6pm on March 31, 2004 at Chicago Connection, in Boise, Idaho the Ted Trueblood Chapter of Trout Unlimited Board Meeting was called to order by our chapter president Richard Prange. This board meeting is being held one week earlier than normal to accommodate preparations for the April 6, 2004 Trout on Tuesday Event.

Attendance: Richard Prange, Andy Brunelle, Jake Duplessie, Jeff Barney, Bob Caldwell, Chris Jones, Jim Cook, Shigeru Yokoyama, Darryl Kruhrt, Dave Brown, Herb Roerick, James Piotrowski

1. Trout on Tuesday update and preparations. Discuss what needs doing and last minute assignments as needed.

The Board discussed at length the Trout on Tuesday agenda and logistics lead by Jim Cook and Richard Prange. Briefly: Prange will speak briefly to settle the crowd and into Tim Linehan, Tim will speak about TUTV and the episodes that will be shown, watch the episode on the Big Wood River, Prange will speak about the status of the chapter and briefly about projects, Andy Brunelle will speak about the Harris Ranch Project, and Matt Woodard will speak about the S. Fork of the Snake work, Tim Linehan will speak about the S. Fork episode, watch episode.

Board members will meet at the Big Easy early to get set up (display, silent auction (5 or 6 tables), check sound & audio). Mr. Brunelle and Darryl Kuhrt will put together a continuous loop power point to play during down time. Folks were encouraged to sell tickets aggressively. The Idaho Statesman has carried good coverage of the event, the Boise Weekly has interviewed President Richard Prange, and we will put info on our website. Mr. Brunelle will bring the red raffle tickets and the credit card swiper, and will touch bases with Dan Barth channel 2 weekend weatherman and fishing segment host about pitching the event and maybe coming by. Jake Duplessie will touch bases with teachers and biologists about coming down.

Preliminary discussion of door prizes will be the first season of TUTV and a few of the lesser books received from the John Shewey event. Preliminary Silent Auction items are: Jack Dennis book autographed with signature and artwork, John Shewey's Books, James Piotrowski offered to fill a couple of fly boxes, a good bottle of tequila, a landing net. Mr. Prange encouraged the board to visit fly shops to see if we can get more donations. Idaho Angler supplied and rod and reel for raffle prize.

The board discussed Shigeru Yokoyama's work establishing email lists through Yahoo. Mr. Yokoyama clarified that there will be an email list for board members only, and one for chapter members to receive a monthly update on chapter events. The public will also be able to sign up for monthly updates and sign up for volunteer work on the Chapter website. Mr. Yokoyama and Mr. Kuhrt had some good ideas about putting current events and issues on the main page of the website for easy of information finding (i.e. Lucky Peak Gold Mine issues, The Big Easy Event, etc.)

Richard Prange and Herb Roerick attended Bill Jaroki's workshop on watershed funding opportunities available to non-profits and agencies. This workshop was put on by the BSU Environmental Finance Center. They have put out a guidebook and CD on available watershed resources. Mr. Prange indicated that TU was about the only non-profit attending the majority of folks there were from agencies. Mr. Prange made a call to the board that someone needs to keep the finger on the pulse of these opportunities similar to what Mr. Brunelle has been doing for things like the Harris Ranch and Eagle Island project discussing one of our issues is we have a shortage of horses to pull this cart. Boise is a perfect venue for excellent projects as we live in an area with an excellent urban fishery. One idea is to work with local professors and graduate students on projects to improve and tackle cold water conservation issues.

The application submitted by Doug Bradley was successful to work on fencing and riparian reconstruction on Fir Creek campground along Bear Valley Creek. Funding will be done half by TU and half by NMFS. The board discussed instead of having a July Chapter meeting we have a work weekend to get work done. Mr. Roerick will work with Doug Bradley in leading preparations, an update will come next board meeting and we will get this on the calendar and Chapter website.

Mr. Brunelle and Chris Jones have been out at Harris Ranch working heavy equipment to dig test pits along the proposed side channel. Mr. Jones reported good success in finding water table easily and that there will be good gradient throughout the channel, and good gravel content. Work will begin at the bottom of the channel and proceed "upstream." Also Idaho Power gave to ok to dig on there property.

Jake Duplessie and Richard Prange reported on the excellent work done by Kris Stone at Riverglen Middle School in the creation of a Trout in the Classroom Video. Ms. Stone is revising this resource which will be available for new teachers, those interested in starting the program in their school and educating others about the program and the partnerships which make the program possible. TU National is also fund raising to hire a National Coordinator for TU's Trout in the Classroom.

Mr. Prange asked the board to think of ideas for the winter fly fishing specialist event such as the John Shewey event and the Dennis/Lawson event. He has been in touch with Idaho Angler who is interested in being involved and spoke with Rick Hafly and John S. who own a fly shop on the Deschutes River in Oregon. This would cost $500 for each of them to come plus a couple of hundred dollars for travel and set up. What are some other ideas? Mr. Piotrowski offered assistance to Mr. Prange to help plan and package next years event.

The State Council Meeting is set for the weekend of May 1^st at the University Inn. Board Members are strongly encouraged to be on hand for this event.