Do you enjoy taking a kid fishing? How about helping them learn about stream ecology and what makes for healthy watersheds? Or engaging college students with service learning projects to help Colorado streams? If this sounds like you, you just might be a candidate for Colorado Trout Unlimited's Youth Education Coordinator. Colorado TU is seeking qualified applicants to manage our various programs for connecting kids with the great outdoors. Click here to see the job description. Applicants should submit their resume and letter of interest to Colorado TU via email to dnickum@tu.org, by October 5.
CTU Meets the World: Family Fly Fishing Festival
It's a beautiful, warm day in August at Nova Guides Lodge, or at least it was on August 15th when families, competitors and staff from the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships all gathered there for the Colorado TU co-sponsored event: the Family Fly Fishing Festival and Conservation Symposium. This past Saturday, the Lodge at Camp Hale was filled with a plethora of people milling about enjoying all that the event had to offer. The stunning scenery and temperate climate allowed for fly fishing to take precedence over almost everything else; although, Garrett Hanks, CTU's coordinator for the event, made sure there was something for everyone. Entomology, fly tying, fish art, and a conservation symposium, during which Holly Loff, Kendall Bakich, and Marcus Selig spoke on pertinent conservation issues, were the other activities offered.
The festival activities were not the only thing the attendees enjoyed, many were also pleased to see kids and adults alike interacting with each other in such a positive manner. "Fly fishing can be very bonding," one staff member of FIPS Mouche, the International Sport Flyfishing Federation, said. "It builds friendships." That's just one of the many benefits of having an event like this. The conservation symposium in combination with fly fishing and other activities allowed people to come together to share a common interest as well as learn something new.
The conservation focus of the symposium was on recovery of the Eagle River from its legacy of habitat damage and mine pollution - an issue made more poignant by the recent Gold King Mine spill on the Animas River. Holly Loff from the Eagle River Watershed Council spoke on an equally damaging spill from the Eagle Mine that occurred in the 80's. Years after the mine closed, it flooded over into the Eagle River causing a disaster even more striking than the one recently on the Animas River. Although the results of the spill was devastating, Loff emphasized the successful steps that were taken to bring the trout back to the Eagle River, and hopes to see the same thing happen with the Animas River. Kendall Bakich from Colorado Parks and Wildlife discussed how crucial it is to monitor fish health in order to restore fish populations to a healthy, normal range. Marcus Selig added an update on efforts to complete a major riparian and wetlands restoration program in Camp Hale. The speakers were an important part of the event, not only because they shined a positive light on an otherwise bleak situation, but because they further demonstrated how conservation and fly fishing go hand in hand. After all, we wouldn't have beautiful places to fish in if we didn't put in a conscious effort to conserve them.
The Family Fly FIshing Festival and Conservation Symposium was just one part of the larger events surrounding the 2015 World Youth Fly Fishing Championships. Team USA didn't let their "home water advantage" go to waste and successfully defended their team gold medals. Check out the feature in Colorado Outdoors for more on the Youth Championships.
Family Fly Fishing Festival Approaching!
Photo by Mark Lance
August is going to be quite a busy month for anglers. While the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships are going on August 10th-16th, on the 15th CTU is hosting The Family Fly Fishing Festival at the Nova Guides Lodge with Team USA. All ages are welcome! Read below for more information, and click here to register for this event.
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Family Fishing Festival with Team USA On August 15th at the historic Camp Hale, hosted at Nova Guides Lodge, families will have the opportunity to interact and learn from the best young flyfishers from around the world including the three-time defending gold medal winners of Team USA. Whether you are the next aspiring Team USA member or a first time angler, The Family Fly Fishing Festival has something for you.
Just as the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships bring together anglers from around the world, Colorado Trout Unlimited aims to bring our State together for the Family Fly Fishing Festival and Conservation Symposium. Youth of all ages and adults alike are invited to have some fun with the tournament’s competitors while learning some new skills along the way.
· Fly Casting · Fly Tying · Entomology · Fish Art and More!
On the private ponds of Nova Guides, instruction – including from members of Team USA – will be offered for anglers of different abilities. Outdoor activities from partners like Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, and the Eagle River Watershed Council will be available for the whole family. Lunch will be provided during the Conservation Symposium where guests can learn about the waters of Colorado and the groups who work to protect them. Bring the whole family! $10 / person or $30 for a family of four. Lunch provided. More details including driving directions and registraion can be found at: |
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"State of CTU" Video
At the Colorado TU Rendezvous, prior to passing the gavel on to new President Marshall Pendergrass, Past President Rick Matsumoto shared a video highlighting the "State of Colorado Trout Unlimited" over the past year - it has been a great several months for trout and watersheds in Colorado. Check it out!
