Downeast TU is a chapter of Trout Unlimited, a national non-profit organization dedicated to protect and conserve North American cold-water fish species and habitat. Membership is open to all, go to www.tu.org/join305Downeast and use chapter code 305 Downeast TU.
Monthly meetings are the Fourth Wednesday of the month from October to May at the Moore Center, 125 State Street, Ellsworth, ME
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Our March 25 Meeting will be jammed packed with Two Important Presentations:
Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards & Salmon Habitat Monitoring Maine DEP & TU’s Role in Protecting the Magalloway with Paul Doscher
Wednesday March 25 5:30pm
In person and online- Moore Community Center 125 State St. Ellsworth or via zoom. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/
Emily Zimmerman will describe the status of Maine DEP proposals for water quality standards and waterbody classification upgrades most relevant to salmonids will be summarized, followed by an overview of the Salmon Habitat Monitoring Program.
Maine's water quality standards describe what uses, such as recreation or fishing, are appropriate for waterbodies, and which criteria and protective measures are in place for those uses. The federal Clean Water Act requires that states reevaluate water quality standards every three years. This process, known as the Triennial Review (TR), was recently completed and L.D. 2187, An Act to Update Certain Water Quality Standards and To Reclassify Certain Waters of the State was sent to the Maine Legislature before being sent to the US EPA for final approval. Key focus areas include criteria for toxic substances, such as PFAS, and addressing dissolved oxygen levels in waterbodies.
Emily Zimmerman is a biologist at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, leading the Salmon Habitat Monitoring Program, which focuses on water quality in Atlantic salmon rivers and streams. She also assists with coastal marine water quality monitoring. Her career has led her from studying thermal tolerance in dogwhelks at the University of New England, to studying the behavior of cod in an aquaculture setting at Memorial University of Newfoundland, to monitoring water quality during nutrient enrichment of a reservoir with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. She returned to her home state of Maine as data manager for Maine DEP’s water quality database, before arriving at her current position.
Paul Doscher will outline the Magalloway Conservation Collaborative created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust (RHLT), Forest Society of Maine (FSM) and Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT), to meet an unprecedented opportunity to protect 78,000 acres of some of the best brook trout habitat in the country. Once preserved, TU be the lead in developing and implementing a plan to improve stream connectivity and enhance trout and salmon habitat. Public access will be permanently secured.
Trout Unlimited’s Coldwater Land Conservancy Fund has granted $50k to the project and offered another $50k if it can be matched by TU Members, Chapters and Councils. The deadline is May 1 2026. Go to Magalloway.org to learn more or make a donation. Jake Metzler from the Forest Society of Maine will be on hand to answer questions.
Business meeting begins at 5:30 followed by the talk and time for socializing. Meetings are free and open to the public. Contact Tammy Packie for information tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com). Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/
At this time we have no Vice President. The role of the VP is to assume the duties of the President if the President is absent. As with all DETU officers and directors the vice president must be a current Trout Unlimited member. A vice president spends their term preparing for the presidency by learning and assisting with governance. We also have openings on the DETU board. Contact Al West 207-632-7267 or aldime04658gmail.com (aldime04658[at]gmail[dot]com) for information.
Flies & Lies April 19 2026 last Spring Session! DETU Life Member Bob Bechtold hosts a gathering for anyone interested in sharing the art of fly tying and the sport of fly fishing. Meet at the Machias Savings Bank 96 Cottage Street Bar Harbor. Bring your own supplies and snacks. Free Fun with Fly Tying! Contact Bob at rtbechtoldgmail.com (rtbechtold[at]gmail[dot]com) or 207-288-4957.
State of Dam Removals in the US American Rivers March 18 1pm This webinar will highlight projects completed in 2025 and illustrate how dam removals are restoring rivers, reconnecting watersheds, and addressing public safety concerns. American Rivers maintains the nation’s most comprehensive database of completed dam removals, with more than 2,200 projects nationwide https://americanrivers-org.
Maine Sustainability & Water Conference March 26 Augusta Civic Center-Registration now open for researchers, regulators, and citizens interested in Maine's environmental future. More information can be found on the University of Maine's Mitchell Center website. Early registration $70 ends March 6.
Nitrogen Impacts of Net Pen Salmon Farming in Downeast Maine March 27 Noon Lunch & speaker sponsored by Greenhorns & DSF. Cobscook Institute Trescott and via Zoom. Authors Catherine Collins & Doug Franz discuss their book Salmon Wars and explore the ecological effects of salmon aquaculture in Cobscook bay and the broader global context of the industry. Fore more info: contactmainesalmonrivers.org (contact[at]mainesalmonrivers[dot]org)
The State of Maine Sportsman's Show March 27th -29th Augusta Civic Center KVTU & GRTU will have a table and offer fly-tying in the Kids Zone.
