Safe Wading Techniques

As spring runoff rises and the flow of water increases, wading across a river becomes more dangerous. Along with raging flow rates, the ice cold water could lead to hypothermia in the event of a fall. Taking the proper precautions could not only make your day on the river enjoyable, but they could save your life.

Equipment

Borrowing the mantra from the Boy Scouts, "Be Prepared." When heading to the river, make sure you have all of your equipment- including waders, proper wading boots, a wading belt and in some cases a wading staff. All of these items will help you stay dry and above the water.

Your waders should be free of rips or tears and the seams should be tightly sealed together. Any amount of water that penetrate the waders can weigh down each step and anchor in place, requiring more effort to move across safely. Using a wading belt can also help keep the waders free from water. These belts are designed to tightly cinch the waders around your waist and keep water out but air in.

Using the proper wading boots can help keep you upright through the higher flow rates. When wading faster, deeper waters using metal studded boots is a good option as they provide extra grip in slippery situations. These type of boots are also good for hiking around, however the metal studs can be slippery on dry rock.

If the water becomes too fast, using a wading staff is the best way to stay vertical in the rapids. Using the stick offers a third support- a vital piece to staying safe on the water. When taking a stride without a staff, the points of contact with the bottom is reduced to one. When using a wading staff, there are always two points. This piece of equipment can also lower stress and anxiety levels related to crossing high levels of water.

 Methods

When wading across a potentially dangerous river the best advice for anglers is to go slow. According to an article by Orivs, "This has broader implications than you may think. It obviously includes being careful while wading, but also encompasses taking time to evaluate current conditions and particularly to evaluate conditions when you are visiting unfamiliar rivers or locations." Taking your time to enter a river at a safe crossing can allow you take it slow and with experience, slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

The best place to cross a river is at the tail of a pool or the head of a wide riffle where the water is usually the most shallow.

While taking it slow across the river, make sure not to head directly across. It's best to wade at a slight upstream angle. This allows constant pressure back onto the water's flow, allowing you to lean into each step. If wading across downstream, the pressure of the water adds to your downstream momentum and could easily push you over into the current or a deep hole.

Wading upstream also ensures that if something happens and you need to turn around, you are able to do so safely. When turning around in strong currents, it's advised to turn upstream, keeping the force back on the river. Just like wading across, turning downstream will allow the current to hit the back of your legs and potentially make them buckle- resulting in a fall.

Just like low flow wading, it's best to keep the movement of the legs at a shuffle step or sidestep. This ensures that the weight and balance are always on the stationary foot planted firmly in the riverbed. Stepping normal can cause your balance to shift, making it easier for the river to knock you over.

Staying Safe

In the event of a fall, make sure that you keep your feet ahead downstream and use the whitewater seated position. If there are submerged boulders or trees, your feet will hit and you can use them to push off. Stay with your feet out until it is safe to stand up or you can safely grab onto something to stabilize yourself.

If the water is cold, make sure to get out of the wet clothes as soon as possible in order for your body temperature to warm up. Staying in the wet, cold clothes will lead to an increased chance of hypothermia.

Remember that fly fishing should be fun, not a survival adventure. if you're not comfortable with the situation, don't push it. There will be another day and if it doesn't look safe enough to cross there is no need to test the waters... literally.

Colorado TU honors Denver Water with River Stewardship Award

At it's annual River Stewardship Gala last night, Colorado Trout Unlimited honored Denver Water with the 2016 River Stewardship Award for their work in urban conservation and collaborative efforts in water stewardship. 25 years after the Two Forks Dam battle- a plan that would've constructed a 615' tall dam along the South Platte, Denver Water has now engaged their former adversaries as partners in an effort to conserve our state's watersheds.

“That’s a remarkable and encouraging sign of progress in protecting the rivers that help sustain Colorado’s wildlife, communities and recreation economy," said David Nickum, Colorado TU Executive Director. "In the years since the Two Forks veto, Denver Water has truly changed its culture.... Colorado TU is pleased to recognize Denver Water for its leadership in promoting partnerships that not only supply water to Denver citizens, but also promote stewardship of Colorado’s rivers as well.”

