Malcolm Leaphart maintained a Trout Unlimited ‘office’ in his home in South Carolina for over 30 years, dealing with issues on the local, state, regional, and national levels. He networked with chapters, state and federal resource agencies, and with fellow conservation groups. He steadfastly advocated stewardship of the state’s cold water resources and science-based management of its trout fisheries at all opportunities, working within the broader SC conservation community. His efforts were acknowledged by the SC Wildlife Federation with their “Water Conservationist” Award for 2002 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 for his resource advocacy of more than 35 years in the state. He was also recognized as one of the first “Stream Champions” by Trout magazine in their fall, 2004 issue, and received a Trout Unlimited Distinguished Service Award in 2013. Malcolm was the founding President of the Saluda River Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Columbia from 1982-1985, Drawing on several years of prior conservation and business leadership experience, he served in all aspects of the Chapter from Newsletter Editor to Conservation Chair. The Chapter history was documented by Malcolm on their website www.saludatu.org/index.php/conservation/30-years-of-conservation . The Saluda River Chapter received recognition several times during the early years with the National Wildlife Federation’s “Presidents Award” during Malcolm’s 1984 term as Chapter President, and again in 1987 with the “Distinguished Affiliate” Award from the SC Wildlife Federation. That award recognized Malcolm for serving on their Freshwater Fisheries Committee on behalf of the Chapter, editing a SCTU page in their monthly newspaper which included writing a column called ‘Trout Talk’ (sub-titled “Because the fish can’t speak for themselves!”), and continuing work with the Federation in a long term joint advocacy effort for the SC DNR RESPECT campaign (promoting appreciation of SC outdoor resources). He was presented a state environmental award by SC Governor, Richard Riley, for the efforts as part of the “Take Pride in America” grassroots awards program, including obtaining chapter funding for Water Watch manuals. He has also been the recipient of several awards and honors from his home TU chapter. Malcolm worked with University of SC which coordinated a USGS Temperature and Flow Study of the lower Saluda River (below Lake Murray) along with a second study on the ‘Oxygen Dynamics’ of the Lower Saluda. The studies proved that there was a problem with low dissolved oxygen in the fall months and was the basis for over 20 years of advocacy to correct the problem. In the late 1980s, he served on the multi-year Lower Saluda River Planning Committee of the SC Water Resources Commission and SC Department of Parks, recreation, and Tourism that developed broad based community consensus plans still being adopted. In addition, at that time, he served on SC Governor Carroll Campbell’s ‘Freshwater Wetlands Forum’, representing TU as the only freshwater conservation group in developing recommendations for the SC Water Resources Commission. Malcolm represented the Chapter for over 20 years on the Lower Saluda Advisory Council chaired by SC DNR staffers from inception when that section of the river below Lake Murray gained state scenic river status. He continues his resource advocacy and networking today as he serves on the board of the “Congaree Riverkeeper”. Malcolm authored several articles about the Saluda River and its water quality problems and trout fishery that were published by the SC WILDLIFE magazine in 1985, 1999, 2012, and 2015. Though efforts spanned 30 years, his final articles noted, chronicling large, ‘hold over’ trout and reproduction of rainbows due to higher dissolved oxygen and flow levels from the Lake Murray hydro. Malcolm served as the SCTU Council Chair from 1986-1989, 1996-2003, and 2010-2012 after helping to form and serving continuously on the Council since 1985. Malcolm was a member of the TU National Board in the late 1980’s and served on an Urban Fisheries committee. He is a strong supporter of regional cooperation and grassroots training. Malcolm represented the SCTU Council for the FERC relicensing of the Lake Murray hydro-electric plant on the Saluda River. Improvements allowed trout to live year-round in the lower Saluda, producing trophy trout of over 20″ and wild rainbows trout. As SCTU Council Chair, Malcolm coordinated a study including the macro-invertebrate sampling of the Chattooga River from 1986-89 with the US Forest Service and SC DNR. The project involved finalizing a written ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ between SC TU and the USFS. Malcolm participated many years in the ‘Chattooga Coalition’ that brings together annually TU and state and federal fisheries managers from 3 states in a cooperative effort to improve the trout management based on scientific evaluations of the resource.
Malcolm Leaphart – Inducted in the Conservation category for his many contributions to fly fishing as a volunteer leader, citizen scientist, conservationist, fly fisher and writer.
