Conservationist blogger Hal Herring and photographer Kevin Cooley spent three days exploring what's at stake in the current rush to develop the energy resources beneath Colorado's unique Roan Plateau -- some of the best big game hunting and trout fishing in the United States. http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/fishing/trout-fishing/where-fish-trout/2010/07/exploring-roan-plateau-day-one
Nearly two decades after the local Trout Unlimited chapter unofficially adopted Trapper Creek, a small stream burbling from the sandstone layers atop the Roan Plateau, the changes are noticeable. Where once cattle trod through decadent sagebrush and the deepest hole was a smelly mud wallow, lush grasses and clear runs mark a stream that more than once has come back from the brink of disappearance.
http://www.gjsentinel.com/outdoors/articles/group_pours_years_into_protect/
Colorado Trout Unlimited, in partnership with Boulder-based Upslope Brewery, have a series of exciting events happening every Wednesday in August. CTU has been selected by Upslope to participate in their Pints for People (and rivers) program - a cool collaboration between the two organizations, and a little bit of fundraising for CTU!
Here is how it works - Every Wednesday in August, from 4:00 to 8:00pm, head over to the Upslope Brewing taproom (located at 1501 Lee Hill Road, No.20) and drink some beers. If you buy some beer or other products to take home, a portion of those proceeds go directly to CTU - its a win-win situation!
So...Wednesdays...August 4, 11, 18, 25 head over to the tap room and drink some beer - and support Colorado's rivers in the process!!
Julie SutorSummit County Correspondent Post Independent
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colorado — New water diversions could sap the life from the Upper Colorado River Basin, according to American Rivers, a national conservation group.
The organization declared the Upper Colorado America's sixth most endangered river earlier this month in its annual survey of the health of the nation's rivers.
“We can't continue to take and take water from the Upper Colorado without accounting for the serious impacts to fish and wildlife habitat,” said Ken Neubecker of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “This river is on the brink. A vibrant, healthy river system in the Upper Colorado is every bit as important to the future of Colorado as the water it supplies to our farms and cities.”
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20100630/VALLEYNEWS/100629860/1083&ParentProfile=1074
Field & Stream Ever wanted to learn to fly fish, but assumed it was just too complicated... and thought you didn't have the time or money to climb the learning curve?
Well you are fresh out of excuses. Orvis and Trout Unlimited have combined for a nationwide effort to recruit new fly fishers. Every Saturday in July, between 9 a.m. and noon, all you have to do is show up at an Orvis store, and you can take classes that teach you how to cast... how to rig your gear... everything you need to get started. I'm pretty sure they'll even give you some leads on the best fishing spots in your area. To find a location near you, go to orvis.com/flyfishing101.
You don't need to buy anything. But if you do, they'll give you a break.
If you go and complete the classes, you'll get a $15 savings card from Orvis, and a certificate for free membership in Trout Unlimited, worth $35 in total.
Now, some of you might be asking, "why do we want more fly anglers? Doesn't that squeeze my space on the river?" The answer is an emphatic "no." New fly fishers make our collective conservation voice louder and stronger, which leads to all of us having more space on more rivers.
“Fly fishers are a significant part of Trout Unlimited’s membership because of our mission to protect, conserve and restore coldwater fisheries and their watersheds in North America. Our volunteers are excited to help newcomers learn and enjoy the sport of fly fishing,” said Christopher Anderson, Trout Unlimited.
In a nutshell, this is a brilliant program (one I wish more fly companies had the vision and resolve to emulate) and I hope you or someone you know takes part.
By Bruce Finley The Denver Post
Colorado River water consumed yearly for agriculture and by the 30 million Westerners who rely on it now exceeds the total annual flow.
A growing awareness of that limited flow is leading to increased scrutiny of urban development — especially projects that require diverting more water to the east side of the Continental Divide.
"We're no longer in a surplus situation," said Bill McDonald, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's deputy commissioner for policy and budget. "The teeter-totter has tipped."
The fishing competition was one of a trio of events honoring the late Charlie Meyers, who wrote an outdoors column for The Denver Post for many years. Earlier in the day, the Colorado Division of Wildlife held a dedication for the Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area.
The Charlie Meyers Wildlife Area is a 640-acre portion of the Spinney Mountain Wildlife Area that encompasses the "Dream Stream" segment of the South Platte River, said Jennifer Churchill, the Colorado Division of Wildlife public information officer for the northeast region.
"It was a favorite stream of his," said Churchill.
Meyers was also active in getting the "Dream Stream" opened up for public access and in fighting for regulations to preserve the quality of fishing there.
Around 100 people attended the dedication, said Churchill.
Colorado Trout Unlimited rounded out the day with a night of barbecue and storytelling at the American Safari Ranch near Fairplay.
Around 60 people attended the evening portion of the event, said Erica Stock, outreach director for Colorado Trout Unlimited.
http://theflume.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=7183
Local lore claims ranchers placed the cars along the river's edge to stop the banks from sloughing off and prevent the river from encroaching on their land.
“It was done to keep the bank from eroding,” said John Packer, owner of Fly Fishing Outfitters in Avon. “People used to do stuff like that back in the day when it was only slightly illegal. Nowadays, throwing cars in the river is not really kosher.”
Several people familiar with the river guessed the cars date back to the '40s and '50s. Ken Neubecker, a former Eagle resident and past president of Colorado Trout Unlimited, said he once uncovered a car during an Eagle River cleanup event about 12 years ago. Only the roof of the car was peeking out of the river sediment, he said.
by Dale RodebaughHerald Staff Writer
The Southwestern Water Conservation District has contributed $3,600 to help fund the second phase of a study to determine the source of periodic sediment in Lightner Creek.
Initial results of the study point to the Perins Canyon watershed and a stormwater retention basin as possible sources.
For years, water-protection groups and Trout Unlimited have been concerned about the chalky-colored water that from time to time enters the Animas River from Lightner Creek immediately south of the DoubleTree Hotel.
In February 2009, Buck Skillen, a board member of Trout Unlimited, tested water turbidity at the confluence of the waterways. When he poured 60 cubic centimeters of water (the equivalent of two shot glasses or a medical syringe) in a filter, it became clogged by the time 45 centimeters had passed through.
Overall water quality and the effects of sediment on the Animas' gold-medal trout fishery are the major concerns of the coalition of concerned groups that initiated the study last October.
http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/06/11/Money_flows_to_study_of_Lightner_Creek/
The thirst for water along the Front Range makes the Upper Colorado one of the nation's 10 most endangered rivers. That's according to the national watchdog group, American Rivers. The Upper Colorado begins in Rocky Mountain National Park and flows southwest toward Utah. Plans are underway for two separate projects to take more water from it-- near Kremmling-- then send it to Denver and cities in northern Colorado. Now conservationists say it's not that they want cities to dry up for lack of water. But they don't want that for the river either. Ryan Warner speaks with Ken Neubecker, past president of Colorado Trout Unlimited. Listen to interview: http://www.cpr.org/article/Upper_Colorado_Makes_Endangered_Rivers_List
