One Bug 2022 a Rousing Success!
The 14th annual FUDR One Bug event was held on April 30 and May 1 and the weather, water, fish, and bugs provided our participating guides and anglers with a delightful two days of early season fishing.
Many One Bug veterans are fully aware of how challenging the river can be this time of year. However, air temperatures in the 60’s, some mixed sun and clouds, and healthy numbers of wild rainbow and brown trout poking their noses up made for an enjoyable and successful weekend for our participants.
The One Bug plays a critically important role in supporting the work of FUDR. It has become a highly anticipated event that kicks off the spring fishing season. It is also a fun two days of friendly fly fishing competition that reunites old river comrades and generates new and lasting friendships.
We extend our sincere gratitude and deep appreciation to everybody who spent the weekend with us. One Bug anglers, and the guides who care for them on the river, are emblematic of how the love of a river and a passion for the sport of fly fishing can generate a powerful conservation and stewardship ethic. The Upper Delaware River will need that to remain clean and healthy for future generations of anglers and everybody else who has the river close to their hearts.
There are many moving parts to the One Bug and plenty of expressions of gratitude to share. I’ll start with FUDR’s captain of the One Bug Team, Sherri Resti Thomas. The 2022 event was Sherri’s 12th One Bug. She’s learned a thing or two along the way and nobody does it better. Sherri manages a committee of One Bug advisors and by the time you read this note, she will have already convened the group to begin planning the 2023 event. Sherri sees all the nooks and crannies, anticipates the unanticipated, and gives everybody her unique style of personal attention. Thanks Sherri and great work!
Sherri had some help from FUDR’s other two staff members, Shell Dufton and Molly Oliver who lent a helping hand on the dozens of details that require attention to ensure a successful One Bug. Thanks Shell and Molly!
Thanks to the leadership of FUDR Board Chairman Craig Bouslough, and Dan Plummer before him, the FUDR Board of Directors has evolved into a highly cohesive group that greatly enhances the work of the organization and the staff. Several current and former board members participated in the One Bug including Craig Bouslough, Steve Taggart, Maury Cartine, Christine Larocca, Kim McCormack, Jim Asselstine, Peter Moskovitz, Joe Anscher, Alex Smith-Constantine, Travis Conley, Dan Plummer, Pete Grimbilas, Lee Hartman, Jim Costolnick, and JC Clark.
As in years past, we are very grateful to our corporate supporters - Orvis, Patagonia, and Simms/Costa - who help the One Bug through team entry and product donations. A special thanks to Orvis for providing all our guides and contestants with a beautiful Orvis Pro Vest, an Orvis tote bag, and a sweet Orvis Helios 3 blackout rod for the winning team.
One of the important elements of the One Bug is its partnerships with local businesses in the region that rely on the tourism economy generated by the river. This year we worked with several nearby restaurants, lodging establishments, local businesses, and landowners who helped us pull off a seamless event. They include:
Pheasant Tail Tavern in Deposit – What a beautiful facility in Deposit to kick-off the One Bug on Friday night! Thanks to Leonard Solomon and his great staff for their graciousness and hospitality.
West Branch Angler – Thank you to Matt Batschelet and his staff at the River Run restaurant for providing a delicious meal at our Sunday night awards dinner and giving us permission to use the WBA boat launch.
Circle E Diner – The Circle E knows the One Bug well and their friendly staff did a great job with our breakfasts and lunches. Thanks to Stacy, Ray, Martine, and the rest of the Circle E crew!
Hancock House Hotel – Another veteran of the One Bug, the Hancock House Hotel provided a great buffet breakfast for us and comfortable and convenient lodging for many of our participants. Thanks to Kim and the Bass family for the warm accommodations!
The Camptons – Jim, Laura, and Bob have become close friends with FUDR over the years as our across-the-street neighbors and never turn down an opportunity to help FUDR. Thanks to the Camptons for our Sunday lunches!
Little Italy – A buffet of delicious Italian style food hit the spot for our hungry One Buggers after a long day on the river Saturday. Thanks to Little Italy owner Andrew Grigoli who had everything ready to go when we got there!
One Bug Shuttle Drivers – Thank you to Bill Gross and Gene Cramer for making sure everybody’s vehicles and trailers made it downriver to their assigned take-out ramps. Great job guys!
Landowners – Thank you to Andy Stone, Denis Luebke, and Ray Turner for giving us permission to launch some of our One Bug boats on their property. Much appreciated guys!
One of the most special elements of the 2022 One Bug is the inclusion of a team from the FUDR/Bill Canfield summer fly fishing camp for kids. Our camp committee lead by Pete Grimbilas, Steve Taggart, and Kim McCormack has done exemplary work in providing kids aged 12-17 with a fly fishing and river conservation experience that will last a lifetime. This year our kids team included Michael O’Neill (2-time camper) and his sister Joliana O’Neill (2021), Jacob Oathout (2021), and Gabriel Dubois (2021). Thanks to guide Matt Ertzinger for keeping the kids safe on the river and on fish!
FUDR is proud to create an event that blends just the right amount of fun, camaraderie, and friendly competition. While the awards we give out are something everybody looks forward to, it’s really the good spirit behind the event that carries the weekend. Thanks again to all our guides and anglers for their willingness to help our organization and the work we do to protect the fishery and river!
Here is a link to the 2022 One Bug award winners:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-Wd0v_14URTqOAG4eqHHxic60tsF-e9bx4S4QGzxAsw/edit?usp=sharing
For the River,
Jeff Skelding
skelding@fudr.org
Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) works to protect and restore the UDR watershed for the benefit of local economies, communities, people, and the environment. FUDR engages communities and people to protect the river and the world class wild trout fishery, revitalize local economies, and build strong coalitions at the local, regional, and national level.
In collaboration with our many valued partners, FUDR has brought over $4 million dollars into the UDR Watershed for stream restoration projects.