Inspiring Nevada’s youth at trout camp

A dozen youth from the Elko area gathered for the 2nd annual Northern Nevada Trout Cmap recently at Spring Creek Marina.

By Sam Sedillo

A love for conservation and nature isn’t always an inherent trait, but it can be learned through hands on experiences and moments that will never be forgotten.

Such memories were made recently at the 2^nd Annual Northern Nevada Trout Camp just outside of Elko where a dozen students ages 9-12 learned about fly fishing, fly tying, and native trout. The Spring Creek Marina provided a dramatic backdrop of the majestic Ruby Mountains for the weekend.

Blog post picture edited.jpg

Catching fish was just part of the 2nd annual Northern Nevada Trout Cmap held recently near Elko.

The camp exhaustively covered everything from fly casting techniques, fly tying, hooking and landing fish, entomology, and the rich history that surrounds trout conservation in Nevada. Over the two days the kids made dramatic strides in honing their skills with a fly rod and fly tying vice. The only thing that eclipsed the speed the students picked up fly fishing was the excitement they had for learning about all things that surrounded cold Nevada water and the trout that live in it.

Every student eagerly learned about streams, rivers and the importance of preserving Nevada’s state fish, the Lahontan cutthroat trout.  They were amazed at how large these fish can grow. Trout Unlimited is currently invested in numerous projects in Nevada to help the Lahontan cutthroat trout and many other native fish and wildlife species thrive in their historical range.

Blog Post Picture 2.jpg

Learning to tie flies at the 2nd annual Northern Nevada Trout Camp.

TU staffer Sam Sedillo, Tahoe-Truckee fly fishing guide Dan Lecount, Steve Kemp of Nevada Division of Wildlife, Joe Doucette, owner of the Elko Fly Shop, Shanon Scott with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Mike Drussel with Ruby Mountain Fly Fishers served as the volunteer camp leaders.

Partnerships were strengthened and formed amongst all of those present. The kids were ecstatic to have an experienced crew of anglers and locals help them out with the intricacies of fly fishing.

“This is why it’s beneficial to have Trout Unlimited here in Nevada,” said Joe Doucette, owner of the Elko Fly Shop, “To continue to inspire and bring in new anglers and conservationists and continue to build on the conservation work they do here in Northern Nevada.”

Trout Unlimited hopes to do exactly this.

If you want to get involved in next year’s camp please contact Sam Sedillo at ssedillo@tu.org

Sam Sedillo is a Trout Unlimited Field Coordinator based out of Truckee, Calif.