Know a kid age 14-18 with an interest in fly fishing and cold-water conservation? Colorado Trout Unlimited gives high school youth the experience of a lifetime at 2014 River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp! Greetings TU Members,
Registration is now open for the 2014 CTU River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, June 8-13 at the Bar N I Ranch near Weston, Colorado. The camp is open to all Colorado youth ages 14-18. The camp is designed to educate students on the importance of coldwater conservation and provide hands-on fly fishing instruction. Approximately 20 students are selected each year, based on their qualifications and a written essay on why they would like to attend the camp.
Camp classes include: principles of ecology, hydro-geology, aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate sampling, hydrology, trout behavior, the biology of pollution, acid deposition, and politics of conservation and human effects on the Rocky Mountains. In addition, the camp will include hands-on classes such as fly tying, fly casting, streamside ethics, angling literature, streamside botany, wader safety and survival, and the evolution of an angler. Students will also participate in a watershed project to repair habitat in a nearby stream. The River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp includes faculty from various environmental fields and state agencies such as the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Department of Environmental Protection and National Forest Service.
Megan Branine, a camp alumni, said of her experience, “The past five days have been the greatest experiences of my life. In this week, I have developed a love for a sport I aim to continue. All components of this camp—the science, the fishing and the social aspects—have all benefited me greatly. They have given me a passion to protect our rivers and wild lands as well as great memories to take with me.”
The cost to attend the 6 day camp is $450, but financial aid is often available via local chapter sponsorship.
For more information and to download the application, please visit http://www.coloradotu.org/river-conservation-and-fly-fishing-youth-camp/.
