Bureau of Reclamation Partnership!

Our TMP projects in Medford and Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Hayden, Idaho partnered with the Bureau of Reclamation, (Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region and the California Great Basin Region), and their Fish-ABLE Fun program this summer! The Fish-ABLE program is designed to provide opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged children to use and enjoy public waters and related lands; to assist Reclamation in meeting its goal to provide accessible programs, facilities and activities to create a positive outdoor experience for all citizens; to increase awareness of all the participants (parents/caregivers, sportsmen, partners, volunteers) to the capabilities of disabled and disadvantaged children; and to provide educational opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged children to learn more about fish and water as natural resources.

On June 30th, our Medford Project took a group of over 20 youth in foster care and caregivers or foster families, along with their mentors, to fish at Fish Lake, Oregon, near Medford. During this event, the participants were able to experience fly fishing, boating, and the beautiful facilities at Fish Lake. Every child caught fish on their own fly rod and had a great time enjoying the sunny day with their TMP mentors!

On September 7th, our Klamath Falls Project took a group of 8 mentees and their caregivers, along with 8 mentors, to Fish Lake for a boat adventure as well! During this event, the kids fished from boats and worked on their fly fishing casting. TMP pointed out the many benefits of recreating at Fish Lake and made sure each  participant had a blast.

On October 4th, our North Idaho Project took a group of mentees to fish Hayden Lake, part of the Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region. Thanks to the BOR support, we were able to mentor 10 local youth from foster care. During our outing on Hayden Lake, we were able to see Kokanee Salmon. From an adoptive parent, “Our son enjoyed the season so much. And dad and grandpa took him out again already to fish with the new gear. He is so excited to use it more next year. And he is already asking about doing the program again. Thank you for the blessing of teaching him and our family and being willing to work with his disabilities. It was an amazing summer!”

Every mentee that participated in our collaboration events received their own brand new fly rod, pack, nippers, leaders, tippet, indicators, split shot, and flies to continue to pursue their new found sport of fly fishing in Oregon and Idaho! Throughout the programs, we were also able to provide canopies for shade, reusable water bottles, boots and waders, life jackets for the mentees, and snacks for all of the participants because of the BOR’s grant funding. Because of our partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation TMP and Fish-Able Programs were able to serve over 50 youth, caregivers, and adopted parents in the Pacific North West.

We greatly appreciate this partnership and look forward to our next season in Idaho and Oregon!