Those of us that were around in the 80's and early 90's can recall the old Northwest Steelhead and Salmon Council of Trout Unlimited. Back then there were chapters throughout Western Washington and a few chapters on the eastside of the Cascades as well. These folks not only did great work, and had a long list of accomplishments, but the chapters were fun and offered a sense of community for those of us that love and pursue steelhead and salmon.

For various reasons most of those chapters are now but a fond memory. And in my view nothing has really come along to fill that void left by the demise of the old NWSSC of TU. Now I hear that the Associaton of Northwest Steelheaders is interested in forming chapters in Washington State. There were always strong ties between the two organizations since they both shared a common history. This move probably should have been made long ago, but better late than never. I welcome the opportunity to see a return to the kind of fishing organizagion we once had.

When I was a kid my dad took me to the tacoma meetings at the puyallup sportsmans club... I loved it when they would pull me up to draw the raffle tickets - Still have some of the gear that my dad won at the raffles back then.

There were some memorable folks that attended those meetings...

AuntyM, If memory serves me correcty (and it often doesn't) didn't tbe Wild Steelhead Coalition originate with some of the TU chapters? I seem to recall that the Northshore (Bothell) chapter was particularly involved in getting the WSC launched. But either way, you are correct. Indeed, there were actually several causes that lead to the demise of the NWSSC.

Yeah, I certainly agree those meetings and social events were fun. Those chapters were able to combine conservation work with a social or club atmosphere. And it worked. Today we have conservation organizations that are doing outstanding work addressing vital fisheries issues. But most lack that social element that the NWSSC had. I think we need both.

Frankly, I've never had contact with the PSA chapter here. But you're right, that's where most of TU went. To be honest, though, I know very little about them. Years ago they took a position on an issue I disagreed with so I never bothered to check further about the organization. My fault.

It's also possible that my stroll down nostalgia lane is actually rather pointless and silly. That's especiallly true when one considers the vital work that organizations like the Wild Steelhead Coalition are presently engaged in.

There's a CCA chapter that meets in Burlington every other month. Next meetng I'll make it a point to check them out.

I thought TU fell apart in this region due to National TU wild fish advocacy, advocacy to the point of abandoning hatchery fish. The wild trout position is a better fit in most regions, but in the PNW we're screwed with a wild fish only position. The PNW is focused on wild fish recovery, but absent hatchery salmon and steelhead, we have next to no fishing opportunity. I'm not sure if that was ever articulated very well to National TU.

Sg

that may be part of it, but i think there was also some blowback regarding local TU chapters in WA advocating publicly against wild steelhead release regulations.

it seemed to be a weird marriage between harvest oriented clubs and a national conservation organization.

National TU also did not want to be involved in fisheries allocation issues, which the NSSC was certainly involved with.

National TU went through a period of internal restructuring. The NSSC was not compatible with the new organizational structure.

National TU alienated local TU chapters

Oh yeah it was known to them, in fact pull up the 1990 Conservation Award Non Professional. That gentleman got the award for designing a hatchery program that did not conflict with wild stocks and is from Grays Harbor.

National CHOSE to go on a philosophical rampage dominated by Easterners and TU just collapsed around the in fighting that erupted. You gotta love enviro purest .... or not, but they are like a herd of lemmings and the cliff is always close!