The Northeast Kingdom has long been renowned for its pristine rivers and streams

The Northeast Kingdom has long been renowned for its pristine rivers and streams; an ideal trout habitat that draws anglers from across the region and beyond. To help conserve this valuable coldwater fishery resource, the former Northeast Kingdom Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU) has been reborn and renamed after the late David Smith and his son Francis Smith. As a nonprofit organization, Trout Unlimited’s mission is to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and watersheds. When first active, the Northeast Kingdom Chapter of TU received national recognition in 1996 for its instrumental work in the permanent removal of dam #11 on the Clyde River in Newport. This achievement helped restore free-flowing sections of the river ensuring suitable spawning habitat for Landlocked Salmon and their safe upriver passage swimming from Lake Memphremagog. After decades of inactivity, a new group of volunteers from all corners of the Northeast Kingdom have rallied to recharter the local Chapter under the name David & Francis Smith Northeast Kingdom Trout Unlimited. David and Francis Smith were dedicated anglers and tireless advocates for fisheries in the region throughout their lives. By renaming the chapter after them, the new members hope to honor their pioneering legacy of coldwater conservation leadership. Now that spring has arrived, the re-established Chapter is mobilizing to build partnerships with local landowners, educate the public about water stewardship, and implement restoration initiatives focused on fisheries that dot Caledonia, Orleans, and Essex counties. All anglers, regardless of tackle preference, interested in coldwater conservation are encouraged to get involved or become a member at www.TU.org. For more information email NEKTroutUnlimited@gmail.com or attend the Orleans Rod & Gun Club’s annual fisherman’s breakfast on Saturday, April 13, 8:00AM at the Orleans Municipal Building.