Behind the Fin: John Bocchino

• Name: John Bocchino
• Fly Fishing Guide for Rifle and Rise Outfitters in Gunnison
• Life time member of TU
• Web designer and communications for Gunnison Angling Society 
• Best Quote from John: “I really wanted to contribute in any way I could to protecting our coldwater fisheries. We face constant challenges and I believe TU plays a major role in protecting what I love the most. I just want to do my part."

Member of the Gunnison Angling Society Chapter of TU, John Bocchino lives for fishing. His passion for fly fishing has led to the creation of a successful business, Rifle and Rise Outfitters. John has been a board member, vice president, and president of his chapter and currently works on the website and communications. The term Good Enough may fit nicely with his band name, but as a volunteer and member of TU, John is so much more than just "good enough."

- How long have you been a TU member?

I joined TU sometime in the 90s and then became a life member shortly after that. My business, Riffle and Rise Outfitters, is a registered TU endorsed business as well.

- Why did you become a member and what chapter are you involved with?

I joined TU and got involved because I wanted to try to make a difference with regard to coldwater conservation efforts. Fly Fishing is my passion, and I wanted to do my part to protect the resource. I was getting back into fly fishing in a big way while living in northern VA in the 90's. I became very involved at the state level in Virginia and helped with web development efforts and other projects for the VA Council of TU. In 2006, I moved to the Colorado Rockies for the mountains, rivers, and trout. I am an active member of our Gunnison Chapter of TU, the Gunnison Angling Society. I served on the Board, and was also VP and President. I built a new website for the chapter and continue to manage that, as well as chapter communications. - What made you want to become more involved with TU?

I really wanted to contribute in any way I could to protecting our coldwater fisheries. We face constant challenges and I believe TU plays a major role in protecting what I love the most. I just want to do my part.

- What is your favorite activity or project that you have done with TU?

I enjoy the web development work I’ve done for my local chapter, and I also enjoy helping to promote youth education as it relates to TU. I’ve been very involved in helping to raise funds and send kids to the CTU youth camp for several years now. I also recently managed two college interns from Western State Colorado University here in Gunnison, who worked for our chapter this past spring.

- What is a favorite fishing spot and favorite fishing story?

It’s tough to identify just one favorite spot for fishing. My favorite river here in Colorado is the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. Between guiding and fishing, I probably spend about 150 days per year on the water. I remember my early days fishing the Catskills back in the 90s and early 2000s, where my friends and I would spend a week up on the Beaverkill and the West Branch during May, June, and September. We called it fish camp and really looked forward to those trips. I got into the hatches in a big way and started tying flies and calling out bug names in Latin while on the river. One day, one of my buddies came up to fish with us and he was just a beginner. He really didn’t fish much. Well, he proceeded to out-fish us in a major way and when I asked him what he was using, he said, “I don’t know. A big gray fuzzy thing.” So much for all the years of studying hatches and learning Latin.

- To you, what is the best tactic or fly for catching trout? The most important thing is patience. That is the key word for fishing and definitely for guiding as well. You need to move slow, concentrate, and have a lot of patience and just enjoy the ride. It’s not brain surgery. We’re just catching fish. I definitely don’t have just one top fly that I use. I enjoy dry fly fishing the most, and when I can’t do that, I love to streamer fish. So chasing big trout with a streamer is one of my favorite things to do. And for that, I like a size 4 Sculpzilla.

- Beyond being an awesome angler, what else do you do in your spare time or for work?

I have an outfitting business, Riffle and Rise Outfitters, which I set up last year so I could work for myself. This was my second season on my own and it was great. I like guiding for myself and having total control over what I do and how I can take care of my clients.  When I’m not working/guiding or fishing, I enjoy playing music. I play guitars, dobro, and harmonicas, and I’ve been playing in a little band here for the past few months. I have a small recording studio in my house and we get together to record music every now and then. We’ve also performed live a few times this year. We’re not all that great and try not to take it too seriously, but we have a good time messing around with music. (I’m a fly fishing guide, not a rock star!) We go by the name Good Enough. I guess that says it all!

