The New Fall 2022 Issue of High Country Angler is Live!

Check out the Fall 2022 issue of High Country Angler e-zine, including these stories:

• Landon Mayer on landing big fish with Nothing but Net;

• Brian LaRue on fishing Slough Creek's Third Meadow in Yellowstone;

• An Interview with Brenden Stucky and RJ Hosking of RareWaters and how they're working to advance angling and conservation;

• Duncan Rose dives deep in Protecting Home Waters discussing one chapter's journey through the Outstanding Waters process;

• Tales of a mythical tailwater, the South Fork of the Snake River by Peter Stitcher;

• An Interview with Bret Bishop, Team USA Captain, and double-gold winner at the World Masters Fly Fishing Championships in Italy;

• More information on CTU's 2022 Fall Rendezvous and a recap of Troutfest in images;

• Columns by Mark Shulman, Hayden Mellsop, and the Old Professor!

September 2022 Currents

This month’s issue of Currents features information on CTU’s 2022 Fall Rendezvous, reconnecting the Colorado River at Windy Gap, big changes to Trout in the Classroom, and much more! You can read the September issue by clicking here.

Support the No Turbine Action Group

Colorado Trout Unlimited, families from Tasmania, and some of Australia’s gifted fly tyers have come together to give you a chance of winning one or more prizes.

Help Keep Tasmania’s Highlands Unique

The No Turbine Action Group Inc (NTAG) is fighting to save a large unique area in the Tasmanian Highlands (home of the threatened Wedge-tailed Eagle) from being destroyed by a massive wind farm planned by Korea Zinc. World-renowned Penstock Lagoon sits on the boundary of the project and is visited by thousands of Australian and international fly fishermen every year.

The No Turbine Action Group Inc (NTAG) is a broad-based community organisation that supports renewable energy projects but believes that the proposed St Patricks Plains wind farm in the Highlands is in the wrong place. Click here to view their concerns.

First Prize

Homestay for two in Colorado USA in the heart of the Rockies, hosted by members of Colorado Trout Unlimited, leaders in cold-water conservation who are at the apex of America’s fly fishing fraternity. Includes 8 nights accommodation in TU leaders’ private homes on both the Front Range and Western Slope of Colorado, plus meals and guided adventures. A chance to visit and fish many of the iconic Gold Medal rivers and streams such as Rocky Mountain National Park, The South Platte, Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, Colorado, and Gunnison Rivers.

We are grateful for the generous sponsorship of Colorado Trout Unlimited USA – PLEASE add your support to keep a popular fly-fishing environment special. The stay is valued at AUD$8,000 plus AUD$2,000 in cash (flights, transfers not included). Total prize AUD$10,000.

Second Prize

Homestay for two on the banks of world-famous fly-fishing venue, Penstock Lagoon, in Tasmania’s stunning Central Highlands. Includes 4 nights’ accommodation, guided fishing, meals with one dinner at the Great Lake Hotel, and transfers in Tasmania.

The stay is valued at AUD$3,000 plus AUD$1,000 in cash (flights not included). Total prize AUD$4,000.

Third and Fourth Prizes

A boxed selection of 140 trout flies, tied by skilled and renowned Tasmanian fly tiers.

3rd and 4th prizes are each valued at AUD$500.

Fish New Zealand and Help CTU

For a limited time, Distant Waters Angling Adventures in New Zealand is donating a portion of their trips booked to Colorado Trout Unlimited. This special offer is discounted from $7,999 to $5,999 and is limited to October 1st through December 31st trips.

Distant Waters has been a long-time support of Colorado Trout Unlimited, and we’re very appreciative of the offer of donations to help in our mission to conserve, protect, and restore Colorado’s coldwater fisheries.

What’s Included:

• Round trip airfare from San Francisco nonstop to Auckland then connecting for a 40- minute flight

• to Taupo on the North Island

• 5 Days walk and wade guided fishing

• 7 Nights’ accommodations

• Price is per person, based on 2 anglers sharing a room and guide

• All transportation and airport transfers to & from lodging included

• Breakfast and lunch on the river included

• Call Kevin Wigfield @ 303-550-2990 or email Kevin@DistantWaters-NZ.com for more info

