On a summer evening at Big Goose Creek, it’s easy to forget how much work a creek is doing, and how much work it sometimes needs from us. Water slides past willows, insects rise, and fish follow patterns as old as time. Keeping that balance doesn’t happen by accident. It takes neighbors willing to show up, winter nights that fund summer work, and a shared belief that caring for a local creek is worth the time and effort.

That reality came into focus last summer, when a group of community members gathered along the creek at the SCLT Big Goose Natural Area for a hands-on stream restoration volunteer night. Some rolled up pant legs. Others grabbed pencils and clipboards and listened as Tina Krueger from Steady Stream Hydrology explained how they would collect streamflow and substrate data that would chart the course for work that would help the Big Goose begin to heal.

It wasn’t flashy. But it mattered. Standing on the bank helped people understand that restoration isn’t just abstract science, it’s local water, local habitat, and steady, patient work.

The Next Phase: Spring and Summer on the Ground

That work continues this spring and summer as the Sheridan Community Land Trust moves into the next phase of creek restoration. This phase will include willow cutting and planting, and SCLT will once again invite volunteers to take part.

“These projects work best when people understand why we’re doing them,” says Brad Bauer, SCLT Executive Director. “Volunteer days turn restoration into something people can see, touch, and feel proud of. It builds a real connection to the land and the waters that flow through it.”

Volunteer opportunities will be open to all experience levels, with SCLT staff on hand to explain the work and how it fits into the long-term health of the creek. That work will begin in late spring and early summer. Restoration work has also been aided by grants from the Powder River Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Homer A. and Mildred S. Scott Foundation.

Why Willows Matter

Willows may not look impressive when they’re bundled as cuttings, but they are one of the most effective tools for restoring a creek.

Their dense root systems knit streambanks together, reducing erosion and keeping sediment out of the water. Overhanging branches shade the creek, helping keep water cooler during hot summer months, which is critical for trout and aquatic insects. Over time, healthy willow corridors help slow flood flows, reconnect creeks to their floodplains, and store water longer into the season.

“Willows give a creek structure,” explains John Graves, SCLT Director of Conservation and Resource Management. “When they establish, you start seeing benefits throughout the system. That means more insects, better fish habitat, and stronger banks that protect water quality.”

A Milestone Film Tour with a Local Impact

That same hands-on, local approach is why the Fly Fishing Film Tour, coming to the WYO Theater on Saturday, February 7, plays such an important role in making this work possible.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Fly Fishing Film Tour, and Sheridan will host Wyoming’s first screening of the season. The films are world-class, and the atmosphere is always fun, but locally, the night serves a very real purpose.

The Fly Shop of the Bighorns is hosting this year’s event and has chosen to donate all proceeds from the event to SCLT. Last year’s event raised nearly $10,000, with every penny going directly toward stream restoration at the SCLT Big Goose Natural Area. That support helped SCLT begin long-term restoration work on its section of Big Goose Creek, a new public fishery on private land opened to the community last spring.

“We support SCLT because their work benefits the entire community,” said Dakota Webb of Fly Shop of the Bighorns. “From restoring streams and protecting clean water, to building new trails and preserving the history that makes this place special, they’re doing the kind of work that keeps Sheridan the kind of place people want to live, fish, and raise their families.”

This year’s proceeds will support the next phase of restoration, including the willow work planned for the months ahead.

Why the Raffles Matter

Equally important to ticket sales are the raffles, which help turn community enthusiasm into real progress in the stream. Raffle tickets help fund materials, equipment, and labor, and can make the difference between planning a project and actually completing it.

This year’s raffle features great outdoor gear and unforgettable experiences from several local businesses, such as a high-alpine lake guided fly-fishing trip and an overnight stay with meals from Spear-O-Wigwam. Attendees will also have an opportunity to buy tickets to win gear from Bighorn Trout Shop, EPOCH Collection, Rocky Mountain Discount Sports, Sheridan Bicycle Company, Sheridan Sport Stop, and more.  Most importantly, each raffle ticket directly supports the work happening along the creek.

“When people buy a ticket or a raffle entry, they are doing more than supporting a great night out,” Bauer says. “They are investing in a creek they can fish, float, walk along, and enjoy with their families.”

From Theater Seats to the Streambank

Doors open at 4:30 p.m., the films begin at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and available through the WYO Theater or in person at the Fly Shop of the Bighorns. Past shows have sold out, and raffle tickets are a big part of the evening’s energy.

That’s how your ticket helps your creek. It’s a direct line from a winter night at the WYO to cooler water, healthier habitat, and a more resilient stream come summer.

We’ll see you on the creek this spring, but first, we hope to see you at the WYO Theater on Saturday, February 7.

Learn more at https://sheridanclt.org/events/fly-fishing-film-tour-2026/.