CX3 - Community × Coldwater × Conservation

Land Conservancy Workgroup
2023-09-29 09:15 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Centennial Hotel, 303 W North River Dr, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
The Land Conservancy of the NLC works to develop TU’s Land Conservancy Fund, akin to TU’s Embrace A Stream program, to assist land trusts and other conservancy groups in acquiring land and easements to protect coldwater resources and access to them.
This session is open to all event attendees.

Grassroots Workgroup
2023-09-29 09:15 - 10:30 | WA
The mission of the Grassroots workgroup of the National Leadership Council is to continuously assess and assist effectiveness of our chapters and councils and to develop tools and resources for improvement. The workgroup helps develop new charter models to meet TU needs.
This session is open to all event attendees.

Communications Workgroup
2023-09-29 09:15 - 10:30 | WA
The Communications Workgroup seeks to:

Clarify and communicate the role and function of the National Leadership Council to all parts of TU
Facilitate communications within the NLC and its workgroups
Encourage and foster communications to and from the NLC to chapters, councils, members, trustees and staff

This session is open to all event attendees.

A Coastal Cutthroat Trout Case Study in Native Trout Conservation with Kitty Griswold
2023-09-29 09:15 - 10:30 | Centennial Hotel, 303 W North River Dr, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
Native Trout populations are important ecologically, socially, and economically. The streams and rivers they occupy are important sources of clean water, recreation, and provide habitat for myriad animals. To thrive and fully express their life histories, trout need connected habitats and cold, clean water. In this workshop we will use Coastal Cutthroat Trout, a native trout with a geographic range from Northern California to Southeast Alaska, as a case study to explore these issues and, when possible, draw parallels with other Trout and Char subspecies in North America. We will explore the key role partnerships can play in these efforts.
Kitty Griswold is a Fisheries Scientist with a keen interest in conserving Native Trout and their habitats. She grew up in the Great Basin region of the Western United States and was fortunate enough to explore the streams and rivers that shape those arid landscapes. She attended Oregon State University for her MS and PhD degrees and learned about the richness of marine systems through the study of migratory trout and salmon. She is currently allied faculty at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho in the Biological Sciences Department. Aware of the increasing challenges that cold-water fish populations face, her current work (and much of her personal time) focuses on creating opportunities for research and partnerships to help us better understand and address these challenges.
This session is brought to you by the NLC Native Trout Workgroup.

CX3 Welcoming Breakfast with Spokane Tribal Councilman, Danny Kieffer
2023-09-29 07:00 - 09:00 | Centennial Hotel, 303 W North River Dr, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
Spokane Tribal Councilman, Danny Kieffer, will welcome Cx3 participants, and students from the Salish School of Spokane will treat us to a short musical performance.

5K: Run (or Walk) The Riverfront Park Loop
2023-09-29 07:00 - 08:00 | Centennial Hotel, 303 W North River Dr, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
The Riverfront Loop takes you on a scenic tour of Spokane’s central attraction and is easily accessed from downtown hotels. The loop extends for 2.7 miles around the park, crossing the Centennial Trail onto the grounds of Gonzaga University, then heading back west on the north bank of the river to reach the park’s pedestrian bridges. For added distance, continue on the Centennial Trail or loop in the paths around Gonzaga.
Interested runners or walkers are encouraged to meet in the pre-function area at 7 a.m. to run or walk together. We will ensure that folks are back and at breakfast in time to listen to our welcome blessing from the Spokane Tribal representative, Danny Kieffer at 8:15 a.m.
The run/ walk is free and open to the public.

Cocktails and Conservation — Hospitality Suite
2023-09-28 20:00 - 22:00 | Centennial Hotel, 303 W North River Dr, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
Talk late into the night with anglers and conservationists who share your passion for cold, clean rivers and streams at our nightly hospitality suite open to all registered guests. Enjoy Washington beer and wine and browse posters and other showcasing from local chapters, the Washington council and our partners. Event open only to participants 21 years of age or older.

DIY Brewery Tour
2023-09-28 18:30 - 20:00 | Centennial Hotel, 303 W North River Dr, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
It’s no secret that the craft beer scene is hopping in Spokane, with some of the best beer in the Inland Northwest! Many Spokane breweries source local ingredients to create their concoctions and share their love of craft beer with both locals and visitors alike. The famous Spokane Ale Trail is a great way to discover all the unique breweries found in the city. Many of the breweries are located west of downtown and most don’t require reservations. Leave from the pre-function area together to walk or take an uber and start anywhere along this handy Spokane Brewery Tour list and map!
This event is free and open to the public.

Supper on your own
2023-09-28 18:00 - 20:00 | WA
Downtown pub crawl/various locations.

Welcome reception
2023-09-28 17:00 - 18:30 | Centennial Hotel, 303 W North River Dr, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and music with TU supporters and visit tables/ booths set-up in the room by our partners.

Included in the “all-inclusive” registration.

Snake River Conservation Tour
2023-09-28 08:30 - 16:30 | WA
The Snake River Basin represents the coldest, most undisturbed habitat in the Lower 48 for salmon and steelhead. The time is now for the Snake. Removing the four lower Snake River dams would return 140 miles of habitat to a free-flowing river and recover wild salmon and steelhead in the basin.

