Trout's Fly Fishing- 5 Ways to Catch More Tailwater Trout

By: Kyle Wilkinson, Trout's Fly Fishing Marketing and Brand Manager Whether we like it or not- Winter is here. That pretty much gives us two choices- quit fishing, or keep fishing. I’m always of the opinion to ‘keep fishing’. One of the best parts about living in Colorado- and particularly on the Front Range- is the abundance of Tailwater fisheries that lie within an easy drive of our homes. That said, I still believe many anglers aren’t catching as many fish as they should be. If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with your success on winter tailwaters, give these 5 tips a try next time you decide to bundle up and get the boots wet in the months to come:

1. Use Yarn- many of you reading this may have heard this recommendation before, but it bears repeating. I feel that strongly about it. Simply put, yarn indicators are WAY more sensitive than plastic bobber-style indicators. Fish this time of year can be pretty lethargic (compared to summer) and typically won’t eat your flies with much aggression. Oftentimes your yarn won’t even dunk underwater but rather just ‘pause’ or ‘lean over’ when a fish strikes. If you’ve never used yarn indicators before, be prepared to be amazed with the sensitivity you’ll get. Side note- tips for yarn success- carry several and liberally apply some fly floatant before starting the day. Be prepared to dry off your indicator every couple hours and reapply. If you decide that your indicator is too waterlogged after a few hours, simply swap it out for a fresh one. While I realize these do require a little more maintenance than a thingamabobber, the fact that it leads to more fish in the net throughout the day is always worth it to me.

2. Putty and Split Shot- if you’re not using both split shot AND putty, you’re really missing out. Flows are at their lowest levels of the year and being able to dial in the weight on your nymph rigs is paramount to success. Any of the commercially made tungsten putties will work great so don’t get too caught up on which ‘brand’ to buy. Here’s how I put both split shot and putty to use for me this time of year. To start, select the size of split shot that will get you by in the shallowest water you’ll be fishing. Anytime you come to deeper water, simply pull out a little putty and apply it directly on top of the split shot, rolling it into a nice round ball. Voila. That’s it! Throughout the day you can add and remove putty as necessary to make sure you’re always getting your flies right down into the fishes faces. When you decide you need to take off a little (or all) of the putty you added, simply peel it off and place back in the original container. You can use and reuse tungsten putty for months on end before running out. The best part of using tungsten putty is that it avoids having to constantly pinch and remove split shot throughout the day. This will help protect your light tippets and is also just a whole heck of a lot faster way to make weight adjustments!

3. Never make a cast standing in the water that you could have made standing on dry ground. This is another HUGE one for me, but is a mistake I see anglers make time and time again. Whenever you approach a likely looking area, always make it a point to fish it while keeping your wading boots on dry ground. Avoiding splashing around, crunching rocks, and in general- disturbing the water with your steps- is always going to leave the fish feeling much more at ease and in turn- more eager to eat your flies (this rule should actually be applied year round).

4. Tighten up your flies- If you don’t fish your flies spaced closely together during winter, I’m confident you’re missing out on a few fish throughout the day. I always like to say that a wintertime tailwater trout lives in a shoebox. (i.e. if you put a trout in a shoebox, it doesn’t have much room to move side to side). If I’m not getting my flies in this ‘shoebox’ zone, my confidence in getting an eat goes down drastically. My rule for spacing my flies during winter is to make a fist, and then extend my thumb and pink in opposite directions. This is the spacing you should be using- approximately 10” or so. If you’ve never fished your flies this close together, consider yourself warned- it’s probably going to seem a little weird at first. One thing I can promise you though is that you’re going to need your net more throughout the day if you give it a try!

5. Watch the bubbles- we’ve already talked about indicators and weight, and I firmly believe that one of the biggest reasons people don’t catch as many fish as they should is that they’re simply not getting down to them. Next time your nymphing make sure to keep an eye on the bubbles on the surface. What are they doing? Are they moving the same speed as your indicator? If so, this is a dead giveaway you’re not getting down to the fish. Most fish this time of year are sitting very close to the bottom. The water on the bottom of the river is moving slower than the water on the surface. If you’re indicator is floating the same speed as the bubbles on the surface, this means that you’re not getting down to the fish. Simple as that. The goal is to always have your indicator floating SLOWER than the bubbles on the surface. This can quickly be achieved by adding a little more depth and/or weight to your rig. If you’ve never paid attention to this before I think you’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it makes and how quickly you are now able to dial in your rig, ultimately achieving a perfect drift to the fish!

