For information about Trout Unlimited, click here

The Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited is based in Decorah, Iowa, and represents six counties in northeastern Iowa: Winneshiek, Allamakee, Howard, Fayette, Clayton, and Chickasaw. The name of the chapter refers to the "Driftless" area of northeastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, southwestern Wisconsin, and northwestern Illinois. It is an unglaciated area of limestone bluffs, rolling hills, and--of perhaps greatest interest to anglers--streams that support trout. The chapter was formed in the fall of 2000, and continues to develop conservation projects in the area to enhance trout habitat and improve the cold water fisheries.

The chapter meets on the first Thursday of the month, October through May, downstairs in "T-Bock's Sports Bar and Grill," 206 W. Water Street, Decorah, Iowa. Our next meeting will be Thursday, October 7, 2010. For more information, contact the chapter president, Chris Wasta: (563) 382-6245; the chapter vice-president, Jeffery Skeate or the chapter webmaster, Marv Slind

Forthcoming Activities

The Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited held a Chapter Clean-Up Workday on Waterloo Creek near Dorchester, Iowa on Saturday, April 24th, 2010. To see photos of that day's activities, click here.

Another workday was held at the Decorah Trout Hatchery, where the group constructed bank hides, which will be used in local stream rehabilitation projectds. Photos of the May 15 workday can be found here.

Some of the chapter members held an informal clean-up on North Bear Creek on April 10. Click here to see photos of that effort.

Several chapter members have participated in workshops related to the Trout Unlimited Driftless Area Rehabilitation Effort (TUDARE), which is an effort to restore and protect cold water streams and watersheds in the "Driftless" area of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. For more information about the TUDARE project, click here.

To learn more about our conservation and stream rehabilitation work, click here.

The chapter's policies regarding funding of conservtion projects is summarized in the chapter's Funding Protocol.

Over the past few years, the chapter has helped with a project to rehabilitate a section of Waterloo Creek, where it passes through Mike Osterholm's Prairie Song Farm, near Dorchester, IA. In 2004, we applied for a TU Adopt-a-Stream grant, to help with the relocation of one of its tributaries, Brook Creek. On May 9, 2009, the Iowa DNR stocked first year South Pine brook trout in Brook Creek, to re-establish a wild population of the brook trout there. The South Pine strain is Iowa's only surviving native species of trout. To learn more, click here.

Our 2009 fundraiser was held at Seedsavers Heritage Farm near Decorah on Saturday, June 6. To see photos of some of the day's highlights, click here.

On July 11, 2009, members of the Iowa Driftless Chapter participated in a Stream Improvement Project on Waterloo Creek. The project involved a clean-up effort on the Waterloo Creek state land just below Dorchester, which was inundated with debris in the wooded section during last year’s massive flooding. To see pictures of the day's activities, click here.

To get an idea of some of our other past activities, click here.

The Iowa Driftless Fly Tying Club is an informal group of Iowa Driftless TU chapter members who enjoy tying flies, and sharing their skills with others who want to learn. Anyone interested in fly tying, regardless of your ability, is welcome to participate. For more details, contact Chris Wasta: (563) 382-6245, or Jeffery Skeate.

Click here for more information, and to see highlights of our January 17, 2009 fly tying get-together.


Chapter member Jeffery Skeate offers periodic reflections on fishing the Driftless area (and elsewhere) in "Driftless Days." Click here to read his insightful comments.

The Chapter's 2008 Fundraiser was held June 7, 2008, at Seed Savers Exchange Heritage Farm. Click here to see highlights of the Fundraiser


Chapter leadership:
President: Chris Wasta
Vice President: Jeffery Skeate
Secretary: Jerry Grehl
Web Master: Marv Slind
Treasurer: Steve Jacobsen
Fundraising: Tom Murray
Legal: Tom Woxland
Resource
Management:		 Bill Kalishek

There are numerous web sites related to fly fishing, including several maintained by tackle companies or other commercial interests. A few sites that may be of interest to you are listed below:

PLEASE NOTE:
The Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited
has no connection with any of
these sites, nor does their inclusion in this list
in any way constitute an endorsement
(by any member or organization) or, for
that matter, attest to their quality.
Follow these links at your own interest and/or risk
NEI Flyfishing
Northeast Iowa Flyfishing --
Guide Service Based in Decorah, IA
(Practicing Catch and Release)
Angler Guide -- Fishing Reports, Available by State
Fly Anglers On Line: The Fly Fishing
Enthusiast's Weekly Magazine
Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo
Midwest Flyfishing Online
Dakota Angler and Outfitter:
Fly Shop of the Black Hills
The Virtual Flyshop, Fly Fisherman's Online Network
The Women's Flyfishing Homepage
The Steelhead Site
Anglers Online
Fly Anglers Online
The Flyfishing Connection
The Fly Shop, Redding, CA
Great Outdoor Recreation Pages--Fishing
Flyrod Manufacturers:
USGS "Real-time Hydrologic Data"
     (Current streamflow data for selected rivers