Family Flyfishing Festival with Team USA
The World Youth Fly Fishing Championships are coming to Colorado this August (click here to learn more about the event and how you can take part)! In conjunction, on August 15th at the historic Camp Hale, hosted by Nova Guides Lodge, families will have the opportunity to interact and learn from the best young flyfishers from around the world including the three-time defending gold medal winners of Team USA. Whether you are the next aspiring Team USA member or a first time angler, the Family Fly Fishing Festival has something for you.
Just as the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships will bring together anglers from around the world, Colorado Trout Unlimited aims to bring our State together for the Family Fly Fishing Festival and Conservation Symposium. Youth of all ages and adults alike are invited to have some fun with the tournament’s competitors while learning some new skills along the way.
On the private ponds of Nova Guides, instruction - including from members of Team USA - will be offered for anglers of different abilities. Other outdoor activities from partners like Colorado Parks and Wildlife, River Watch, and the Eagle River Watershed Council will be available for the whole family: fly casting, fly tying, entomology and fish art and more. Lunch will be provided during the Conservation Symposium where guests can learn about the waters of Colorado and the groups who work to protect them - including learning about restoration efforts planned in the Camp Hale area with the National Forest Foundation.
When: Saturday, August 15, 2015 What Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Activities: Fly fishing demos and learning, fly fishing on lake, speakers Where: Nova Guides at Camp Hale Directions: directions or smart phone map link
Registration is $10 per person or $30 for a family of four. Click here to sign up!
Chase Moore, Youth Education Coordinator, Colorado Trout Unlimited
Chase is excited to bring his leadership skills and background in environmental education to strengthen CTU’s youth education programs throughout the state. While bicycle touring and backpacking have been Chase’s passion and means to explore the Pacific Northwest, Southwest deserts, and the great state of Colorado, he always watched anglers gracefully dot the stream banks along many of his adventures. Curiosity and the necessity to see what the fuss was about led Chase to give fly fishing a chance via a Tenkara rod. Simply put, he was hooked.
Chase is now joining CTU to help youth across the state understand the importance of a healthy watershed, not just from an angling standpoint, but from a resource management perspective. Not only trout but wildlife and people need access to clean, fresh, viable water. Chase has been on the front lines helping people of all ages learn about their natural world and watershed, leading conservation projects and residential science camps in the Pacific Northwest, working on riparian restoration projects in central Oregon, and teaching environmental science in the Rocky Mountains. Most recently he worked with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies – connecting kids with the great outdoors right in the heart of the famed Roaring Fork watershed.
A colleague and friend once pondered what makes Chase a great teacher and said “It has to do, I think, with making teaching a craft rather than a formula.” Needless to say, Chase is looking forward to applying his craft – and more importantly getting young people excited about their waterways. Who knows, maybe there will be more young anglers enjoying our streams as they learn to take a moment and slow down. Chase and his saddle are glad he did, and are even more thankful to join the family at Colorado Trout Unlimited.
Where Are They Now? Youth Camp Alumnus Collin Papuga
Collin Papuga has been living in Alaska and is living his dream; he has been an Alaska resident for the last 3 plus years where he just completed his first season running his own guiding company, Tightlines Alaska. Collin graduated from Kenai Guide Academy last April and passed the test for his guide license in Coopers Landing, AK. He is an alumnus from Colorado TU's 2nd youth camp in 2007 held at Peace Ranch near Basalt, CO. I remember Collin as a very passionate and experienced angler at the ripe young age of 14. Growing up in Grand Lake, he had already spent some time working an internship for Mo Henry’s Fly Shop in Winter Park, where eventually guided for the shop as well. Once at camp, Collin was happy to show all of his fellow campers his advanced double haul skills. Collin was a natural leader during the camp and it is great to see him living his dream with his own Alaskan guide service.
Fish on! Collin fishing the Frying Pan during the 2007 camp.
The Colorado TU youth camp strives to ignite the passions of young men and women to become future stewards of our coldwater fisheries. Here are a few of Collin’s accomplishments since attending the 2007 camp:
- Internship for MoHenry's Fly Shop in Winter Park as a Fly Fishing Guide
- Volunteered countless hours for the Colorado Division of Wildlife
- Youngest youth ever to electrofish on the Colorado River for the Division of Wildlife's annual fish count
- Selected to compete in America Cup Fly Fishing Tournament on the Youth Team
- Graduated from Kenai River Guide Academy in 2014.
Collin explains how he has grown as angler from a very early age:
"When I was 10 I found my Dad’s old fly rod and this was the point at which I put the spinning rod down and I was literally “hooked” on fly fishing! My Grandma bought me a fly tying kit and I began tying flies. I went fly fishing any chance that I could.
