Five Rivers TU/Hermosa Win National FS Award

The Five Rivers Chapter and its partners have been selected for a US Forest Service Rise to the Future Award for their Hermosa Creek project efforts.  The award will be presented by Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell at a formal ceremony in Washington, DC in May. Chapter President Buck Skillen will be on hand to accept the award. The Chapter, based in Durango, will receive the US Forest Service's national “Rise to the Future Award for Collaborative/Integrated Aquatic Stewardship." According to the Forest Service, the Chapter, along with partners at Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the San Juan National Forest, and the Mountain Studies Institute, are being “recognized for their commitment to restore native Colorado River cutthroat trout to a portion of their historic range and share that with students.”

Work toward restoration of cutthroat trout has been taking place since the 1990s in the Hermosa Creek drainage – which was also recently protected as a first-of-its-kind federally designated Watershed Protection Area through legislation sponsored by Senator Bennet and Congressman Tipton. The Five Rivers Chapter has assisted with funding and volunteers for stream improvement and riparian planting projects, helping the agencies as more than 17 miles of Hermosa Creek have been secured for genetically pure cutthroat trout populations. The Mountain Studies Institute has also partnered in providing volunteer support and in using the projects as a working stream laboratory to hold field classes for students Fort Lewis College.

Hermosa  Creek is an amazing example of TU working at all levels as both advocates and as on-the-ground restorers.  The Rise to the Future award is the latest success story for Five Rivers and its long-term efforts on behalf of Hermosa Creek. And the chapter and its partners are certainly not sitting on their laurels - work continues toward connecting separate recovered habitats into a combined “metapopulation” above a downstream barrier point on Hermosa Creek.

Congratulations, Five Rivers TU - and keep up the great work!

Behind the Fin: Matt Moskal

• Name: Matt Moskal
• Colorado Native
• Class of CU Boulder 2010
• Works at Merrill Lynch on a wealth management team with his father
• Best Quote from Matt: "After seeing the spectacle of trout smashing giant Salmon Flies on the surface, she became addicted for life. It was fun to watch her curiosity grow to infatuation right before my eyes. She is now a TU member and one of the better anglers that I know. She even out fishes me, but only occasionally."

For some, they're born with a passion to fish. For others, the passion is born into them. For CTU member, Matt Moskal, the passion for fishing came to him when he was in college just a few years ago.

Moskal doesn't come from a large family of fishermen so getting into the sport wasn't necessarily a big priority for him; until he went off to school at University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. From there, his obsession for fly fishing was born.

Realizing the beauty within nature, Moskal decided he wanted to help preserve and protect the land and waters in which he loves to fish. With a strong emphasis from his mom, he learned as a child that it is important to give back in any way that he could. So three years ago, he joined TU to help preserve and protect "the spectacular natural playground that we have in our backyard."

As a member of CTU, Moskal has gone about his mission to give back through various volunteer efforts and projects. One of his favorite was a mine reclamation in Alma, Colorado. While working with the Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP), Moskal and other volunteers helped enhance the water quality by cleaning out the water toxins in the river by going right at the source.

"By resolving the toxic problem at its origin, our work truly had a measurable, positive impact on the health of the South Platte," said Moskal. "After the work was done I remember I had an excellent afternoon of dry fly fishing downstream from the project and felt very satisfied that those fish were in good hands."

Being relatively new to both the sport of fly fishing and Colorado Trout Unlimited, Moskal enjoys learning more about fishing, conservation and CTU as much as he can. In October of last year CTU put on a New Leaders Training in Grand Junction, Colorado, where members can learn more about their chapter and ways to improve it.

"The New Leaders Training in Grand Junction this October was another favorite event. The minds of TU’s leaders are remarkable. I was honored to meet other chapter board members and I left feeling more educated than ever about TU’s mission in Colorado."

Becoming a avid fly fisherman over the last few years, Moskal has since taught and helped educate others about the sport and CTU's mission. While backpacking through Black Canyon in the Gunnison Gorge, Moskal watched right before his eyes, his close friend become amazed and infatuated by the beauty of wild trout and fishing.

