HISTORY
During the summer of 1959 on the banks of Au Sable River in Michigan, the national organization of Trout Unlimited was founded. The 16 fishermen were gathered at the home of George Griffith and were discussing the ability of fish to become far superior if left to their own devices. This new organization was dedicated to ensuring that wild and native trout populations were allowed to thrive, as nature intended.
n the late 1970s, Phoenix had two active Federation of Fly Fishers (“FFF”) chapters: The Arizona Fly Casters (meeting in Phoenix) and the Desert Fly Casters (meeting in Mesa). These groups were primarily devoted to promoting the sport of flyfishing. Each group had a segment of its membership which was concerned about the natural resources on which the sport depends. But while each group had its own “conservation committee”, some members felt that those committees were not effective enough to meet the needs of Arizona and its limited cold water resources.
Being members of the national FFF organization, these local members were also aware of Trout Unlimited (“TU”), an international conservation organization which had been founded in 1959 in Michigan and which was growing in strength and influence as a credible environmental force. TU members were primarily fly fishermen, but the organization was not a “fishing club”: It was formed with a mission to preserve, protect and enhance trout and salmonid species and the cold water resources on which they depend. Around 1979, the Phoenix area FFF members held public meetings to attempt to form a local TU chapter.
The attraction of a TU chapter was the possibility of working in an organization of volunteers dedicated to: 1) Enlightened fishing regulations, such as “catch and release / no kill” rules, which would promote wild trout reproduction and reduce reliance upon hatchery trout, where feasible; and 2) Environmental and conservation activities to protect Arizona’s limited cold water fish habitat and its two native trout species. The chapter struggled initially. The “fun” aspects of flyfishing were well-covered by the FFF groups, and the “work” aspects of the sport were not attractive to large numbers of fishermen. But the chapter persisted. Since around 1979, it has been active in projects such as Canyon Creek improvement, and in regulation discussions with the Game and Fish Department and Commission.
In the early years, the Chapter had been known simply as “Trout Unlimited” and it continued informally. But another TU chapter had begun forming in Tucson as an outgrowth of the original Phoenix group. It is now known as the Old Pueblo chapter; the Phoenix chapter needed its own name. Phoenix anglers who frequented the small lakes and streams of the Mogollon Rim area were familiar with the name and legacy of Zane Grey, a famous writer and angler who had a cabin in the Rim area. The chapter had several outings and meetings at the Zane Grey cabin near Tonto Creek. The name of Zane Grey seemed to be a perfect fit, and was adopted without much controversy. In 1987 the chapter was officially incorporated as the Zane Grey Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
The Zane Grey Chapter of TU is a group of volunteers dedicated to advancing enlightened fishing regulations that would promote wild trout reproduction to reduce reliance upon hatchery trout where feasible, and supporting environmental and conservation activities to protect Arizona’s cold water fish habitat and it’s two native trout species: Apache Trout and Gila Trout.
The chapter took it’s name from the famous Arizona writer and angler, Zane Grey who had a cabin in the Mogollon Rim area. Initially, the chapter had several outings and meeting at the Zane Grey cabin near Tonto Creek and taking this esteemed name seemed to be a perfect fit. We believe that Zane Grey would be pleased.
PROTECT, RECONNECT,
RESTORE, SUSTAIN
Protect: Road building, oil and gas drilling and other development degrade water quality and diminish fish habitat. Keeping backcountry land intact, improving water quality downstream and providing a stronghold for native fish and other species will ensure a good refuge for future fish population growth.
Reconnect: Dams and diversions block fish passage. If obsolete dams are removed and fish ladders and fish passage installed, fish will be able to migrate through the river.
Restore: Sediment, runoff and pollution make developed areas uninhabitable for fish. Urbanization and channeling of streams increase water filtration costs and the effects of flooding downstream. With tree-shaded rivers connected to floodplains, responsible grazing and development protects water quality for future generations to enjoy.
Sustain: TU’s conservation legacy will endure by engaging a new generation of coldwater stewards to see that this work of mobilizing community members to protect, reconnect and restore lands and waters.
TU ORG CHART
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee:
President: Tom Goodwin | President@ZaneGreyTU.org
Vice-President: Ron Stearns | VP@ZaneGreyTU.org
Secretary: Gerry Quigley | Secretary@ZaneGreyTU.org
Treasurer: Neal Young | Treasurer@ZaneGreyTU.org
Committees:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Susan Geer | diversity@zanegreytu.org
Public Policy: Ron Stearns | publicpolicy@zanegreytu.org
Trout In The Classroom (TIC): Jim Walker | James.L.Walker@cox.net
Other Representatives:
Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation (AZSFWC) Representative | Ron Stearns | RonaldStearns@hotmail.com
Past President | Alan Davis| accdavis@pacbell.net
National Leadership Council Representative | Vacant |
Newsletter Editor | Kara Jensen | Volunteer@AZ-TU.org
General Information:
Communications Committee
Activities include communicating ZGTU’s activities and objectives to chapter members and to the public by various means through a chapter web site, social media, mailings and public relations articles.
Conservation Committee
Committee members identify and coordinate volunteer hours for work on issues, programs and projects which support ZGTU’s mission to conserve, protect an restore Arizona’s cold water fisheries. Projects include Arizona Partnership Waters Program, stream monitoring on water quality, restoration of streams through habitat improvement projects, and fisheries management.
Education Committee
Activities to expand the awareness of conservation issues with programs and projects such as Trout-In-the-Classroom, Casting For Recovery, Becoming an Outdoors Women (BOW), Project Healing Waters, Hunting and Angling Heritage Workgroup (HAHWG), youth seminars and others.
Finance Committee
Committee members monitor the chapter financial affairs, compliance with all legal requirements, develop budgets and fundraising sources to provide the financial support for programs and projects.
Legislative Committee
Activities involve monitoring, developing position statements and responding on issues which may have a positive or negative impact on ZGTU’s mission to conserve, protect and restore Arizona’s cold water fisheries. Objectives include educating the next generation about the importance of clean water and wild trout.
Membership Committee
Activities include communicating ZGTU’s activities and objectives to chapter members, to expand membership of the organization and increase member participation.
Special Events Committee
Committee members identify and coordinate work on events which will support ZGTU’s financial and conservation objectives such as the Annual Native and Wild Trout Conference, AZGFD Cast & Blast, conservation speakers, special conservation, youth and community education programs.
DONATE
Zane Grey Chapter of Trout Unlimited depends upon the generous support of our members—people just like you who want to keep Arizona’s lakes and streams clean healthy and fishable.
In kind donations Let us know what you have to donate. Click the link below to send us the details.
IN KIND DONATION
Charitable giving
DONATE / BUY NOW
Donations from generous individuals, corporations and honor/memorial gifts are vitally important to Zane Grey Trout Unlimited. Financial support helps us continue to preserve and protect Arizona’s cold water fishing and allows us to introduce the world of nature to children and adults who might otherwise never experience the beauty and importance of our environment.
Please note: Your contribution is not a membership renewal.
To donate by mail, please send your check made payable to Zane Grey Trout Unlimited to:
PO Box 5026, Scottsdale, AZ 85261-5026
Trout Unlimited, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
