Volunteer Spotlight on Mike Madigan

Both my mother and father were fly fishers. They gave me my first fly rod when I was 7, a seven-foot Fenwick glass rod. For the first few years, I spent a great deal of time extricating my flies from the trees and bushes that lined streams. I think that I spent as much time re-rigging leaders, tippets and flies as I did actually fishing for trout. Fortunately, however, it did not dampen my love for rivers, woods and the sport.

Returning from a river, I always feel refreshed, healthier, and more grounded. Regardless of whether I actually catch a fish, I always seem to have a story to share with my wife. When my legs grow weary of fighting the current or when I spot an eagle, osprey, otter, or deer, I generally quietly wade to a downed log or large stone, sit for a while, and just watch. In my fishing pack, I always carry a small thermos of coffee. These days, I seem to spend nearly as much time streamside, observing my surroundings and enjoying a cup of coffee. It has enhanced rather than diminished my passion for fly fishing.

My initial engagement with MNTU began about 30 years ago. I was doing a lot of pro bono environmental work at the time and Dan Callahan, then a news producer for WCCO, approached me about a proposal to dam Boiling Springs, which is an important groundwater source for Eagle Creek in Savage. We were successful in defeating that proposal. Dan has become the Riverkeeper for that aquatic jewel and, largely as a result of his advocacy, Eagle Creek remains a healthy cold water stream with native trout.

Over the years, I have represented MNTU and other environmental organizations in other legal battles. One other case worthy of note was a lawsuit against DNR about 20 years ago to protect the tributaries, springs, and seeps that contribute groundwater to trout streams. At that time, if a tributary, spring or seep was not demarked on a county public waters map, it was not deemed a “public water” and would not fall under the umbrella of protection that such a designation provided. Many important tributaries, springs, and seeps were not represented on those maps. The case was ultimately settled and all such maps now display a legend which confer public water protection on those important ground water sources.

I am always heartened and energized by the passion and commitment of MNTU members to protect these important resources, by their generosity in sharing their knowledge and love of the sport (although not necessarily their favorite streams, runs or spring ponds!), and by how much can be accomplished by a few dedicated environmentalists. There are many opportunities for MNTU members to engage with the organization and utilize their unique skill and talent. Your advocacy is needed at the legislature, before regulatory agencies like DNR and MPCA, and before local units of government. Your angling knowledge and talent is needed to introduce others to the sport, particularly young anglers. Finally, your time, talent and expertise is needed to help build the organization to better fulfill its mission. I encourage and invite all members to engage. The challenges to these unique ecosystems from global warming, development, logging, mining, and similar encroachment never ends. So too must our commitment, engagement, and advocacy never waver. Tight lines and stay safe!