“Part of what makes Colorado an amazing state are our great cities, variety of recreational opportunities and beautiful natural environment. Denver Water is committed to continuing to collaboratively work together with partners from all sectors to keep our rivers healthy,” said Jim Lochhead, Denver Water CEO/manager. “We’re honored to receive the 2016 River Stewardship Award from Trout Unlimited and look forward to continuing our work with them in the future.”

As part of working with conservation organizations like TU, Denver Water has incorporated "Learning by Doing," a monitoring and adaptive management program to maintain and restore or enhance the aquatic environment. Under the LBD project, Denver Water has agreed to be flexible in delivering flows of water as well as invest in habitat and water quality restoration and conservation efforts.

The Learning by Doing initiative also incorporates the South Platte Protection Plan- an alternative to designating parts of the South Platte as a Wild and Scenic River after the Two Forks Dam veto. The South Platte Plan promoted collaboration among water suppliers, local governments, recreationists and conservationists. These groups worked together on managing flows, support investment in river-related values, and partnerships for water quality and watershed health. The Plan also inspired the creation of the Coalition for the Upper South Platte- a group that has helped direct millions of dollars into watershed restoration efforts.

Denver Water currently provides water supply to about 25 percent of Colorado's population with less than 2 percent of all the water used in the state. They have worked with customers to reduce water use by more than 20 percent over the past 10 years, despite a 10 percent increase in population.

Rendezvous Registration is Filling Up!

Register now to save your seat for the premier event for protecting Colorado's rivers and fish!! With an impressive line up of guest speakers and a full weekend planned for women, there is something for everyone at Colorado Trout Unlimited's Annual Rendezvous. This year we will be holding most of the weekend at the historic Hotel Colorado.

The theme for Rendezvous 2016 is Sportsmen; The Original Conservationist and for the first time we will be holding this event at the historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. To most sportsmen and women the sport of fishing or hunting is so much more than the hunt. It is the connection to the wild places that protect the game and the rivers that allow the fish to swim that makes the person coming back time after time. As sportsmen we have an obligation to protect these wild places and be stewards to the environment that surrounds us. This year at Rendezvous we will explore what it means to bring out the conservationist in all of us and learn how each individual can do their part in passing on our beautiful state to future generations.

Click the link below to see the agenda, the schedule for Women's Weekend, and to register.

https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/7023/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=80676

For questions please contact Stephanie Scott at sscott@tu.org or 720-354-2647

Antiquities Act Report

The new Antiquities Act report features Colorado's newest National Monument: Browns Canyon! The full report highlights five new national monuments. Browns Canyon in Colorado, Rio Grande Del Norte and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks in New Mexico, Berryessa Snow Mountain in California, and Upper Missouri River Breaks in Montana.

Check out the full report here!

The report focuses on the great work that sportsmen and women did to help these places become protected from land development under the Antiquities Act of 1906. These newest monuments will be protected due to their historic or scientific interest. All of these area protect the habitat and populations of wild animals, have easy public access, and the management of fish and wildlife populations will be retained by state fish and wildlife agencies.

Coloradans worked for over 40 years to get the 21,586 acres of Browns Canyon protected. On February 19, 2015 President Obama backed up the work of hunters, anglers, and other recreation enthusiasts by designated Browns Canyon as a National Monument. the monument consists of 9,750 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management and 11,836 acres of the San Isabel National Forest.

Along with sportsmen, Senators Cory Gardner and Michael Bennett and former Senator Mark Udall helped push for the newest National Monument in Washington.

The area is home to Gold Medal waters of the Arkansas as well as home to big game animals like bighorn sheep, elk. mule deer, and mountain lion. For non-sportsmen, the canyon contains world-class rafting and hiking trails.

