From TU:Wood, who started at TU two decades ago and took the reins of the national nonprofit in 2009, has grown the organization into an internationally respected conservation powerhouse, with an annual budget approaching $80 million and a national staff of 260 employees.
“Chris is an evangelist of fishing and fisheries conservation,” said Steve Moyer, TU’s vice president for government affairs and himself a Hall of Fame inductee (2014). “He loves to fish, and generously and routinely takes people fishing on the Potomac River each spring. His fishing excursions include members of Congress, federal agency leaders, friends, kids and veterans.”
More importantly, Moyer noted, Wood understands that good fishing is the product of healthy rivers and streams, and, under his leadership at TU, the organization has worked tirelessly to protect public lands and waters, restore rivers and streams and shore up the Clean Water Act to ensure everyone who fishes can share the pastime with coming generations of anglers.
In the face of a global pandemic, TU has thrived under Wood’s steadfast guidance. As COVID-19 gripped the world and threw the global economy into turmoil, TU continued to thrive. Working closing with Alaska communities and Tribes, TU helped mobilize recreational and commercial anglers and hunters in a successful campaign against the proposed Pebble mine in the headwaters of Bristol Bay, where the world’s most prolific and economically vital salmon runs still thrive. Additionally, TU was a key proponent of the Great American Outdoors Act, which will help protect vital fish and wildlife habitat and secure angling opportunities all across America.
“Chris connects people to fishing and conservation as few others do,” Moyer said. “Chris has testified numerous times in Congress. He has been quoted in major newspapers such as the Washington Post, New York Times and the Wall Street Journal dozens of times. Has authored dozens of op-eds published in newspapers and magazines of all types; has co-authored three books, and has written countless blog posts extolling fishing and fisheries conservation projects.”
Few other anglers have done as much for the angling community, in terms of helping care for and recover America’s trout fisheries; encouraging diversity among the angling community; and getting new anglers from all walks of life on the water to experience fishing first-hand, growing the population of advocates for our country’s fishing resources.
Wood is joined in this year’s Hall of Fame class by Dave Kumlein, a former TU staffer and Montana fishing guide who started the Whirling Diseases Foundation, which later merged with TU. Kumlein is also an outspoken advocate for veterans and helped found the Quiet Waters Foundation, which helps the country’s veterans experience the healing powers of fishing.
Also entering the Hall of Fame with Wood are John Prochnow, a bait and lure designer from Iowa; Tom Keenan, a professional angler from Wisconsin; Steve Jones, a Great Lakes fishing guide from Michigan; and Wisconsin’s Steve Heiting, the editor of Musky Hunter magazine.
The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, in Hayward, Wis., is dedicated to the promotion of fresh water sportfishing. Its mission is to develop and maintain the Hall of Fame and a museum preserving and displaying historical artifacts of the sport. The Hall of Fame recognizes people, organizations and institutions that have made significant and lasting contributions to the sport and heritage of fresh water fishing.
Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization dedicated to caring for and recovering America’s rivers and streams so our children can experience the joy of wild and native trout and salmon. Across the country, TU brings to bear local, regional, and national grassroots organizing, durable partnerships, science-backed policy muscle, and legal firepower on behalf of trout and salmon fisheries, healthy waters and vibrant communities.
