000 kms of rivers (1.9%) when accounting for other regulatory and conservation frameworks. These protections are geographically widespread and particularly important in regions with limited alternative safeguards. IRA-influenced watersheds supply drinking water to at least 25 million Americans, with several states sourcing water for over one-third of their populations from these areas. Proximity of National Forests to urban centers amplifies these benefits, even in states with relatively small IRA extents. In addition, IRA-protected watersheds overlap substantially with high-demand hunting and fishing areas and support diverse aquatic biodiversity.
Our results demonstrate that rescinding the Roadless Rule would diminish protections for rivers, and may compromise drinking water quality and affordability, reduce recreational opportunities, and threaten freshwater biodiversity.Safeguarding Roadless Rule protections is therefore essential for sustaining ecosystem services, supporting human well-being, and advancing broader conservation and resilience goals under increasing climatic and land-use pressures.
Protect Bristol Bay Salmon
At this very moment, a massive underwater migration of wild salmon is returning to the rivers of Bristol Bay, Alaska — some of the best fish habitat left on earth.
As the salmon return to Bristol Bay, we return to court to defend their homewaters.
What’s going on?
On June 25, 2026, Trout Unlimited and partners will appear before the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska to defend the Clean Water Act 404(c) safeguards that currently shield Bristol Bay’s world‑class fishery from risks of the proposed Pebble Mine. The Pebble Limited Partnership, the foreign‑owned company behind the project, continues to relentlessly push to overturn these hard‑won, widely supported safeguards.
Trout Unlimited, along with a diverse coalition of Tribal, economic, and environmental stakeholders have filed as “intervenors” in these lawsuits. While each intervenor brings unique concerns, TU’s role highlights Bristol Bay’s unmatched ecological and recreational value and its vital place in Alaska’s economy and America’s hunting and fishing heritage.
What to expect?
There is likely to be a lot of buzz in the news around this hearing, but we wanted you to hear the facts directly from us. We will follow up after the hearing with a clear summary of what unfolded and what it means for the path ahead.
How can you help?
Your voice is more important than ever. Demonstrating that Bristol Bay’s fishing and hunting community remains engaged is essential to ensure that we can hold the line.
Here are a few simple actions you can take:
2. Take action when we send alerts
3. Donate if you’re able
Each year, the salmon return to Bristol Bay. It’s our privilege to witness the awe of their return, and our responsibility to make sure they always have a place to come back to.
In solidarity for salmon,
-Tica and Trout Unlimited’s Save Bristol Bay team President
Trout and Drought: What to Know
With low water and high temps, here are two ways you can help keep fish and fisheries healthy this summer. Click to read: Two Things Anglers Can Do In Times of Drought
CONSERVATION
MISSOURI
Forever Chemicals Surge Past Federal Limits in Some Missouri Water Systems Click to Read
The Beacon
NATIONAL Could Nuclear Power Help Pump Water into the Colorado River?
Click to Read
12 News
Fort Myers Beach Officials Issue Fertilizer Reminder After Buccaneer Lagoon Fish Kill
Click to Read WINK
Officials Issue Warning After Spotting Predatory Fish in River Where it Doesn’t Belong
Yahoo!News
Ladies Fishing Day at Bennett
As Doug’s message says, our chapter will have a booth and will be giving away fly boxes. Doug is looking for folks to help at the booth and if you can’t be there you, tie some flies for the event. Bill Lamberson can tell you what we need or you can tie your favorite cracklebacks or mohair leaches.
Greg sent more information to Doug:
On September 26, 2026 the MDC and more directly, the crew at Bennett Spring State Park Fish Hatchery, will be holding Women’s Free Fishing Day. We, the Capital City Fly Fishers (CCFF), have been involved for several years with this event and every year hope to bring a little extra to all the attendees.
We are once again inviting like minded organizations to join us to help enhance the experience. We are contacting some conservation groups and fly fishing clubs to ask if you would like to join us. This is a great opportunity to present to a group that already has interest in Missouri’s natural resources and fishing. The number of women attending has exceeded 500 each of the last two years and that does not even include male family members that joined them.