From Distant Waters’ Website:
   New Zealand, the only place in the world where you can travel thousands of miles and still feel right at home. It's a place where the people treat you like friends and the landscape welcomes you with open arms. Covering an area about the same size as the United Kingdom or the state of Colorado, New Zealand's landscape offers the best of all worlds. With fjords, glaciers, geysers, subtropical rain forests, surf beaches, trout streams, forest-rimmed lakes, alpine meadows and 200 mountain peaks that rise more than 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), this magical country has exhilarating possibilities. New Zealand is divided into two main islands, the North Island and the South Island. The South Island offers some of New Zealand's best "extreme" sports. If you're an "adrenaline junkie" try bungee-jumping 229 feet off a suspension bridge over the Shotover River. The North Island is host to the undeniably best travel spot Taupo, New Zealand. Even though Taupo is now the country's second fastest growing town, the region has managed to stay refreshingly natural. Lake Taupo, created by an eruption so big the sun went hazy in China, is a fly fisherman’s heaven on earth. Fill your lungs with some of the freshest air, drop a line in the crystal clear water clean enough to drink and wait for a trout to come along. Over 100 years ago, the first trout were released in New Zealand. Today, avid fishermen from around the world flock to Taupo to fish for "rainbows" and "browns" so big the locals reckon the lake level drops every time a fish is caught. The adventures that Taupo has to offer are endless! Catch a gleaming 8-pound brown (the record is 17.6lbs!) on beautiful Lake Taupo and within minutes be snow boarding down a live volcano. Such strong, fresh contrasts are what make Taupo a prime destination. At the southern end of Taupo is one of the world's most impressive parks, Tongariro National Park. It is one of only 20 places in the world to have been awarded dual World Heritage status as both a natural and cultural icon. After a hard day of enjoying the spectacular views Taupo has to offer, take a chairlift 2000 meters up the Whakapapa ski area for a meal at New Zealand's highest restaurant. Enjoy delectable meals and tasty beverages, but one thing you won't find on the menu is trout. Trout are not farmed or harvested here. The region is one of the last true wild trout fisheries left in the world, so if you want a trout, you have to catch one first!

Trout in the Classroom 2.0 Updates!

Photos by Hugh Carey, The Colorado Sun

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is ramping up for an incredible year!

This year we have doubled our TIC sites from 28 sites in May to over 50 sites! Not only will we have more TIC sites this year, but below are some amazing changes and updates that will greatly enhance the 2022/23 Trout in the Classroom program!

TIC Testing Update:

We are thrilled to announce some BIG news for the Trout in the Classroom program! Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reviewed their regulations and are now able to grant TIC sites a testing exemption if they adhere to the following requirements.

1. ALL TIC tank(s) must be filled with ONLY publicly treated water.

2. ALL water that leaves a TIC tank(s) must be sent ONLY to a public treatment facility.

3. Absolutely NO outside water, rocks, and/or species may be added to the TIC tanks.

4. Releasing of TIC Fish ONLY at pre-approved locations, dates, and times.

This exemption will help make the Trout in the Classroom more successful, more streamlined, more flexible and adaptable, and more equitable to TIC sites across Colorado. We are very thankful to CPW for all their hard work and dedication to improving this program and helping to make it a success!

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TIC Monthly Professional Development Trainings:

We are excited to offer monthly TIC Professional Development trainings to our TIC Educators, Volunteers, and Members. Each training will be the 2nd Monday of the month (unless stated otherwise) from 6:30 - 7:30 pm (Sept. - May) and will include a 30-45 mins PD presentation and 15-30 mins for questions, TIC conversations, and troubleshooting. Visit our CTU Calendar for more information.

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New Statewide TIC Coordinator and TIC Resources:

CTU has been working hard to streamline the TIC program and support the growth and sustainability of the program. We are thrilled to have John Davenport as our new Statewide TIC Coordinator and to have a new Google Drive Folder full of updated resources and TIC guides for TIC sites and volunteers to use. Click here to view our 2022/23 TIC Resources and Guides.

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TIC Training:

On Aug. 15th we kicked off our Trout in the Classroom year with a big training. This training is full of great updates, tank information, and TIC information. Check it out!

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For more information about the Trout in the Classroom feel free to contact us at TIC@coloradotu.org or visit our Trout in the Classroom website.

Trout In The Classroom

Trout in the Classroom
Connecting students with their watersheds

Groundbreaking: Reconnecting the Colorado River

Repost from TU.org by Nick Gann

A Q&A with the woman behind the long effort to reconnect the Colorado outside Rocky Mountain National Park

This week, Trout Unlimited field staff joined U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and a collection of partners outside Granby, Colorado, to break ground on a $33 million river restoration project that is decades in the making.

Senator Bennet and TU project lead Mely Whiting breaking ground

Built to supply water to booming Front Range communities of Colorado in the 1980s, the Windy Gap Reservoir collects water from the Colorado River, pumps it to nearby Lake Granby, and then delivers the water to the Front Range via the Adams Tunnel underneath Rocky Mountain National Park.   

Although the project has helped with the water supply demands of these growing communities, it has also done considerable damage to the river’s fish populations and water quality, leading TU to champion a solution: Build a natural stream channel around the reservoir to improve the quality of this Gold Medal trout fishery and nearly 30 miles of the Colorado River.

At a time when the Colorado River Basin is experiencing a historic drought, people are looking for significant wins to show we can work together to meet multiple needs, combat the impacts of climate change, and make our waterways more resilient.

MELY WHITING, TROUT UNLIMITED

We speak with TU’s lead on the project, legal counsel Mely Whiting, who successfully championed this project for years, and worked to build bridges and partnerships—some of them with former adversaries—to bring the Colorado River Connectivity Project to fruition.

TU: Why is this such a big deal for the Colorado River?

At a time when the Colorado River Basin is experiencing a historic drought, people are looking for significant wins to show we can work together to meet multiple needs, combat the impacts of climate change, and make our waterways more resilient. The Colorado River Connectivity Channel Project is an example of how we can accomplish just that. By building a natural stream channel around the reservoir and reconnecting the river, we are not only preserving the reservoir’s ability to supply water to municipalities, but are also taking steps to improve the resiliency of the river and its aquatic habitat in the face of drought and climate change.  

