Chapters and volunteers recognized for their leadership at CTU 2018 Rendezvous

Emma and Heather both received the Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Image credit: Emma Brown  www.instagram.com/emmabrowntrout

Each year, CTU recognizes individuals and chapters that have shown great leadership in Trout Unlimited across the state. This year, they had 11 awards presented on Sunday April 29, 2018 up at Keystone, CO. Congratulations to everyone who was recognized, your hard work was noticed! The awardees are as follows: 

Outstanding Volunteer

Josh Anaya – for his leadership in strengthening communications for the Southern Colorado Greenbacks Chapter and spearheading the Frostbite Fishoff

Emma Brown –for her work with The Greenbacks in leading youth education and trout conservation projects including the Outdoor Mentors program

Anna Drexler-Dreis –for her Grand County community leadership including developing and implementing riparian restoration efforts with the Fraser Flats project

Dick Shinton –for his work with long-time dedication to youth education including the Colorado TU youth camp, chapter fly tying programs, and mentorship for young anglers

Jason Groves – for his leadership in revitalizing the Ferdinand Hayden Chapter as a viable, active local TU presence in the Roaring Fork Valley

Heather Sees- for her vision and leadership in strengthening The Greenbacks and programming for native trout, youth education, and partnerships including with the Mayfly Project

Exemplary Youth Education

Rocky Mountain Flycasters – for its diverse youth offerings including a summer day camp, multiple Trout in the Classroom partnerships, and community education partnerships

John Connolly Outstanding Chapter Communications Award

Grand Valley Anglers – for their exemplary newsletter and online engagement efforts with both their membership and the local community

Exemplary Project

Gore Range Chapter – for its Blue River Explorer Hike program to educate and engage local and visiting youth with the river

Colorado River Headwaters Chapter – for the Fraser Flats Project, the first partnership effort under the “Learning by Doing” program, dramatically improving the local fishery

Exemplary Chapter

Collegiate Peaks Anglers – for its strong community-based partnerships promoting youth education and trout conservation in the Arkansas basin

60 trout released by Lyons Elementary students

Fifth grade students from Lyons Elementary School released around 60 fry back into the wild in collaboration with the St. Vrain Anglers TU Chapter, Colorado Trout Unlimited, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The release was part of their ongoing  Trout in the Classroom (TIC) Program where students are engaged in trout biology and environmental sciences. Students raised trout from egg to fry - monitoring their growth, tank environment, and life cycle. Along with raising adorable trout, students gain an appreciation for water resources, conservation ethics, and become involved in their local watershed!

2018 Gomolchak Grant helps fund 6 different Colorado projects

The Leo Gomolchak Conservation Grants Program, named for Leo Gomolchak, a longtime CTU staffer and volunteer who worked tirelessly to promote wild and native trout restoration in Colorado helps benefit conservation efforts and organizational development at the chapter level by providing seed money which can be used as a starting point in financing grassroots conservation and/or education activities. This year at the 2018 Western Regional Rendezvous on Sunday, April 29, Keystone, CO, six projects across Colorado were awarded each $1300. Below are those recipients and their corresponding projects. Congratulations!

Boulder Flycasters: Trout in the Classroom and Watershed Education. The chapter, in collaboration with Lefthand and Fourmile Watershed groups, will establish four new Trout in the Classroom locations as part of a broader watershed education program to engage Boulder County students in watershed education and conservation.

The Greenbacks: Rock Creek / Black Canyon native trout. The Greenbacks are part of a multi-agency partnership to restore native greenback cutthroat trout in Rock Creek and its tributary Black Canyon (located in the upper Tarryall drainage). These funds will be part of the matching resources for construction of the final permanent barrier at the bottom of the total project. The Greenbacks will be holding a fall 2018 fundraiser with 100% of proceeds going toward this project, as additional matching resources for this grant.

Gunnison Angling Society: Adopt-a-Trout 2.0. Building on the well-received adopt-a-trout program conducted with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Gunnison area students on Tomichi Creek, this project will involve area students in a similar monitoring effort to assess fish migration among Tomichi, Cochetopa and Quartz Creeks.

Southern Colorado Greenbacks: Trout in the Classroom. The Southern Colorado Greenbacks will help launch a new Trout in the Classroom site with a Pueblo-area middle school, where the partner teacher would use the program to engage her students with hands-on learning about nature including the understanding of water quality. The chapter will match Gomolchak Grant funds with proceeds raised through their Frostbite Fishoff.

St. Vrain Anglers: Trout in the Classroom. The St Vrain Anglers are will be bringing Trout in the Classroom to a Lyons elementary school. The Gomolchak Grant will help cover the initial capital costs for equipment, with the chapter than providing annual support to cover site operating costs as a match on this grant.