Unless we take bold action to change the current trajectory, these fish will continue to decline – and eventually go extinct.

During your visit to Spokane for CX3, join Trout Unlimited staff on a trip to Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River to learn about the impacts of the dams in-person. The trip will include a guided tour of the dam from the Army Corps of Engineers, with stops at the fish ladder, fish counting station, smolt bypass system, and the earthen portion of the dam. TU staff will provide insight into how each of these components impact returns of salmon and steelhead and dive into the details of dam removal.

Before we return to Spokane, we’ll also visit the McCoy Rail Terminal to learn about rail as a transportation alternative for shipping of grain throughout the region.

To learn more about the lower Snake before your tour, visit https://www.tu.org/lowersnake/.

Additional tour details:
Please wear long pants, closed toe walking shoes/boots, and shirts with sleeves. Tour participants will also be required to wear hard hats provided by the Army Corps for a portion of the tour.
Unfortunately, the Army Corps is unable to host foreign nationals at Department of Defense facilities including Lower Granite Dam.

North Fork of the Coeur D’Alene (Wade Fishing)
2023-09-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-27 08:00 - 17:00 | WA
The North Fork is very similar to the St. Joe in many regards. This is a Westslope cutthroat fishery with few peers. With prolific hatches, low elevation and spectacular habitat the ‘North Fork’ grows the fish large and healthy. There’s always the chance of a pure ‘westie’ in the 20” class smashing a big foam bug here. Additionally, the river corridor and surrounding area is about as picturesque as a westslope fishery can be, and elk, moose, deer, and the occasional bear can be seen on the banks of this spectacular river. The North Fork of the Couer D’Alene is in Idaho and requires an Idaho state Fishing License.

St. Joe River (Wade Fishing)
2023-09-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-27 08:00 - 17:00 | WA
Roughly an hour and a half drive from Spokane, the St. Joe is a near-perfect Cutthroat stream. The “Joe” cascades through the Idaho Panhandle for over 80 miles offering anglers plenty of fishable water. Generally fish that range 12-16″ on average and plenty of cutthroat that will go bigger. By September the river has dropped significantly, and the lies that trout feed in will become quite obvious. In the fall if weather conditions allow, the Joe produces great hatches of western freestone fall favorites such as Mahogonies, October Caddis, and Baetis. If the weather stays mild, the hopper-dropper/attractor fishing will remain spectacular. The St. Joe is in Idaho and requires an Idaho state Fishing License.

Spokane River (Float Fishing)
2023-09-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-27 08:00 - 17:00 | WA
A true ‘urban fishery gem’, the Spokane runs right through the heart of the city. Many anglers from the area travel great distances to the mountains of Idaho to fish and overlook this amazing river! While the primary quarry is the river’s beautiful Redband Rainbow Trout, Brown and Cutthroat Trout are present as well. The average size fish is around 14”-18”, fish over 18” are not uncommon, and there’s always a possibility of a true trophy. The Spokane is mostly a floated river (wade access is limited), so you will likely be fishing out of a raft or drift boat. The primary hatch on this river is the caddis hatch, but its bug life is diverse and varied. When conditions hold steady, the fall fishing on the Spokane can be extremely good. The Spokane is in Washington and requires a WA state Fishing License.

Conservation Tour Breakfast Buffet
2023-09-28 07:00 - 08:45 | Centennial Hotel, 303 W North River Dr, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
7 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. in the Centennial Hotel’s Riverfront B&C Rooms.
All registered guests are welcome to sit-down for a hearty breakfast and coffee anytime between 7 and 8:45 a.m.
For those headed out fishing, boxed lunches will be provided at the breakfast. For those headed out on the conservation tour to the Snake River Dams, lunch will be packed in the busses for you.

CANCELLED: Happy Hour Reception at Amplify Sponsored by NRS and Pure Fishing
2023-09-27 17:30 - 20:00 | No Li Brewery, 1003 E Trent Ave, Spokane, WA, 99202, United States
CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST – but we encourage everyone to still gather for no host dinner at NoLi that evening to mix, mingle and connect with fellow conservationists.
The casting demo and displays from our partners will now take place Thursday evening at the Centennial.
Meet up with fellow anglers and conservationists at Amplify, 1003 East Trent Ave. Ste. 140, directly next door to Spokane’s famed NoLi Brewery. On the big, stream-side lawn we will have rods available to cast and demo, and local leaders will treat us to stories of some of their work right there along the Spokane river. Beer and wine donated by our generous partners will be available and the event will be catered, with local hand-made Empanadas to hold you over before heading next door for a no-host dinner at NoLi.
This event is sponsored by NRS and Pure Fishing who will have staff on hand displaying some of their new rafts and fly rods, respectively.
This event is included in CX3 registration. To purchase a $25 ticket to attend just this evening, visit this page.

Anglers Breakfast
2023-09-27 07:00 - 08:00 | Centennial Hotel, 303 W North River Dr, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
7 a.m. to 8 a.m. in the Centennial Hotel’s Audubon Room.
A light continental breakfast and coffee provided for all those that have registered for the Wednesday fishing day and the fishing hosts. Anglers will pick up boxed-lunches for the day at the breakfast.
Separate registration for the Wednesday fishing day required.