2016 River Stewardship Gala

Join us for the 2016 River Stewardship Gala on March 10th at Mile High Station, in Denver. CTU members, supporters, and partners gather together to celebrate rivers and trout. Registration for the event is $100 a ticket and includes a reception with complimentary beer and wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a buffet dinner. The evening will include a silent auction for a chance to win great fishing packages, flies and gear and for the non-anglers, there are great cultural packages for nights out on-the-town.

Continue reading for a description of some of the great packages offered! More packages and prizes will continue to be added so please keep checking back.

Click here to register for the event!

This year we also proud to recognize our 2016 honoree, Denver Water, for their advances in water conservation and watershed stewardship their leadership in advancing water efficiency. They have also worked with conservation groups to improve conditions on the Colorado River through the "Learning by Doing" partnership. Twenty five years after the Two Forks veto, Denver Water is now working with former adversaries as partners on river stewardship.

Featured Trip: Kenai River Trip

Thanks to Tightlines Alaska and owner/guide Collin Papuga - an alumni of CTU's Youth River Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp - up to four anglers will have the chance to enjoy a guided full day float trip to fish the Upper or Middle Kenai River. The package includes guide, rods and reels if needed, flies, and transportation to the launch site. The Upper Kenai River runs 17 miles long and is limited to drift boats as it flows through the Kenai National Widlife Refuge. The fishing pressure is minimal on this stretch of water and anglers for fish for rainbows, dolly varden, silver salmon, and sockeye salmon. The Middle Kenai River has more fishing pressure, however it's known for monster trout and dolly varden and is an anglers best shot at hooking a 30" trout! The package is valued at $1,000 and bidding will open at $600 at the Gala!

Featured Nonfishing Trip: Classical Music River Journey

Merging the arts with adventure, Bill Dvorak - Colorado's first rafting outfitter and a fifth-generation cousin of the famed composer - takes river enthuiasts with an "ear" on a once-in-a-lifetime journey down the Green River's spectacular Desolation and Gray canyons. The winning bidder will enjoy an eight day float (July 23-30) along with four to five members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic as they embrace the take in the majesty of the canyons and works of Bach, Beethoven, and many more. During the course of the float, guests will be able to listen to concerts performed in the slickrock canyons and open air nestled along Pondersoda pine and Douglas fir. The trip is a perfect chance to take in Utah's spectacular canyon scenery, read, relax, view wildlife, and listen to impromptu musical performances. The package includes rafting equipment, airfare from Grand Junction to the launch and van shuttle back from the takeout, and gourmet meals provided each day. "The trip is pampered, if not the most memorable sophisticated adventure you ever take," said Dvorak.  The price per person is $2,410; we will be offering passage for one guest with the bidding opening at just $1200.

Featured Trip: Madison Valley Ranch

The winner of the Madison Valley Ranch fishing package will enjoy a two night stay (including gourmet meals) at the ranch near Ennis, Montana, and two days of guided fishing - one day with MVR's guides on the Madison, and the second guided by Dave Kumlien (former owner of Montana Troutfitters) on the Madison or Yellowstone River. The package is for two anglers who will enjoy world-class fishing for rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and even native Montana whitefish. The lodge was endorsed as the 2015 Fly Fishing Lodge of the Year by Orvis and has luxury accommodations and amenities including a hot tub, satellite TV, and gourmet cuisine. The ranch is also home to a stocked pond where anglers can hone in their skills and fish for Kamloop Rainbows. The package retails for over $3000, and we will open bidding at the Gala at $1500.

Featured Gear: Fishpond Oxbow Chest/Backpack

New to to Fishpond's 2016 line, the Oxbow Chest/Backpack features a backpack with removable Savage Creek chest pack. The Oxbow combo item has padded and contoured back support to carry heavier loads and back air mesh to keep you cool while hiking or on the water. The pack includes two zip, out rod tube holders, D-ring attachment for a net and a compartment for a water bladder. The item is retailed at $190 but will be available at our silent auction starting at $100.

