When I first heard of the fish kill on Indiana's White River in 1999, the numbers were phenomenal (5 million fish dead). It's enough to make your heart sink if you're an angler. So when local angler Jim Pickett contacted me about a trip on the White in downtown Indianapolis, I thought it would be a great opportunity to take a first-hand look at the conservation efforts underway to restore this great fishery.

Well, I'm happy to report that the White River is making a great comeback. In one day, Jim and I caught a great stringer of both largemouth and smallmouth keepers and found a ton of bait fish and brood stock which means the White River has regained not only a healthy population of large fish but has the forage base to re-stimulate a growing and healthy fish population. Organizations such as The Friends of the White River and others, including the State of Indiana, have established a 6 million dollar trust to continue the restoration and are largely responsible for the amazing comeback experienced by this beautiful river. We can all take a lesson from their efforts when it comes to rivers and streams in your own area. Get involved. Find organizations, both public and private and let your voice be heard. Attend meetings, send emails and most importantly, contact your local and state agencies and let them know that you care about your local rivers and streams. Better yet, if you're really motivated, organize a clean-up day and spend a little time picking up trash and debris that allows seems to find its way onto the river bank.

The White River is back and better than ever. Can you say the same about your local rivers and streams? If not, get involved and do something about it. The fish will thank you.