The Home Waters Chapter of Trout Unlimited is an all-volunteer conservation nonprofit working to care for and recover rivers and streams and the trout that call them home. Working with TU staff and community partners, we bring people together to make our trout fisheries stronger, our water cleaner and our communities healthier. Join us and be a champion for your rivers and streams.
If you have the interest and time to make a deeper commitment to our local conservation and education work, we’d welcome you on the board or one of our many committees. To get started, connect with a Home Waters board member at one of our monthly gatherings or coming events, or contact us to learn more.
PRESIDENT and EDUCATION CHAIRPERSON
Audrey Hall Vanderhoef
Grafton
Audrey is a former Science academic chairperson and retired Health and Science teacher, is currently the President of the Home Waters 586 Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Mrs. V.” mentored TIC teachers in local schools for over 20 years and continues to engage with community groups about education, recreation, and conservation. Her spouse, Scott, has been the knowledge source for many activities because of his lifelong hunting and fishing familiarity with our North Eastern NY locale. Mrs. V has been awarded the Rensselaer County 2025 Conservationist of the Year Award, is a 4-H leader, and consultant for NYSED health-science curriculum.
VICE PRESIDENT
Robert Davis
Averill Park
Bob is a retired professional firefighter and a part-time maintenance man at Cherry Plain State Park. He is a life long hunter and angler and a founding member of Home Waters. Over the past decade he has been the president and vice-president of the chapter. He is on the board of the Rensselaer County Conservation Alliance and a Rensselaer County Legislative member of the New York State Fish and Wildlife Board. He lives with his sister, August the cat, a dozen chickens and 2 hives of honey bees.
SECRETARY
Dorothy Surprise
Poestenkill
Dorothy has been an avid outdoors person all her life and is also an outdoors skills instructor, from all types of water sports to land navigation. She loves teaching her granddaughters those skills as well. She spends all summer enjoying the outdoors, including fishing, camping, hiking, kayaking and playing at the beach. As well as enjoying the outdoors – she is an avid quilter, gardener and baker. She is involved at her granddaughters school as a coach for Girls on the Run.
TREASURER
George Breen
Averill Park
George is a lifelong angler and conservationist who is the Chapter’s Treasurer. George has initiated the use of Whitlock Boxes in streams in Rensselaer County and is instrumental in Chapter fundraising plans. When they’re not spoiling their grandchildren, George and his spouse, Patti, have walked almost half of the 750 mile Empire State Trail.
DIRECTOR
Bill Shorter
Petersburgh
Bill is a lifelong angler and conservationist who has been a member of Home Waters since its inception back in 1972. He loves the outdoors and even at the age of 101 continues to be active with his family in camping and fishing. He goes to as many of his great grandchildren’s sporting events as possible. Bill was a veteran of World War II serving in the 101st Airborne Division, 326th Airborne Engineers and he was involved in the infamous Operation Market Garden in Holland. Bill was the Treasurer and stocking chairman of the Rensselaer County Conservation Alliance for many years.
DIRECTOR
Bill Niemi
Brunswick
Bill is Professor Emeritus of Biology (Russell Sage College). He was a charter member of the Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT) now part of Hudson Taconic Lands, and served on its board from 1987-2012 in various capacities including being president when it was in the first group of land trusts to be accredited by the Land Trust Alliance. Bill lives on a 90 acre farm in Brunswick with his wife of 52 yrs, has 2 children: and 3 grandchildren. He is a life member of Trout Unlimited (Home Waters Chapter 586). A tributary of the Quacken Kill runs through his property with Muskrats, beavers, otters, eagles, and waterfowl can be found in the wetland portion of his farm.
DIRECTOR and CONSERVATION CHAIRPERSON
Tom Carroll
Averill Park
Tom is a lifelong angler, fly tyer and conservationist who is the Conservation Committee Chair for both the Chapter and the the New York State Council of Trout Unlimited. Tom enjoys his work with conservation, remediation and monitoring of local streams. He won’t tell you exactly where to find fish, but he might show you. Tom and his wife Leslie, enjoy traveling for outdoor pursuits, including rafting the Grand Canyon, cycling in New Zealand, and fishing in Ireland, Scotland and the USA.
DIRECTOR
Nyck Styer
Poestenkill
Nyck is a lifelong angler, conservationist and Chapter Board Member. Nyck has worked with mentoring school fishing club members in fly tying. Nyck is learning the leadership skills that will make him an excellent candidate for Chapter President and Fire Chief. Along with fishing in his free time, Nyck volunteers with the elderly who enjoy outdoor hobbies
DIRECTOR and COMMUNICATIONS CHAIRPERSON
Joe Reilly
Troy
Joe is a lifelong angler, conservationist and Chapter Board Member. Joe’s interests include creating more fishing opportunities for veterans and underserved urban populations. Joe is an avid local history buff and dabbles in aeronautics. He shares his enthusiasm for his hobbies with students in local schools