Reminder: *Holiday Gathering December 10--NO December monthly meeting

Dec. 10 5-8pm DETU Holiday Gathering with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing at Moore Community Center Ellsworth. Join us for this fun family event!  Maine Guide Carroll Ware will share his world-wide adventures and have books to sign. In 2020 Carroll received the MDIFW Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award.  Carroll holds 53 world fly-fishing records and in 2021 was the first fisherman inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame.

Timeline: 5pm Socal & Potluck, 6pm talk and book signing, 7pm Two raffle drawings. We will have a 50/50 raffle and draw the winner of our current raffle. Prizes are a $250 LL Bean Gift Certificate, an antique Montague bamboo fly rod or a 2 box set of flies tied by DETU members. Funds raised will be used for Trout Camp and conservation projects. We hope to make this an annual event. Free, but please RSVP to tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) to help us plan.  

Flies & Lies Dec. 7 Open to all-come share the art of fly tying and the sport of fly fishing.  Meetings are twice monthly, on the first and third Sundays, from November to April at Machias Savings Bank 96 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor. Dates: December 7 & 21, January 18, February 8 & 22, March 8 & 22 and April 5 & 19 2026. (no Jan. 4). For information contact Bob Bechtold at rtbechtoldgmail.com (rtbechtold[at]gmail[dot]com) or 207-288-4957.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing PHWFF  Dec. 11 & 17. Enjoy camaraderie with fellow veterans at two locations in Downeast Maine. Meet at the DSF Hatchery in East Machias on the 2^nd Thursday of the month (Dec. 11) from 6-8pm, and at the Ellsworth VFW on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month (Dec. 17) from 6-8pm.  Contact Mike Manning Project Lead at mike.manningprojecthealingwaters.org (mike.manning@projecthealingwaters.org) for more information. It costs an average of $500 a year for each veteran participating in a local program. If you would like to like to support PHWFF’s mission or learn more about Project Healing Waters, visit their website at https://projecthealingwaters.org/

Penobscot Fly Fishers Fly Tying Symposium December 14 10 to 4 pm PCCA clubhouse, 570 N. Main Street in Brewer. Free fun day of tying, and socializing. Contact Don Corey at donald.coreygmail.com (donald[dot]corey[at]gmail[dot]com), text or call (207) 478-3173.

Headwaters Bluff Preserve Deadline Dec. 31- Frenchman Bay Conservancy has an opportunity to conserve 5,788 acres in Amherst at the headwaters of the Union and Penobscot Rivers. The Union and Narraguagus Rivers are Priority Waters for Trout Unlimited in Downeast Maine. TU’s Priority Waters are a national network of over 200 rivers, streams and lakes recognized as vital areas to focus conservation efforts to protect and restore wild and native trout and salmon watersheds. These waters are identified through a science-based approach, developed with partners, and represent important areas for habitat restoration and community led conservation initiatives. TU identified the Union River watershed as a key Priority Water to focus efforts on restoring and protecting Eastern Brook Trout and Atlantic Salmon. The Union River is unique:

Critical for Atlantic Salmon Recovery: The Union River's upper sections provide vital spawning and rearing habitat for endangered Atlantic Salmon.

High Water Quality: Designated Class A, indicating exceptional natural conditions. (Class AA for upper section proposed).

TU works to address threats like sediment from logging, and barriers to fish passage while leveraging opportunites for habitat restoration and securing coldwater climate reisient strongholds. Preserving Headwaters Bluffs is key to this mission. This land is one of the largest blocks of intact forest in our region; combining it with other protected lands including the Amherst Mountain Community Forest and the Sunkhaze Preserve will connect more than 43,000 acres. Conservation of this land will enhance connectivity and improve water quality and is critical in the fight against climate change. FBC is $250,000 short of the funds needed to protect this unique property. Use the link to learn more: frenchmanbay.org/headwaterbluffs

We were saddened to hear the sad news of the passing of David Klausmeyer, a friend, long time supporter, and board member of Downeast TU. Dave passed away at the end of November after a hard fought battle with cancer. A renowned fly tyer, he eagerly shared his love and enthusiasm with all, and his tying techniques are well known. He was editor of Fly Tyer Magazine for over 20 years and author of numerous books and articles, many illustrated with his beautiful photography. He wrote for Gray’s Sporting Journal, American Angler, Saltwater Fly Fishing, Fly Fisherman, and Fly Rod & Reel. Despite his illness Dave remained cheerful and optimistic, spending his last weeks doing the things he loved with his family. We will miss his wit and his zest for life. We send our sympathy to his wife Diane, his family including his bird dogs, and his friends.

