Grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin Graduated Macalester College, St. Paul, MN 1972 Moved to Bozeman 1973

1. Dave Kumlien Executive Director TU’s Whirling Disease Foundation • Grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin • Graduated Macalester College, St. Paul, MN 1972 • Moved to Bozeman 1973

2. Dave Kumlien Executive Director TU’s Whirling Disease Foundation • Founded and owned Montana Troutfitters fly shop 1978-1998 • Founding Director of the Whirling Disease Foundation 1995

3. Whirling Disease Foundation • Established in 1995 in Bozeman, Montana • Managed by a 11 member Board of Directors • Staffed by an Executive Director and Science Coordinator

4. Mission • To manage the threat of whirling disease to wild trout, salmon, char, and steelhead.

5. In October 2007, the Whirling Disease Foundation merged into the Trout Unlimited Cold Water Conservation Fund (CCF) • Merger Points….. • Continue mission of the Whirling Disease Foundation

6. Merger Points • Utilize whirling disease model to develop Aquatic Invasive Species program for TU

7. AND………………. • Dave must go fishing at every opportunity! 

8. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Why should TU care?

9. Aquatic invasive species directly impact TU’s mission to conserve and protect North America’s trout and salmon!

10. The Plan! • Two pronged approach to reduce the AIS threat to TU’s mission • Support sound scientific research into AIS • Integrate AIS into TU’s Conservation Success Index (CSI) • Utilize TU’s education and outreach capabilities to reach membership and the public to educate them about the AIS problem and provide information regarding what they can do to help reduce the AIS threat. TU Science

11. Education and outreach is an important tool in the AIS battle and represents the initial focus in the TU effort…. • Utilize TU’s powerful communication network to spread the AIS message to its 140,000 members

12. Education and outreach is an important tool in the AIS battle and represents the initial focus in the TU effort…. • Utilize state council, local TU chapters, and grassroots membership to spread the message to the public

13. AIS was not a part of the TU culture. “Take care of the water and the habitat and the trout will take care of themselves.” The Challenge: Craft a simple and understandable message that will engage TU members in the AIS issue.

14. No Felt Soles by 2011! This policy was announced at TU’s 2008 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City and at the Fly Fishing Retailer Trade Show in Denver in September 2008

15. No Felt Soles by 2011! A policy carefully considered by TU Science staff and based on science.

16. No Felt Soles by 2011! Felts soles most likely piece of angling equipment to transport AIS. In a study titled Movements of Resident and Non-Resident Anglers in Montana: Implications for Transferring Whirling Disease among Drainages in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem byKiza K. Gates, Christopher S. Guy, Alexander V. Zale, and Travis B. Horton of the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks

17. No Felt Soles by 2011! It was discovered that…. “The average angler in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is carrying 22.10 g of sediment on their boots and waders. Anglers in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are capable of transporting detectable quantities of sediment between access sites.”

18. No Felt Soles by 2011! It was discovered that…. “The potential for this sediment transport to move aquatic nuisance species that may be found in the sediment among drainages in Montana is of concern.”

19. No Felt Soles by 2011! • A formal request was received from Utah Div. of Wildlife

20. No Felt Soles by 2011! asking TU to take the lead in educating anglers in dangers of using felt and encouraging the use of alternatives.

21. No Felt Soles by 2011! • The “no felt soles” policy also followed the actions of other state and federal agencies including, NY DEQ, AK Fish Commission, and MD Department of Inland Fisheries and the country of New Zealand which has banned the use of felt soled waders and boots.

22. No Felt Soles by 2011! • The “no felts soles by 2011” position has created a lot of interest in the fly angling community and in the fly fishing industry.

23. No Felt Soles by 2011! At the September 2008 Fly Fishing Retailer Simms Fishing Products Company announced no felt soles in the Simms line by 2010.

24. No Felt Soles by 2011! • Created LOTS of buzz! • Article in Winter 2009 issue of TROUT magazine • To date, over 40 articles have appeared in fly fishing magazines and major newspapers across the country.

25. No Felt Soles by 2011! …..and LOTS of blog and chatroom activity talking about the AIS problem and the “no felt sole” recommendation

26. No Felt Soles by 2011! Bill Says: I applaud TU’s call to manufacturers and anglers to seek alternatives to felt soles by 2011. I am sure all anglers would readily replace soles if an alternative that meets felt performance is developed.

27. No Felt Soles by 2011! Bill Says: But it is very important to look at the bigger picture that shoes are only one part of addressing the invasive species issues. Invasives ride along in shoe laces, mesh, between the insole and shoe, gravel cuffs, boats, and gear. Bottom Line is we need to fundamentally change anglers thinking and behavior in how they treat gear after every use.

28. Common question from the public: “So, we eliminate felt soles, what about the rest of my fishing gear?

29. Considerable discussion with AIS and fish health professionals produced numerous and varied suggestions and approaches to equipment care.

30. Consensus: • No single treatment controls all AIS. • Many recommended treatments require the use of harsh and dangerous chemicals. • Considerable concern expressed regarding the cleaning of equipment and the public’s use of chemicals in riparian zones.

31. Consensus: • There is a VERY low probability of the public implementing complicated treatments. • KISS (keep in simple) approach is best.

32. Trout Unlimited joined with the Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species and the Federation of Fly Fishers in recommending the Clean Angling Pledge "I pledge to inspect, clean and dry my gear.” “I am committed to protecting our fisheries resources from aquatic nuisance species.“

33. "Simple steps can be taken to reduce the spread and introduction of harmful ANS invaders.  • Inspect your gear for any plants, or dirt. • Clean your gear with clean water. • Thoroughly dry your gear. • Never transport any fish, plants or animals from one body of water to another. Please join in the fight against aquatic nuisance species by taking the Clean Angling Pledge at www.tu.org or www.cleanangling.org

34. No Felt Soles by 2011! Will these actions eliminate the risk of spreading AIS by anglers? No, but they will help reduce the risk of the spread of AIS, and

35. No Felt Soles by 2011! …maybe even more importantly, this policy and action has helped to shift the paradigm of thinking and impact the behavior of fly fishing anglers regarding their role in spreading AIS!

36. Thank You! dkumlien@tu.org 406-570-0023