Yelling at storm clouds

A few days ago, I found myself standing in my yard yelling “Yeah, c’mon!?” while shaking my fist at a rather feeble-looking storm cloud. Now, I normally reserve this type of a pointless weekend lunacy for Broncos games and the like, but considering the dire state of the snowpack in the Colorado River Basin, including my home watershed of the Uncompahgre basin—the reaction seemed appropriate. Beyond the obvious lack of snow in my front yard, I'm seeing a seemingly endless chain of news stories highlighting lack of snow, record low river flows and, perhaps worst of all, dire projections that long-term weather trends won’t provide respite—all serving to fuel my anxiety about the summer to come.

Droughts of years past have taken a serious toll on important fisheries and inflicted economic pain and hardship on water users of all stripes who depend on diverting water for their livelihoods and quality of life. These periods of shortage have also taught us valuable lessons about reacting to and preparing for drought in the West.

One of those lessons is about the importance of working together on our water challenges.

Throughout the basin, Trout Unlimited and water users are partnering on innovative strategies to address water supply shortfalls while protecting rivers and streams. For instance, TU is helping irrigation districts and the water users they serve in the Gunnison Basin improve irrigation infrastructure on and off the farm to reduce system losses, thereby improving stream flows on important tributaries like the Cimarron River.

TU has also been at the forefront of water planning efforts in Colorado that identify needs of both the environment and water users and establish watershed-specific approaches to reducing the impacts of drought.

In another innovative approach, TU is working closely with agricultural producers in the Upper Colorado River Basin through a pilot project that reimburses water users who voluntarily reduce consumptive water use through fallowing, partial fallowing or switching from high to low water-use crops. The program, known as the System Conservation Pilot Program, or SCPP, aims to improve flows on Upper Basin tributaries in a manner that not only helps reduce supply gaps at Lake Powell but also improves important fisheries.

With all the water uncertainty, there’s one thing we can be certain of—this drought period won’t be the last. In fact, scientists say it’s likely that the Colorado River Basin will be facing a drier and more variable climate—all the more reason why scaling up collaborative conservation and efficiency efforts now, regardless of the snowpack levels, is critical to preparing for future drought and protecting our valuable watersheds and all that they support.

Working together, we are finding solutions that can help buffer the impacts of drought years and keep our rivers and fisheries healthy.

And that’s surely more effective than yelling at clouds.

By Cary Denison

Cary Denison is TU’s project coordinator in the Gunnison Basin.

Blog Post via Trout Unlimited.

Behind the Fin with Dennis Cook

Join us “Behind the Fin” with Dennis Cook, retired, Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter Youth Chairperson in Fort Collins, Colorado.

How long have you been a TU member?  

Sixteen years. I joined TU originally on a free TU membership offer from when I purchased a pair of wading boots.

Why did you become a member and what chapter are you involved with?

After the free year expired, in January 2003 I joined as a paid member with Cherry Creek Anglers Chapter when I lived in Parker, a Denver suburb. Ten years ago we moved to Fort Collins and I transferred memberships into the Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter here.

What made you want to be involved with TU?

I was enjoying reading the local chapter’s newsletters, and natural outdoors conservation has always held a soft spot in my heart.  Plus, I also was looking for a way to connect with other fly fishing people.

What is your favorite activity or project you have done with TU?

At Cherry Creek Anglers I was active on the chapter board, and also served Colorado TU as a chapter development volunteer.  Here at Rocky Mountain Flycasters I’ve focused on youth education.  My favorite project has been establishing a six-day River Conservation & Fly Fishing Youth Day Camp here in Northern Colorado, that is modeled loosely similar to the state residential youth camp, and that 2018 will be our day camp’s ninth year.  Additionally, we have built a solid, overall youth education program, including multiple

years’ success with Trout in the Classroom (high schools), participating annually with three school systems’ elementary school grades Water Festivals, establishing a multi-years relationship supporting Colorado State University’s Environmental Learning Center’s middle school age summer camp programs, and fostering the CSU Five Rivers Fly Fishing Club now in its third year.

