Trout Unlimited Question?

Just as a general topic of discussion, what do you all think of the importance Trout Unlimited? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the rating of most importance, where would you rate them and why?
Thanks Ahead,

I belong to TU. I also belong to FFF, Anglers of the AuSable, and NRA. All are good organizations. I do not always agree with some of TU's collective organizational positions. But their heart is always in the right place. Whenever you see a group of guys doing stream restoration or habitat improvement, it is always some local chapter work group. Whenever you see a new stream guide it is TU. (In michigan it is the Challenge Chapter). The organization is not perfect, but the world is better because of them.

Many of the complaints about TU come because people expect them to be everything to everyone. Remember, this is a conservation club. Look elsewhere if you are expecting something else.

The strength of TU is in its members and in the local chapters. There in is the heart and soul of TU.

Godspeed,

Bob Bolton

As some of you know, I was the first woman member of TU in I believe 1958. My approach to TU is pretty simple. There are just too many things we cannot achieve alone. Anything legal for example. Getting permissions from state offices for example, obtaining stream access - changing the minds of legislatures, need real organization .

Do what you can as an individual - and support TU for the rest.

I will not rate them, but simply say that I am an annual member of TU, and a Life Member of FFF. TU deals with conservation of cold water fisheries....PERIOD! And they do it exceedingly well, I might add. The mission of TU is "To conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds." (Taken from their website at www.tu.org)

Fishing, equipment, access and education are not a component of their mission, and where they place these issues in their hierarchy of priorities is questionable at best, and is subject to change based on who is heading the organization (almost like real business). This is driven home by the following articles. Read them and come to your own conclusions.

http://www.newwest.net/index.php/top...ebate/C41/L41/

http://www.newwest.net/topic/article...ccess/C41/L41/

So what do you do after the water is clean, the bank is reinforced and the stream is stocked with trout? Who teaches you about HOW to fish for those trout, WHAT equipment to use, HOW to read the water, HOW to cast the rod and HOW to tie the fly? Or, what do you do if your state does not have any cold water habitat to sustain a trout population? Or, what if you enjoy fishing salt water and are concerned with conservation issues surrounding salt? This is where FFF comes in.

In the Bylaws, the purposes of the Federation are listed as follows:

a. Cultivate and advance the art, science and sport of flyfishing as the most sporting and enjoyable method of angling and the way of fishing most consistent with the preservation and use of game fish resources;

b. Be the voice for organized fly fishing;

c. Promote conservation of recreational resources;

d. Facilitate and improve the knowledge of fly fishing;

e. Elevate the standard of integrity, honor, and courtesy of anglers:

f. Cherish the spirit of fellowship among anglers everywhere;

g. Establish and maintain liaison with other organizations of anglers and conservationists and government agencies concerned with the sport of angling; and

h. Keep its members informed of developments of interest to the membership.

(Taken from the FFF website at www.fedflyfishers.org)

Two very distinct organizations. One, with a narrow, singular focus on the cold water environment, and the other with a holistic approach to our sport. Actually, TU has nothing to do with fishing, and everything to do with the fish. FFF's approach is summed up in its statement: "All Fish, All Waters."

Joe

Thanks folks. Looks like I asked some of the right people. :)

Yah no doubt, I had no idea the differences and they both serve a most noble purpose