Herman Gulch Trout Salvage

The creek along Herman Gulch may not seem like much, and in some places it’s no more than two feet wide. But it’s still able to maintain a strong ecosystem that allows cutthroat trout to survive. After much consideration by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, it was decided, based on monitoring data from the West Denver TU Chapter, the creek was a great spot to reintroduce native greenback cutthroat trout. On September 11, the West Denver Chapter joined forces with The Greenbacks and Colorado Parks and Wildlife and set off to Herman Gulch to catch as many trout they could and transport them into Clear Creek.

Volunteers split the stream into five sections with each section getting two buckets and four anglers. At the end of the day, the groups successfully caught and transported over 100 healthy trout into holding pens downstream.

Future plans from CPW include shocking and removing the remaining non-native trout before winter. Native greenback reintroduction is set to begin in early spring of 2016.

Below are more photos from the event. Courtesy of Tim Toohey of West Denver Chapter.

2015 Colorado TU Fall Raffle

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A GLENWOOD SPRINGS FISHING GETAWAY - AND HELP COLORADO'S RIVERS!When you purchase a ticket in Colorado Trout Unlimted's statewide raffle, you'll have the chance to win a trip for a lodging, dinner and soak package in the beautiful Glenwood Springs area, while providing funds to support river conservation across the state.

One winner will receive a package featuring a full day float trip for two on the "lower upper" Colorado River with Confluence Casting, plus one night's lodging in a Classic Victorian room at the historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, and a $25 gift card for an evening soak at the Glenwood Hot Springs.  Total package value is $709.

Raffle tickets are $5 each, or $20 for five.  The drawing will take place at 1 pm on November 5 at the Denver Athletic Club (14th & Glenarm, Denver) - at the Denver Angling Society luncheon.  You need not be present to win.

https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/7023/t/12607/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=643

Tom Jones Honored at National Meeting

Colorado Trout Unlimited Southwest Regional VP, Tom Jones, was honored at the National TU annual meeting as the recipient of the Griffith Award for distinguished service in leadership. Jones is out of Durango and volunteers with the 5 Rivers chapter of Colorado TU where he works to raise awareness and protect amazing wild and native trout habitat in places like the Alpine Triangle.

"Serving as Chair of the New Initiatives work group for five years gave me the opportunity to see the extraordinary level of talent and passion that exists in TU, both staff and volunteers," said Jones. "To be selected for the Griffith Award by this exceptional organization is an honor that I will always cherish."

Jones also helped lead the effort in protecting the Hermosa Creek Wilderness. In December, Congress passed the The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act, along with a handful of other public land bills, was attached as riders to the National Defense Authorization Act that protected Hermosa Creek wilderness area.

Behind the Fin: Shelley Walchak

• Name: Shelley Walchak
• Author of book: 52 Rivers: A Woman's Fly-fishing Journey
• Life time member of TU since 2013
• Works as a Library Director for Pine River Library in Bayfield
• Best Quote from Shelley: “As we all know, it's about so much more than just the fishing.”

Unfortunately work and play don’t always mix like we’d want. But in a few instances, the barrier between the two is broken. For some it’s just a little leak. But for others, like Shelley Walchak, the barrier gets shattered.

In 2013, the life-long librarian took her camera, her fly rod and her computer and set off to fish 52 different rivers spread throughout seven Rocky Mountain States. Her dream was to document the trip and publish a book on her journey.

The following year, her dream became a reality when 52 Rivers: A Woman’s Fly-fishing Journey was published. 52 Rivers went on to win the Gold Medal in the Regional Non Fiction category at the 2015 IPPYs (Independent Publisher Book Awards).

Shelley always had a passion for books, “reading them, reviewing them, referring them, discussing them and organizing them. What I hadn't done was publish one, and now my world of books has come full circle."

At the age of 10, during a visit to a dude ranch in Creede, Co, Shelley discovered that she wanted to spend her life in Colorado. But she had no idea where it would take her. “I still have the journal I kept when I was ten years old and made my first trip to Colorado. I knew at that age that Colorado was where I wanted to spend my life. I didn't know at that time I would write a book.”