Trouts Fly Fishing is a full service fly shop located in the heart of Denver, CO between Downtown and Cherry Creek North. A second location was established in Frisco, CO located right on Main St. In addition to selling fly fishing goods, Trouts also offers a wide selection of fly fishing classes, guided trips and destination travel options. Some of their trips include both float fishing and wade fishing on the Blue River, Colorado River, Williams Fork River, Eagle River, Roaring Fork River, Frying Pan and Arkansas River. Trouts has been proudly serving the angling community for over 15 years.

Behind the Fin: Barbara Plake

• Name: Barbara Plake
• Member of Collegiate Peaks Chapter of TU
• Chair of the chapter's women's group 'Flygals'
• Works as a consultant for agencies with testing requirements
• Being a member of TU means, "It means that I have a group of friends to whom I don’t have to explain why I enjoy fly fishing and being out of doors; they 'get it'!"

How long have you been a TU member?

Since 2016

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

I have been fly fishing for over 20 years, but lived in Nebraska where there wasn’t a nearby TU chapter. Once we moved to Buena Vista, my husband and I started attending the meetings of Collegiate Peaks Chapter of TU. Even though my husband has been a life member of TU for many years, I had not joined until we moved to Buena Vista. I wanted to be part of this vibrant and active TU chapter.

What made you want to become involved with TU?

I liked the work the chapter is doing for stream restoration and for youth education.

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

I chair the women’s group called Flygals; we do many activities to encourage women to become interested in fly fishing.

I know you won’t tell me your top spot, so what is your second favorite fishing spot or favorite fishing story?

I like to fish high mountain lakes where you can cruising cutthroat trout. I am very fond of a small lake that has Greenback trout; they are so beautiful.

What does being a part of TU mean to you?

It means that I have a group of friends to whom I don’t have to explain why I enjoy fly fishing and being out of doors; they “get it”!

What else do you do in your spare time or for work?

I am a consultant with agencies that have testing requirement, like for licensure or certification. I travel a lot to service technical advisory committees for these groups or agencies. I was a professor at the University of Nebraska for 30 years before moving to Buena Vista. I drive to the Denver airport often!

Settlement Reached on Big Thompson Fish Kill

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has accepted a settlement of $207,000 from American Civil Contractors (ACC) for the accidental fishkill on the Big Thompson River this past March. The settlement, which will be spent restoring fish habitat in the lower Big Thompson will help ensure the river and trout fishing will be brought back to its former glory before the 2013 flood. “Colorado Parks and Wildlife is heartened by the cooperation of ACC, Larimer County, and Central Federal Lands in finding the cause of the fishkill,” said Area Wildlife Manager Larry Rogstad. “While the events leading to the fishkill were unintentional, the outcome was devastating to the rainbow and brown trout fishery in the lower Big Thompson, which prior to the flood was well known among anglers. The fishery is a valuable public resource therefore CPW has been dedicated to verifying what happened, and recovering appropriate compensation for the Big Thompson loss.  Everyone involved is pleased that this settlement will go directly back to the canyon, the habitat and ultimately to the fish, right where it should go!”

Although not related in any way, the larger Big Thompson/US Highway 34 project, spearheaded by Colorado Department of Transportation, to rebuild and make permanent repairs to Highway 34 and the adjacent Big Thompson River, has taken note of what happened with the fishkill.  The goal of this multiyear project, which started with the recent closure of the highway in the lower canyon, is to rebuild the highway, the river and the canyon in a manner that is ecologically functional, while providing recreational opportunity, and most of all with resilience against future flooding.  Since the 2013 flood, CDOT and its consultants, multiple federal, state and local agencies, and canyon residents have been meeting frequently to design and implement the canyon recovery plan between Estes Park and Loveland that will be a showcase of engineering and collaboration.   As part of the process agencies involved in the Big Thompson project, including CPW, have been working together to establish a set of best management practices to absolutely minimize chance that a similar event  occurs again. Lessons learned from the fishkill have been instrumental in establishing environmental protection on the Big T project.

