CTU STREAM Girls Opportunities September 9th & 10th

Colorado Trout Unlimited and the Cutthroat Chapter are excited to host a STREAM Girls 1.0 and STREAM Girls 2.0 this weekend at the Kassler Center and Lake Lehow in Littleton! We still have 10 slots available for our STREAM Girls 1.0 on Saturday, Sept. 9th from 8 am - 5 pm at the Kassler Center and 7 slots available for STREAM Girls 2.0 on Sunday, Sept. 10th from 10 am - 2 pm. 

 STREAM Girls is an outdoor watershed experience that employs STEM-education (science, technology, engineering, math) plus recreation and arts to explore a local stream.  By visiting a local stream and having the opportunity to observe it as scientists, anglers, and artists, Girl in the 4th through 8th grade will get the complete picture of what their stream could mean to them.

 STREAM Girls 1.0 is a full day program which includes local stream exploration, collecting flow data, sampling macroinvertebrates, tying flies, and learning fly casting. If you aren't a Girl Scout no worries -- you can join in the fun too. Please note STREAM Girls 1.0 does not include fly fishing due to our limited time, that comes in STREAM Girls 2.0.

 STREAM Girls 2.0 is a half day program which builds upon their already learned casting skills and grow into confident anglers and river conservationists. It is highly recommended that you have already taken STREAM Girls 1.0 before enrolling in this event.

STREAM Keepers Program Has a Busy July and August

STREAM Keepers at Lincoln Hills Cares in Black Hawk, CO, The Nature Connection in Delta, CO, and Hotchkiss, CO

By Lauren Hacke - 2023 Colorado Trout Unlimited Intern

Colorado Trout Unlimited had a great time with kids exploring our rivers and streams in Black Hawk, Delta, and Hotchkiss in July and August! CTU joined Lincoln Hills Cares, Sun Valley Youth, and The Nature Connection in hosting STREAM Keepers for dozens of kids to teach them about fly fishing and what makes a healthy stream.

CTU headed to Black Hawk on July 28th to learn about watershed ecosystems, fly-tying, casting, and fly-fishing with the kids of Sun Valley Youth at Lincoln Hills Cares. The kids investigated macroinvertebrates in Lincoln Hills Cares’ creeks and found mayflies, caddisflies, water striders, and more! Then, CTU volunteers taught the kids how to tie flies, and all of the kids got a fly to take home. The kids also practiced casting with Lawntrout to prepare to fish in the ponds. A few kids caught trout and learned how to release their trout!

CTU partnered with The Nature Connection for a STREAM Keepers program in Delta on August 1st and Hotchkiss on August 2nd. First, the kids evaluated how healthy or polluted the Gunnison River was at Confluence Park and the Delta Fairgrounds based on the macroinvertebrates they found. We found plenty of crayfish! The kids used their knowledge of macroinvertebrates to build their own bugs with crafting supplies. Then, the kids learned how to cast fly rods with Lawntrout!

Thank you to Ray, Dan, Andy, and Scott for volunteering and all the Lincoln Hills Cares and Sun Valley Youth staff for collaborating and helping with STREAM Keepers in Black Hawk! Thank you to our volunteer David and our partners at The Nature Connection for supporting STREAM Keepers with their counselors and staff!

If you would like to learn more about our STREAM Keepers programs click here to visit our website.

2023 River Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp - Building Leaders While Building Leaders

This year’s CTU River Conservation & Fly Fishing (RCFF) Camp was June 11th - 17th in Almont, CO, and was a huge success! After receiving several camp counselor applications (from 2022 campers and returning Junior Counselors) as well as new camper applications, we had the excellent idea to not only accept 20 awesome campers but also accept 12 Junior Camp Counselors at this year’s RCFF Camp!

Each of these Junior Counselors had already completed camp. This year, they had the opportunity to build up their leadership, teamwork, and angling skills as they helped lead small groups, guided campers, and helped the Seasoned Counselors keep camp organized.

