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Westfly Donates Money to Idaho Projects

By Scott Richmond

estfly has sent donations to two projects in Idaho that will benefit fish and fly fishers.

A donation of $2,500 has been sent to Trout Unlimited who, along with the Henry's Fork Foundation, is spearheading a project to put in a fish ladder at Chester Dam on the Henrys Fork. Currently fish passage is blocked at this point, so there is no migration between the two sections of the Henrys Fork. Restoring fish migration to the river means that the river's wild trout can seek the best water conditions in different seasons.

The Nature Conservancy was sent a check for $2,000 to assist in purchasing a conservation easement on 320 acres of private land adjacent to the Silver Creek Preserve. This property is south of the Preserve, right near the visitor center and very important open space and wildlife habitat. Currently, a number of new houses with septic systems could be built on this parcel, and large numbers of cattle--with attendant pollution--could be grazed. The easement would prohibit these actions and protect Silver Creek.

Westfly is pleased to support these projects on two of Idaho's most famous and beloved fly fishing streams. The money to support projects such as these is raised through the sale of advertising on the website, from purchases in online auctions, and from donations by Westfly users.

Scott Richmond is Westfly's creator and Executive Director. He is the author of eight books on Oregon fly fishing, including Fishing Oregon's Deschutes River (second edition).

Uploaded 04/07/2009.