River clean up planned

Thermopolis Trout Unlimited is planning a river clean up on November 16. The group is inviting volunteers to help pick up trash at the pull overs in the Wind River Canyon. Participants will meet at the Wedding of the Waters parking lot at 9 a.m.

To learn more about Thermopolis Trout Unlimited and their events, stop in at any of our local fly shops or contact Gene Pruett, the current chapter president, at ThermopTU@gmail.com

The group plans to put on another Free Fly Fishing Clinic in the spring. They are also hosting a monthly speaker series, and monthly events such as fly tying workshops.

The October clinic was attended by over 20 individuals. The attendees included interested new fly fishers, seasoned guides, experienced fly fishers and the Thermopolis Trout Unlimited board. Activities included fly casting instruction and practice, as well as, instruction on setting up a fly rod and reel, and fly tying demonstrations.

The Hot Springs County Search and Rescue presented water safety demonstrations including proper personal flotation device fitting, and how to use a rescue throw bag and line system. The Hot Springs County Search and Rescue also brought a drift boat to display that they are raffling off to help raise funds. The boat was recovered by Search and Rescue after it sunk on the Bighorn River. Tom Ream from Double R Boat Yard & Store sent the boat back to Hyde, the manufacturer, who refitted the boat to as new condition. Contact the Hot Springs Search and Rescue to enter the raffle and win the boat!

Topping the event off was a discussion by Joe Skorupski, the Wyoming Game and Fish fisheries biologist for our region. He presented a fantastic discussion about the Bighorn River. One fact Skorupski shared that was surprising to many anglers, is that the large amount of smaller trout currently in the river were not stocked by Wyoming Game & Fish, but are the result of a better than average reproduction year.