Trout group helps cancer survivors

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Trout group helps cancer survivors

By Karen Dandurant
kdandurant@seacoastonline.com

PORTSMOUTH -- While many on the Seacoast have heard of Ducks Unlimited, they might not know there is another conservation group with a cold-blooded component.

Great Bay Trout Unlimited draws people who love to fish, but it's much more than a fishing club. According to its mission statement, GBTU works to conserve, protect and improve the cold water and estuarine environments of the Great Bay, southern New Hampshire and southern Maine regions. They also actively seek to enhance the development of self sustaining fisheries and support other organizations, and clubs that support these ideals.

Sean Smith, president of GBTU said, it is similar to Ducks Unlimited as a conservationist group, but it promotes all things about fishing. It is mostly funded through donations, but Smith said it holds an auction every year as its one fund-raiser. This year, the auction will be on March 2.

"Our organization has never been very good at self-promotion or letting the community know of some of the great activities we sponsor," said Smith.

One is the Casting for Recovery Clinic held each fall on the Lamprey River in Durham. At this event, volunteer experts teach survivors of breast cancer how to fly fish.

Smith said the group takes women out to teach or reintroduce them to fly fishing and last year worked with 11 women. The group supplies the waders, fly rods and other necessary equipment, and Albright Fishing gives each woman a rod to keep, according to Smith.

GBTU also holds a river cleanup at the Lamprey location each spring.

"In general we try to educate and interest people in cold water fisheries," said Smith.

He said the organization conducts river stewardship conservation activities, including an annual cleanup at the Lamprey River and Wiswall Dam in Durham. It also stocks trout every fall to try and reintroduce them into the rivers. Stocking on the Lamprey, the Cocheco and the Islinglass costs about $4,000 per river, funded mostly by private donations, he said.

GO & DO

What: First time GBTU fly fishing clinic for kids

When: July 11-15

Where: Pittsburgh, N.H.

Details: GBTU will teach six kids fly fishing, tying and casting, and teach biology and entomology, as well as environmental keys, conservation and education.

About GBTU: Visit the Web site at www.greatbaytu.org. Donations can be sent to Sean Smith, GBTU President, P.O. Box 801, Exeter, NH 03833.