"After seeing the spectacle of trout smashing giant Salmon Flies on the surface, she became addicted for life," said Moskal. "It was fun to watch her curiosity grow to infatuation right before my eyes. She is now a TU member and one of the better anglers that I know. She even out fishes me, but only occasionally."

Along with protecting and restoring our natural rivers and streams in Colorado, Moskal also enjoys wading into the rivers to cast his line. Like many fisherman he won't reveal his secret spots but he enjoys the waters between Kremmling and Hot Sulphur Springs as well as 11 Mile canyon during the spring time runoff.

Although he claims that nymphing is "unquestionably" the best way to catch the biggest fish in the stream, he still prefers to fish with dry flies right on the surface, "To me, watching the fish rise and eat is the best part of the process. I just don’t get the same adrenaline rush from watching a bobber."

When he isn't fishing, Moskal is either skiing during the winter months or in downtown Denver where he lives and works with his father at Merrill Lynch on a wealth management team. To keep with his mother's teachings that he should help to give back in any way possible, Moskal enjoys working with families as clients to them financially. Being able to see his dad everyday is another big plus for Moskal.

The passion of fly fishing doesn't have to be born and bred. It can come in a split second on the water or in nature. The adrenaline rush of watching a trout rise to eat a fly tied to the end of your line is like nothing else. And Matt Moskal discovered that a few years ago while in college and has never looked back. Since then, he has been actively involved with Colorado Trout Unlimited through volunteer efforts, leadership trainings and even recruiting others.

Help trout - and yourself - with Post-Gala Sale!

Pictured:  A trophy brook trout caught in Labrador.  Our post gala sale includes a package offered for a week in Labrador with Three Rivers Lodge.  

On March 13, more than 200 people gathered for the 2015 Colorado TU River Stewardship Gala.  We recognized Richard Adkerson for his leadership in addressing the legacy of abandoned mines in Colorado and the west.  We had a fabulous jazz trio providing music during the reception.  Boathouse Distillery hosted a tasting of a special CTU-label bourbon.  Youth participants from our annual camp and in-school programs shared their stories with the audience.  And we raised nearly $40,000 to help support TU efforts in Colorado.  It was a great evening!

But even if you missed the Gala, you can still participate by purchasing one of several special items we are offering through a post-gala online sale!  Your purchase will help support the work of Colorado Trout Unlimited, and we have some great items available - from a week of wilderness fishing for trophy brook trout in Labrador or at Alaska's Bristol Bay watershed, to fishing closer to home on the world-class San Juan tailwaters, from two tickets to the Colorado Symphony Orchestra to spring skiing lift tickets at Winter Park.  Don't miss out on your chance to enjoy these great experiences while giving back to the Colorado rivers and fisheries you love.

To look at the items available for this special online sale, click here.

2015 CTU Rendezvous Registration NOW OPEN!!

2015 Colorado Trout Unlimited Rendezvous:

April 17th - 19th 2015

This is the largest annual meeting held for every TU members, chapters and supporters. This 3-day weekend is packed with workshops, presentations on important conservation issues, the annual business meeting for the CTU Council where new officers will be elected, plenty of time for networking, sharing ideas and socializing, and a Saturday evening banquet featuring delicious food and presentation of CTU's annual awards. This weekend is great for all members (new and old), chapter leaders and anyone interested in what CTU is going to be up to for the next year.

The theme for Rendezvous 2015 is REDDStone, Hatching Colorado's Trout Future. The next few years will be pivotal for the future of Colorado's rivers and trout populations. As threats such as population rises, natural disasters, oil and gas development and uncertain political leadership become more of abundant, it is as important as ever to look at the health of our watersheds and develop a plan for protecting our valued resources. This year at Rendezvous our theme is centered around planning for our future. The presentations and workshops are designed to ask the hard questions, and learn how each of us can be a valuable player in the future of protecting Colorado's trout.