I know you won’t tell me your favorite spot, but what is your second favorite place to fish or favorite fishing story? 

I’ve fished the Cache La Poudre River for about twenty-five years and it remains my primary fishery, especially the far upper canyon stretches where I also fish some of the small tributaries. Each year I enjoy a few multi-day trips to many of the other great fisheries in here in Colorado, Wyoming and occasionally Montana. All hold remnants as something of a favorite spot, each in its own way.

What does being a part of TU mean to you?

I have a great sense of identity and pride being a TU member, both for what I can contribute…and also for the favorable accomplishments and impacts TU makes nationally in specific conservation advocacy and restorations. The growth of TU’s outreach programs and conservation impact nationally across the sixteen years I’ve been able to observe has been extraordinary. TU does not just talk a good game, it makes really good things happen!

What else do you do in your spare time or work?

In retirement I’ve kind of become a one act pony, enjoying my fly fishing and TU activities.  With that, after a part-time job in a retail store’s fishing department, and all the household, yard and activities of a large family, I’m ready to sleep well every night.

Colorado Trout Unlimited River Stewardship Gala March 8

Join your fellow river and trout conservationists for a wonderful night of drinks, dinner, and live and silent auctions filled with world-class fishing opportunities, tickets to shows, getaways, and so much more! The Colorado Trout Unlimited River Stewardship Gala is an event not to be missed. We've sold out the last two years so get your tickets today!

In addition to raising funds for trout and watershed conservation, we are thrilled to be honoring Governor John W. Hickenlooper with our River Stewardship Award.

We look forward to seeing you on March 8, 2018!

Purchase your tickets here.

Colorado voters consider themselves to be conservationists - Not a surprise to us.

A new bipartisan study, the Conservation in the West Poll, was released January 25, 2018 by the State of the Rockies Project, in conjunction with Lori Weigel, Public Opinion Strategies and Dave Metz, Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, and Metz & Associates. The survey, conducted in eight western states, explores bi-partisan opinions in each state and for the Rocky Mountain West region concerning conservation, environment, energy, the role of government, trade-offs with economies, and citizen priorities. The survey now includes polling in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Colorado College in Colorado Springs has released all of the polls publications broken up by state, topic, and additional reports about Sportsmen and Agriculture. You can go through them all here, but we are going to take you through some of the most interesting results.

One demographic that we are very familiar with is those who identify as a sportsman or woman. The poll found that 79% are the most likely vote sub-group to identify as a conservationist which is a 4% increase from last year. Among that voter group, 58% preferred that the Trump Administration would focus on protecting clean water, air quality, and wildlife habitats on public lands.

In relation to the recent national monuments and public lands reductions happening to Utah's Grand Staircase and Bear's Ears, a majority of those who identify as a hunter or angler found this to be a largely bad idea and that any future reductions or stripping of other Monuments was also a bad idea. 

Currently, there is legislation around our national monuments and you can speak up against it with our current action alert. 

Another demographic that is extremely involved in the water issues of Colorado are voters who identify as being part of a rural or small town. Now some might think they don't share the same values as those in the growing cities of the Front Range, but that notion couldn't be farther from the truth. Rural communities overwhelmingly share similar values in regards to conservation, development, and public lands.

And to sum up the state's opinions as a whole, below is an infographic showing the support for different initiatives regarding water conservation, national monuments, and outdoor recreation. If you would like a closer look at the reports shown here or any of the images in this post, see the links at the bottom of the page.

Takeaway from the Data

The results of this poll are encouraging and also not unexpected. As part of Trout Unlimited, we know that our members who identify as sportsmen/women, farmers, activists, and outdoor recreationists are and have always been conservationists. This poll just further proves that we are a strong majority of people who believe in the future of clean water, access to public lands, and healthy fisheries. We stand together as a collaborative and influential community that puts conservation first.