TU: Why did this project take so long to get off the ground?

Originally proposed as a solution by a local resident in the 1990s, the project required artful negotiations, significant funding, and willing partners to get it across the finish line. Coupled with the historic drought we are experiencing and the increasing demands for water because of the Front Range’s explosive population growth, we knew we had to work together to address these challenges.

We are truly proud of the work we have done with our partners–which include those initially opposed to the project—and the steps we have taken together to overcome our differences and solve these pressing issues. (Ed: See below for the list of partners on this project.)

TU: What was TU’s role as this project evolved?

As with any coalition of partners, you need to remain optimistic, find common ground, and seize opportunities when they appear. Although our role changed over the years to accommodate the needs of the project—ranging from legal challenges to fundraising—the most consistent theme of our work was our pragmatism as an organization. We put the project ahead of needs of singular organizations. Between our local chapters, members, and staff, this formula has proven to produce results across the country for TU as a whole and has helped cement our reputation as a partner across the aisle.

TU: What does this project mean for the future of the Colorado River Basin?

Thinking about all the federal money available for conservation through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and now the climate law to combat the historic drought across the Southwest, this project is a prime example of how communities can come together to identify solutions to this challenge. It is going to take everyone working together to decrease our demands on the Colorado River while also respecting the needs of ranchers, energy providers, manufacturers, local populations, outdoor enthusiasts, and other groups dependent upon the same water supply.

TU’s approach proves this is possible and the Colorado River Connectivity Project will stand as an example of the good work to come.

Partners in the Colorado Connectivity Project include:

• U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)

• Federal, state, county government: Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Municipal Subdistrict; Grand County; Colorado Parks and Wildlife; Colorado Water Conservation Board; Colorado River Water Conservation District; Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

• Corporate: PepsiCo Beverages North America; Frito-Lay; Intel; Coca-Cola; Swire Coca-Cola USA; Climax Molybdenum

• Other partners: Upper Colorado River Alliance; Bonneville Environmental Foundation; RESTORE partners
  
  

Art, Conservation, and Giving Back - Dave Richardson Art

It’s not all that often we run across someone that is incredibly talented and also wants to give back to conservation. Dave Richardson is one of those people. In 2009, Dave opened Richardson Studio and his work is now in public and private collections throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

As an avid angler, Dave chose to give a portion of his sales of two unique Colorado Trout Unlimited bronze buckles to CTU. These highly durable casted pieces, one a cutthroat trout, and the other an Adams fly, are custom items made per order.

Don’t delay to get yours! The holidays are right around the corner! Click the buttons below to learn more about Dave or to order your buckle now.

August 2022 Currents

Including information on Colorado water temperature concerns, our Troutfest recap, TU supported programs, , and More! You can read the August issue by clicking here.

West Denver Chapter's Fishing Day at Bartle Lakes

This past Saturday, August 6th, CTU’s West Denver Chapter held their annual fishing day at Bartle Lakes. The net proceeds help West Denver accomplish its mission of providing education for children through Trout in the Classroom programs; teaching youngsters at Windy Peak about entomology and the environment; providing at least one scholarship to the annual CTU camp; providing a fellowship to a student at CSU's Warner College of Natural Resources; bug and water sampling in various watersheds through Riverwatch and working with the state and other stakeholders to develop a long term plan for the Clear Creek watershed. Recently West Denver partnered with the City of Lakewood and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to assist with a day of fishing, education, and camping at Bear Creek State Park.

Bartle Lakes is a private 160 acres nestled away at over 10,000 feet in elevation. Located in Park County and offering 2 lakes to fish, the water holds thousands of wild brook trout, as well as trophy rainbow and brown trout. Owner Kevin Kasparek says the land has been in his family for 98 years. You can find more information about Bartle Lakes at http://www.bartlelakes.com/

19 people took part in this year’s Bartle Lakes fishing day. The weather turned out excellent, and many folks landed some of the trophy fish.

Photo: Troy Bloom

Photo: Troy Bloom

Photo: Troy Bloom

As always, volunteering makes these types of event go smoothly. Thanks to Matt Rivera for all the hard work putting this event together and Laura Beer for co-hosting. David & Cindy Dudden provided an excellent lunch for everyone. Finally, thanks to Greg Johnson from Golden River Sports for guiding from the boat!

For more information on West Denver’s chapter activities and to volunteer, please visit https://westdenvertu.org/

STREAM Keepers Event at The Nature Connection in Delta, CO

Colorado Trout Unlimited had a blast last week exploring nature with kids from The Nature Connection, a Generation Wild Community in Delta, CO! First, we caught macroinvertebrates, including over a dozen crawdads, out of the Gunnison River and Confluence Park! We learned what makes up a healthy Stream Ecosystem and found those elements during a scavenger hunt. Lastly, all the kids got a chance to catch an elusive Lawntrout and cast a line or two for some real trout as well! We are so thankful for our partners at The Nature Connection for collaborating and helping to support this event with their amazing counselors and staff!