Three Rivers Trout Unlimited -Reeling in Summer 2025 Newsletter
As the days start to cool and salmon return to our streams, we’re reflecting on an incredible summer of community, conservation, and casting lines. From teaching young anglers the art of fly fishing to removing invasive weeds and hosting restoration cleanups, the Three Rivers Chapter has been hard at work protecting our waters and inspiring future stewards. Whether you joined us lakeside, volunteered in waders, or cheered from afar—thank you for helping us make waves this summer. We have more for you in the works… keep reading.
Compass Outdoor Adventures Kids Camp: Fly Fishing Instruction
This summer, our chapter continued its longstanding partnership with Compass Outdoor Adventures near North Bend. Over several weeks, chapter volunteers taught basic fly casting to groups of 12 fourth- and fifth-graders, guiding them from fly rod handling through pick-up and lay-down casts, and onto actual casting with flies—all culminating in practice on nearby stocked ponds with bass and bluegill fish. Special thanks to Bruce Tyson for leading this effort, and to all volunteers who helped inspire the next generation of anglers and coldwater stewards!
Thanks to all of the instructors who helped out throughout the summer: Jack Crowley, John Silvey, Tim Allen, Tim Opitz, Frank Yandrasits, Brian Percy, Jeff Norman, Bill Gerdts, and Katey Queen.
If you would like to participate in future instruction or casting clinics, please reach out. We always have events in the works and are open to startups!
Cedar River Clean-Up Recap
August 16th was a truly inspiring day on the banks of the Cedar River in Renton, as more than 100 passionate volunteers gathered to take part in the annual Cedar River Cleanup. With gloves on and waders in the water, volunteers of all ages rolled up their sleeves to care for this critical urban waterway—home to salmon, wildlife, and thousands of downstream residents.
Together, we pulled everything from bits of confetti to entire shopping carts from both the shoreline and the river channel near Ron Regis Park. Every piece removed was a step toward restoring water quality and improving habitat for the fish and fauna that call the Cedar home.
A huge thank you to Keaton Zyskowski for leading the charge once again. His commitment to community and conservation drives the success of this beloved event each year. We’re incredibly proud to partner with Keaton and deeply grateful to everyone who showed up and put in the work.
This is what stewardship looks like—hands in the river, hearts in the community, and eyes on a healthier future.
Keep up with Keaton and co-host Kyle on
Restoring a Future for Salmon: Issaquah Creek Tour Recap
This summer, members of the Three Rivers Chapter had the opportunity to attend the Issaquah Creek Restoration Tour at Lake Sammamish State Park, hosted by the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. The project marks the largest restoration effort in the park’s history, and it’s already transforming the landscape—and the future of salmon habitat.
Donning hard hats, our group walked the stretch of Issaquah Creek being renovated to observe firsthand how restoration teams are improving conditions for native salmonids like kokanee. The project includes:
Widening the creek to create more habitat space
Reconnecting the floodplain for improved water flow
Adding large woody debris (LWD) to enhance spawning and rearing conditions
Replanting native trees and vegetation to improve water quality and support a healthy ecosystem
These efforts are essential to restoring kokanee and other salmon runs in the region. Seeing the heavy equipment at work and the strategic placement of habitat features brought the scale and impact of this project to life.
We’re proud to support and learn from partners like the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust who share our commitment to healthy watersheds and thriving fish populations.
“Imagine walking into a house with no furniture—just open space and bare walls. Essentially, a hallway of a house. That’s what a stream looks like without wood. LWD creates all the “rooms” where fish rest, feed, and spawn. It turns a bare stream into a home. We want the opposite of open concept.”
Upcoming Events
Community Cookout & Gear Swap THIS FRIDAY!!
August 22, 2025 | 4–8 PM | Confluence Park, Issaquah
Join us for evening food, fun, and a gear swap with friends and conservation enthusiasts. Bring gently used gear to share. Help us prepare RSVP here
How You Can Get Involved
Volunteer at the upcoming events, stream cleanups, and education programs.
Run in or support Kokanee Run with your time, talent or treasure!
Donate or become a chapter member to fuel conservation efforts.
Show up to our candidate and voting night in November or even throw your hat in for a board position
Thank you for supporting our mission. See you on the water—or at the next event!
— The Three Rivers Chapter Team