An Overview of the Roan Plateau

Field & Stream The Roan Plateau in western Colorado is the “line in the sand” for the Western sportsman who values intact fish and wildlife habitat and a unique sporting opportunity amidst a sea of industrial development. The Roan, which comprises only one percent of the entire Piceance Basin Gas Field, rests above significant reserves of natural gas, but also provides refuge for trophy mule deer, elk, grouse, bear, mountain lion and pure strains of Colorado River cutthroat trout.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/finding-deer-hunt/2010/07/overview-roan-plateau

Exploring Colorado's Roan Plateau: Day One

Field & Stream

I went back to the Roan with Field and Stream, some great photographers from Brooklyn, and some guys from Trout Unlimited who have been fighting for this place for over a decade now. We all wanted to spend some days way up high, wander the rugged canyons that crisscross the plateau and shelter the monster bull elk that have made it famous and catch a few native Colorado cutthroats in the shadowed cathedrals of stone and water. It was not a trip to experience what might soon be lost. It was a trip to see and feel what is still truly worth fighting for. In a world that seems haunted by losses for hunters and fishermen and their children, here was a chance, and a place, to hold on to. http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/finding-deer-hunt/2010/07/exploring-colorados-roan-plateau-day-one

Exploring the Roan Plateau: Day One

Field & Stream

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

Group pours years into protecting, reviving Roan Plateau creek

By Dave Buchanan

Grand Junction Sentinel

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/

Hey Boulder -- Mark your Calendars!!

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!!

Group calls Upper Colorado River ‘endangered'

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

Deeter: Free Fly Fishing Lessons Courtesy of Orvis and TU

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.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/fishing/2010/06/deeter-free-fly-fishing-lessons-courtesy-orvis-and-tu

Development in Colorado going with the flow of water deficit

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."

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_15335684

Indian Mountain man wins fishing contest

The Flume

By Danny Ramey

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

Cars decorate Vail Valley river banks

Sarah MausolfVail Daily

 

There are actually two cars in the banks of the river in Edwards, and one fishing guide estimates there are about 15 cars altogether in the stretch of river that runs through Eagle County.

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.

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20100615/NEWS/100619805/1078&ParentProfile=1062