“The 2013 floods devastated the river habitat which is precisely what ACC was working to mitigate,” stated Randy Maher, ACC President. “Along the North Fork project the team used the natural hydrology of the river to create and restore quality fish structure and repair and enhance 19 acres of riparian habitat so the fish and wildlife will thrive again.  We were so excited by what we were creating and were obviously devastated by the loss.”

Restoring the recreational fishery and creating a new road-river interface with long-term resiliency and natural function remains the priority for multiple agencies. According to Rogstad, “river restoration goals in the CDOT project, along with a little help from Mother Nature should bring the fishery back to pre-flood quality.” Along the way, money from the fishkill settlement will be put right back into the river to improve invertebrate and fish habitat that will benefit trout and other species for years to come. Once the road graders have finished the project CPW will sample and tweak the fishery as needed, and ultimately the Big Thompson will be better than ever for people, for wildlife and most especially for the trout.”

For more information on the fishkill, visit: http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/News-Release-Details.aspx?NewsID=5756

2016 CTU Success Stories

2016 was a big year for Colorado TU, the last 11 months have seen challenges present themselves from protecting our headwaters from acid mine drainage, to making sure our public lands remain in public hands, to ensuring the state's quality of water and natural habitat. While these challenges threatened our rivers and streams, the work by TU and it's chapters, made sure these threats remained just that and our watersheds remained protected. CTU also embarked on programs that would help sustain conservation and fishing for years to come. We engaged the next generation of river stewards through our Youth Camp, introduced a new group of kids to conversation through fly fishing, reintroduced native greenback cutthroat trout to their home watersheds along the front range, and made on-the-ground improvements to our state's fisheries through our chapter's volunteer efforts.

There were many great success stories over the last year that will be covered in the 2016 Year in Review coming out early 2017. The few stories listed below are highlights of the last year for CTU and just a glimpse into the great work done by the TU staff, our chapters, volunteers, and partners! Stay tuned for the 2016 Year in Review for more articles covering all of the great work done in Colorado!

Roan Plateau

Throughout the past decade, Colorado TU has also been involved in advocacy and litigation to help protect the Roan in the face of proposed oil and gas development. The legal battle culminated in productive settlement talks that produced the new Roan plan that BLM approved in November.  For the next 20 years, the most sensitive watersheds atop the Roan will remain unleased, while responsible development will be allowed on other areas on and around the Plateau that are closer to existing oil and gas infrastructure. Continued improvements in directional drilling technology over those years could make it possible, by the time BLM next updates the Roan plan, to extend development to natural gas reserves below the Roan without needing to sacrifice the valuable habitat on its surface. This agreement is a great example of how balance can be achieved when all parties sit down and try to listen honestly and respectfully to each other to craft a solution.

Thompson Divide

Concurrent with the Roan decision, The BLM also issued a decision canceling 25 contentious oil and gas leases within the Thompson Divide (the leaseholders to be repaid from government funds), while maintaining 40 other leases in surrounding lands – mostly closer to existing development areas. As with the Roan, the decision reflects a responsible balance between protecting our most valuable fish and wildlife habitats and enabling responsible energy development to move forward on public lands. Unlike the Roan, this decision does not yet reflect a larger consensus among conservationists and industry, nor does it provide longer-term protection for the Thompson Divide. The decision was a necessary victory in protecting the Thompson Divide from the imminent threat of oil and gas drilling, and TU remains committed to working with the BLM, Forest Service, ranchers, local governments, and the oil and gas industry to achieve a long-term solution that includes permanent protection of the Thompson Divide as part of a larger, responsible plan for energy development in the region.

Stream Standards

Trout Unlimited and a coalition of agencies, concerned citizens, and conservation and sportsmen groups rallied to defend Colorado’s water quality standards for temperature in coldwater streams. The Colorado Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) proposed changes in standards that would have raised standards for water temperature to levels that could prove fatal to trout in spring and fall seasons and year-round in mid-elevation “transition” waters. The proposal was based on flawed science and failed to adequately protect coldwater fisheries and to address the varied factors that influence temperature regimes in natural streams. Thanks to the efforts of TU and our coalition partners, the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) rejected the proposed changes, keeping in place the protective temperature standards that currently apply to coldwater streams.  It was an impressive team – including Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Colorado Wildlife Federation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Western Resource Advocates, and others. The proposed changes would have weakened water temperature standards for around 1/3 of Colorado’s trout streams, based solely on their elevation, allowing the fish’ stress levels to increase and ultimately cause problems for feeding, growth and movement.  According to the EPA, the proposed standards for lower elevation coldwater streams could have actually proved lethal to trout exposed to them over seven days.

