New South East Idaho Fly Fishers President Sets Sights on Restoring Portneuf River
A retired Episcopal priest with deep roots in southeastern Idaho has taken the helm of a local conservation and angling organization, bringing with him both a personal connection to the region’s waterways and an ambitious vision for their future.
Coke McClure, newly elected president of the South East Idaho Fly Fishers — Chapter 720 of Trout Unlimited — returned to the Pocatello area roughly six years ago after years away doing missionary church work in Nebraska and Kentucky. The time spent in the Midwest, he says, gave him and his wife, Tamara, a renewed appreciation for the high desert landscape and cold-water streams of the Portneuf Valley.
“In retirement, I don’t have to travel to Boise,” McClure said. “I can stay here in Pocatello and just enjoy life. It is truly a blessed place to live.”
A River Transformed — and Still Being Restored
McClure grew up near Rexburg, with easy access to celebrated trout waters including the Henry’s Fork and the South Fork of the Snake River. That upbringing, he admits, left him indifferent to what the Pocatello area had to offer — at least at first.
What changed his perspective was learning the story of the Portneuf River’s transformation. Decades ago, much of the river ran through a concrete channel with little habitat value. Over the past four decades, coordinated efforts by multiple government agencies and conservation groups have helped restore portions of the Portneuf to what is now recognized as a blue-ribbon trout fishery.
“What’s remarkable about this group is the conversion story of the Portneuf River,” McClure said. The turnaround, he notes, stands as a model of what sustained conservation work can accomplish.
As president, McClure intends to build on that progress. His priorities include continuing habitat restoration along both the Portneuf and the Upper Blackfoot rivers, improving water quality, and strengthening erosion mitigation efforts. Both rivers were regarded as premier trout destinations in their prime, and McClure believes meaningful recovery is still achievable with sustained effort.
He also wants to expand use of the Edson Fichter Nature Area south of Pocatello along the Portneuf corridor — not just for fishing, but for community gatherings, educational walks, and cultural events. A former seminary student, McClure once led meditation walks along the river and envisions events like outdoor barbecues on the greenway bringing more residents into contact with the waterway.
Preserving Craft, Engaging Youth, and Chasing Funding
While conservation remains a central focus, McClure is equally committed to preserving the club’s long-standing reputation as a home for skilled fly tiers. “We’ll be emphasizing fly tying — we don’t want to lose the club’s strength,” he said. The organization has historically drawn members who take the craft of tying flies seriously, and McClure wants that tradition maintained alongside the group’s growing conservation mission.
Youth engagement is another key goal. McClure hopes to use local waters as a classroom, teaching younger generations about fish lifecycles and the ecological importance of healthy stream systems. He has been particularly vocal about the decline of steelhead runs into the Stanley area — runs he says have suffered because of four dams on the lower Snake River — and wants young Idahoans to understand what is at stake.
On the funding front, McClure sees real opportunity. He points to the success of Silver Creek near Sun Valley, where private conservation dollars — much of it channeled through organizations like Trout Unlimited — have supported significant habitat and landscaping work. His son, a landscaper in the Swan Valley area, has participated in hydroseeding projects near Silver Creek funded through such efforts. McClure hopes similar outside investment can be directed toward Bannock County’s priority waterways.
Trout Unlimited, founded in 1959 in Michigan and expanded nationally following the federal Clean Water Act in 1972, has grown into one of the country’s most effective cold-water conservation organizations. McClure said national and regional leadership have identified local waters as priorities, which could help leverage outside funding for Portneuf Valley restoration projects.
The South East Idaho Fly Fishers are currently seeking new board members. Those interested in joining the leadership team are encouraged to reach out to the organization directly.
Community organizations like the South East Idaho Fly Fishers reflect the civic spirit that drives Bannock County. For more on local groups making a difference, see our coverage of the Bannock County Historical Society’s annual tradition and the Pocatello Bandits bringing lacrosse to eastern Idaho.
What Comes Next
Under McClure’s leadership, the South East Idaho Fly Fishers are expected to increase collaboration with Idaho Fish and Game, pursue outside conservation funding, and expand public programming along the Portneuf River corridor. Residents interested in volunteering, joining the board, or attending chapter events can connect with the group through Trout Unlimited’s national chapter directory.