This morphed beautifully into incredible relationships between our Campers, Junior Counselors, and Seasoned Counselors. Seasoned Counselors introduced discussion topics, while Junior Counselors led small groups of interested Campers. Campers received one-on-one tips from leading Seasoned and Junior Counselors as they fished, tied flies, designed posters, and even learned how to build their own fishing leaders!

Campers grew in their angling skills and confidence throughout the week, and Junior Counselors grew in their leadership skills. This leadership model for CTU’s River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp helped streamline some of the organizational parts of the camp. Still, it also allowed us as an organization to promote our ‘Stream of Engagement’ model for the CTU Headwaters Youth Programs. Through this program delivery model, we strive to engage new participants in our Youth Programs and ensure that people of any age can "plugin" to TU and continue their relationship with coldwater conservation and fly fishing through various age-appropriate opportunities and programs.

CTU’s River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp is not only teaching how to build fishing leaders but also building leaders within Trout Unlimited and fostering the next generation of river conservationists and anglers! Thank you to all the Camp Counselors, Volunteers, Campers, and Camp Supporters! We could not do this without you!

STREAM Girls & STREAM Keepers Volunteer Opportunities

CTU has some awesome STREAM Keeper and STREAM Girl events and volunteer opportunities!  We are needing fly tiers, fly casters, fly fishers, macroinvertebrate lovers, and helpful volunteers to support these kids, families, and STREAM programs!  To sum it all up....WE NEED YOU!

Event Dates

STREAM Keepers

• Date/Times/Locations:

  • 6/03/23 - 10:30 am - 3:00 pm - Walking Mountain - Eagle Valley Outdoor Movement - 318 Walking Mountains Lane, Avon

  • 6/28/23 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm - Lincoln Hills Cares - 655 Pactolus Lake Rd, Black Hawk, CO 80422

  • 8/1/23 - 9:30 am - 1:30 pm - The Nature Connection - Confluence Park in Delta: 531 Palmer St, Delta, CO 81416

  • 8/1/23 - 9:30 am - 1:30 pm - The Nature Connection - Delta Fairgrounds, 403 Fair Grounds, Hotchkiss, CO 81419

STREAM Girls 

• Date/Time/Locations:

  • STREAM Girl 1.0 Dates and Locations

    • 8/19/23 – Hubbard Cabin, Routt Co Road 18, Steamboat Springs, CO

    • 9/9/2023 - Kassler Center & Waterton Canyon, 11338 Waterton Rd, Littleton, CO 80125

    • 9/16/23 - CSU Environmental Learning Center, Natural Resources Building, #223, Fort Collins, CO 80523

  • STREAM Girl 2.0 Dates and Locations

    • 9/10/23 – Lake Lehow, 11250 Waterton Rd., Littleton CO

  • STREAM Girl Day Camp Dates and Locations

    • 7/25/23 - Cherry Creek State Park, 4201 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014

    • 7/26/23 - Cherry Creek State Park, 4201 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014

    • 7/27/23 - Cherry Creek State Park, 4201 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014

Event Description:

STREAM Keepers Description: Join Colorado Trout Unlimited, local Chapters, and local Organizations for STREAM Keepers.  Kids and Families will participate in a variety of activities which might include, stream observation, sampling macroinvertebrates, tying flies, learning fly casting, and fishing at a local stream.  

Volunteer Needs: 

• Fly tying

• Fly Casting

• Macroinvertebrates

• Fly fishing

STREAM Girls 1.0 Description: Join Colorado Trout Unlimited and Girls Scouts of Colorado for STREAM Girls and learn about your local watershed!   This full day program intended for girls from 4th – 8th grades, empowers girls to explore a local stream, collect flow data, sample macroinvertebrates, tie flies, and learn fly casting. Sign up as an individual or a whole troop and if you aren't a Girl Scout no worries -- you can join in the fun too. Please note STREAM Girls 1.0 does not include fly fishing due to our limited time, that comes in STREAM Girls 2.0.  