We have lined up speakers this year that will guide our conversations about planning for the future. We are very excited to announce that James Eklund, Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Eric Kuhn, with the Colorado River Conservation District will be presenting Colorado's Water Plan and answering our questions about how watershed health will be incorporated into the plan.  Doug Krieger with Colorado Parks and Wildlife will also be in attendance presenting their Master Plan for the next couple of years. In addition to outside agency updates there will be both National and Colorado TU staff, and Chapter Leaders presenting on what TU is doing in CO to plan for our future and protect our water ways and trout populations. Below is a link to the agenda which is currently in Draft form. We will be updating it as we confirm titles of presentations and other logistics.

COME JOIN US at the RENDEZVOUS 2015 to learn more river conservation!! Don't worry, there will be plenty of time for FUN and Fishing!

Click here for additional information and to register!!

Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands

Snow flurries began to whirl out of a steel-gray sky, and temperatures plummeted. But the crowd of hunters and anglers gathered on the steps of the state Capitol in Denver was just getting warmed up. "Hands off our public lands!" a speaker shouted. The group roared its approval.

On February 25, members from Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, the National Wildlife Federation, and other sportsmen groups turned out to turn up the heat on Colorado lawmakers who might be thinking about introducing legislation to transfer to state control public lands like National Forests and BLM lands.

The groups' message, delivered despite cold and snow: Not on our watch.

"Our public lands are not for sale!" said Kent Ingram of the Colorado Wildlife Federation, one of several speakers who spoke from the heart about what public lands mean to America's sportsmen. These special places "one of the defining qualities of Colorado's quality of life," he said.

Coloradans agree. A bipartisan poll by Colorado College found that more than 80 percent of Coloradans cited the ability to be near and recreate on public lands as a significant factor for living in the West, with 72 percent saying that public lands belong to all Americans, not individual states.

Kirk Deeter, longtime columnist for Field and Stream and editor of TU's Trout magazine, brought it all home. He noted that he travels all over the world to fish and hunt, but he chooses to live in Colorado and always returns here because of its magnificent public lands and access to outdoors opportunity.

He said that proposals to strip Americans of that birthright and heritage are "unAmerican" and won't be tolerated by sportsmen.

"We're going to fight," said Deeter.

Deeter's passion was clearly shared by the crowd. "These public lands are our birthright, they're our heritage, and they're shared and owned by all Americans," TU's Ty Churchwell told the Durango Herald.

This latest rally for public lands (other recent rallies in New Mexico and Idaho have brought out hundreds of sportsmen) sends a strong, clear message that hunters and anglers won't sit by quietly while our public lands are degraded or sold to the highest bidder.

Anti-public lands lawmakers, take note.

CTU Welcomes Our Newest Interns

Colorado Trout Unlimited is excited to welcome three new college students to our team. We have hired one new intern working out of the Denver office and two interns from Gunnison who are being mentored by our local chapter, the Gunnison Angling Society. Denver Internship

Tamara has been hired to assist Denver staff with the Forest Service River Assessment partnership in Northern Colorado. She will be helping to assess rivers using the scientific protocol developed by the Forest Service as well as helping to manage other volunteers doing assessments.

Tamara Burke, River Assessment Intern

Hello All! I am beyond excited to have the privilege of being part of CTU’s team! I am originally from New York but moved out to Colorado three years ago after falling in love with the beauty of this state on my first visit. Since then, I have been able to broaden my education in the environmental science field at Metropolitan State University as well as watch my family flourish and thrive amidst this stunning landscape. Conservation and sustainability are two issues that have helped drive my passion in this arena and I desire to use my education and experience to fight for them. Working with CTU will help shape my values even more and I’m thrilled for this experience.

Gunnison Internship

Gunnison Angling Society is the local Trout Unlimited chapter located in Gunnison. They have developed a partnership with Western State University to hire college interns through their Marketing department to help with event planning and to increase awareness of the chapter in the Gunnison Basin.

Sara George, Communications and Marketing Intern

My name is Sara George and I am a Senior at Western State Studying Environmental Studies and Business. This is my last semester and I am very excited to intern with CTU. I am originally from Chesterland a very small town outside of Cleveland in northeast Ohio. My passion for river conservation and fly fishing started as a kid when my Dad would take me steelhead fishing on the Cuyahoga river. I loved it from the get go and my passion only grew when I moved out west to Gunnison. Rivers are the lifeblood of our country and its our job to protect them!