West Denver: RiverWatch. The West Denver Chapter is tackling a water quality monitoring project with RiverWatch on three sites along Clear Creek, including not just basic water chemistry but also macroinvertebrate sampling. One of the sampling events would be conducted in partnership with a Forest Service kids day education event on the Forest.

Contact David if you have any questions (dnickum@tu.org, or 303-440-2937 x1).

CTU named beneficiary of Anglers All Trout Clave with match from Patagonia

 

REPOST: Anglers All and Patagonia Raise More than $11K for Conservation

MAY 9, 2018

We are thrilled to announce that more than $11,000 was raised for conservation at our 2018 Trout Clave on April 21! These proceeds will go to Colorado Trout Unlimited, and will be used to carry out important river conservation and habitat work in Colorado.

Anglers All and COLORADO TROUT UNLIMITED (CTU) co-hosted this year’s Trout Clave, an annual spring event here at the fly shop. When Anglers All committed to donate a portion of the sales from the event to CTU, Patagonia generously agreed to match that donation.

“The 2018 Clave was a huge success,” said Anglers All owner, Chris Keeley. “I’m personally proud of the commitment to conservation that our staff, clients, and friends displayed this year. We can make a difference together.”

Photo Credit: AnglersAll 2018

In addition to Patagonia's support, key sponsors for the event included Fishpond, Sage, and Breckenridge Brewery. In addition to raising funds for CTU, the event promoted successful membership drives for the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

“Colorado Trout Unlimited so appreciated the opportunity to participate in the 2018 Trout Clave,” commented CTU development director, Shannon Kindle. “We had a fantastic day sharing our conservation story with attendees and recruiting a great group of new members!

"As the beneficiary of Anglers All’s generosity and the matching funds donated by Patagonia, we look forward to putting those dollars to work on the ground in Colorado through habitat restoration, native trout reintroduction, and much more,” Kindle added. "A big thank you to all the Anglers All customers who helped to make this day such a success and to their part in helping Colorado TU continue our work protecting and restoring the fisheries we all love!”

We do owe a huge thanks to our friends, customers and the fly fishing community here in the Denver area. We're extremely proud to be a part of it. Thank you and here's to a great year of fishing ahead!

PRESS RELEASE

REPOST FROM ANGLERS ALL BLOG: https://www.anglersall.com/blog/anglers-patagonia-raise-11k-conservation/

A new look for us

Perhaps you have noticed, but we have a new look! The new logo has been slowly surfacing through our e-newsletters, social media posts, stickers, and publications - but now we will be rolling it out across all of our platforms. This new logo has been in the making for more than a year, and in the summer of 2017, concepts were drafted with four designs sent out to the Colorado TU board and chapters for feedback. The initial concept was to mimic National Trout Unlimited's logo to help foster the continuity between the council and national organization. The council's goals in the logo redesign were largely influenced by the "one TU" mantra stating that, no matter your role in Trout Unlimited, whether volunteer, donor, chapter, member, staff, or supporter - we are all part of "one TU". Sharing a similar look helps portray that message.

Early renditions of logo concepts in fall of 2017.

Some ideas about incorporating the iconic Colorado Flag were discussed.

Another goal in the redesign was to provide a banner that chapters and volunteers would be proud to unite under as a symbol of statewide river conservation - from ranchers mitigating flows on the west slope, to veterans getting on the river in the Denver Metro area. 

The new logo incorporates National's colors with a nod to Colorado's mountains and the downstream flows of of our water.

And while we were at it - why not throw in a new website? Out with the old and in with the new! If you are reading this post, then welcome to our new website! We have prioritized the important pages that people look for when visiting our site, such as membership, events, chapter locations, news, and advocacy alerts. We've also simplified the look and navigation to make it easier to use.  The new site will be able to grow with us and help bring you the content that matters most. Feel free to take a look around!

A huge thank you to Steve Lopez, Corrine and Garrison Doctor, and all the volunteers and staff who have helped us redefine the CTU look across the state and beyond. And thanks, too, to the dynamic duo of CTU's Annie Smith and board member Michael Ledger who helped spearhead the new-look website to accompany our new logo launch.

CTU's current logo.

National Trout Unlimited's current logo.

Plan your weekend! Film Festivals, Fly Fishing Rendezvous, Iron Fly

Do you have your weekend plans figured out? If not, there are lots of great events coming up that you definitely do not want to miss! Below is a quick digest of all the fun things happening along the Front Range of Colorado: Check out the full list of upcoming events here.