Greenback Recovery

Colorado TU teamed up with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to reintroduce Greenback Cutthroat trout into their native watersheds all along the Front Range. Efforts this past year including spawning Zimmerman Lake, receiving grants to help improve the Mt. Shavano fish hatchery that raises Greenbacks, and expanded Greenback efforts to educating the public on why all native trout reintroduction is vital to our ecosystems. CTU has also worked with Parks and Wildlife on preliminary plans for a fish barrier on Rock Creek that will eventually hold Greenbacks. CTU volunteers worked with CPW on the beginning stages of the project by stocking fish in a section of the stream.

Lessons from the Roan

By David Nickum For more than a decade, the battle over Colorado’s Roan Plateau—a beautiful green oasis surrounded by oil and gas development—raged in meetings and in courtrooms. At issue: Would the “drill, baby, drill” approach to public lands carry the day and the path of unrestrained energy development run over one of Colorado’s most valuable wildlife areas? Or would “lock it up” advocates preclude all development of the Roan’s major natural gas reserves?

Luckily, this story has a happy ending—and a lesson for Colorado and other states in the West struggling with how to balance the need for energy development with conservation of public lands and irreplaceable natural resources.

The Bureau of Land Management recently issued its final plan for the Roan Plateau, closing the most valuable habitat on top of the plateau to oil and gas leases. The plan, which will guide management of the area for the next 20 years, also acknowledges the importance of wildlife habitat corridors connecting to winter range at the base of the Plateau.

At the same time, the BLM management plan allows responsible development to proceed in less-sensitive areas of the plateau that harbor promising natural gas reserves and can help meet our domestic energy needs.

What happened? After years of acrimony and lawsuits, stakeholders on all side of the issue sat down and hammered out a balanced solution. Everyone won.

It’s too bad it took lawsuits and years of impasse to get all sides to do what they could have done early on: Listen to each other. We all could have saved a lot of time, money and tears.

The Roan example is a lesson to remember, as the incoming administration looks at how to tackle the issue of energy development on public lands.

There’s a better way, and it’s working in Colorado.

The BLM also this month, incorporating stakeholder input, closed oil and gas leasing in several critical habitat areas in the Thompson Divide—another Colorado last best place—while permitting leasing to go ahead in adjacent areas.

That plan also represents an acknowledgment that some places are too special to drill, while others can be an important part of meeting our energy needs.

And in the South Park area—a vast recreational playground for the Front Range and an important source of drinking water for Denver and the Front Range—the BLM is moving ahead with a Master Leasing Plan (MLP) for the area that would identify, from the outset, both those places and natural resources that need to be protected and the best places for energy leasing to proceed.

We have said that we want federal agencies in charge of public lands to involve local and state stakeholders more closely in land management planning—that perceived disconnect has been the source of criticism and conflict in the West regarding federal oversight of public lands.

The MLP process is a new tool that promises to address some of that top-down, fragmented approach to public land management. To their credit, the BLM is listening and incorporating suggestions from local ranchers, conservation groups and elected officials into their leasing plan for South Park.

This landscape level, “smart from the start” approach is one way for stakeholders to find consensus on commonsense, balanced solutions that allow careful, responsible energy development to occur while protecting our most valuable natural resources.

The lesson I take from the Roan? We can find solutions through respectful dialogue—and we shouldn’t wait for litigation to do so. Coloradoans can meet our needs for energy development and for preserving healthy rivers and lands by talking earlier to each other and looking for common ground.

Peaks to Plains Trail

By: David Amalong, Newsletter Editor for West Denver TU. This original article was posted in the Angler's Edge newsletter by West Denver Trout Unlimited.

The first segment of the Peaks to Plains Trail through Clear Creek Canyon opened to the public on July 28, 2016. This initial 3-mile segment of trail along Clear Creek and US Highway 6 in Clear Creek Canyon is just one piece of a much broader vision.

The Peaks to Plains Trail is envisioned to be a 65- mile off-highway trail that will allow travel from the Continental Divide at the Eisenhower Tunnel to the confluence of Clear Creek and the South Platte River in Adams County. The recently completed segment is the result of a partnership between Jeffco Open Space and Clear Creek County Open Space.