Phil Conrad, Communications and Marketing Intern

My name is Phil Conrad and I am currently finishing my senior year at Western State Colorado University studying business and entrepreneurship. I am originally from East Grand Rapids Michigan, a small town outside of Grand Rapids. Growing up I was surrounded by water and developed a passion for fly-fishing and river conservation at a young age. After living in Gunnison for a few short years I turned my passion into my everyday job by becoming a guide. Guiding in the Gunnison Valley has given me the opportunity to grow my appreciation and raise more awareness about the significance of river conservation and fly -fishing.

President Obama Steps Up for Browns Canyon!!

Trout Unlimited praises creation of Browns Canyon National Monument Calls monument designation ‘historic victory’ for Colorado conservation

SALIDA (Feb. 18)—Trout Unlimited today praised President Obama’s designation of Browns Canyon as a new national monument, the culmination of years of effort to protect a Colorado backcountry treasure beloved by generations of anglers, hunters, rafters, and other recreational users.

Gov. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Michael Bennet recently asked President Obama to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to establish the 22,000-acre Browns Canyon National Monument, after legislation sponsored by Sen. Mark Udall stalled in Congress despite broad local support.

Trout Unlimited leaders called the monument action a “historic victory” for public lands conservation.

“TU members are proud to have played a leading role in protecting this Colorado crown jewel and preserving fishing and hunting opportunity for future generations,” said Chris Wood, CEO and president of Trout Unlimited. “This is a big bipartisan win for our outdoors heritage, and it sends a strong and clear message that hunters and anglers want to keep our public lands public.”

“I’m thrilled,” said Jim Impara, vice president of the Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Salida. “Browns Canyon is one of those special places that draws rafters, hunters and anglers from all over the world. This action ensures that Browns’ wildness and rare beauty will be there for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

For years, sportsmen’s groups have been pushing for monument status for Browns Canyon, which includes prime backcountry habitat for mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep as well as miles of outstanding Gold Medal wild trout waters in the Arkansas River.

TU and other sportsmen’s groups, including the National Wildlife Federation and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, organized local anglers and hunters to voice their support and attend numerous local meetings and public forums. The groups cited Brown’s important fish and wildlife habitat, as well as its role as an economic driver for Colorado’s $1.2 billion fishing economy and $500 million hunting economy. Browns Canyon is also the single largest contributor to Colorado’s $140 million whitewater rafting industry.

“Sportsmen helped deliver this victory for Browns,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “Our local roots and deep knowledge of this place carried weight with lawmakers and federal officials. Hunters and anglers understand the value of our public lands and wild backcountry, and we’re committed to protecting these magnificent resources and our outdoor way of life.”

He added, “We especially thank Sen. Udall for his dedication and persistence in pushing for a Browns Canyon monument. He has been a valued voice for sportsmen and for commonsense conservation.”

For more information about Browns, go to www.sportsmenforbrowns.com.

###

Additional resources for media:

High-res images of the Browns Canyon, available for download at Trout Unlimited Photoshelter site.

(Credit copyright holder if photo downloaded for use. If prompted for password, use “Browns Canyon”)

Trout Unlimited is a non-profit organization with 147,000 members nationwide dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Colorado Trout Unlimited has 24 chapters and more than 10,000 members in the state. 