Thursday, April 26

Colorado Trout Unlimited's Conservation Film Fest doors at 6:30 pm, films at 7:00 pm

FB Event Listing

Friday, April 27

TU & CTU Western Regional Rendezvous

7:30 am - 6:00pm | Keystone Lodge, CO

See the full agenda here 

Join TU volunteer leaders from across the West on April 27-28, 2018 in Keystone, Colorado for enlightening presentations, inspiring dialogue and engaging camaraderie with those who share your dedication to TU and our mission. The TU Western Rendezvous is an occasion to be inspired – by lessons from volunteer leaders, the work of TU staff, and conversations with newfound friends. The event will also be an excellent opportunity to discuss the unique issues facing the region as well as a chance to network and build relationships with fellow TU volunteer leaders.

If you are interested in attending any of the meetings, please register here. 

Colorado Iron Fly - brought to you by Pig Farm Ink and Rep Your Water

starting at 7:00 pm | Dos Locos 22869 U.S. 6, Keystone, CO, United States

Pig Farm Ink, Costa, Simms, Postfly, and Rep Your Water present Iron Fly: TU & CTU

Western Regional, in Keystone, CO

Join us for an evening of hoots and hollers as EVERYONE is welcome to participate in

the IRON FLY. What is the IRON FLY? Well, it's fly tying meets Iron Chef as tiers compete in a battle of partying skills and bobbin prowess to make the ultimate fish snack from the same set of mystery ingredients. Race against your liver and your competitors to show the panel of judges that your vice has the spice...

Videos Explaining Iron Fly: https://youtu.be/CS3AXSDBVMUhttps://youtu.be/WjICqBF26fk

FB Event Listing

Saturday, April 28

Trout Unlimited & Colorado Trout Unlimited Western Regional Rendezvous

7:30 am - 8:30 pm | Keystone Lodge, CO

See full agenda here

Register for the Western Regional Rendezvous here

2018 Spring Fly Fishing Rendezvous

8:30 am - 5:00pm | Jefferson County Fairgrounds Golden, CO 15200 W 6th Ave, Golden, CO 80401-5018

This two-day event happening 4/28 - 4/29 highlights the best of the Rocky Mountain’s emerging fly brands while also giving anglers access to some of the most trusted names in the industry. Our shared passion is to make the sport of fly fishing accessible to all.

Check out the full vendor and speaker line up at www.flyfishingrendezvous.com.

Tickets are $8 in advance/$10 cash at the door. Scouts in uniform and kids under 12 years old get in free.

GET $1 off your advance online ticket price by using "CTU" coupon code upon checkout.

Purchase Tickets Here.

Sunday, April 29

2018 Spring Fly Fishing Rendezvous

8:30 am - 5:00 pm | Jefferson County Fairgrounds Golden, CO 15200 W 6th Ave, Golden, CO 80401-5018

Purchase Tickets Here.

Trout Unlimited & Colorado Trout Unlimited Western Regional Rendezvous

7:00 am - 12:00 pm | Keystone Lodge, CO

Fishing Sunday after the Western Regional Rendezvous

12:00 pm - whenever the fishing slows down

Local rivers within a two- three hour drive:

Keystone Lake

Colorado River (Pumphouse)  – 1 hour travel – wade or float

Colorado River (State Bridge) 1.25 hours travel time – wade or float

Colorado River (Parshall)  45 minutes travel time – wade

Eagle River (Gypsum) 1 hour travel time – wade

South Platte (Deckers) 2hours and 30 minutes  – wade

Dream Stream  1 hour 45 minutes – wade

Frying Pan (Ruedi Dam) 2 hours and 30 minutes – wade

Roaring Fork (Carbondale) 2 hours and 30 minutes – float

Blue River (near Breckenridge, below Dillon Reservoir, north of Silverthorne)

Arkansas River (near Leadville)

Google Map of Area

The Caddis are Coming!

Ah, nothing like spring in Colorado! Wildflowers blooming, snow melting off the mountains, creeks flowing, oh and caddis season is in full swing! We start seeing caddis bouncing up and down on the surface or skating across the water, tempting the hungry trout! To celebrate this great time of year, The Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited is holding its 33rd annual Caddis Festival Banquet & Auction on Saturday, May 5th, 2018, at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds in Poncha Springs, Colorado. There will be lots of fun for everyone – both anglers and non-anglers, including a silent and live auction, special raffles, a heads-or-tails game and bucket raffles!

The social time and cash bar open at 5 PM with a buffet dinner catered by Variations starting at 6:45 PM.The prizes that YOU could take home are truly outstanding, including fine fishing gear, unique artwork, hosted fishing trips and more! There will be items for men, women, kids, anglers and non-anglers.

