Yakima River Clean-up Day
November 11th, 2001 Clean Up
Once again you guys did a great job of setting things up.  We were involved in the first clean up and were lucky enough to take part in pulling one of the fishermen out of the river.  I didn't expect anything that exciting this time around, but when the final prize (a beautiful Powell fly rod) was won by my son we both decided that topped the last time.  We are still negotiating who gets to use the new rod. You can bump up your pounds of garbage collected, based on the fact that all of us who pulled out at Luma put our garbage in the dumpster there.  In our two boats I would guess we had over 250 pounds (several tires, rafts, bottles, cans, etc.) and there was one other boat that dumped a bunch there also. Looking forward to the next Yakima River Clean up. Bill Ogle
Were glad we could participate in the November cleanup, you and the guys were very organized. Its nice to see everyone volunteer a day to something that's been so long overdue. Ray & Sandi
Thanks again for hosting the clean up last Sunday.  We all had a great time, especially since 50% of our club members came home with some nice prizes!  I appreciated how smoothly the logistics seem to run from a participant's point of view - it's no easy task deploying that many people, boats, and shuttles along the river!  I hope this is an annual affair.  Cynthia Hickey
The guys at the Worley Bugger in Ellensburg deserve a big round of thanks for organizing last weekend's river clean up on the Yakima! We gathered at Ringer and I counted about 40 altogether. Probably 10 or so with boats. Coffee & donuts (and lots of trash bags) were provided, and we all signed up for pretty short stretches from Ringer to Roza. Seemed like 2 or 3 boats on each stretch, and plenty of landlubbers hitting the takeouts and camping areas. The boats leap-frogged their stretch, stopping to pick up trash on beaches/bars, and of course we fished. It was cold, so stone fly nymphs were on the menu. My boat partner switched to a 15' sink tip and lost a couple of flies (in the right place) but picked up one very nice 'bow that was jumper. I picked up a consolation prize, about a 17" white fish that fought back. Saw some little ones picked up on the surface with the bwo hatch around 2pm-3pm. We all took out at 3pm, piled up the trash for pick up, and headed back to the shop for bbq'd burgers and a very nice raffle (one ticket & one chance per "trasher") with a whole mess of nice prizes. I didn't get a count of the bags, but there was a huge pile of trash that is no longer on the river. Pat Bolton

March 4th, 2001 Clean Up
The first annul Yakima River Clean Up Day was held this past Sunday, March 4th in the Yakima River Canyon.  We would like to thank everyone that took time out of their schedules to show up for the event.  Everyone worked hard hauling hundreds of pounds of trash from the river and banks.
We would also like to thank Starbucks Coffee (Ellensburg) for their generous donation of hot beverages and Super One Foods (Ellensburg) for the delicious donuts.  It was very much appreciated by everyone.
Thanks again for organizing the clean up on Sunday. It made me feel so good to just go down there and focus on cleaning more than on fishing or hiking for once. I'd like to do these get together at least twice a year if that's possible. I don't think it's too much to ask to organize something like that. You had a great turnout, people were really into getting the canyon cleaned up a bit... just think of the good karma points we earned?  Anyways, Steve, Doug, and all of you at the shop, thanks for making a memorable experience that I can feel good about for a long time. The souls of the canyon thank you too... Snapdad
Steve, Thanks to you and Doug for setting up such a successful clean up.  It was fun to give something back to a river that has given us so much enjoyment. You were well organized and we'll look forward to another opportunity. Thanks again.  Nick & Louise Calderone
It also has to be added that I think you guys did an absolutely outstanding job Sunday.  Everyone I talked with had a good time, felt they did some good and all seemed to feel really good about getting to know you and your staff a bit better.  Congratulations on a really fine thing that you all accomplished and the way you carried it off so well. Joel K. Klein
I wanted to send a "Thanks" for organizing and promoting the Yakima River Cleanup!  I had a great time.  We rode the river with Doug who proved a great host.  He went beyond the call, I left my rod sitting on the shop floor.  Between litter pickup stops, Doug offered -me- his own rod to fish many of the holes along the river.  As I fished a couple of his flies sacrificed themselves to the bottom-Gods, Doug didn't even blink an eye, he just picked out another, tied it on and offered his rod again.  Thanks Doug.  We could tell that you really enjoy guiding. Had a great time and went home feeling great about the cleanup effort. Thanks Guys!!! Mike Bosko Ellensburg, WA ps.  Went out this late-morning and caught a gorgeous 14+" 'bow.  Gorgeous out there when the fog lifted!
You guys did a great job organizing the clean-up. it was good for the river and people enjoyed the opportunity to give something back. My club member colleagues and I also appreciate the trip that you have contributed to our auction. I hope you have the opportunity to attend any of our meetings that coincide to times when you are on the rainy side of the mountains. Thanks again, Sherrill Myers
My thanks to Steve and gang for organizing the efforts!  It truly shows class when we all take care of and look after the river that gives us so much.  I had a great time, and look forward to fall when we do it again. Eric Bjorling Marysville, WA
Thanks for the opportunity to help out. How about another clean-up in late Oct?  The fishing should be...better. Joseph E Coyle
Thanks to everyone that participated. We had a GREAT turnout. We collected trash from Ringer all the way down to Squaw creek. We collected enough trash to fill two ten yard dumpsters plus a little bit more. We collected numerous plastic rafts from snags and at least one 4-man tent. In the lower section of the canyon we were finding car parts, BBQ parts and several pieces of electronic equipment. A big thanks to Starbucks, Super One and Ellensburg waste management for their contributions to this project. At the end of the day we had a BBQ at the shop, it was nice to see everyone involved having a good time talking about river issues and fly fishing. As Bubba mentioned, we will be doing more of these clean-up efforts in the future. I will post an announcement as soon as we set a date; probably in the fall. On a personal note; It was very good to meet several of you VFS BB characters. It is nice to be able to put a face and personality with the words. Again, Thanks to everyone for their efforts in this project. Doug Buchanan Worley Bugger Fly Co.
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