“I loved the writing- the challenge of finding the right way to express the full experience- the people, places, fish, foibles, successes. I loved reliving the previous year's experiences to better implant them in my brain.”

While on the road researching her book, Shelley made another decision- to become a life-time member of TU. “I became a TU member because I wanted to be involved with the premier organization for oversight of our rivers and fisheries.”

Since becoming a member, Shelley has been involved with the 5 Rivers Club Chapter in Durango and enjoys the fundraising events the most, “I love going to fundraisers because it's a win-win for all. This year I won the bid for a Tenkara rod and a float trip with Thom Chacon from Duranglers. Lucky me!”

After fishing over 52 rivers, Shelley has seen most of what the great American West has to offer and for her, the favorite place to fish is the Rio Grande, “You can't do any better than the oxbows on the Rio Grande. The fish are plentiful, the scenery is stupendous, and there's nary a soul around.”

“As we all know, it's about so much more than just the fishing.”

But the fishing part is still fun. Especially for Shelley when a fish hits her dry fly. “Because I like simplicity and love a thrill, fishing with a dry is what I love the best. If I am lucky enough to hit a salmon fly hatch, or the yellow sallies are hailing, or the PMDs are hanging out - give me a dry any day.”

When she’s not fishing, Shelley lives in Durango, Co and is currently working as a library director for Pine River Library in Bayfield which won the 2014 award for the "Best Small Library in America".

For more information on Shelley’s book and how to get your own personal copy, visit 52Rivers.com.

San Luis Valley Volunteer Opportunities and Events

Volunteering  Due to a partial rain delay on the last Hidden Mile workday, volunteers are needed once again to work with the US Forest Service to complete the fencing project on the Hidden Mile of the Conejos. There is one more workday scheduled for Wednesday, August 26th at 9 AM. Volunteers will assist in installing the floating fence on the upper crossing and two more wooden H braces on the lower section along with a few posts to complete it.

If you plan to come help please contact Marty Jones at the following phone number or email address. You may also contact Marty for more information.

Marty- Ph. 719-589-4327

Email - mbjones@adams.edu

To reach the Hidden Mile go west from Antonito on highway 17 about 21 miles to the Platoro Road (rd. 250). Turn right on Platoro Road and go about 4 miles. The new parking lot and gate will be on your left.

Tools will be provided. Please bring lunch and water, and wear work clothes, work gloves, sturdy boots, waders, sunscreen, and safety glasses.

Many thanks to the volunteers that helped out last Monday.

The installations of metal H braces on the upper and lower river crossings have been completed, as well as the installation of the floating fence on the lower crossing. All that's left is stringing the upper fence and installing a couple of wood H braces on the lower fence.

Saturday, August 29th is another volunteer opportunity. At 9:30 AM in the Coller Wildlife Area there will be a fall river and highway cleanup. This year the volunteers will do a cleanup along the river as well as the highway. Trash bags and gloves will be available and a most excellent lunch and drinks will be provided. Meet at the usual spot at the big pull-out on the highway about four miles north of South Fork on the way to Creede in the Coller Wildlife Area.

Events

On Saturday, August 22nd the San Luis Valley chapter is hosting a welcome back picnic and casting challenge in Del Norte Town Park. Festivities begin at 11:30 AM.

The chapter will provide grilled meats and soft drinks. Last names ending in A-H can bring salads, last names ending in I-O please bring appetizers and last names ending in P-Z should show up with deserts. Or... Just show up because there will be plenty of food!

Bring your favorite fly rod as there will be casting contests with excellent prizes for both distance and accuracy!

The SLV chapter thanks you for your help!

Chapter Leadership Training Registration NOW open!!

The Chapter Leadership Training workshop is hosted by Colorado Trout Unlimited (CTU) every year in collaboration with a local Trout Unlimited Chapter. This year the Yampa Valley Fly Fishers (YVFF) Chapter in Steamboat Springs is hosting the workshop. This workshop is for both new and old chapter leaders who are eager to learn how to be more effective leaders and build stronger chapters. The Chapter Leadership Training Weekend will have numerous trainings, networking opportunites, and each attendee will walk away with resources to help their chapter reach its full potential. If you have never been to a Colorado Trout Unlimited training then the registration is free!!  Plus, there will be opportunities to fish the Yampa!! You can't beat that!!

