June 2026 Newsletter
- Travis Figg
- Jul 16
- 9 min read
Mid Missouri Trout Unlimited CH 493
President’s Message:
Dear Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited Members,
Please enjoy your summer. We don’t have any scheduled meetings until September. Take lots of pictures and videos and if you have any that are appropriate for our Instagram Page please send them to me. I am a bit behind on getting our photos on the Instagram page.
So in the news for the chapter:
We have Ric Washburn working to update our website. His first step is to get the Chapter a free non-profit Google Workspace. It has been challenging and hard work but if he can pull it off it will improve our options for communications with the chapter leadership.
Sarah Havens, who the chapter is supporting, is taking initial steps to get four “Trout in the Classroom” projects started.
A group trip that many of our members were planning to take to Colorado late this summer probably won’t happen. We are waiting to see if the water will be cool enough and abundant enough for the fish and wildfire conditions will be adequate for the people, and it is unlikely that they will not be so.
In Ozark Council news:
The Ozark Council is having an in-person board meeting on June 27th. We are going to discuss the “Trout in the Classroom” and the “Stream Connections” Projects as well as other business.
In legislative news:
The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chaired by Senator Mike Lee of Utah has advanced the “Wildfire Prevention Act” to the Senate. This included an amendment to repeal the Roadless Rule. While it is unlikely that this legislation will pass with the repeal of the Roadess Rule amendment, it would be good to let our Senators know how we feel about this. In any case with similar legislation in the House and the Department of Agriculture nearing completion of it’s own rescission process we are likely to see the end of the Roadless Rule this summer. The Roadless Rule is a 2001 conservation policy that prohibited road construction, road reconstruction, and commercial timber harvesting across roughly 59 million acres of National Forest System lands. It affects about one-third of all U.S. Forest Service lands. Some folks think that the Roadless Rule reduces the ability of fire fighters to access remote wildfires, however a 2020 study by the Forest Service found that the lack of roads did not hinder wildfire fighting when compared to areas with roads. Additionally, the majority of wildfires occur near roads so the absence of roads is an advantage in preventing wildfires.
Tight lines everyone.
Doug Grove
June 26 Meeting Minutes:
The Mid-Missouri Chapter of Trout Unlimited met on June 2 at Bethel Park for the annual hot dog burn. More than 25 members and guests attended.
There was no program for the evening, just an evening of socializing. Several individuals were in attendance for the first time.
Paul Eggeman and James Rioux assisted with the “Keep’em Wet” campaign by putting beads on hooks that will used for tying 200 zebra midges. Materials kits for tying mohair leeches were also distributed. The grant proposal to the Conservation Federation to support 200 boxes and fly tying materials for the project was not funded, but Doug has suggested we go ahead with purchase of boxes and tying materials from Chapter funds. We currently have on hand approximately 60 filled and 60 empty boxes, plus 250 cracklebacks and 100 mohair leeches.
Curt distributed stickers with a water color of a fly and the words “2026 Trout Stamp” and Mid Missouri Trout Unlimited”. They can be obtained from Curt. A donation to the Chapter is appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Lamberson
Secretary
Advocacy:
It’s time for bold action on the lower Snake River
Protect Roadless Area
The Roadless Rule conserves nearly 60 million acres of undeveloped tracts of forest and grasslands across the country. Creating this policy -- and the robust public engagement process that went with it -- was arguably the best idea the Forest Service had in its history.
Now, this administration is trying to roll back the clock by attempting to repeal the Roadless Rule. This summer will be a key moment for us to influence the process. At the same time, the administration is dismantling the very agency charged with stewarding our entire national frest system, the US Forest Service.
Stand Up For Your Public Lands
Book Reviews by Bill Lamberson:
Book reviews:
It’s been a while since I have done any book reviews. I have read several recently and will give you my opinion. You old-timers may remember when Pucketts in downtown Columbia had a fly shop in the basement. Bob Worley managed it and kept a nice selection of books, and I always appreciated that he had read them and steered my toward those that I might like.
Those of you on the recent Driftless trips met Bob Luck from Minnesota. Bob has a book, “Wooly Buggers Don’t Count”, that is an enjoyable read of fishing essays. One of our members noted that Bob is no John Gierach, but maybe he is a cousin. Bob describes it as: “part how-to guide, part travelogue and part fishing stories, with a few Dad jokes thrown in.” You can find ordering information pocketwaterpress.com. Bob is a good friend of MMTU and if you like to read, I encourage you to buy a copy.
Another book that is close to home is “Crosscut Creek, A year of fly fishing on an Ozark Stream”, by Willoughly Johnson. Will has Columbia connections and some of you may know him. It is likewise an enjoyable short read. It is fun to speculate on what creek Will describes; some, but not all names are changed. Like Will, I own a little land and can relate to the tree planting and other chores. Alas, I have no trout stream running through my farm, but have deer, turkeys, and even a few quail.
My favorite book of the month is, “A Fishable Feast”, by Kirk Deeter and Matthew Supinski.