The trail includes not only 3 miles of a paved multiuse trail, but features 3 bridges, 6 new formal river access points and multiple overlooks and boulder seating areas. Other improvements include two new parking lots and an expanded parking lot and restroom at Mayhem Gulch. The parking lots are a key component to bringing a new types of visitor to Clear Creek Canyon; cyclists, hikers and walkers.

The majority of the trail meanders along “quieter side” of the Creek, opposite of Highway 6. In doing so, the trail travels through a variety of landscapes, from open meadows, rocky overlooks, and riparian sections close to the Creek. It also gains some elevation in areas offering some great views down into the Creek. Areas that were disturbed by construction have been re-vegetated with native grasses, shrubs and trees.

On several occasions, I have had the opportunity to experience the trail as a fisherman. However; on a recent crisp Saturday morning, I put away my fly rod walked most of the trail to take in all aspects of the trail.

It was encouraging to see extended families walking the trail, leaning over the guardrail at an overlook pointing to trout rising behind a large boulder. Joggers pushing strollers paused at the overlooks on the bridges to catch their breath. Cyclists were numerous and one group took advantage of the informal boulder seating areas to stop for a picnic lunch. There were crowds of climbers at all of the popular areas, and fisherman were ducking in and out of the willows along the banks.

As hard as I tried to be a “pedestrian” and just simply walk the trail, I couldn’t stop myself from making mental notes of all of the new fishing access points to the Creek. With much of the trail being on the opposite side of the Creek from the road, there is a LOT of new creek access. I will honor the tradition of not divulging secret fishing spots, but I have discovered that this trail offers access to great new water that was either difficult or impossible to access in the past.

My overall impression of the trail was extremely positive. The materials used through compliment the character of the Canyon. The improved parking areas provide additional spaces and greatly improve visitor safety and the new signage is clear and concise. The biggest improvement; however, is the trail. It allows visitors to disconnect from Highway 6 and truly immerse themselves in the Creek, the Canyon, and the Landscape.

The next evolution in Clear Creek Canyon will be the design and construction of the Mouth of Clear Creek Canyon. It will extend the existing multi-use trail associated with the Golden Mile through Downtown Golden upstream to Tunnel 1. The concept features two new pedestrian bridges as well as the proposed Welch Ditch Tail which will improve climbing access and connect the Peaks to Plains trail to Chimney Gulch Trail. Parking areas will be upgraded in two locations to accommodate the large demand in this stretch.

A Note to the TU Family

by Chris Wood This was an uncommon and rancorous election, but the outcome is not. As is the case every four years, many are excited about the prospects for the new administration, and many are afraid of what it means for things they care about. I want to take a moment to discuss what it means for our work at Trout Unlimited.

The change in Administration may make some campaigns, such as the effort to protect Bristol Bay, more challenging. The good news is that our campaigns are place-based and emanate from a strong need by local people to protect places they live and love. For example, the desire to protect Bristol Bay begins in dozens of small Alaska native villages in southwest Alaska, the spokes of which extend outward to the commercial fishing industry and to the state capital. It is a made-in-Alaska campaign that will be hard for any Administration to resist.

Policies such as the Clean Water rule will face increased scrutiny. It will be more vital than ever before that we engage our members and other anglers to help explain that protecting clean water is not a partisan issue.

Funding for restoration work could come under threat. And this is why it is so vital to help policymakers, legislators, state and federal agency partners, and private corporations understand the alchemic nature of our work. For every $1 of corporate or state/federal money invested in a TU project, we turn it into $10, and in the process provide high-paying, family wage jobs in communities all across the country.

We have always prided ourselves on our ability to work in a bipartisan manner. Since Trout Unlimited was founded in Michigan in 1959, the organization has existed—and grown—through 11 different presidential administrations (29 years Republican, and 28 years Democrat). For example, several clear opportunities exist for us in the new Congress and with the new Trump Administration; these include Good Samaritan legislation to help clean up abandoned mines, a higher priority on water infrastructure improvements, and public land renewable energy legislation.

Angling is a cultural, not a political issue. Whether it involves securing in-  stream flow legislation in Montana or Utah or passing laws such as the Wyoming Range Legacy Act, we know how to get people from across the political spectrum to work side-by-side toward common goals. This is who we are; it is what we do. The fact that we can cross political boundaries is what makes us so effective. It’s what makes us welcome at the negotiating table.

