Notes About the CTU Rendezvous in October

A few notes from the non-board part of the Rendezvous for your reading pleasure…

• Greg Hardy, CTU president was not in attendance, he is on a medical LOA.

• I spoke with Whitney from CTU and they are willing to run the raffle for us with their system. We need to craft an email to her defining exactly what we would like it to look like. For example we want to pull tickets at our picnic not at the office in Denver. I suggest Scott, Meg and Barry put together the email.

• We were introduced to Emily Olsen the new TU VP for the Rocky Mountain Region. She had a new org chart but so far I have not found a copy to share.

Conservation Leader Emily Olsen Joins Trout Unlimited as Vice President for Rocky Mountain Region.

• We learned that Mely Whiting will be retiring. For those that do not know her, she led the effort on water laws for most of the CTU/TU projects in Colorado.

• Nancy Johnson-Bramlet is available to support our grant writing efforts.

• We should be looking at culvert replacement projects in our area as money is available in the infrastructure bills.

• The Saturday luncheon speaker was Becky Mitchell, Colorado Commissioner to the Upper Colorado River Commission. She was exceptional as a speaker and an advocate for the upper basin states in the current and future discussions about Colorado River water use.

8 Questions with New Colorado River Commissioner Rebecca Mitchell

• Our CTU VP has asked our chapter if we would be willing to nominate someone to replace him. The requirements for the VP position are (1) board experience, (2) willingness to attend monthly zoom meetings, (3) consolidating the quarterly report that we send in, (4) willingness to attend the two in person board (Spring/Fall) meetings, (5) donating to CTU at the base RSC level or more and, (6) funding your own expenses for all the duties/meetings. I am not sure if we have anyone that is willing to take this on, but we should at least add it to our board structure conversations over the next few months.

• I spoke at the session on Priority Waters. Unfortunately the moderator did not control the early speakers' rambling and so I was left with only a minute to speak. One chapter speaker declined to speak since the session was way past time.  

• The annual awards banquet was well attended. Mely received a Silver Trout award. The Denver chapter received a number of awards for their work in the city. At some point, CTU will post all the awards on their website.

Notes provided by CCTU’s John Egan, Vice President and Conservation Projects Chair

GILL TRAIL BRIDGE SIGNAGE AND PROJECT COMPLETION

CCTU board member Peter King led the culminating portion of the chapter’s Gill Trail Bridge project. On Thursday 10/17, the full signage was erected by CCTU members and Forest Service employees, marking the end of an excellent project that will have solid long-term impact on the area. The Gill Trail is the primary byway for fly fishers seeking to fish the legendary Cheesman Canyon. Access to the trail involves crossing Wigwam Creek, and the bridge was in serious need of repair. In June 2019, volunteers from CCTU joined forces with US Forest Service employees to take down the old bridge and rebuild it. The Chapter also donated the lumber for the reconstruction and designed and paid for the commemorative sign. This was a great collaborative effort that was very much appreciated by the Forest Service.

AUGUST PICNIC AND 2019 RAFFLE WINNERS

CCTU had a great annual picnic last Tuesday.  Jonathan Walter and his team from Clear Creek Casting did a fanastic job with the casting demo and individual tune-ups.  Thanks to John Cristantiello for all the food, David Coward for the grills, and for Ray, Ken and Stephanie doing the cooking.  Allen announced all 40 of the 2019 Raffle Prize Winners and we handed out the prizes to those that made it to the picnic.  Deb Holmberg won the highly coveted Scott Tampa custom bamboo rod, and her shriek of surprise and joy when she heard her name announced was priceless.  While no one wanted to hear John Aaron’s name called again, given how many tickets he purchased, everyone was happy he pocketed a number of prizes.  We ended up with 144 tickets sold, and with no real costs due to all the donations, netted approx.. $14k for the raffle.  Thanks to all that helped volunteer at the event, thanks to everyone that brought food to pass (we had tons and it was wonderful) and thanks to all the 2019 Raffle Prize donors.  Can’t for next year’s program and picnic.

