Downtown fly-fishing for Truckee preservation

By: Tiana Ross

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 12:32 AM

Through a special event to be hosted on Saturday, the University of Nevada, Reno student chapter of the Wildlife Society hopes to contribute to efforts that may provide natural sanctuaries around Reno.

The event, the Truckee River One-Fly Tournament and Restoration Festival, will be hosted from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants and judges will meet at the McCarran Ranch House along the Truckee River at 6 a.m. to receive scorecards and partner assignments. Jason Barnes, board member of the Wildlife Society student chapter, expects about 50 people to participate in the fishing tournament. A $40 minimum donation is required for entry.

The fishing tournament will run from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. All participants will be allowed one fly for the duration of the event and points will be awarded based on fish length. These points will be tallied and used to determine the second and third place champions. The grand prize winner will be the angler with the largest catch. Prizes will consist of rods, reels and shirts donated by Orvis Sporting Traditions in Reno. This event’s operation is dependent on donations.

“(There was) no cash funding (for this event). Everything was donated,” Barnes said.

After the fishing tournament, awards will be distributed and prizes from Sportsman’s Warehouse, Cabela’s and Starbuck’s will be raffled, Barnes said. Free barbecue will also be offered to all of the participants and spectators. Throughout the day, volunteers from UNR, the community and Orvis Sporting Traditions will be working hard to facilitate the activities. John Sochetti, fishing manager at Orvis, said their store is helping to ensure the success of this event. They are sponsoring the tournament, assisting with barbecue and providing volunteers.

“(All of the proceeds) are being donated for nature conservancy,” Sochetti said.

Barnes said that all of the money raised from this tournament will be donated to restore the McCarran Ranch portion of the Truckee River and to increase public access to the area. Public access is currently located three to four miles upstream from the site.

Representatives from the Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be present to speak on work that is currently occurring to beautify the area. Barnes said he has always had a vision for this type of event to occur and he is pleased to finally see it in motion.