Volunteer Needs: 

• 7:30 am - 5:00 pm:

  • Event Leader Volunteer (2 needed)

• 7:30 am - 12:00 pm:

  • STREAM Walk & Macroinvertebrate Volunteer (4 needed)

  • STREAM Walk & Go With The Flow Volunteer (4 needed)

  • Photographer (1 needed)

• 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm:

  • Fly Tying & Stream Scavenger Hunt (4 needed)

  • Fly Casting & Stream Scavenger Hunt (4 needed)

  • Photographer (1 needed)

STREAM Girls 2.0 Description: This half-day program, intended for girl’s 5th grade or older, empowers novice anglers to build upon their already learned casting skills and grow into confident anglers and river conservationists. It is highly recommended that you have already taken STREAM Girls 1.0 before enrolling in this event.

Volunteer Needs: 

• 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Event Leader Volunteer (2 needed)

  • Support Volunteer - Knots, Fly Casting, & Fly Fishing (8 needed)

  • Photographer (2 needed)

STREAM Girls Day Camp Description: We will be offering STREAM programming for Girl Scout Day Camp at Cherry Creek State Park this summer!  Join us as we teach 50 Girl Scout campers about river conservation and explore the Cherry Creek watershed!

Volunteer Needs: 

• 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

  • Event Leader Volunteer (2 needed)

  • Support Volunteer (4 - 10 needed)

  • Photographer (2 needed)

Volunteer capacity for each event is limited. Please be sure to register ASAP, if you are interested in supporting these impactful events. Thank you to those of you who have already signed up!

For more information, contact Natalie Flowers at natalie.flowers@tu.org

New TIC Community Tank at the CSU Spur Hydro Building

Attending the National Western Stock Show in Denver this month? Then you can come see our new Trout In The Classroom (TIC) Community Tank at the CSU Spur Hydro building. Located at 4817 National Western Dr, Denver, CO 80216, the Hydro building is the newest addition to the CSU Spur campus.

Our Community Tank, with the help of the Denver Trout Unlimited Chapter, currently holds three-month old trout who are actively feeding, swimming, and growing. Come learn more about Trout In The Classroom and the other amazing programs and opportunities the CSU Spur has to offer!

CTU will have a table next to the tank on Saturday, January 14th for CSU Spur Day at the Stock Show and Monday, January 16th for Martin Luther King Day.

CTU Youth Programs Update

First off, thank you to everyone who donated and supported CTU Youth during our Colorado Gives Day campaign! We accomplished our goal and then some, for a grand total of $7,675! Thank also to Barbara Luneau and Mark Rayman for offering a matching incentive and helping to double our donor’s donations by $2,500.

2023 is looking bright for CTU’s Headwaters Programs. We are beginning to plan out our 2023 STREAM
Girls and STREAM Keepers schedule. If you are interested in offering a STREAM Girls or STREAM Keepers program in 2023 fill out the forms below.

• 2023 STREAM Girls Inquiry Form

• 2023 STREAM Keepers Inquiry Form

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Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is looking forward to 2023, as well. We will be installing a new TIC Community Tank at the CSU Spur Hydro Building in late December or early January. We hope to have the tank working and fish swimming by the time The National Western Stock Show is running. If you are going to the Stock Show be sure to visit the new CSU Spur Hydro Building and TIC Community Tank on the second floor.

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We are excited to announce our 2023 River Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp will be June 11 - 17, 2023. Registration is now open for Camper applications and Camp Counselor applications. Visit our Camp website for more information.

Want to help CTU’s 2023 River Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp? Below are some great ways to show your support.

• Help us spread the word!

  • Download and share our 2023 River Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp Flyer.

• Sponsor a Camper!

  • Camp Registration is $600 per camper. If you would like to sponsor a camper please email Barbara Luneau or Natalie Flowers.

• Volunteer!