Resources and References:

1. Conservation in the West 2018 Report - Sportsmen
2. Conservation in the West 2018 Report - Rural
3. Conservation in the West 2018 Report - Colorado Infographic
4. Conservation in the West 2018 Report - All Materials & Reports

A River's Reckoning, an official selection of the 2018 Wild and Scenic Film Festival

Paul Bruchez is a fifth-generation rancher whose family raises cattle in the upper reaches of the Colorado River near Kremmling, Colorado, where he also runs a private fly-fishing guide service. “A River’s Reckoning” tells the story of Paul’s awakening to the importance of river conservation and the legacy of his family’s ranch when drought and urban water diversions deplete the Colorado River, threatening the ranch’s operations. When Art Bruchez, the family patriarch, is diagnosed with cancer, Paul and his younger brother Doug are forced to step in and take over. This “river reckoning” pushes Paul and his family to confront new challenges and embrace new ways of thinking to keep their family’s ranch—and others in the valley—alive and productive. Paul and his brother rise to meet these challenges, working with neighbors, Trout Unlimited, American Rivers and other conservation groups and partners to find creative solutions that enhance their irrigation systems while restoring trout habitat in the river. “A River’s Reckoning” is a beautiful story of family, grit, and legacy, all in support of sustaining a ranch at 10,000 feet that depends heavily on stewardship of the Colorado River. The film was recently honored as an official selection of the 2018 Wild and Scenic Film Festival.

You can enjoy the full film below: 

Fly Fishing Show comes to Denver, CO

Start off the new year right, with the 17th annual Fly Fishing Show in Denver, CO. Immerse yourself in the world of fly fishing, whether you are a beginner or expert. They will be having over 10 demonstrations every hour, so there will always be something to see or learn while there. The show will also have continuous fly tying demos and seminars. There will also be casting demonstrations scheduled by Gary Borger, George Daniel, Jeff Currier, Landon Mayer and Alice Owsley and featured fly tiers including Charlie Craven, Dave Whitlock, Tom Baltz, Pat Dorsey and Ed Engle. There will also be a Women's Showcase that will feature networking, discussions, and learning opportunities along with gear and clothing. So if you've been thinking about getting into the world of fly fishing then this is your chance to learn from the best and get yourself started.

You can also stop by the Colorado Trout Unlimited booth along with some of the regional chapters and see what we are up to and get a whole list of upcoming 2018 events to look forward to.

There will be a world premiere of the 2018 Fly Fishing Film Festival to be held Fri. at 6:30. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

The Fly Fishing Show admission is $15 for one day, $25 for two days and $35 for three days. Children under age 5 are free as are Boy and Girl Scouts under 16 in uniform. Active military with an ID are $10. You can purchase tickets in advanced here.

Click here for a complete list of fly-fishing films, classes, seminars and demonstrations, visit or phone (814) 443-3638.

Denver Fly Fishing Show January 5-7

Friday, January 5, 2018: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday, January 6, 2018: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Sunday, January 7, 2018: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Denver Mart 451 East 58th Avenue, Denver, CO

Your Favorite Instagram Posts from 2017

We have summed up all of your likes, tags, and follows and below are your favorite Colorado Trout Unlimited Instagram Posts of 2017.  If you would like to be featured on our Instagram with your favorite Fishing story or picture, be sure to tag us @colorado_trout_unlimited or use the hashtag #cotroutstories We are looking forward to more fishing inspiration in the year 2018.  

Your Favorite Instagram Posts from 2017

We have summed up all of your likes, tags, and follows and below are your favorite Colorado Trout Unlimited Instagram Posts of 2017.  If you would like to be featured on our Instagram with your favorite Fishing story or picture, be sure to tag us @colorado_trout_unlimited or use the hashtag #cotroutstories We are looking forward to more fishing inspiration in the year 2018.  

Funding the Future of Conservation

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is looking for the legislature to provide it with authority to increase hunting and fishing license fees for the first time in more than a decade, and we expect to see legislation along those lines during the 2018 legislative session. At one level, the reason for such an increase is very simple - the revenue generated by license fees has been eroded by inflation since the last increase, and in order to deliver the same kinds of service the agency needs to have the funding to keep up with those escalating costs.

