Your Love for the Deschutes

Written By Steven Hawley

“It offers a perspective I don’t get to enjoy in my everyday life. I spend time on the river to feel small and realize what a powerful environment it is.” -Lindsey

The Care of Rivers

Passion fuels advocacy. It’s what drives the ordinarily introverted person to testify in front of a skeptical crowd. It lends the river guide the enduring attention span required to read a novel-thick policy manual. It’s  what incites heated opinion and discussion over strategy between allies. 

Passion is what Japan’s John Muir, 19th-century conservationist Tanaka Shozo, was describing when he observed, “The care of rivers is not a question of rivers, but of the human heart.” 

Potent fuel

At the DRA, the most potent fuel we have in the fight for cooler, cleaner water for the lower Deschutes River is our collective, human-hearted love of the river. While it may be true that sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul, those sentiments still have to be heard before anyone can be moved by them. Dialogue matters. That’s why we’ve given our supporters a chance to testify on behalf of the river in a short video format at a couple different DRA events over the past year or so. Hearing why someone loves the Deschutes just might inspire the commitment it will take to insist on the changes it will take to return the river to good health. 

Some reasons why you love the Deschutes

“It gives me goosebumps. It’s this big giant river in the middle of the desert. It’s full of trout, amazing bird life, and wildlife in general. And it has some of the hardest-fighting, best trout in America.” -Alex

“It brings you to the desert. It’s an oasis of water and fish. It’s the heart and soul of this part of the country.” -Tim

Photo courtesy of John Fisher

“It’s the most magical place. It can take you away from the craziness of the everyday world.” -Jenny

“It’s a place I can go my whole life and create my own reality. I can fish it the way I want it to be. It’s always hard, and always a surprise in some way, shape or form.” -Brian

Send your testimony of love

We’d like to hear from more of you.

Tell us why you love the Deschutes. Send your comments, photos and videos to: info@deschutesriveralliance.org.

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