TU Northeast Regional Rendezvous April 10-12 2026 Roscoe NY TU Rendezvous are weekends packed with fun, fishing, and hands-on conservation activities. Meet and mingle with TU staff, scientists,,and volunteers from across the country to network, make lifelong friends and fishing buddies. Share ideas for how we can grow TU’s efforts to support fisheries, cold, clean waters and communities.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing PHWFF is dedicated to the physical and emotional health of disabled active and veteran military personnel. Rehabilitation is through fly fishing activities, education, and outings. Enjoy camaraderie with fellow veterans at two locations in Downeast Maine; meet at the DSF Hatchery in East Machias on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 6-8pm, and at a new location at the Moore Community Center in Ellsworth on the 3rd Wednesday of the month (3/18) from 6-8pm. To learn more visit https://projecthealingwaters.org (mike.manning@
DETU Fundraiser A raffle with 3 prizes: First prize- West Branch Pond Camps Cabin for Two on June 12-14 2026. One of the oldest camps in Maine, this is a great place to fish, bird, or relax in peace and solitude in the woods. We thank Eric Stirling for his support. Second prize- $100 LL Bean Gift Card, third prize a half dozen Maine lobsters. Lobsters will need to be picked up. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. Drawing April 22 at our Annual Meeting. Proceeds to benefit our youth education programs and habitat conservation projects. Contact Al West for information at aldime04658gmail.com (aldime04658[at]gmail[dot]com).
TU Volunteer Hours for April 1 2025 to March 31 2026 due April 15 We must file an Annual Activity Report in order to receive member rebates from TU National. Logging your hours helps DETU with fundraising. Remember, your volunteer time begins the minute you step out of your home or office to travel to a meeting or event! Categories:
Communications & Engagement: Attending chapter meetings and non-conservation events that build community - such as fishing trips, chapter gatherings, fly tying or fishing classes, etc.
Advocacy / Lobbying: submitting testimony to the legislature, writing letters to the editor, supporting national advocacy campaigns, attending public hearings etc.
Conservation & Science: restoration or reconnection projects, water quality studies, insect sampling, temperature monitoring, etc.
Veterans Services: Project Healing Waters, planning and participating in activities for the military and first responder communities.
Youth Education: Trout Camp, kids fishing days, school and non-school based youth programs and activities such as Trout or Salmon in a Classroom.
Contact Tammy Packie at tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) for a sample worksheet. Submit hours to DETU Treasurer Arthur Benson at ajbrxyahoo.com (ajbrx[at]yahoo[dot]com)
Magalloway Project TU Contribution Deadline May 1 TU Chapters, Councils, or members have a unique opportunity to have their contributions doubled! Contributions will be matched 1:1 up to $50,000 for this project by TU’s National Coldwater Land Conservation Fund. Go to Magalloway.org and check the box Trout Unlimited Matching Grant or mail a check (indicate Magalloway TU MATCH on the memo line) to:
Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust
2424 Main St.
Rangeley, Maine 04970
Maine TU Trout Camp June 14-18 Application Deadline April 1 We are seeking 2 youth ages 13-17 who would like to attend this excellent learning experience at Evergreens Campground in Solon on the Kennebec River.. Trout Camp builds tomorrow’s conservation leaders, giving teens a foundation in biology, entomology, and sustainability, all while having fun. Cost for tuition, room & board is $800; a $200 deposit is due upon acceptance. Contact DETU Education Coordinator Mike Elkavitch melkavitchgmail.com (melkavitch[at]gmail[dot]com) for information. Applications are available on the Maine TU State Council website. https://www.tumaine.org/index.
Free fishing day with DETU! Join DETU and our partners USFWS, DMR, Maine Audubon and students from John Bapst Memorial High School, for a day of catching alewives and helping them over a ledge dam on Sedgeunkedunk Stream in Orrington. Our ultimate goal is to get a fishway over this ledge dam but in the meantime we will form a bucket brigade to get spawning alewives over the dam. Dates are to be announced. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Rob Packie at rbpackiegmail.com (rbpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) or 207-610-0976.
Fry Stocking Maine DMR has asked our chapter for volunteers to help them release Atlantic Salmon fry this spring in the Downeast SHRU. The fry stocking occurs in May and stocking dates will be sent out at that time. Stocking days are subject to change on short notice due to weather, hence the need for a large a pool of volunteers to ensure people are available to help. The stocking is done by hand with 5 gallon buckets. Volunteers will need to have waders or hip boots and be able to carry their bucket into the river and wade upstream, pouring out fry at suitable locations. The distances normally are not long and fry are released in shallow water. DMR is planning a class on safety and fry stocking in April. For more information or to volunteer contact Rob Packie (207) 610-0976 or at rbpackiegmail.com (rbpackie[at]gmail[dot]com)
April 1 at Noon How River Impacts Lead to Lake Impacts Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) host Dr. John Field, Field Geology Services- The legacy effects of logging on watersheds and how it relates to creating successful habitat restoration today. https://us02web.zoom.us/
Grand Lake Stream Hatchery April Fin Clipping Ernie MacDonald from PFF has agreed to coordinate volunteers with the hatchery. It is an interesting kind of event where you can truthfully say that you caught hundreds of salmon in one day. If you are interested in participating, please contact Ernie at penobscotflyfisheryahoo.com (penobscotflyfisher[at]yahoo[dot]com).
Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are hosting their annual dissolved oxygen (DO) meter check on April 9, 2026. FREE- Volunteers can drop off meters at 6 locations across Maine. MeterFest 2026 ensures that water quality data remains accurate and consistent, aiding in the protection of Maine lakes. Contact LSM or Jeremy Deeds at DEP Jeremy.deedsmaine.gov (Jeremy[dot]deeds[at]maine[dot]gov) or 207-446-1473 before April 1. Details and the required form are available at https://www.
Land for Maine's Future (LMF) program LMF is Maine’s most successful and popular land conservation program, but it is running out of money. Legislators need to act this session to provide funding. LMF has protected over 600,000 acres across Maine since its creation in 1987. In 2021 the Maine Legislature appropriated $40 million to LMF; those funds have either been spent or are tagged for existing projects that will conserve nearly 100,000 acres across Maine, which makes replenishing LMF critical at this time. Legislation is pending for ongoing funding, including a $10 million General Fund allocation for the 2026-27 fiscal year to support land conservation, recreation, working waterfronts, and agricultural land, as outlined in ME LD593. Carried over from the last legislative session, LD 362, An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Replenish the Land for Maine's Future Program, seeks to secure ongoing funding for LMF through a $50 million bond measure.
Recently DETU joined host Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) and local conservation organizations to discuss projects paid for by LMF and to organize support. We ask you to join people and organizations from across the state to encourage our lawmakers to continue funding the LMF program.
Congratulations to Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF)! DSF has acquired 33 acress on Meetinghouse Rd. in Columbia, preserving over 0.6 miles of shorefront on the Pleasant River where large gravel beds provide essential spawning areas and adjacent deep pools offer rearing and resting habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon. The site also supports robust sea lamprey spawning activity and provides habitat for Maine’s threatened freshwater mussel, the brook floater. According to DMR biologist Colby Bruchs,
“Atlantic salmon have spawned in this area regularly since monitoring began in the 1970s, highlighting the importance of this river’s reach to the population in the Pleasant River.”
The Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP), a cooperative program between Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and administered by The Nature Conservancy awarded more than $4.6 million to 10 projects to support freshwater and coastal wetland restoration, according to Maine DEP.
The grant awarded $308,000 to Friends of Acadia for an ongoing restoration project at Great Meadow, the largest freshwater wetland in Acadia National Park (ANP), to address damage and help prepare ANP for future climate change impacts: increasing rainfall, droughts, rising sea levels and fewer native plants. MNRCP will also support nine projects across Maine including the restoration of the salt marsh at York River and eelgrass in Great Salt Bay, the removal of dams on rivers in Yarmouth and Buckfield, and the expansion of the riparian buffer of a Waldoboro brook, according to the DEP.
Penobscot Waterkeepers Seeking a full-time Waterkeeper to help implement their clean water goals - advocate, investigate, inspire, and thrive - as defined in their 5-year strategic plan.Details and application instructions here: https://www.penbaywaterkeeper.
We Are the Watershed May 1 & 2 Calling all artists! Eastport Arts Center is accepting written and visual submissions for a publication to help promote conservation efforts for the Passamaquoddy Bay watershed. Submissions will be posted online throughout the year and exhibited at EAC from May 1 to 15. 100% proceeds from sales will go to artists under 18 and 70% going to artists over 18. See additional guidelines and submit here:
https://www.
Riverscapes Consortium- A worldwide collective of scientists, supporters and students motivated by promoting healthy riverscapes for all. Their goal is to inspire worldwide scientific collaboration to tackle ecological challenges. https://www.riverscapes.net/
Future DETU Speakers & Activities
March 25- Emily Zimmermann, Maine DEP Triennial Review & Salmon Habitat Program
March 25 TU’s Role in Protecting the Magalloway with Paul Doscher
April 22- Annual Meeting, Spring Raffle Drawing Rising Trout Award. Speaker-Dan McCaw Penobscot Nation, Restoration on the Penobscot River
April 25- DSF Smelt Fry
May 9- Card Brook Clean Up
May 15 &16- Union River Summit
May 27- Jacob Scoville Maine IFW **In person only at Helen’s in Machias.
June 13 & 14- Casting Competition at the Pleasant River Fish & Game Conservation Association
TBD-Narraguagus River Clean Up
Downeast Trout Unlimited Gear: Hats $25, Brook Trout pins $20, Brook Trout Earrings $16.
Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. For membership renewal call 800-834-2419. For NEW memberships go to www.tu.org/join305Downeast.
Mail donations to Downeast Trout Unlimited c/o Arthur Benson Treasurer, 32 Cottage Way Hampden ME 04444. If you have more equipment than you need please consider donating it to help DETU raise money for our conservation and education programs. Please Follow Downeast TU on Facebook or visit https://www.downeasttu.org