But the most frequent question we've heard from anglers and sportsmen generally has been to hear more of the story: what are these funds needed for, and what types of investments specifically will the state make if anglers and hunters increase what we pay for licenses?

The most recent issue of High Country Angler offers some answers. Needs run the gamut from modernizing fish hatcheries, to restoring funds for the "Fishing is Fun" program to improve habitat and create new fishing access, to completing needed maintenance on fishing reservoirs that otherwise could be forced to be drained for dam safety reasons.

Read all about it here - and decide for yourself - are these investments good reasons to pay more on my fishing license? You'll have the chance to speak up on that question with your legislators this year.

National Funds to Support Greenback Recovery in CO

JANUARY 4, 2018 – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has recently announced their slate of awardees for the competitive Bring Back the Natives Grant (BBN)– a program that will provide $1 million in grants to support habitat restoration and other on-the-ground projects that advance recovery goals of native fish throughout the United States in 2018-19. A partnership between NFWF, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bass Pro Shops and the Brunswick Public Foundation, “Bring Back the Natives represents the benefits of coordinated efforts between private landowners and federal agencies to improve the health of watersheds,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO, NFWF.

As one of the 15 grant recipients, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) will receive $60,000 to support the design and construction of a critical temporary fish barrier on Cornelius Creek.  Located in the US Forest Service Canyon Lakes Ranger District (USFS-CLRD), the George and Cornelius Creek drainage is one of the most significant Greenback Cutthroat recovery sites to date.

The Greenback cutthroat trout is currently listed as “Threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, and is believed to have been endemic to coldwater streams and lakes of the South Platte River Basin. Once a thriving species, the Greenback has suffered significant impacts from human development, competition from non-native fish, and the introduction of whirling disease.  Once thought to be extinct, the native trout is making a comeback thanks to a coalition of state and federal agencies, non-profits, private landowners, and public volunteers.

The George and Cornelius Creek watershed has been identified as a high priority for establishing a robust Greenback cutthroat trout metapopulation. Due to its relatively low elevation compared to that of many other streams in the basin where cutthroat trout reintroduction may be feasible, these creeks feature thermal conditions that fall within an optimal range for cutthroat trout recruitment. Additionally, these streams are already managed for a Greenback cutthroat trout recovery population with regard to the Endangered Species Act, Section 7.

Due to the complexity of the habitat within the drainage, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the US Forest Service will take on the project in stages.  With the presence of both whirling disease (WD) and non-native fish in the area, biologists will build three temporary barriers that will segment the two tributaries and allow for effective treatment over the next few years.  Once the streams have been cleared of WD and non-native competitors, the Greenbacks will be introduced.  This process is expected to take several years.

The desired outcome of the entire multi-phase project is successful establishment of a self-sustaining Greenback cutthroat trout population in 14 miles of connected habitat. At this writing, Greenbacks only occur in the wild in four waters, three of which are the result of recent introductions.

The Greenback Cutthroat Trout Recovery Plan (US Fish & Wildlife Service 1998), although in the early stages of being updated, calls for—among several other requirements—stable Greenback populations in at least 31 stream miles in order for the species to be considered for de-listing. Currently, there are no stream populations in the South Platte Basin that meet the Recovery Plan’s criteria for “stable conservation populations.” Therefore, the importance of the George and Cornelius Creek Project, which is slated to create up to 14 miles of such habitat, cannot be overstated.

The Cornelius Creek barrier is essential to the overall success of the project by enabling CPW biologists to treat the upper section of the creek while concurrent restoration work is being completed in the other units.  With the funding provided by the NFWF Bring Back the Natives Grant, CPW will now have the resources necessary to move forward in this critical recovery effort and secure a large drainage for the Greenback.

Note: Due to various treatment protocols for Whirling Disease (which has been found in the area), the entire project will likely be completed near 2026.  The barriers will be in place by the end of 2019.  For more information, please contact Dan Omasta, CTU Grassroots Coordinator (domasta@tu.org).

For more information on the NFWF BBN Grant and other recipients, Click Here.