Since 1985, CPC-TU has provided educational programs and activities for youth and adults and provided funds and volunteers for river and riparian restoration projects in the Upper Arkansas River Valley. Come hang out and support a great cause! The Caddis Festival Banquet & Auction is CPC-TU's major fundraising event of the year and they look forward to seeing you!

Some of the projects and activities supported by the Caddis Festival funds in 2017 included:

* Sponsored the popular kid’s fishing derbies July 4th in Salida and Labor Day weekend in Buena Vista

* Provided funds to continue the development of the Ecosystems Learning Center (ELC) on the South Arkansas River in Salida

* In collaboration with GARNA, held the 6th grade conservation camp in Buena Vista, high school ecology classes in Salida and Stream Explorers educational activities in Buena Vista and Salida.

* Provided volunteers to assist Colorado Parks and Wildlife in fin clipping at the Mt. Ouray Hatchery and fish stocking in high lakes

* Contributed locally tied flies to Casting for Recovery and Reel Recovery

* Provided and pledged funds to Central Colorado Conservancy to promote and enhance Arkansas river access

* Awarded $12,000 in college scholarships to four local students studying aquatic biology or natural resources

For more information, contact Pam Simpson, Caddis Festival Planning Committee Chair at (719) 395-7788 or pkssimpp@gmail.com

Registration is easy and online! Follow the link below.

Purchase Tickets Here

Facebook Event Page

TU praises passage of bill to support wildlife and recreation

Trout Unlimited praises passage of bill to support wildlife and outdoor recreation

(Denver)—Trout Unlimited praised the passage of the Hunting, Fishing, and Parks for Future Generations Act (SB18-143) today in the Colorado General Assembly – creating a sustainable funding stream for Colorado Parks and Wildlife that will help fund efforts to preserve the state’s prized fish and wildlife populations and support outdoor recreation opportunities.

In recent years, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has seen its resources increasingly squeezed. The last resident license fee increase took place in 2005—and since that time, expenses have climbed by more than 25 percent and Colorado’s population has grown rapidly, putting more and more pressure on fish, wildlife, and their habitat as well as on the state’s recreation infrastructure.

Moreover, the budget squeeze has forced the agency to cut or defund 50 positions and slice $40 million from its wildlife budget—and without new funding, further cuts would be required. The bill passed today by the Colorado legislature will give CPW authority to raise hunting and fishing license fees to offset the rising costs of inflation. The modest fee increase ($8 for resident fishing licenses) will begin in 2019, with any future increases tied to the consumer price index. CPW is also looking at other revenue sources to support conservation priorities.

“Sportsmen and women have always taken pride in supporting our state’s outstanding outdoor resources and hunting and fishing opportunities,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “Hunters and anglers understand that Colorado’s wildlife and natural spaces are among our most valuable resources—and that we need to invest in our outdoor quality of life. This fee authority will help ensure that future generations have access to the same quality hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities available today.”

The enhanced revenue stream will help CPW invest in a range of sportsmen’s programs and initiatives, including:

• Providing more funds for critical programs like hunter education and Fishing is Fun;
• Expanding access for hunters and anglers by renewing high-priority leases and access programs on private land;
• Repairing CPW’s aging dams and reservoir infrastructure to keep them open for fishing;
• Modernizing hatcheries to increase the number of fish stocked in those Colorado waters that can’t support robust wild populations.

“TU is grateful to have been afforded a seat on the CPW ‘Sportsmen’s Roundtable’—a collaborative, statewide forum to engage sportsmen and women on the agency’s strategic plans and financial issues,” said Ty Churchwell, TU’s San Juan Mountains coordinator. “We applaud the CPW for involving sportsmen’s conservation organizations in development of this bill, and holding dozens of public meetings across the state. Their commitment to broad, extensive, debated input on development of this bill has helped secure support for its passage.”

Trout Unlimited thanks Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Bob Broscheid for his leadership as well as the bill sponsors, state Senators Stephen Fenberg and Don Coram, and Representatives Jeni Arndt and James Wilson.

Download the Press Release here.

Fun Fact Friday: Oh, the mighty Colorado River

Fun Fact Friday: Oh, the mighty Colorado River! Its history is quite impressive as it broke through the Grand Canyon about 5 million years ago. Evidence also suggests that the Colorado River was flowing through the Rocky Mountains as they were still forming. This river has influenced much of the beautiful geology we see across the west today. All along the Colorado River system, anglers can find largemouth bass, rainbow trout, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye and striped bass. If you have not checked out the interview we did with Kirk Klancke, president of the Colorado River Headwaters TU Chapter, about restoring flows to one of the first main tributaries of the Colorado River, then be sure to check it out here.