In the wake of a rancorous debate, many will want to walk around the battle-field and bayonet the wounded. Others will howl in the wind and talk of moving to Canada. Resist both urges. Our work, our entire approach to collaborative stewardship—is more vital—more needed in this country than ever before. The voices of sportsmen and women will be ever more central in the coming years. So few issues bring the country together today. Conservation—the notion that we can take specific actions today, to make the world a better place for our kids tomorrow—may be the one issue that can help to unite an otherwise divided nation.

Challenges lay ahead, but I also see great opportunity to play an even more prominent role in ensuring the future of trout and salmon in North America. Let’s get to work.

Chris Wood is the president and CEO of Trout Unlimited. He works from TU's headquarters in Arlington, Va.

Congrats to our Fall Raffle Winner: Will St. Germain

Will St. Germain is the proud winner of our Colorado TU Statewide Fall Raffle! Will won a two-day guided fishing trip (valid through 5/1/17) on the San Juan River quality waters for two anglers with Duranglers, offering first-class guide service on the San Juan and a range of southwest Colorado rivers.  Trip is winner's choice of float or walk/wade angling (or one day of each). In addition this package includes two night's lodging (double occupancy) at the Rochester Hotel in Durango (valid through 5/1/17). The historic Rochester Hotel offers comfortable accommodations and a gourmet breakfast each morning featuring a hot entree, homemade fresh-baked goods, fresh cut fruit, homemade granola, yogurt, and more!

Total value of the package is $1,239.

A big thank you goes to everyone who participated in the raffle! Thank you also goes to Duranglers and Rochester Hotel for their generous support of our event!

Even with all the great fly fishing diversity in the Durango area, the San Juan River below Navajo Dam is Durangler's specialty.  The San Juan is a very unique fishery and tends to frustrate many fishermen with it’s very small flies and unusual fish behavior.  The guide staff is very experienced with many years of guiding the San Juan River in New Mexico.  A wade or float trip on the San Juan with one of Durangler's guides is always an educational experience whether it’s your first or fiftieth trip to the San Juan.

Duranglers Fly Shop and Supplies had its humble beginning in 1983 when John Flick and Tom Knopick opened the San Juan region’s first and only full service fly shop and guide service. Tom and John had met nine years earlier as freshman in college and quickly began dreaming of making fly fishing their life. The dream became a reality December 10th, 1983 when Duranglers opened its doors in downtown Durango. Duranglers has come a long way from when Tom and John tied every fly they sold and built every rod. After 15 great years in the basement of the Newman building, Duranglers main shop relocated to a brand new location! Visit Duranglers big, bright Durango location at 923 Main Avenue.  In 2016, Duranglers received CTU's "Exemplary Guide & Outfitter" award in recognition of their contributions to coldwater conservation.

Behind The Fin: Kent Hughes

• Name: Kent Hughes
• Member of Colorado River Headwaters Chapter
• TU Member for 20 years
• Continues to give back to the community and kids
• “To me, TU means people trying to make a difference.  Things don't get changed by those that sit.  TU also means spending times with people you like who also aren't content with just sitting."

How long have you been a TU member?

I've been a member of TU for the past 20 years.  Conservation just always made sense to me.  After anything is lost, it's too late and your left knowing you could have done something that might have helped.

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

I was a TU member before I ever belonged to a chapter. I supported TU because I liked it's message and I liked to fish, and I'd like to think of this sport and this pleasure being here for those that come next.

What made you want to become involved with TU?

I became a member of the Colorado River Headwaters Chapter about seven years ago.  It's a small chapter and  the majority of its members are like I use to be.  Admiration and respect for TU but without either the time, or the necessary conviction for action.  I respected TU's goals and results, but was not motivated enough to join in the work.  That changed, and I started volunteering and became a chapter board member after it became obvious that without citizen involvement the diversion of the Fraser River to meet projected front range water demands would destroy both the river and the wetlands, and with it the fish and animals that depended on the  Frasers flow.  Save the Fraser River is the goal and the challenge, and TU is making the difference.

I know you won’t tell me your top spot, so what is your second favorite fishing spot or favorite fishing story?