My Dad took me on my first trip to Alaska when I was 11 to go fishing, backpacking, hiking and touring the inside passage. When I returned home I told my Mom, “I’m going to move there someday”. I returned every summer thereafter to Alaska to continue this awesome experience of The Last Frontier. The day after I graduated from High School my parents put me on a plane to Alaska and I’ve been pursuing my passion and dream ever since."
Subsequently, Collin says: “I saved my money the last three years to enable myself to pursue my dream of starting my own business. I’m a well-rounded fisherman and Fishing truly is my passion. I would love the opportunity to share my craft with you and give you the thrill of catching an Alaska fish on the Kenai River. Let’s go have some fun together!”
Collin will be back in the Denver metro area attending the International Sportsman Show and will have a booth in front of the casting pond, booth #659. Look for his banner name, Tightlines Alaska. He will have many pictures of the first season hanging on display and two video slides shows of Alaska. Collin will be tying flies he uses on the river and telling stories of his passion about Alaska, and rekindling old and new friendships.
- Story contributed by Larry Quilling, CTU Director at Large, founding camp director of the Colorado TU Youth Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp.
River Explorers continue their journey
Colorado Trout Unlimited is happy to say that the River Explorers program at the Mapleton School District in Thornton will be continuing into its second school year. This will be the beginning of the program’s vertical alignment in which students have different experiences in sequential years centered around healthy watersheds, in this case the South Platte, and fishing. We will also be bringing the program to the Adams-12 district for its first year in that district. As the years go by, we hope that this approach will be an ongoing success showing the value of consistent and stepwise programming to outdoor education. Students who are “River Explorers” will see four years of new activities. One step on the path is Trout in the Classroom. State-wide this year, Colorado Trout Unlimited and its chapters are sponsoring eleven tanks in which students raise trout from eggs to be released into the wild when they grow large enough in the spring. All classrooms have now received their eggs, and many have actively swimming and feeding fry.
River Watch is another piece of the River Explorers curriculum. As its own nonprofit, River Watch utilizes citizen science through school groups and volunteer organizations to collect and formulate water quality data from across the state. Colorado Trout Unlimited works with River Watch to host a few sites through partnering schools and local chapters. As a part of the River Explorers, students will become intimately familiar with the local water quality on the South Platte, and through River Watch provide that data to the public for anyone to use. This real world applicability is something CTU is proud to bring to the South Platte River Explorers, and we think the addition of two new monitoring sites is an exciting undertaking.
Rounding out the River Explorers experience are two more years of programming: Stream Explorers, the introductory portion hosted at the middle school level, in which students learn the basics of a watershed, stream ecology, and fishing; and National Fishing in Schools Program where they hone their fly fishing skills. Connecting all of these pieces together we hope will foster students’ love of the outdoors, of fishing, and ultimately the desire to protect the places and resources they connect with. With generous support from local sponsors, Colorado Trout Unlimited is thrilled to be educating the next generation of river stewards through the continuation of River Explorers in the Mapleton School District, and the expansion to Adams-12 district.
LAST CHANCE to register for the New Leaders Training!!
In Colorado there are 24 local Trout Unlimited chapters that are an essential piece to Trout Unlimted's mission of conserving cold water fisheries. Every chapter has its own leadership board, programs, dedicated volunteers and most of the time they raise their own money for operations. Running a chapter is extremely rewarding, but it can also be challenging. To help Colorado chapters be most effective, Colorado Trout Unlimited hosts an annual New Leaders Training for chapter leaders. Training is October 18th and 19th in Grand Junction!!
This training is for both new and old chapter leaders who are eager to learn how to be more effective leaders and build stronger chapters. The New Leaders Training Weekend will have numerous trainings, networking opportunities, and each attendee will walk away with resources to help their chapter reach its full potential. The Colorado Trout Unlimited Council's Fall board meeting is also held this same weekend in between training sessions. All participants are encouraged to attend the board meeting to become more familiar with the council and what their responsibilities are in Colorado.
Registration for the full weekend is $70.00; however to show our appreciation for new participants all first time attendees get their registration fees waived. To show our appreciation even more, this year Colorado Trout Unlimited is also providing a $100 scholarship for the first 10 chapters to have a first time leader attend to help with travel expenses.
Please contact Stephanie Scott (sscott@tu.org) or 720-354-2647 to apply for one of the scholarships or for general questions about the training.
Follow this link to see the agenda and register for the New Leaders Training: Register Here
Registration Deadline is October 13, 2014.
2014 Camp Essay Contest -- Honorable Mention: Abby
Abby's home river is The Poudre, right here in Colorado. Her essay highlights her experience at the TU Youth Camp this year. Great job Abby!! See you on the water...
