Colorado Trout Unlimited launched the Tie-4-the-Future Challenge at the 2025 Fall Rendezvous, inviting Trout Unlimited chapters across Colorado to tie and donate flies during the winter and early spring months in support of Colorado TU’s education programs.
Each donated fly helps connect young people with rivers, science, conservation, and the joy of angling. Along the way, chapters hosted fly tying nights, welcomed community members beyond Trout Unlimited, and encouraged individual members to contribute their own flies. The effort even reached beyond Colorado, with a donation from the Little Red River Action Team in Arkansas.
By April 1, 2026, chapters and volunteers had donated 2,327 flies.
Flies by Chapter
Little Red River Action Team, Arkansas 60
Eagle Valley 188
Evergreen 290
Cutthroat 332
St. Vrain Anglers 441
San Luis Valley 1,036
The San Luis Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter donated the most flies, with 1,036 total, earning the Colorado TU Tie-4-the-Future Trophy for the year, along with some well-earned bragging rights.
As the chapter shared on Facebook when the trophy arrived:
“This one wasn’t won by a couple people… it was a full community effort. From the brewery tie-ins, to the Project Healing Waters crew, to ASU students and everyone who sat down and tied a few — this is what happens when the Valley shows up.”
The trophy is now proudly displayed at Colorado Farm Brewery in Alamosa, where many of the chapter’s fly tying gatherings were hosted.
Congratulations to the San Luis Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter, and to every chapter, volunteer, and community member who tied and donated flies in support of Colorado’s youth education programs.
The Tie-4-the-Future Challenge will return in fall 2026 for the 2027 challenge, with even more chapters invited to take part.