This is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. Kirk Deeter is editor of Trout magazine and his editorial skills show in this book. It is superbly written and the photos are magnificent. This book follows the authors’ travels around the world and the fishing stories are accompanied by the favorite local foods with recipes. The stories are great and the food is mouth-watering. I have tried many of them and highly recommend them. This book is worth every penny of its $45 price tag. My wife measures my enjoyment of books by how often I read excerpts to her and by the number of Page Points marking favorite passages (my daughter one commented after I once again asked for Page Points for Christmas “Why does dad need so many, does he eat them like chips?” and this book has had many of both. It is available on Amazon or better yet at T. Hargrove.
A disappointing read was Jerry Kustich’s “Bamboo Days, Memories of an old rod builder”. I know Jerry from the relatively small bamboo rod making fraternity and he has made significant contributions at Winston and moreover at Sweetgrass. I have much respect for Jerry’s and his partners’ rodmaking contributions. The stories of this book aren’t so bad, although rather melancholy, but it is badly in need of an editor with a sharp pencil. I was left thinking “how did this ever get published?” but then realized it was published by his brother’s publishing company! None of us are getting younger, and maybe I just don’t want to read about no longer being able to wade my favorite riffles.
NLC News from Rich Thomas:
Chris Wood Testifies Before Congress: On Thursday, May 21st, Chris
> testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on
Federal Lands. His five-minute statement comes on about 2 hours and 35
minutes (2:35) into the hearing. He then asked a few questions around hour 3
and 16 minutes. (3:16).
Data Centers: Trout Unlimited just released (a much anticipated) a
y_5_4_26.pdf> data center policy and
<https://www.tu.org/responsible-data-center-development/> accompanying
website which I hope you will find of value. This was a topic at many of
the regional rendezvous' of which now we have an official policy. (Editor’s note the NLC Climate Change Workgroup led a discussion at all of the regionals. Mark van Roojen a member from Lincoln, NE and I led the panel at the MW. We had over 20 attendees and 6 planned to join the CCWG.
2026 Regional Rendezvous': With the completion of the Midwestern Rendezvous
in April, I'm happy to report that all of the events were well received. I
had the opportunity to meet with many leaders and as I noted last month, I
wanted to share some of the highlights (for me). Bottom line, I was ecstatic
to see the events getting younger many new faces in attendance. I also
heard about many who were sponsored by their chapters and/or councils. This
is something I've written about in the past and must continue to emphasize
the importance of building your leadership by sending someone to and event
such as the rendezvous. Also of note was the diversity of topics, both
national and local. A BIG shout out to Beverly and her team for the
planning and execution of all four rendezvous' this year!
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.
Advocacy:
HOT CREEK, CALIFORNIA
This geologically rich area creates a technical fishery with big browns, so anglers are standing up to protect it from gold mine exploration. Read more: https://www.tu.org/magazine/conservation/places-worth-protecting/places-worth-protecting-hot-creek-california/?utm_source=informz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=none&_zs=hW5wb&_zl=Mlp25
WORTH DEFENDING
Idaho's 32 million acres of public lands are a cornerstone of its identity, and this legislative session saw efforts to keep those lands in public hands. https://www.tu.org/magazine/conservation/public-lands/public-lands-are-worth-defending-and-thats-just-what-idaho-did/?utm_source=informz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=none&_zs=hW5wb&_zl=gd605
Restoration
EXTENSIVE WORK
In northern Idaho, communities and fish benefit from reconnected habitat, cleaner water and healthier forests. https://troutunlimited.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT00Njk1MjMwJnA9MSZ1PTQwNzAyMjM0OSZsaT01NjkwMDkxOA/index.html
Conservation Thoughts:
TU was founded as a Conservation Organization
TU makes fishing better
The biggest threat to trout is global warming
Burning gasoline, coal, oil and natural gas produces carbon dioxide, the biggest cause of global warming
What will we do about it?
The best answer is a federal policy to reduce carbon emissions.
Until we can reduce emissions, we help trout adapt by planting trees and other other measures to cool streams.
We strive to keep public lands public.
We push back against repealing the Roadless Rule.
We assist in removing barriers to fish passage
We share our concerns with the amount of water, electricity and land that date centers use.
If a data center will significantly harm the environment, we work with TU staff to oppose it.
How can we reduce our personal carbon footprints?
• carpool to fish
• combine trips
• get a more fuel efficient vehicle the next time I trade
Fishing:
Wind - Take what anglers and guides barely mention and turn it into a super power with these tips. https://www.tu.org/magazine/fishing/the-true-cast/true-cast-fly-casting-in-the-wind/?utm_source=informz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=none&_zs=hW5wb&_zl=Mec15
Take a look at what the TU Costa 5 Rivers Ambassador Summit is all about while being in awe of the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.
AN AMBITIOUS RIVER CLEANUP IN WEST VIRGINIA
Volunteers showed up in force over three days for the inaugural Sweep the South Branch cleanup within the Potomac River headwaters. They cleaned nearly 19 river miles, with a goal to cover the full 133 miles of the South Branch in future years. https://troutunlimited.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT00NjkxMjUxJnA9MSZ1PTQwNzAyMjM0OSZsaT01Njc5MDUxOQ/index.html
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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