  • Camp Counselor applications are now open. Click here to apply to be a CTU Camp Counselor.

Thank you for all the support in 2022. We can’t wait to continue fostering the next generation of conservations and anglers in 2023!

If you would like to increase your impact, please contact Natalie Flowers and/or visit our Supporting CTU Youth page to see our greatest needs, sponsorship opportunities, and more.

Trout in the Classroom Update: The Trout Eggs Are Here!

By Natalie Flowers, CTU Youth Coordinator

It was a busy fall for Trout in the Classroom (TIC) in Colorado, as sites, chapters, and volunteers worked diligently to fundraise, purchase, and set up TIC equipment across the state. Trout Egg Delivery Days finally came on September 28th for 27 tanks across the state, then on October 25th, another 23 tanks received their shipment. Approximately 11,600 Rainbow Trout eggs from Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s Crystal River Hatchery were transported and delivered successfully to these 50 TIC tanks.

John Davenport

John Davenport, CTU Statewide TIC Coordinator, arranged the Trout Express teams, recruited volunteers, and then pitched in as the rainbow trout eggs were transported across Colorado. CTU staff and volunteers then delivered the eggs to their specific schools. TIC educators, students, and volunteers took over by tempering the eggs so they would not experience shock and settled them into their new homes.

Once situated, educators and students began monitoring tank levels and surveying, supporting the growth of the fish. Most of the trout eggs hatched within 7 to 10 days after delivery, and some of the alevins began to swim in another 7 to 10 days.

This year, the TIC story has just started. Educators and students are eager to see how their fish will grow and will be monitoring their trout throughout the school year. Students will learn about the trout lifecycle, weigh their fish weekly, and maintain tank health. At the end of the school year for each school, students will celebrate a big day that culminates all their hard work – The TIC Trout Release Day.

CTU would like to give a special thank you to some amazing people and organizations that made our TIC Egg Delivery Days possible; John Davenport, John Covert, Ray Nagashima, John Bryant, David Nickum, Fred Miller, Madi Shaheen, Cory Neumiller, Michele White, Dennis Cook, Bret Linenfelser, Brendan Besetzny, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, A. Alfred Taubman Foundation, Rafael Levy Memorial Foundation, TIC educators, TIC chapter volunteers, TIC students, TIC volunteers, and all the other incredible Trout Express Delivery volunteers.

If you would like to support the Trout in the Classroom program or help fund any TIC sites that are currently on our waiting list please email Natalie Flowers, Youth Education Coordinator for CTU.

To learn more about the Trout in the Classroom program visit https://coloradotu.org/trout-in-the-classroom.

CTU Develops New Partnerships with STREAM Keepers Programs

Credit: Lincoln Hills Cares

by Geoff Elliot, Youth Education Coordinator, Colorado Trout Unlimited

Summer 2021 brought a return to in-person programming and opportunities! With the recent success of the STREAM Girls program in reaching new audiences of elementary through middle-school girls and their families, CTU sought opportunities to adapt the program to reach new, diverse audiences. Fortunately, we were not alone in seeing this opportunity and could build off the STREAM Keepers resources developed by other TU volunteers and staff.

With the goal of reaching new and diverse audiences, we knew this effort could not be achieved alone. To help us build the STREAM Keepers program in Colorado, we collaborated with youth serving organizations, community coalitions, and school districts. In partnership with these groups, CTU worked to refine the curriculum and identify suitable locations to connect participants with their watersheds. In the end, the STREAM Keepers program focused on watershed exploration, fly casting/fishing, macroinvertebrate sampling, and fly tying (if time allowed).