Forget about the best place to fish.  That's any trout stream without someone stepping in your hole, slightly overcast, and no wind.  But fish stories, you can't fish without them.  We all got 'em.  This good friend of mine, we were in our early 30's, decided to take the drift boat and go the the Big Hole for the Salmon Fly hatch.  It was early in the season and the weather was cold, but the fishing was hot.  Late one afternoon, we're floating a canyon, bouncing these big bugs off the walls.  A fish on almost every cast.  My friend, didn't like to crimp his hooks and with the wind, he caught his  shirt.  Not deterred, he soon caught his earlobe. Fish are biting. No time to quit. Cut the leader and retie.  The leader turned into a wick.  I offered to take out the hook and disinfect with Jim Beam. No way, waste of time and whiskey. At the pullout my friends shirt looked like he had done an eight hour shift at a meat processing plant.  I got the hook out and we started laughing.  The day, the time ,the fish.  Turned out OK, but when we finally quit laughing we were out of our disinfectant.  Many more, we all got 'em

What does being a part of TU mean to you?

To me, TU means people trying to make a difference.  Things don't get changed by those that sit.  TU also means spending times with people you like who also aren't content with just sitting.

What else do you do in your spare time or for work?

I'm lucky enough to have been able retire and doing what I enjoy.  The fishing, the skiing, the biking,and the volunteering.  Trying to make a difference.  My wife and I have an endowed fund at Colorado Childrens that brings pediatric kidney patients up to summer camp at the YMCA of the Rockies. To kids who spend too much of their lives in a dialysis clinic it makes a difference.  I belong to the Fraser Valley Lions Club, and we raise close to $65,000 annually which we donate to local non-profits. All working together it makes a difference.  Just like TU.  Imagine the state of the rivers in this country without TU.

Mending Youth into Leaders

Trout Unlimited is only as strong as its membership base. Without our 150,000 plus volunteers over the nation, and over 10,000 volunteers in Colorado, we wouldn't be able accomplish what we do. In order to instill a passion for conservation into future leaders, CTU works to foster the next generation of conservationists through our Youth Programs. Starting with the Colorado TU Youth Camp, participants learn the skills and knowledge to become leaders in their high school or college clubs. From their leadership roles in college, they have the skills to become the leaders of tomorrow- not just in TU but their chosen professional fields.

Myles Brown- 2012 Camp Alumni

“What I thought the camp would be about was a strict camp with a really tight schedule and very strict instructors.  But the camp was totally the opposite.  All of the counselors were cool, willing to teach and give us time to learn about conserving our ponds, lakes rivers and stream.  Most of all, getting better at fly fishing!  Now fishing is a part of me with lots of awareness and cautions.  I learned that the sport of fly fishing attracts many people coming from places all over the world.  They come from many different backgrounds but on the river, we are all the same.”

The CTU camp that I was lucky to attend in my freshman summer going into high school was one of the best experiences that I have ever had. I really do think it was one of my best fishing experiences ever. I was able to share a common interest with everyone that I was fortunate to meet. I was able to share not only the amazing hobby of fishing but to help out and better the life of not only me but the fish and future fishermen and women. While I was there I shared many experiences and moments that I will treasure through my whole life. One moment that I remember clear as day was the chance to be one with the water and look to what fish refer to as, food. I was able to clearly see and extract many bugs in a stream that was abundant of fish. It was also a very humbling experience because I was able to see how we as a youth group could really impact the future of fishing and to ensure the maintenance to keep our fishing in Colorado going strong. I am very grateful of what I was able to learn in the short amount of time I was there. I would have been okay if it was all summer but I still am very grateful for the chance to attend an amazing camp full of amazing people.

Now I am a senior at Chatfield Senior High and I just finished my fourth year of football and am in the middle of my senior baseball season. Even though I am jam packed with the sports I love to play I am still able to squeeze in time for what I love the best, and that is to fish. I enjoy all types of fishing but nothing beats that with a fly and a fly rod. I make sure that the trips that I take are around a place that I can get my line wet. Next year I am attending Montana State University Northern in Havre, Montana. I will be getting my major in Diesel Technology and Field Maintenance. I look forward not only to the awesome school but being close to one of the best places to fish in North America. I am excited to further my career and lead a good life but will never leave my passion of fishing behind.

