Northern Lights Fly Fishers Chapter

Trout Unlimited Edmonton, the first TUC chapter west of Ontario, was established in 1978 by a group of local fly fishermen. Its first significant event was a ‘Coldwater Anglers Conference’ featuring renowned angling author Lefty Kreh. The tradition of providing fisheries-related education, often featuring distinguished angling authorities, has continued to this day. Meanwhile, also in Edmonton, a group of fly fishers began to meet regularly to share and demonstrate their common passion for the art of fly tying, and in 1994, they founded the ‘Northern Lights Fly Tyers Club’. The two organizations shared many of the same members and interests. Their initial conservation efforts focused on central Alberta's brown trout streams, especially the Raven and North Raven rivers. In January 2010, both organizations merged to become Northern Lights Fly Tyers – TUC Edmonton, later amended to Trout Unlimited Canada – Northern Lights Fly Fishers Chapter.

The chapter’s conservation work has been supported and funded primarily by the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), of which the chapter is a Corporate Partner in Conservation. ACA grants and support from its staff, along with our own fundraising activities, have enabled our volunteer members to complete a variety of conservation projects: redd counts; streambank restoration; the protection of 225 acres of riparian land along the Raven River system and Dogpound Creek; gathering needed data on the walleye, goldeye and mooneye populations in the North Saskatchewan River through Edmonton; helping facilitate the establishment and/or ongoing maintenance of stocked trout fisheries in the greater Edmonton and Peace River regions, and its most extensive, ongoing project, Arctic grayling research/monitoring and stream work on the upper Pembina River. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans recognized the latter in 2014 with a National Recreational Fisheries Award.

Providing learning opportunities has always been a primary goal. NLFF has presented public seminars featuring many of North America’s most distinguished anglers - many returning for repeat performances. The Chapter has developed fishing and fly-tying educational resources that align with Alberta Education’s Outdoor Education curriculum and provide help to beginner anglers and fly tyers. It has offered numerous fly-tying opportunities, especially for youth groups, including teaching approximately 7,000 kids how to tie a ‘woolly bugger’ at the annual Edmonton Boat and Sportsmen’s Shows. Its annual Learn to Fly Fish classes are usually sold out. Bi-weekly meetings are open to all, and members and guests are provided with fly tying demonstrations and lessons, presentations on fly fishing strategies, locations and equipment, fisheries management and conservation updates and discussions, wildlife awareness, the occasional barbecue, and more.

The chapter is also well known to the Alberta Provincial Government for its presence at fisheries stakeholder meetings, and its input on and advocacy for recreational fishing opportunities, conservation, and effective fisheries management.

None of the above would have happened without the extensive voluntary efforts of our members. New members and visitors are always welcome.


Chapter President: Ken Monk
Contact: mailto:president@nlft.org