Featured Trip: Labrador Brook Trout Adventure

Enjoy a week-long fishing trip to Labrador, Canada for two anglers courtesy of Three Rivers Lodge. The package includes world-class fishing in the pristine Labrador Wilderness Area as well as accomodations in a private cabin and all meals. This wilderness adventure will take you into boreal forest, tundra and seemingly endless waters - all pure and unsullied. The Woods River system features over 100 miles of outstanding fishing opportunites for trophy Brook Trout, Northern Pike, and Lake Trout. The vast area is also home to black bears, bald eagles, and osprey. The package includes six fishing days and seven nights the Three Rivers Lodge's main camp fishing the Eagle River, Rick's Run and Victoria River upstream and the main Woods River downstream.  The package also includes two fly-outs on the river system for each angler.  This package is valued at nearly $12,000; the bidding will open at $7,000.

Featured Trip: the Spectacular Gunnison Gorge

Thanks to the folks at RIGS Adventure Company, we are featuring one of Colorado's signature fishing experiences: a Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Float for two anglers. With this package, you and a guest will experience a 3-day, 2-night guided float down the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon- a stretch of water that is featured in Chris Santella's 50 Places to Fish Before You Die and one of Colorado's true don't-miss Gold Medal fly fishing desintations. Along with the world class fishing, the winner of this item will enjoy spectacular views, wildlife encounters, and a first-rate guide to help you make the most of your experience.  You'll start with a moderately strenuous hike into the Gorge then enjoy three days floating through a spectacular, unspoiled canyon wilderness fishing for large, feisty trout.  The package includes meals, group camping equipment and cot, and transportation to and from the river, and is valid for dates in May or September 2016. The package is worth over $5,500; at the Gala, the starting bid will be $3,500.

What's Up With Women

Hey LADIES!! Trout Unlimited is working hard to create opportunities for women to get involved in both our conservation work, and getting out on the river to fish!!

Read the latest Women's Initiative Newsletter to find out what has been happening across the country!!

February Women's Newsletter

Are you a women but do not feel like you have connected with Trout Unlimited yet? If so, we have the perfect weekend planned for you!! Come to our annual Rendezvous. We have an entire weekend planned just for women!! Find more information at this link:

http://coloradotu.org/2016/02/rendezvous-registration-now-open/

The women's workshops and agenda at Rendezvous are a big part due to the great work by CTU's First Lady, Beckie Pendergrass.

Beckie has been a Real Estate broker in Montrose for the past 25 years except for an eight year's break doing development and humanitarian work overseas in Thailand and Ghana, Africa. She is also a "Trout Bum's Widow" being married to Marshall - an avid fly-fisherman and current President of Colorado Trout Unlimited. Being married to the president of an organization could possibly be a busy and exhausting role, however Beckie has taken the role of first lady and embraced it!!

Beckie has been involved with local TU chapter activities in Montrose & Telluride the last 8 years since returning from Ghana - coordinating banquets, fund-raiser events, etc. Her and Marshall have been traveling across the country attending National TU regional and annual meetings learning all about the great work TU has going on. Her biggest impact in Colorado has been her involvement in the CTU Rendezvous by coordinating the Women's Weekend. She not only initiated this program but has been the key to its continued expansion. The ladies that connect with Beckie always leave wanting more! Come meet Beckie this year at our Rendezvous at Hotel Colorado.

CPW Receives Prestigious Fisheries Award

On January 13, the American Fisheries Society presented the Aquatics Research Section of Colorado Parks and Wildlife with the prestigious Sport Fish Restoration Outstanding Project award for 2015. The award was given to CPW for their efforts in restoring rainbow trout populations throughout the state- specifically for a research project completed in 2014.  In this project, CPW scientists and researchers determined the best ways to breed and maintain stocks of whirling disease resistant rainbow trout in hatcheries and in wild populations in Colorado.

For more than 20 years, since the early 1990s when whirling disease was discovered in Colorado, CPW aquatic scientists have been studying the disease and developing strains of rainbow trout that are resistant.