Trout Unlimited in Press Release from USFS

Date: Feb 23, 2015 Contact: Reid Armstrong, 970-222-7607

Forest Service, Trout Unlimited partner to restore flood-damaged Lower Creek

BOULDER, Colo. – The U.S. Forest Service and Trout Unlimited are partnering to stabilize and restore a half-mile section of flood-damaged stream in the Lefthand trails area on the Roosevelt National Forest northwest of Boulder. The popular trails system has been closed since September 2013 when a historic flood event washed out access roads and primary trails, saturated hillsides and permanently altered stream courses. Lower Creek, an intermittent tributary of Left Hand Creek located near the entrance to the trails area, was severely scoured along the final half-mile stretch above its confluence. The creek bed alignment now runs through the bottom of a former road bed. Ongoing erosion and sedimentation issues along this stretch of Lower Creek are of real concern to the health of the watershed, according to Boulder District Ranger, Sylvia Clark. The scouring of banks and movement of topsoil unearthed debris and trash left along the stream banks from a long history of recreational activities in the area. “While this project addresses less than two acres in a much larger landscape of flood damage, it’s a very important half mile stretch of stream,” Clark said. “Stabilizing this area will help prevent sedimentation issues downstream and will be an important first step in getting this area reopened to the public.”

Through an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, Trout Unlimited is beginning the task of hiring a specialized contractor to collect data in the Lower Creek area. The contractor will make recommendations on how to stabilize the stream to prevent further erosion and sedimentation, and will recommend the best course of action for addressing any contamination from the human debris and trash in the area. The overall focus of this work will be restoring the half-mile section of Lower Creek.

Trout Unlimited’s project manager Elizabeth Russell said, “We are excited about expanding our reach and doing a restoration project in a new watershed.  We appreciate our great partnership with the Forest Service and look forward to working together on this project.”

The U.S. Forest Service will evaluate the recommendations and, depending on funding, implementation could occur as soon as fall 2015.

K. “Reid” Armstrong Public Affairs Specialist/Community Liaison Boulder and Clear Creek districts Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee National Grassland p: 303-541-2532 c: 970-222-7607 krarmstrong@fs.fed.us

2140 Yarmouth Ave Boulder CO 80301 www.fs.usda.gov/arp

NRCS funding will deliver benefits for ranch and farm operations, fisheries

Trout Unlimited today praised USDA Secretary Vilsack’s announcement that the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has chosen its first batch of projects funded by the Farm Bill’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)—including one TU project in Colorado that improves farm and ranch operations while enhancing river and fisheries health in the lower Gunnison River basin. Over the past decade, aided by its grassroots local chapters and volunteer members, TU has worked with agricultural partners throughout the upper Colorado River Basin to develop projects that upgrade irrigation systems and restore important fish habitat. These pragmatic partnerships improve ranch and farm operations, restore watersheds and improve fishing and recreation opportunities.

“The ultimate objective is simple: provide win-win solutions that safeguard water resources for fish and irrigators,” said Cary Denison, Gunnison River Basin project coordinator for Trout Unlimited.

Drought conditions threaten many agricultural producers for whom water supplies are already under intense pressure. Aging irrigation infrastructure has reached epidemic levels throughout the West, and the cost of retrofitting this infrastructure often exceeds the capacity of individual operators or even organized irrigation districts.

The RCPP program offers an exciting new model to meet these challenges. Despite their many benefits, Farm Bill conservation projects have sometimes been too scattered and limited in scope to provide substantial long-term benefits on a larger watershed or basin scale. The RCPP program encourages a landscape-scale, collaborative approach, with local partners working together to coordinate funding, resources and expertise on priority projects that enhance important fish habitat.

“It helps put the larger pieces of the conservation puzzle together,” said Denison.

TU was delighted to have four of its projects in the West selected for RCPP funding, including the Lower Gunnison Project.

The LGP will address aging infrastructure, modernize irrigation systems, and address water quality concerns in four irrigation water districts located in Montrose and Delta including the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association, North Fork Water Conservancy District, Bostwick Park Water Conservancy District and Crawford Water Conservancy District.

One of TU’s project partners, No Chico Brush, is a local collaborative ad-hoc farmer led group whose goal is to make the best use of water as possible for the benefit of all users. The group understands that improving delivery systems including water measurement and control and linking those improvements to on farm irrigation improvement including soil health initiatives can lead to water security for farmers, address down-river demands and local stream health issues.

The No Chico Brush group and its partners, including Colorado State University, are beginning its second year of on-farm water studies examining the benefits to both farm operations and fish and wildlife habitat related to modernized irrigation practices such as sprinkler, drip, and other technologies.