Trout Unlimited Maine: Field Technician Position Open Now Apply ASAP Tech will lead a seasonal crew to conduct habitat improvement, focused on strategic wood addition projects. Must have professional experience running a chainsaw, leading a small team, and using ArcGIS for mapping. The posting says Portland, but candidates can reside anywhere in the state. The field technician will assist Maine Project Manager Lauren Pickford in data collection, reporting, permitting, and project implementation on other restoration projects. Link to job description and application: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3757091/Trout-Unlimited-Inc/Field-Technician---Maine

Every River Needs A Champion-KVTU member Steve Brooke inspires us all

Steve was the TU point person for the Kennebec Coalition during the fight for the Edwards Dam removal in July 1999. A long-time resident of Farmingdale, he has been an advocate for Maine’s coldwater fish and habitat; his passion for trout and Atlantic salmon drive his efforts to work toward their protection. “I think the key is to approach your life strategically and with forethought, and to engage as many others as you can so you don’t have to do it all by yourself,” Brooke said. “It doesn’t really matter who gets credit for something as long as the job gets done. Just keep working very hard along the way.” TU article by Mark Taylor-11/10/25 https://www.tu.org/magazine/river-champions/river-champion-steve-brooke-never-gives-up/

Megunticook River Restoration The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has awarded the town of Camden $5,933,000 from its National Coastal Resilience Fund to remove Montgomery Dam, restore the river channel and install a hybrid living shoreline along Harbor Park in Camden. The project will reduce flood risk for adjacent properties during extreme rain events and will be a critical first step in restoring fish passage throughout the Megunticook Watershed, supporting economically significant fisheries and protecting coastal infrastructure.

Clean Water Act Threatened On Nov. 17 the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers proposed rule changes that would dramatically roll back clean water safeguards in the Clean Water Act. The proposal would change the definition of “waters of United States,” to focus solely on permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water. This decision will limit the EPA’s ability to safeguard small, ephemeral coldwater streams that native trout rely on and eliminate protections for intermittent and ephemeral streams, streams that are rain dependent or flow seasonally, expanding on a recent Supreme Court decision that significantly weakened protections for wetlands. Removing these streams puts vital ecosystems for fish and wildlife at risk and threatens streams that one third of Americans rely on for clean water. The new proposal would end Clean Water Act protections for millions of streams and wetlands, both critical parts of functioning watersheds. Wetlands provide pollution filtration, groundwater recharge, and protect communities from flooding. These changes will have serious consequences on waters and ecosystems that are critical to supporting healthy populations of trout and salmon, fishing and recreational economies, and communities that depend on them. 

From Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “We all live downstream and deserve a Clean Water Act worthy of its name—one that protects the waters that support our fish, our families, and our way of life.”

During the week of December 8th, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 3898, the “Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act” (PERMIT Act) — a bill that would severely weaken core protections under the Clean Water Act .The PERMIT ACT would:

·         Open the door for more toxic contaminants in rivers and streams.

·         Undermine states’ and Tribes’ authority to protect local waters.

·         Strip EPA’s ability to block highly destructive projects like the proposed Pebble Mine.

·         Hinder water quality standards that keep our rivers and streams safe for people and fish.

·         Remove safeguards against pesticide discharges that are harmful to native fish and aquatic ecosystems.

·         Reduce public oversight and accountability.

Trout Unlimited members and supporters know what’s at stake. Clean water is the lifeblood of the outdoor recreation economy, creating 4.3 million jobs and $689 billion in consumer spending annually. Polling shows that 92 percent of hunters and anglers support clean water protections. Our rivers and streams support world-class fishing, local economies, and clean drinking water for millions. Please urge your Representative to stand up for clean, fishable waters by voting no on HR. 3898.

Opportunity for public comment will close on Monday, January 5th at 11:59pm. Please contact Congress and urge them to reject these proposals. Take action to protect clean water now: https://www.votervoice.net/TU/Campaigns/131744/Respond

Northeast Regional Rendezvous April 10-12 2026 Attending a TU Regional Rendezvous is one of the best ways to connect with like-minded fishermen and conservationists. Attend a weekend packed with idea sharing alongside fellow community-based volunteers, scientists, and anglers who are the most passionate champions for cold, clean rivers and streams.

Downeast Trout Unlimited Gear: Hats $25, Brook Trout pins $20, Brook Trout Earrings $16. These items make great gifts!

We are looking forward to gathering with our DETU members and supporters on December 10. Please send any news you would like to share with our chapter to Tammy Packie tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) for our next newsletter.  

Happy Holidays to all!

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.  Equipment Donations: If you have more equipment than you need please consider donating it to help our chapter raise money for our conservation and education programs. For more information visit https://www.downeasttu.org/ or Downeast TU on Facebook