Colorado TU Youth Camp

We are now accepting applications for the seventh annual River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, June 10-15, 2012 at the High Lonesome Ranch near DeBeque, CO. Applications must be received by April 15, 2012. The camp is designed to educate 14 to 18 year old students on the importance of coldwater conservation and provide hands-on fly fishing instruction. Approximately 20 students are selected each year, based on their qualifications and a written essay on why they would like to attend the camp.

“Our hope is that kids who attend our camp today will become the conservation leaders of tomorrow," said Shawn Bratt, a veteran youth camp counselor and winner of national Trout Unlimited's Outstanding Youth Education Volunteer. "It’s important for these students to understand the value of healthy streams and clean water and how they relate to our everyday lives. The camp curriculum has been structured to provide the necessary foundation for that education.”

Camp classes include: principles of ecology, hydro-geology, aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate sampling, hydrology, trout behavior, trout stream entomology, the biology of pollution, acid deposition, and politics of conservation and human effects on the Rocky Mountains.

In addition, the camp will include hands-on classes such as fly tying, fly casting, streamside ethics, angling literature, streamside botany, wader safety and survival, and the evolution of an angler. Students will also participate in a watershed project to repair habitat in a nearby stream.

The River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp includes faculty from various environmental fields and state agencies such as the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Department of Environmental Protection and National Forest Service. The cost to attend the six-day camp is $450. Download the materials below or contact Mike Nicholson at 303-987-8425 for more information.

• 2012 River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp Flyer
• 2012 River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp Application

   

For Parents

• Parents will receive an information packet which contains several forms that require a parental signature, after the student has been selected for the camp.
• All camp personnel undergo a background check through the national Trout Unlimited organization.
• Campers "camp out" in tents under close supervision, and are expected to bring proper equipment.
• Flight leaders supervise the camp and both male and females are represented.
• Food is catered by local company and all is cooked on the site.

Rky Mtn Flycasters Expo 2/15

Rocky Mountain Flycasters Fly Tying Expo

Nearly two dozen professional and experienced tiers from our region converge in Fort Collins to demonstrate their fly tying skills and share tips on tying and fishing with their special patterns.

Wednesday, Feb 15, 5:30-9:00pm

Every year, well over 100 people attend the Rocky Mountain Flycasters Fly Tying Expo. This year's Expo promises to be even bigger and better.

• Well-known tiers share their skills and tips
• Food from Old Chicago
• Random drawings for each tier’s flies
• Random drawing for a terrific fly rod
• Silent auctions for many quality equipment items, supplies, books, etc.
• Beginners table where you can learn to tie your own flies
• Admission: $20 per person ($10 for students with ID).

Fort Collins Senior Center - 1200 Raintree Dr

With the price of admission you get a plate of food and a beverage, 10 raffle tickets (5 for students) for the fly and rod drawings, and a wealth of tying and fishing information.

Learn from Rick Takahashi, Marty Staub, Dave Coulson, Jerry Hubka, Connor Murphy, Dennis Martin, Jason Haddix, Caleb Van Wagner, Mark Tracy, Marc McMillan, Dick Shinton, Jake Ruthven, Ted Meredith, Al Ritt, Grant Houx, Jin Choi, Tanner Irwin, Guy Turenne and others.

Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity! Map and more at rockymtnycasters.org.

West Denver Fly Clinic Saturday

Jeffco Fairgrounds 8:30a

The West Denver Chapter of Trout Unlimited is holding its 36th Annual Fly Tying Clinic on February 11, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. This Clinic has become a staple for the local fly tying community, featuring about 60 of the best tiers from the Rocky Mountain Region, in addition to some outlying States such as Texas and Nebraska.

You'll have an opportunity to learn how to tie a wide range of patterns from the masters, asd well as the chance to buy their flies. In addition to the tiers, Alan Kube, recently named "Bamboo Rod Maker of the Year" will be available to discuss the merits of bamboo, and Jonathan Walter, a certified fly casting instructor, will be willing to provide you with tips on improving your casting. And, there will be door prizes, a bucket raffle, silent auction, and a chance to purchase tickets for a "Fantasy Raffle which offers the winner over $3,500 in merchandise.

Admission is $10 (children 12 years of age or under are admitted free), and $2 discount coupons are available at local fly shops. Doors open at 8:30 AM. Food and drinks will be available at the site. If you have any questions and/or want more information, please check the Chapter's website at wesdenvertu.org or call Jon Weimer at 303-830-1609.

Need a Diversion?

Are you one of those people who believe that facts still matter? 

A new study commissioned by the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments looks at the economic - and other - effects of trans-mountain diversions on Colorado's headwater counties. The quote below explains a key goal of the report:

"The report provides a counterbalancing perspective to the recent attention to the adverse economic consequences of purchasing agricultural water rights from properties on the Eastern Plains. This report is descriptive; it does not take issue with Front Range municipal water users or Eastern Plains agricultural users. All parties have important and worthy concerns and points of view.