Trout Unlimited sees these improvements to irrigation control and measurement as a necessary first step in addressing water shortages for all users—and the upgrades can also improve fisheries health through the basin.

“TU salutes the agriculture and conservancy district leaders for their leadership and partnership in this RCPP funding process,” said Denison. “The No Chico Brush group in particular played an important role in providing the momentum for the funding being made available to the Colorado River Basin and having the ‘grand vision’ of connecting irrigation system and on-farm irrigation improvements to water supply needs and the health of our fisheries, rivers and streams. We’re eager to get to work on these projects, and thanks to the NRCS, we’re going to hit the ground running.”

---Cary Denison, Project Coordinator, Colorado Water Project, and Randy Scholfield, Communications Director, Southwest Region

Victory on Hermosa!

In late December,  a bill to permanently protect the Hermosa Creek watershed—a major Trout Unlimited focus area for conservation—received  final approval in the U.S. Senate and proceeded on to President Obama for his signature. It was a great day for our local Durango community, for Colorado and for America’s backcountry fanatics.

The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act, along with a handful of other public land bills, was attached as riders to the National Defense Authorization Act – a “must pass” piece of legislation.  As a result, Congress finally got this important piece of legislation across the finish line.

Native cutthroat trout in southwest Colorado now have a protected home in America’s newest wilderness area!

We are grateful for Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Scott Tipton and staff, for helping bring the Durango community together and working hard to get this done.

The passage of the bill represents eight years of work by TU staff from the Sportsmen’s Conservation Project and Colorado Water Project, and volunteers from the Five Rivers Chapter in Durango, CO.  The effort has truly been a “One TU” success.  But it was not just TU members who fought to protect the Hermosa Creek area for the next generation.  Anglers were joined by sportsmen from the region, and across the country, in a coalition aptly named “Sportsmen for Hermosa.”  From the local fly shops to rod manufacturers, from sportsmen’s conservation groups to outfitters, sportsmen stood up unified in support of permanent protections for Hermosa Creek.  And Congress heard our voices loud and clear!

The Hermosa Creek watershed, just north of Durango, contains Colorado’s largest, unprotected roadless area and is treasured by hunters and anglers for its opportunity and ease of access.  For fly fishermen and women, Hermosa Creek is the go-to location in southwest Colorado to cast summer dry flies to pure Colorado River cutthroat trout, brookies and rainbows.  For fall big game hunters, Hermosa’s elk beckon with bugles that raise the hair on your neck with excitement and anticipation.  Deer, turkey and grouse round out the quarry.  Sportsmen were joined in the effort to protect Hermosa Creek by mountain bikers, off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, hikers, backpackers, photographers, horsemen, water concerns, grazers, ranchers and citizens of the region.

It was a bumpy road along the way.  In September, the bill received a mark-up in the House of Representatives.  To the surprise of everyone back in Colorado, the bill was substantially amended by the House subcommittee.  Though it was watered-down and failed to provide the “teeth” of conservation we desired, it passed.  Whereas the bill once enjoyed complete and uncontested support, there now was significant opposition, including from TU and sportsmen.

Thankfully, the utter disappointment of the House mark-up and amendments brought about change.  Locals made it clear the bill was not OK and needed to return to the original version.  In mid-November a deal was struck between the Senate and House subcommittees.  The amended bill now was much, much closer to the original version and regained the support of locals back home.  In late November the bill received a full House vote (via the defense bill) and passed 300-119.

It’s notable, too, to mention four other TU-led initiatives passed alongside Hermosa and were signed into law.  They include the Columbine-Hondo wilderness in New Mexico and the Pine Forest Range in Nevada.  We share this victory with our brethren in nearby states.

With that, we raise our glasses in celebration.  To pass a public lands protection bill, with a wilderness component, is an astronomical feat in today’s tough and highly partisan political climate.  But sportsmen stood strong, made their voices heard, and were persistent and patient—and now 107,000 acres of public land perfectness will remain unspoiled and productive for the next generation of America’s sportsmen, women and children.

---Ty Churchwell, Backcountry Coordinator, Sportsmen's Conservation Project tchurchwell@tu.org