Tyler Bowman- CU Club Alumni

"In today’s world, fisheries conservation programs can be vast and vague.  It is important that conservation organizations like Trout Unlimited focus their efforts intelligently and appropriately.  Programs like the CTU Youth Camp are well worth the time, money and commitment.  The key to future conservation efforts is teaching today’s youth the importance of conservation and stewardship and there is no better program than the CTU Youth Camp to accomplish these goals.  Take an interest in the CTU Youth Camp today; our fisheries and youth depend on it."

The Colorado Trout Unlimited Youth Camp may be one of the foremost building blocks to instilling the principles and values of ethics, conservation and good stewardship into the youth of Colorado and the West.  The CTU camp, its leaders and volunteers do an amazing job to educate our youth about the values of stream conservation, catch and release trout fishing and the importance of understanding entomology and its effect on our trout streams.

Many of the leaders and volunteers involved in the CTU Youth Camp have originated from the University of Colorado fly fishing club.  The CU Fly Fishing Club is a wonderful fly fishing group that is part of the University of Colorado club sports program.  The club focuses on teaching the art of fly fishing, fly casting and fly tying to all experience levels and is a place where anglers can share fishing information and form life long friendships.

Members of the club have fished extensively and instigated conservation efforts to unique destinations stemming from Alaska to New Zealand and everything in between.  Whether the destination is freshwater or saltwater fisheries it is certain that members of the CU Fly Fishing club have been there and are willing to share information about the fishery.

Perhaps, camaraderie and stewardship can best describe the CTU Youth Camp and the CU Fly Fishing Club, where sharing a passion for angling has united people across the country and beyond, while at the same time inspiring our youth to continue a tradition of angling and conservation.

The CTU Youth Camp and the CU Fly Fishing Club could not be made possible without the efforts of Larry Quilling and Shawn Bratt, who have taken it upon themselves to teach and mentor countless people.  Their efforts have touched the lives of many and created lasting programs to benefit the fisheries of the west and more importantly preserve the tradition and legacy of fly-fishing and conservation for generations yet to come.

Dick Shinton, Youth Camp Volunteer

"Our campers have gone on into careers in science, law, engineering and other pursuits. Because I have stayed in touch with many of them over the years, I know that our graduates not only continue to enjoy fly fishing, they maintain their interest in river conservation and many participate in Trout Unlimited projects and in TU chapter activities. One young man has started a TU chapter at his university and has thus involved many other young people in TU conservation projects and fly fishing. One of our campers returned several times as a youth counselor; she’s now a full-fledged adult volunteer member of our staff. Another was on the USA National Youth Fly Fishing Team that won a world championship. This program works."

Our campers have gone on into careers in science, law, engineering and other pursuits. Because I have stayed in touch with many of them over the years, I know that our graduates not only continue to enjoy fly fishing, they maintain their interest in river conservation and many participate in Trout Unlimited projects and in TU chapter activities. One young man has started a TU chapter at his university and has thus involved many other young people in TU conservation projects and fly fishing. One of our campers returned several times as a youth counselor; she’s now a full-fledged adult volunteer member of our staff. Another was on the USA National Youth Fly Fishing Team that won a world championship. This program works.I’ve been involved in youth programs with my local TU chapter, St Vrain Anglers, and with CTU’s Youth River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp; this will be my ninth year as a counselor at the CTU Camp. In that time I’ve seen nearly 200 teens from all over Colorado come through the program. They’ve ranged from hip Denver kids to dyed-in-the-wool ranch and farm kids and everything in between. One thing they have had in common is a love of being outdoors, learning something about the environment, and a desire to protect it.

Using fly fishing, a passion shared by everyone involved in the program, as a vehicle for teaching young men and women about the environment while in that environment really drives home the lessons they learn. It’s one thing to talk about aquatic macroinvertebrates, it’s quite another to capture them and examine them close up, and tie a fly that represents that insect and catch a fish with it. Learning about watersheds while standing in one, looking around to see how water flows down mountainsides, gathering into rivulets, becoming creeks, then rivers, can’t be replaced by looking at a topo map. Hearing a presentation by a local oilman about his efforts to protect the land and water while providing the energy we need makes a dry headline about fracking come to life. Learning that water doesn’t belong to everybody, but is governed by complex laws is an eye opener. These experiences prepare our campers for a greater awareness of the fragility of the world around us and the need to protect it, especially the watersheds that are so critical to trout and salmon.