To register and for more information click here!!

Colorado Trout Unlimited Chapter Leadership Training

October 16-18, 2015, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Draft Agenda

Friday October 16, 2015 Happy hour at Rex’s American Grill – appetizers provided; cash bar.  First timers meet and greet with CTU Council and veteran chapter leaders.

Saturday October 17, 2015 7:00 am       Breakfast (included with registration)

8:00 am       Welcome and TU Orientation: This session will introduce new leaders and update  veteran members to the current structure of TU in Colorado and across the country. TU is rapidly growing and this session is meant to give leaders a better understanding of the TU network and “who’s who” among the people who can be a resource for your chapter.

Garrett Hanks -                Welcome, overview of logistics, opportunities, expectations Marshall Pendergrass-    CTU who we are and what we do. Mac Cunningham-           NLC Role and Presentation about National Organization David Nickum-                 Colorado TU Organization Cam Chandler -               CO Council and Regional Vice President Roles and Responsibilities 9:15 am       Chapter Leader Basics and Best Practices: This session will focus on the basic fundamentals of running a successful and engaging chapter. We will explore how to build a realistic annual work plan for your chapter, communications and engagement with your community, how to run and engaging chapter meeting and how to plan for the future for your chapter.

11:00 am     “One TU” panel: This session will highlight success stories on how local chapters and TU field staff have worked together to accomplish great things, how that cooperation has benefited chapters and staff alike, and ideas on what it takes to make “One TU” work at a local level

12:00 pm      Lunch in Regional Vice President groups: Participants will eat luch in groups formed with other chapter leaders from your region in Colorado. The Regional Vice Presidents will help lead the informal regional conversations. This lunch will give you the opportunity to chat with surrounding chapters on local/regional issues, chapter best practices and more. 1:30 - 5:00 pm    CTU Board Meeting: All are invited to attend the fall board meeting for Colorado Trout Unlimited. If you are the only representative from your chapter attending the weekend then your vote will be needed for all business decisions. (Seperate board meeting agenda will be added here shortly.)

Dinner on your own Saturday evening. Most will likely eat at Rex's American Grill at the Holiday Inn, but nothing formal is organized. Sunday, October 18, 2015 7:00 am       Breakfast (included with registration)

8:00 am       Chapter Tools, Requirements, and Resources: This session will cover the tools and resources that are available to chapter leaders that make running a chapter more streamlined and effective. You will learn about tools that both National Trout Unlimited and Colorado Trout Unlimited have developed. These tools will help you to communicate and engage with your members better. We will also cover some of the basic requirements that a chapter is responsible for on an annual basis.

9:30 am      Chapter Leader Discussion; Best Practices and Challenge Sharing Session- Finding Your Niche as a TU Chapter in Your Community: This session gives the opportunity for the chapter’s to discuss their challenges, share solutions, and express their concerns in finding their chapter’s role within their communities, in serving their members and the TU mission.

11:00 am        Depart for Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area – conservation tour led by Yampa Valley Fly Fishers (and opportunity to fish!) – lunch provided

Go fishing on Yampa River!!!!!

To register and for more information click here!!

Eagle Valley Fall Classic FF Tournament

Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited’s

2015 Upper Colorado Fall Classic Fly Fishing Tournament

Presented by:

Saturday; Sept 19 5-7 PM Dinner, Draw Party, Silent Auction, Live Music Wolcott Yacht Club

Sunday; Sept 20 8AM-3PM Pursuit of finned creatures

Sunday; Sept 20 5-7 PM Après with awards at Vin 48 in Avon

Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited is excited to announce the 2nd Annual “Upper Colorado Fall Classic” Fly Fishing Tournament on Sunday September 20, 2015. An event such as this is long overdue among our great valley fishing and conservation community.