Thank you!

Thank you for supporting Colorado Trout Unlimited. Your purchase has been processed. You will receive an email receipt for this transaction shortly.  

Don't Leave Home Without It !

Introducing the Spill or Kill Card.

It all started when avid carp angler Trevor Tanner spotted an oily mess in the South Platte near Sand Creek in [far eastern] Denver. Determined to report it, Trevor got on his cell phone and started dialing, trying to find someone who could do something about what turned out to be leak from a buried pipeline.

But who exactly do you call when you notice a toxic spill or fish kill?

It wasn't easy for Trevor, but it will be for you, thanks to the Spill or Kill card produced by the Denver Chapter of Trout Unlimited - Trevor's local chapter.

The toll-free number on the card connects you to the National Response Center for pollution emergencies. This is a 24-hour service of the U.S. Coast Guard, and they'll take it from there. You can print your own Spill or Kill card: Front of the card. Back of the card.

As for Trevor, he's become a hero of sorts. Besides getting his name in the papers, he has just been recognized by The Denver Chapter with a Hero of the South Platte Award. You can read more about Trevor's story in this Denver Post article.

Partnership with Upslope on the Upswing

From its launch in June 2011, the Craft Lager by Upslope Brewing Company has been a hit. Among American-style craft lagers, it quickly gained popularity for its distinct and refreshing flavor. In fact, demand outpaced supply and gave the Boulder-based brewery the business case it needed to more than double its capacity by the end of the year. At least part of the Craft Lager's success can be attributed to the brewery's decision to collaborate with Colorado TU in the 1% For Rivers program. Under the terms of the partnership created by Colorado TU's Sinjin Eberle and Upslope's Henry Wood, one percent of Craft Lager sales are contributed to Colorado TU.

In exchange, Colorado TU leverages its 10,000 members in 23 chapters across the state by promoting Craft Lager at events such as the Statewide River Clean-Up, Rendezvous (the annual membership meeting), Surface Film, the Colorado TU Golf Classic, and more.

Increased production means Craft Lager is now available in over 300 liquor stores, bars and restaurants in Colorado - and counting. "Craft Lager could very much be our number one selling style," boasts Wood. "No Colorado craft brewery is brewing an American-style lager quite like this beer."

"I'm thrilled with the early results," says Eberle, Colorado TU President. "This is a great example of how we can work with businesses to help conserve, protect, and restore Colorado’s rivers and watersheds."

If you are a business that would like to know more about the 1% For Rivers Program, please contact Sinjin Eberle.

Water Rights and Slippery Slopes

Does the forest service have the right to water rights at ski areas?

The ski industry is suing the feds over a regulation that would let the Forest Service "take back" private water rights.

Read the Vail Daily article by Lauren Glendenning

Upper CO: Do More, Damage Less

Good advice for proponents of Chimney Hollow Reservoir

"Wildlife mitigation plans proposed by Northern Water and sanctioned by the state’s Division of Parks and Wildlife do not adequately address the issues," he [Drew Peternell, Director of TU's Colorado Water Project] said. “What we have currently is not enough,” he said. “We believe they can do more to make this a less-damaging project."

"Substantial springtime flows should be guaranteed," he said, "to improve the health of the [upper Colorado] river. Diverting the river around Windy Gap Reservoir should also be considered."

Read: Effects of Chimney Hollow Reservoir would ripple far and wide by Kevin Duggan on Coloradoan.com

CTU applauds new EPA rules for mercury and air toxics

Colorado currently has 22 waterbodies under Fish Consumption Advisories due to high mercury levels - where the fish themselves are literally too toxic to be safely consumed.  These include important fishing waters from Navajo Reservoir to Lake Granby to Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake.  For an organization that has long championed catch-and-release fishing, supporting regulations to make fish consumption safer may seem a bit unusual.  But not only can reductions in mercury and other air toxics help protect the health of anglers and their families that eat some of the fish they catch, it is also good news for the fish themselves.  When a fish is too toxic to be eaten safely, it is a pretty strong indicator that the health of the fish and its habitat are also impacted.  Indeed, research has shown that elevated mercury levels impact trout's olfactory response - which in turn can harm their ability to feed, navigate, and reproduce. Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued new rules that will restrict emissions of air toxics including mercury from power plants.  Not only will these changes help reduce air toxics, but they will also contribute to reductions in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides - key pollutants that contribute to acid rain, another threat to fish habitat.  That is why Colorado TU Executive Director David Nickum joined physicians, state and federal officials, and business interests at a press conference at Children's Hospital on January 10, to voice support for EPA's new rules.  "We thank EPA for its efforts to protect the health of fish, the health of habitat, and the health of anglers," Nickum said.