The event starts at 9 am and will end around 2-3pm as traffic dictates. CCFF will provide information about the many activities and events we have throughout the year to try and draw more interest to our conservation efforts and the sport of fly fishing. With the help of The Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust, we will also be giving out fishing equipment to as many attendees as we can. The Friends of Bennett Spring will have several people there to tie flies.
Knowing that attendees come from all over the state, makes this the perfect place to let people find out about organizations and conservation issues closer to home and statewide. If you have a message to share or simply want to make people more aware of your events and activities, then please join us!
In the past, fly clubs have also provided some sort of added value. If you would like to share something, whether it be knot tying, casting, a fishing technique, or any tips and tricks, I’m sure the attendees would be appreciative of the information. Conservation groups have displayed the many efforts they work on and how everyone can help. If you do decide to join in, we can discuss any ideas you may have.
Event information is as follows:
Name: Women’s Free Fishing Day
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 9 am to 2-3pm
Where: Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, MO
Zone 2 Fishing Area
Info: Tent, Table and chairs provided (1 table per group)
Parking will be limited, early arrival is recommended
Set up will start around 8 am, Fishing starts at 6:30 am
Please contact me if you would like to attend or have any questions about the event. A response by September 10 would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Greg Curtin
Capital City Fly Fishers
Email: gjc14thebooks@gmail.com
Phone/Text: 651-492-4025
NLC News from Rich Thomas:
Welcome John Burns, Trout Unlimited's New Chairman of the Board: John Burns
assumed the role of Chairman of the Board on April 1. John is from the
greater Boston area where he continues to spend his career building,
investing in, leading, and scaling consumer-facing organizations.
John reviewed his core principles at the June 17th NLC Business meeting on in how he plans to continue
advancing TU forward. John also shared a more in-depth overview with the
board at the summer BOT meeting in Bozeman. I'm highly encouraged by his direction and hope you will be as
well.
Protecting Public Lands, from Corey Fisher, TU Public Lands Policy Director:
Hopefully you have seen the following from Corey which was sent to our
membership on June 24th. Please be sure to encourage your Council and
Chapters to take action on this important topic.
The Bureau of Land Management is proposing changes that would reduce public
input and remove habitat safeguards in oil and gas leasing decisions on our
public lands.
Keep the public in public lands - take action now!
These lands belong to all Americans, but the proposal would make it harder
for anglers, hunters, and local communities to weigh in before leasing
decisions are made.
It would also eliminate safeguards that helped steer development away from
sensitive fish and wildlife habitat, including the headwater streams and
watersheds that support healthy trout populations. Lastly, the proposal
would eliminate bonding requirements that ensure taxpayers aren't left
holding the bag when companies default on their reclamation obligations.
BLM is accepting public comments, and your voice matters. Take action now!
Please take a moment to tell the agency that public lands decisions should
remain transparent and that habitat protections should remain part of the
oil and gas leasing process.
TAKE ACTION NOW
Keep public lands in public hands!
"Planned Giving," do you care enough for TU by making us part of your estate
planning? Recently, the Board of Trustees was asked to "up their game" by
participating in a new campaign, TU's Legacy Match Challenge. This program
as help build our endowment. We actually have one board member who has
pledged $2000 (up to $200K) to TU's endowment per anyone making a future
commitment to TU through planned giving.
Campaign Period: August 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027
Objectives:
* Secure 100 new documented planned gift commitments
* Generate up to $200,000 in new endowment funding
* Increase Stream Guardian Society membership by roughly 30%
* Expand TU's pipeline of planned gifts for future legacy revenue
Strategic Benefits - The campaign will:
* Provide a simple, organization-wide entry point for planned giving
conversations.
* Engage Board of Trustees members as advocates and ambassadors.
* Create opportunities for major gift officers, staff, chapters, and
volunteers to identify legacy prospects.
* Build a stronger culture of philanthropy focused on TU's future.
* Increase long-term financial resilience through documented future
commitments.
Currently, 59% of the board have made clear their intentions to include TU
in their estate planning. We are trying to raise that to 100 % board
participation.