The Fall Classic will shove off the night prior to the fishing event at the Walcott Yacht Club where participants will be treated to a Mediterranean buffet, beverages, and live music. During the event at the Yacht Club, teams will draw for beats and launch orders, there will be a silent auction table, and angler and guide swag will be distributed. The following day the first boats will launch at 8 am SHARP from points above Two Bridges access and take out at or before 3PM. From 5-7PM participants will gather at Vin 48 for après and presentation of awards.

In addition to a year’s worth of bragging rights, your amazing show of support in the form of a $600 entry fee will net you the following:

• Tournament Entry
• Beer and food for both anglers and guide at the Walcott Yacht Club. (Additional tickets on sale for angler guests and EVTU supporters for $50.00 each)
• Chance to walk away with great items from our silent auction table during the Yacht Club draw party
• Swag Bags including Upper C Fall Classic Pint Glasses along with TU shirts and hats.
• Apps and drink tickets at Vin 48 for après award party Sunday evening.
• Winning anglers will receive $1,000 cash money and permanent Upper C plaques to display in your home or

As our single most important fund raising event of the year, we hope you will consider having some fun and supporting our efforts to maintain clean, cold, fishable water in the Eagle Valley.

To Sign up, please contact Brian Bloess at 970-306-9424 immediately.   We have limited availability and boats will sell quickly.

Thank you in advance.   Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited; Chapter #102

Meet the Summer Interns!

Colton Gully and I, Lizzy Wiegers, are most excited about being a part of CTU. We have been working for CTU since June, but have been so busy we nearly forgot to introduce ourselves! About Colton: 

Above all I am thankful to have an internship with an organization that is as passionate about protecting and promoting healthy fish as I am. I am and always will be a fly fisherman. I first picked up a fly rod my freshman year of high school, and after I caught my first fish I was hooked. It just so happened my grade school friend turned into my fishing buddy, and my connection to the fish and the river was strengthened through our combined love of the sport. This past year I have been to school in the Pacific Northwest at Western Washington University; a place so different from home I could still find Colorado on the Nooksack fly fishing.

The Greenback recovery project is as exciting as it gets. We have the opportunity to recover a species of fish that was thought to be extinct. Through my work on this project I hope to convey the importance of these beautiful native trout to the public through social media, journalistic writing, blog posts and website design. Also, this Internship is a perfect stepping stone toward my future goals of working to protect wild spaces throughout our country and maybe even the world.

About Lizzy: 

My name is Lizzy Wiegers and I’m a Colorado native, water enthusiast, and lover of aquatic creatures, nature, dogs, and books. I am going into my sophomore year at Oregon State University where I will be studying English and Environmental Science. Growing up in Colorado, one of the most beautiful states in the country, allowed me to develop a strong relationship with the outdoors at a very early age. During my first year of college I was able to truly understand how important it is to preserve the resources nature has to offer so everyone and everything living throughout the nation can remain happy, and healthy. I am beyond excited about being a part of CTU for the summer so I can help TU strengthen their voice, gain more members, and piece together the stories from chapters throughout the state to better show who CTU is as a whole.

Volunteer Opportunity!

  The San Luis Valley chapter of Colorado Trout Unlimited needs your help! They are working with the US Forest Service on completing a fencing project on the Hidden Mile of the Conejos and need volunteers to help make this happen.

There are two work days scheduled for Monday, August 10th and the following Monday, August 17th. The first work day will be dedicated to installing the braces for the cables along the lower and upper boundary of the Hidden Mile. The second day will be spent installing the cables and putting together the fence. San Luis Valley would be very grateful for any help they could receive on either day, so whether you can only make one day, or both, your help would be much appreciated. If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity to get outside and get involved, or want to learn more details about this event, contact Marty Jones or Mark Seaton at the following phone numbers/email addresses.

Marty: (719)-589-4327 email: mbjones@adams.edu

Mark: (719)-588-7678 email: seaton@fairpoint.net

Tools will be provided, so no need to bring your own! All you need is work clothes, work gloves, sturdy boots, waders, safety glasses, sunscreen, a lunch, and plenty of water. Work will begin at 9am.

Directions to Hidden Mile: Go west from Antonito on Highway 17 for about 21 miles until you reach Platoro Rd. (Road 250). Turn right onto this road and continue for 4 miles. You will see the parking lot and gate on the left.