Handcrafted signs that represent IRU's mission, made by Trailhead DesignWorks
Idaho Rivers United is thrilled to introduce you to our new business partner – John Twa with Trailhead DesignWorks. John makes hand-crafted, limited-custom wood signs that give back to IRU. The signs originally started when he began with some Idaho Wilderness replica signs. He now makes IRU Wild and Scenic signs, salmon, trout, wilderness specific, and other custom signs. Learning the trade from his dad who owned a sign company, John spent a fair amount of time helping in the sign shop when he was in high school and college. In January of 2021, John took on his own sign and design company and partnered with IRU to share his outdoor, wilderness expressive signs.
John grew up in Michigan next to the river, which allowed him to explore the river’s dynamics and enjoy the river’s recreation, like ice-skating in the winter and fishing in the spring and summer. John told us a bit about his youth and how rivers and fish were an integral part of his upbringing. “In the summer I was in the river as much as possible, fishing, snorkeling, wading, tubing, and exploring. And in the fall we had salmon and steelhead spawning right behind our house. I was amazed that these fish could make the trip from Lake Michigan... it was two miles away! In those formative years, I got hooked on fishing and decided I was going to pursue a career as either a fisheries biologist or a professional fisherman. Somehow I got sidetracked and ended up with a degree in engineering, but I never lost my passion for lakes and rivers.”
John brought IRU his art and wanted to help support the programs and initiatives that IRU takes to protect and restore rivers and native fisheries. After a showing the movie Damnation, John and his wife have been IRU supporters and wanted to take on the next step of creating a partnership that helps to support IRU’s mission and work. IRU is grateful to have his support and amazing artwork that we can share with others. IRU and John both hope that salmon signs will help bring awareness to an iconic species in Idaho’s rivers.
When John was asked about an inspiring fish story, he told us he has hope! “I can see many parallels between the small Idaho river towns that are struggling with declining salmon and steelhead runs and my own Michigan hometown that is declining because of a decimated walleye fishery. But there is one stark difference. Michigan's problem does not have an easy solution, and quite possibly no solution. The Great Lakes have become infested with trillions of zebra and quagga mussels. No viable solution is known to treat the whole Great Lakes. Fortunately, Idaho's problem has a solution, dam breaching. And there are ways to mitigate the loss of the benefits that the dams provide. Congressman Simpson's proposal gives me hope that Idaho will once again have plentiful fish runs and vibrant river towns. Sadly, Michigan's towns may never have such an opportunity.”
Thank you John for the incredible partnership and unique pieces that not only showcase your skills but represent Idaho Rivers United’s mission within your signs!