Reminder, <http://cx3.tu.org/> CX3 Twin Cities | Sept. 23-27 TU Annual
Meeting & NLC Business Meeting:
In 2026, the annual and NLC business meeting will take place in person at
CX3 Twin Cities, Sept. 23-27. NLC workgroup meetings and the NLC Business
Meeting will take place on Fri., Sept. 25, with additional optional
activities throughout the week including fishing, conservation tours, the
Annual Awards Banquet, State of TU and outdoor service projects.
To support required in-person participation, TU will again provide a $1,250
travel stipend per council to offset the cost of attendance for NLC Reps.
These funds are intentionally sent to councils, rather than directly to
individuals, to give councils flexibility. If an NLC Rep's costs exceed the
stipend, councils can cover the difference, and if costs are lower, councils
are encouraged to use remaining funds to support additional attendees.
Registration for CX3 will open soon, and we will notify you as soon as it is
live. In the meantime, please begin making your plans. Once registered,
stipends will be issued via EFT to council bank accounts.
Registration is open. Please see <http://cx3.tu.org/> Cx3.tu.org
Trout Unlimited National Conservation (NCA) Agenda 2026-2027:
Note the remaining 2026 timeline:
* January - April 30, 2026: Councils to collectively complete the NCA
questionnaire and submit via Doodle Poll. (in progress)
* May - September, 2026: NLC Steering Committee to review, categorize
and then share results with workgroups outlining the 2026-2028 National
Conservation Agenda.
* September 25, 2026: Formal approval by NLC at Annual Business
Meeting.
III. Best Practices (for the good of your council and chapters)
Are you performing the "liaison role" with respect to your in-state
constituents and as it relates to your NLC position?
Remembering this important NLC role is key in supporting your council and
chapters. As a reminder (and from the NLC Orientation package), these are
the attributes for building on the NLC relationship between all levels
within the organization as well as working with key partners.
From the Orientation package:
Increasingly, TU is calling on our NLC Representatives to be mentors and
resources for their councils and chapters to achieve the goals of increasing
organizational capacity. This means Reps are asked to:
* Be the first point of contact for chapters / volunteer leaders who
have questions about leadership, where to find volunteer resources and how
to grow their chapter or council.
* Know and understand TU's organizational structure and be able to
connect volunteer leaders to the correct support staff.
* Proactively communicate and encourage implementation of TU policies
as well as best practices in chapter and council activity.
* Mentor, guide and train chapter and council volunteers with local,
regional or statewide support, outreach and / or trainings.
* Actively participate within 1 - 2 NLC Work Groups
* Proactively communicate with peers via the TU National Communication
Forums (NLC, CCs, Leaders Only)
Fishing:
All about brook trout
CHASING SMALLIES
Give trout a break during low and warm water conditions by throwing streamers for smallmouth bass. https://www.tu.org/magazine/fishing/spend-summer-chasing-smallmouth-with-streamers/?utm_source=informz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=none&_zs=hW5wb&_zl=LHH45
TROUT TIP - TEACHING
You'll find nothing but a win-win situation when helping someone learn to fly fish. https://www.tu.org/magazine/fishing/trout-tips/trout-tip-teaching/?utm_source=informz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=none&_zs=hW5wb&_zl=NHH45
Correcting Casting Mistakes
Water Quality Monitoring Training:
Please continue to send me items for the newsletter.
Thanks for all you do for trout,
`
Jeff Holzem
MMTU Newsletter Editor
MMTU Advocacy Coordinators
Ozark Council Climate Change Coordinator
NLC Climate Change Workgroup Co-Chair
OZARK Council NLC Rep
President | Doug Grove |
Past President | John Wenzlick |
Secretary | Bill Lamberson |
Treasurer | Ty Figg |
Financial Reviewer | Curt Morgret |
At Large Board Members | Lynn Kleopfer, Eric Cunningham |
Banquet Chairs | Curt Morgret |
Alternative Funding Committee | Chalen Jackson |
Education Director | John Wenzlick |
Stream Team | John Wenzlick |
Membership | Curt Morgret |
Conservancy | Bill Lamberson |
Conservancy | Sam Potter |
e-Newsletter | Jeff Holzem |
Web Master | TY Figg |
Facebook editor | Ben Moore |
Event Planning | Doug Grove |
Advocacy | Jeff Holzem |
Diversity | Open |
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