The research was conducted in the CPW Fort Collins hatchery by aquatic research scientist Eric Fetherman, and aquatic wildlife research chief George Schisler. Also contributing significantly to the work was Brad Neuschwanger, research hatchery manger, and Tracy Davis and Chris Praamsma, research hatchery technicians.

"This award provides national recognition for the work the research staff has done on whirling disease issues," said Doug Krieger, acting aquatics section manager. "We lead the nation in whirling disease research, and states throughout the West are interested in what we're doing."

Grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helped fund the research with money collected through excise taxes on fishing and boating gear and fuel. In 2015, Colorado's share of the grant funds totaled $8.3 million.

Although the work over the past 20 years has been difficult, the work has paid off and Colorado is home to some of the leading research regarding Whirling disease. Hatcheries have been restored and wild populations of rainbow trout are thriving.

Windy Gap Bypass in the Works

Known for carving majestic canyons, millions of years ago the headwaters of the mighty Colorado River carved through the rocks west of Granby and created a small riparian valley where air currents blow through- earning a well-deserved name- Windy Gap. Although the wind continues to gust, the quality of the water has diminished over time.

In the 1980's, Windy Gap Reservoir was built directly inline with the river's east to west flow. Because of this placement, the river velocity drops as it enters the reservoir, resulting in increased sediment buildup. Currently, reservoir permits require building off channel to avoid the problems found in Windy Gap.

TU-CO-201009128-0028

Because of the sediment build up, the Gold Medal status of the Colorado is in jeopardy. Over the years, as the sediment builds, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has seen a decrease in bug life and feeder fish. One of the feeder fish that has almost vanished in the river is Sculpin- a small fish species that not only do trout rely on, but the health of the river relies on too.

“We have looked and looked, but we do not find any sculpin in that section of the river, all the way to Gore Canyon," said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Biologist John Ewitt to Sky-Hi Daily News in Grand County. Sculpin are sensitive to environmental impacts and the levels of sculpin are often used to gauge overall river health.

CPW has also noted a decrease in mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies- three of the main food sources for trout in the area.

But the solution to the problem is near. With help from Trout Unlimited and local organizations, a project to bypass the Windy Gap reservoir is in the works.

Over the last 15 years, Trout Unlimited and local landowners have been lobbying with Northern Water to find a solution to this problem. The groups became known as the Upper Colorado River Alliance (UCRA) and comprised the idea of bypassing the reservoir.

Northern Water was intrigued by the idea as they were looking for a similar way to expand their water storage capabilities. In a project they are calling the Windy Gap Firming Project (WGFP), they would build Chimney Hollow Reservoir to solve the storage problem. When Northern Water went to the Grand County government for a permit on Chimney Hollow, there was a condition for the Windy Gap bypass.

The long-term project will include digging a portion of Windy Gap and using the dirt to build a berm in the current reservoir to create a smaller, adjacent body of water. This will create a new channel for the Colorado River to flow through. Preliminary engineering is expected to be completed this summer.

The total price for the project will be around $9.6 million- and a little under half of that, 4.1 million, has already been secured for the project. Along with $2 million towards the project, Northern Water has contributed around $300,000 towards environmental studies below the reservoir. The state of Colorado has also contributed $2 million to the project.

The Colorado River Headwaters chapter of Colorado TU has been on the forefront of this problem and has been a major part in helping get the bypass underway. With more help from volunteers and members, the bypass can be completed and the 20 miles of Gold Medal waters along the Colorado can thrive.

Behind the Fin: Rick Tarr

• Name: Rick Tarr
• Member of West Denver Chapter
• TU Member for 15 years
• Retired Faculty of Political Science Department at Metro State
• Best Quote from Rick: “A number of years ago, the Chapter established a fully equipped fly tying classroom where we teach the kids (two sessions of ten each) how to tie two simple flies and then help them fish in the stocked pond.  We also make them aware of the many challenges facing the task of maintaining healthy trout habitat.”