Credit: Eagle Valley Outdoor Movement

In June and July, CTU hosted three STREAM Keepers events in partnership with Littleton Public Schools Extended Middle School, Eagle Valley Outdoor Movement – A GOCO Generation Wild Coalition, and Lincoln Hills Cares. Across these three collaborations, CTU connected with 100 youth and families. This included students who struggled amidst the pandemic, Spanish-speaking families, and youth from immigrant communities. With Littleton Public Schools, students explored Lee Gulch, competed in a casting olympics, and learned to tie a midge pattern. In partnership with Lincoln Hills Cares and Eagle Valley Outdoor Movement, youth and families enjoyed on-site fishing opportunities (with some participants catching fish) and macroinvertebrate sampling in small stream! At the conclusion of these STREAM Keepers programs, participants expressed their excitement to continue fly fishing and share their appreciation for local watersheds.

A big THANK YOU goes out to the volunteers who led and facilitated activities during each program, as well as the partners who recruited and provided space for these events! Colorado Trout Unlimited is excited to continue to build the STREAM Keepers program by cultivating new partnerships and further developing existing ones to provide increased access to watershed exploration experiences and fly fishing opportunities! If you are interested in learning more about STREAM Keepers, other opportunities in the Headwaters Youth Program, or how to support CTU’s youth education program, please contact youth@coloradotu.org!

Reflecting on the 2021 River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp

by Geoff Elliot, CTU Youth Education Coordinator

“This changes everything.” A camper shares this succinct recap of the experience with their parent during pick up after Colorado Trout Unlimited’s 2021 River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp.

After my first experience at camp, I wholeheartedly agree. CTU’s youth camp is truly a transformational experience. Between the camp community, educational programs, career exploration, and fly fishing experiences, CTU’s youth camp captures young anglers and conservationists at many levels. They have the opportunity to spend a week with long-minded peers from across the state, learn from natural resource professionals, develop fly fishing and fly tying skills, and recognize the importance of fisheries and watershed management. Through these diverse experiences, they connect the dots between outdoor recreation and conservation in fly fishing and beyond.

In 2021, campers:

• Participated in fish population surveys by electroshocking Illinois Creek with CPW and USFWS.

• Conducted macroinvertebrate surveys to evaluate stream health and practice data analysis.

• Engaged in hands-on hydrology and stream flow experiments from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

• Learned about the importance of managing for Aquatic Invasive Species from CPW staff.

• Developed awareness of water law and management from TU National staff.

• Discussed Leave No Trace ethics for fly fishing in the front country and backcountry.

• Improved fly fishing and fly tying skills through mentorship with CTU volunteers.

• Fished private water on small streams and ponds to challenge and practice on diverse waters.

• Established a statewide community of young anglers and conservationist.

Among all of these, the community aspect resonates with me as the most powerful and impactful moving forward. By building relationships with like-minded peers, campers take all of these experiences and build upon them as their community grows and evolves beyond the camp experiences. Already we have seen the impacts of this, as campers reach out to share photos from fishing adventures with their newfound friends.

A big THANK YOU goes out to the incredible volunteers who mentored campers and supported camp logistics, programming, and everything else. CTU’s River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp is a moving experience underscoring the passion among TU volunteers and the critical importance for sharing our love of rivers and trout with younger generations!

I am excited to continue to support this community moving forward and eager to build upon the 2021 camp experience moving forward!

Today is Colorado Gives Day - Support coldwater conservation!

Gives Day 2020 is here! Give to Colorado TU today and know your support for healthy watersheds and wild trout goes further. Every donation helps us to increase our portion of the Colorado Gives Day Incentive Fund. And every new or increased donation helps us to meet the Freestone Aquatics match. Today is a great day to support the rivers you love and the incredible fishing opportunities our beautiful state offers!

Your Gives Day donation to Colorado TU supports… 

STREAM Girls – a watershed education program that combines STEM-learning with fly fishing and outdoor education on a local watershed

Native trout restoration like the Sand Creek project in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Grassroots advocacy that gets results

Chapter projects that benefit watersheds and communities around the state

Give where you live and fish! Help us make 2021 a great year for healthy rivers and wild trout with your generous donation to Colorado TU TODAY!

Wishing you health and wellness!

--- the Colorado TU team