Recap: The State of the Fishery 2026 at Our Annual Meeting

We had an incredible turnout at our 2026 Annual Meeting and Dinner at Camp Mont Shenandoah! It was wonderful to gather with so many friends, neighbors, and members who share a deep love for keeping the Cowpasture River one of Virginia’s cleanest and most beautiful waterways.

Beyond the great food and company, a major highlight of the evening was our guest presentation: “Cowpasture River: State of the Fishery 2026.”

If you weren’t able to join us in person—or if you just want to review the data closely—we are pleased to share the full presentation below.

View and Download the Presentation

Click the preview image below to view and download a complete PDF copy of Jason’s presentation slides:

A Closer Look Below the Surface

We were honored to welcome Jason Hallacher, a District Fisheries Biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), as our keynote speaker.

Jason provided an eye-opening look at what is happening beneath the ripples of the Cowpasture. His presentation walked us through two main areas:

• How the Data is Collected: Jason demystified the science behind modern river monitoring, sharing some of the fascinating methods and tools—including seasonal electrofishing—the DWR uses to track fish populations, monitor aquatic health, and gather accurate data on the river’s ecosystem.
• The Status of Game Fish: For the anglers and nature lovers in the room, Jason shared the latest data on our local game fish populations. It was an invaluable look at how these populations are holding up, what the trends show, and how the overall habitat is supporting them.

Celebrating a Shared Mission

We want to extend a huge thank you to Jason for taking the time to share his expertise with us. His presentation was a perfect reminder of why our work matters.

The CRPA is incredibly grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Our two organizations share a deeply rooted mission: fostering education and protecting clean water.

It is through strong collaborations like this—combining dedicated scientific monitoring with passionate community stewardship—that we can ensure the Cowpasture River remains healthy, vibrant, and full of life for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and a special thanks to Jason and the DWR for keeping us informed and inspired!

If you want to get more involved in our water monitoring efforts, check out our Watershed Monitoring page to see how you can help protect our river as a volunteer stream monitor.