05/22/2026
PRESS RELEASE
MAY 21, 2026
GREY REEF CHAPTER TROUT UNLIMITED
NCHS fly fishing team receives donation from local Trout Unlimited chapter
Natrona County High School’s first ever competitive fly fishing team recently accepted a $1500.00 donation from the local Grey Reef chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU). NC’s club is planning to expand after a successful showing in the state’s first tournament, held on the North Platte River on March 11th. The team placed 2nd in the guided competition, behind Cody’s girls team.
TU is a national, service-oriented organization with local chapters that encourage members to get involved with mentoring others and protecting the fisheries they enjoy. According to Head Coach Tom Grogan, the chapter's donation will fund travel and equipment purchases, allowing the team to grow in number and skill and learn about other fisheries around the state.
“We’ve had a tremendous amount of support from businesses and individuals to promote the sport of fly fishing, and we are excited to pass on some wisdom to the next generation of fly fishers,” said Grogan. The team currently has only three students competing, but Grogan stated that numerous students have approached him since the club was founded in the fall of 2025. “Obviously, we are a young team, a young organization, so some of the components to this endeavor are being worked out. We hope to make this something for all levels of fly anglers,” said Grogan.
Kolter Osborn, an NC sophomore who plans to continue with the team next year, explained that the support shown by Trout Unlimited’s local chapter has been evident. “It was a surprise to see people from the community so willing to give money to our team. It seemed like they were excited to see that there are still kids wanting to get out there and go fishing,” said Osborn. “I would definitely say we are crazy about fishing, but we also want to focus on respecting and conserving the water and surrounding areas.”
According to Trout Unlimited Grey Reef Chapter President Scott Novotny, his organization is looking forward to partnering with the high school team to bring new energy and, hopefully, build more interest in the conservation of river and wetland habitats.
“The Grey Reef chapter of Trout Unlimited feels honored to support the team. Conservation is one of the major drives behind it. It’s not just fishing. We have some members who don’t even fish much. They just focus on conserving cold-water fisheries. That’s one of our major goals to tie in with them,” said Novotny.
For one of its first community service projects, the high school team is looking forward to helping with Free Fishing Day, which will be held at Harry Yesness Pond on June 6 from 9-1pm.
