How Do We PAY For It All? Current Fundraising Efforts

Last Update 2/15/26

As many of you may know your membership dollars go directly to the work that Trout Unlimited National does in Washington and beyond to help protect our waterways. The local chapters are tasked not only with making a difference in their home areas but also figuring out how to pay for it! Materials for our youth programs, Trout in the Classroom, bank reinforcement and habitat improvement projects, those dollars come from activities like gear raffles, 50\50s, paid events, fly sales, grants and donations from both private citizens and corporations and any other way can think of... 

Here's what we currently have going on locally to help us make a buck or two...

Fly Sales: At the Upcoming Greater Niagara Fishing Show and The Outdoor Show at The Hamburg Fairgrounds in March we'll be representing like we always do. Our member donate of their time, talents and materials to tie up some first quality flies. Pick up a few (dozen) and fill your fly boxes! You're going to need them anyways, pick them up from us!

Gear Raffle: We have a great Rod and Reel Combo that the chapter is raffling off just in time for the upcoming trout season. A 9’ 5 Wt. Orvis Helios with an Orvis CFO III reel. The package retails at $1300 and tickets are $20 with the winner being chosen on 4/1. You can get your ticket at the monthly general meeting, at our booth at the upcoming outdoor shows or email president@wnytroutunlimited.org. Thanks to board member Chuck Sherry for his generosity in donating this outfit.

Can and Bottle Donations: To help fund our programs and stream projects you can donate the redemption on your cans and bottles by dropping them off at the CBR Redemption Center at 4255 Clark Street in Hamburg. Just tell the cashier you want to donate the proceeds to Western New York Trout Unlimited, and they will handle the rest.