How long have you been a TU member?

I’m not sure of the exact time that I joined.  But I’d say, about 15 years.

Why did you become a member?

After retiring from the faculty of Metro State in 1997 in the Political Science Department, I had time for volunteer activities.  In addition to TU, I have a weekly volunteer activity with Project Cure, which collects donated medical supplies that are then shipped overseas where needed.

What made you want to become more involved with TU and which chapter are you currently involved with?

As a long time trout fisherman I was naturally interested in the trout habitat conservation and restoration activities put on by TU- Especially in our "home water" of Clear Creek. The West Denver Chapter is closest to my home in Lakewood.

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

I have enjoyed the various educational activities of our Chapter.  Most importantly our fly tying, fly fishing and conservation program for sixth graders at the Jefferson County Outdoor Education Lab School (near Bailey) for 6th graders.  We do this whenever it is requested by their teachers as an optional activity during their week at Windy Peak.  A number of years ago, the Chapter established a fully equipped fly tying classroom where we teach the kids (two sessions of ten each) how to tie two simple flies and then help them fish in the stocked pond.  We also make them aware of the many challenges facing the task of maintaining healthy trout habitat.

What is a favorite fishing spot and favorite fishing story?

I've had a number of enjoyable days fishing in California (home state), Wyoming, Oregon, Montana, Alaska, British Columba and Argentina.  But trout fishing in New Zealand is the most memorable.

To you, what is the best tactic or fly for catching trout?

My favorite fly is gold ribbed hare's ear.

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

My other hobbies include: wood working, kayaking, aviation, travel.

Benefits to Tying Your Own Flies

For many fly fishermen, the winter months are the best time to sit under a desk lamp in the basement with nothing but their fly tying tools and their imagination. Why?

Because fly tying offers benefits that cannot be achieved through purchasing flies.

For many, the cold, winter nights are spent in front of the bench because they feel it completes their fishing experience. According to the folks at Trroutfitters "There is no better feeling than catching a fish on a fly that you yourself have tied – period. When I can catch a fish on a fly that I have made myself, I feel as though I am completing the circle of casting, catching, thinking and preparing.  In the scheme of things, what else is there?"

When an angler ties their own fly, they are creating the pattern, size, color and style. All of these factor in to catching a fish. It's one thing to catch a fish on a fly that was tied by a professional, but when it's your own product in the lip of that rainbow, it provides overall satisfaction.

When an anger is tying their own fly, it allows their imagination to run wild. There are countless numbers of patterns in the world and this allows tiers to try something that probably can't be found in a local fly shop. It also provides tiers opportunities to learn more about the entomology of their local waters.

Through tying, anglers can get a chance to pick the brains of their local fly shop guides, their friends and other anglers about what patterns and colors work best in each area. There are also opportunities for amateur tiers to meet and tie next to some of the top tiers in the area and learn different tips and tricks.

It's a common thought that tying flies vs. buying flies is also a great way to save money. And like most things, the correct answer is, "It depends." The initial cost of purchasing the tools and materials can range anywhere from $50-200+ but, again, this depends on the quality and quantity of materials.

For someone to tie 25 wolly buggers, it would roughly cost them $18. Include this to the initial cost of around $100 (basic beginner tools), and it's going to be $118 for 25 flies. Maybe even less if the first few are no good.

But, if you look at the initial cost as an investment (which it is), then it could be cheaper to tie flies over time. If the average quality fly costs around $2 then 25 flies would be $50 each purchase, whereas it would be around $20 for each set of 25 flies after the initial, start-up cost.

Some people prefer to purchase flies for simplicity sake. It's certainly easier and more time efficient to go into the local fly shop and ask the outfitters which flies work best and they'll point them to a few perfectly tied flies that will catch fish.

But while the fishing may not stop in winter, those long winter nights are perfect for those who long for sitting in front of the bench and letting their imagination and hands run wild because of the benefits offered through fly tying.

And who knows? That strange fly that only you have, may just catch a few fish.