Ross Reels Rio Grande Cutthroat Native Series Reel

Announcing the all-new Native Series: Rio Grande Cutthroat Reel! We have partnered with Ross Reels on this third limited edition Native Series reel to benefit Trout Unlimited's work on the Rio San Antonio Improvement Project to restore native Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout. Each special edition Ross Colorado 4/5 reel includes a number of 1 to 495, as well as "Rio Grande" on the reel foot. Each purchase of this reel contributes $75 to Colorado Trout Unlimited and our efforts to conserve, protect, and restore native Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout.

about the rio san antonio improvement project

• In 2021, Trout Unlimited identified a previously unknown population of Rio Grande cutthroat trout in the Rio San Antonio. These trout have survived against all odds.

• 2023 saw the implementation of phase one of the Lagunitas Rio San Antonio Watershed Improvement Project.

• The first phase saw efforts focused on the implementation of riparian and river restoration on 1.5 miles of the Rio San Antonio and Lagunitas Creek.

• These initial treatments will reduce channel incision, increase floodplain access and deposition, expand flood-prone areas across the valley bottom to promote wetland vegetation, and increase pool depth and frequency.

• Conservation efforts will continue into 2024 with plans to plant additional willows and riparian vegetation, along with wider efforts over the next ten years including: population surveys, genetic analyses, and fish stocking efforts; habitat improvement and flow manipulation; and policy development for the long-term protection of the species.

Ross Reels Donates $31,125 to Colorado Trout Unlimited

Ross Reels, a leading manufacturer of fly fishing equipment and subsidiary of Mayfly Outdoors, proudly donated $31,125 to Colorado Trout Unlimited and the Poudre Headwaters Project as part of its Native Series Reel campaign. The presentation took place Saturday, July 8th at Colorado Trout Unlimited’s Troutfest Colorado event, hosted at Coors Field. The donation is just the first portion of a total giveback of $37,125 once all of the reels have been sold.

The Native Series campaign is a partnership between Ross Reels and Colorado Trout Unlimited with the intent to raise money for native fish species conservation through the sale of reels inspired by the specific species identified. 

The Greenback cutthroat trout was the first native species identified for the first reel and conservation project and is also the state fish of Colorado. The reel, called the Greenback Cutthroat Reel is a limited edition 2/3 size reel with only 495 units made, with $75 from every reel sold going to the Poudre Headwaters Project and Colorado Trout Unlimited.

The Poudre Headwaters Project is a conservation project specifically focused on restoring native Greenback trout habitat over the course of approximately 40 miles of connected river and lakes along the Cache la Poudre River all the way up to Long Draw Reservoir.

With the success of the Greenback Reel, Ross Reels also announced the release of the second reel in the series - the Colorado Cutthroat Reel. This special edition reel will again be limited to 495 reels with $75 from every reel sold going to Colorado Trout Unlimited and the Clear Fork East Muddy Creek project focused on Colorado River cutthroat trout habitat restoration.

David Nickum, Colorado Trout Unlimited Executive Director, shared his thoughts on the partnership saying, “Native trout have a great friend in Mayfly Outdoors and Ross Reels. The Greenback cutthroat reel has been a great success and is providing vital support to restoration efforts in the Poudre headwaters.  Now as Ross Reels continues the native series to celebrate the Colorado River Cutthroat trout and contribute to its conservation, we look forward to partnering with them on other projects in western Colorado and Utah to help secure a future for the native trout of Mayfly’s own home waters.”

Jeff Patterson, Mayfly Outdoors and Ross Reels Director of Sales, also commented, “This has been such a great "everybody wins" collaboration with Colorado Trout Unlimited.  Our Ross dealers really stepped up their support as well promoting this project through their shops with the Greenback Cutthroat being the ultimate beneficiary through the combined efforts.  Our shared customers also received a pretty cool looking reel in return for their contributions.  We love doing this kind of stuff, and look forward to more of it in the near future.”

Colorado Trout Unlimited and Mayfly Outdoors Launch Native Reel Series

The Native Reel Series is a collaborative project between Trout Unlimited and Mayfly Outdoors to restore and preserve native fish.

On Tuesday, February 21st, 2023, Trout Unlimited and Mayfly Outdoors launched their new Native Reel Series. The first reel in the series will be based on the greenback cutthroat trout, the state fish of Colorado, and the focus of intense reintroduction efforts over the past decade. The reel, a Colorado 2/3, is the first Ross Reel to be anodized in the dark orange color, as well as the first to include hand painting on the clicker plate, as it is meant to capture the colors of the spawning cutthroat trout. Mayfly Outdoors will donate a portion of each reel sold directly to Colorado Trout Unlimited and its Poudre Headwaters Project, which is focused on restoring a large stronghold for native greenback cutthroat in its original South Platte River basin.

CTU Executive Director, David Nickum, said “We are extremely excited to partner with Mayfly Outdoors and appreciate their dedication to restoring and protecting Colorado’s native trout. Greenback cutthroats are near to the heart of many Colorado anglers, and with Mayfly’s support we can secure a long-term future for these unique fish.”

Jeff Wagner, CEO of Mayfly Outdoors (Ross Reels, Abel Reels, Airflo Fly lines, and Dyna-King Vises) noted, “As a member of the greater fly-fishing industry and as stewards of our lands, we, therefore, have an obligation and duty to conserve and protect our native fish heritage and our river ecosystems that are the lifeblood of the lands we enjoy. It’s the least we can do to partner with Trout Unlimited and help in their efforts to conserve, protect, and restore river habitat in order to preserve existing populations and reintroduce native fish. This mission is not just for today, but for generations to come.”

Mayfly Outdoors is a Certified B Corporation headquartered in Montrose, Colorado, and its mission is to inspire adventure. Their brands include Abel Reels, Ross Reels, Airflo Fly Lines, and Dyna-King Vises. Visit their website: http://www.mayflyoutdoors.com

Colorado Trout Unlimited is a non-profit organization with more than 11,000 members across Colorado in 23 local chapters, working toward a shared mission to conserve, protect, and restore Colorado’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.  http://coloradotu.org