TRIPS & LESSONS                                                                                                 WINNER

Cast & Blast for 2 with Rudy Schreider—private fishing/hunting lease……Barry Wiebe

Dunoir Fishing Adventures, Wyoming—Guided Float Trip for 2, 2020 season……John Aaron

Pat Dorsey Guided Fly Fishing Trip for 2—guides choice water, 2020 season……Gary Deguero

Sunrise Anglers Guided Float Trip for 2—Thomas Schneider……John Aaron

Brian Young Guided Fly Fishing Trip for 2—private water……George Franklin

Guided Turkey Hunt for 2 with Rudy Schreider—private lease……..John Burke

Sunrise Anglers Guided Cutthroat Fly Fishing Trip for 2 with Brian Young……Ray Nagashima

GEAR Colorado Guided Tenkara Fly Fishing Trip for 2 with Graham Moran……Rich Benn

Wyoming Anglers North Platte Guided Float Trip for 2 with Tyler Soulek……Richard Wheeler

Colorado River Float Trip for 2 with Lunch—Matt Moskal……Peter King

The Bluffs at Valhalla 1/2 Day Pheasant Hunt for 2……Wayne Peterson

Bass Fishing Trip for 2 on private water with Pilatzke/Schreider +4 doz flies……John Aaron

Colorado River Float Trip for 2 with Lunch—David Densmore……Barry Wiebe

Florissant Ponds Fishing Trip for 2 with Pilatzke/Schreider +4 doz flies……Jim Klug

Fishing Trip for 2 to Rainbow Falls Mountain Trout with Greg Ledges……Linda Mills

Fishing Trip for 2 to Rainbow Falls Mountain Trout with Keith Simpson……Jerry Arni

Clear Creek Casting 3 Hr Fly Casting Lesson for 2 with Jonathan Walter……John Aaron

EQUIPMENT AND FLY ASSORTMENTS

Custom Bamboo Fly Rod—Scott Tampa design and build……Debbie Holmberg

Orvis Clearwater Euronymphing Outfit—10ft 3wt rod, Tactical Line, Reel….Nathan Bennett

Custom 9ft 5wt Fly Rod from Dan’s Fly Shop—with Clearwater II Reel and Line……Neil Corvino

Tenkara Outfit, Region Fishing—Rod, 3 lines, 3 spools, Nippers, 24 Flies, Box..Richard Wheeler

Fishpond Nomad 37” Net (Colorado Edit), Lanyard and Smith Creek Holster……Jim Morris

Colorado River Dries & Emergers Box, 6 dozen—tied by John Vevurka……Jason Hearle

River Road Creations Tying Basket—foam, cutters, wings, tying book, more…Ryan Rotramel

Colorado Terrestrial Fly Box, 6 dozen—tied by Richard Pilatzke……Mac Ishii

Colorado Fly Selection 10 doz midges/1 dozen streamers—tied by Greg Ledges……Allen Adinoff

Rocky Mountain Fly Design Streamer Box, 2 dozen streamers……Duane Vandeventer

South Platte Favorites Box, 5 dozen—tied by Richard Pilatzke……David Baker

Stillwater Chironomids (3 dozen) and Mice (1 dozen) Box—by Richard Pilatzke……John Aaron

Tiny Colorado Midge Box, 8 dozen—tied by Jerry Shin……Stephanie Young

Colorado Streamer Box, 6 dozen—tied by Bud McAlister……Darrell Kleeman

ARTWORK, FOOD & DRINK

Dave Whitlock S&N Framed Print……..Ken Hunter

Dave Whitelock S&N Framed Print……..Jim Mills

Full Dress Salmon Fly—tied by Scott Stisser……..Bob Beitscher

“Autumn on the Truckee” S&N (132/500) Framed Print by Fred Boyce……..Marty Buys

Rainbow Trout S&N (4/10) Framed Print by Tim England……..Tim Priser

Red Rainbow Giclee Print on Aluminum by Richard Pilatzke……..Rich Hus

Framed Photograph by Brian Kuchynka……..CJ Allen

Yeti Cooler and Rambler Tumblers……..Steve Stulock

2 Bottles Rare Wine—2000 Chateau Troplong Mondot, 2010 Janzen Napa Cabernet...Tom Corr

CCTU Annual Fundraising Program - Raffle Tickets On Sale Starting Tuesday 4/16!

This year CCTU’s annual Fundraising efforts will be focused on our biggest Raffle program ever.  We aren’t having the Fundraising Party this year (with Fly Auctions, Silent Auctions), so the Raffle program is your main opportunity to support chapter projects and have an excellent chance to win a prize from our greatest list of donated items yet.

We have 40 prizes this year, making it our biggest raffle ever.  These donated items range from 17 different guided float, fishing trips and lessons, 5 great equipment packages including a Scott Tampa bamboo rod, 9 fly box prizes filled with over 50 dozen flies, 7 framed prints or photography, and 2 restaurant or wine oriented prizes.  Check out the full list on the CCTU website this week.  Each raffle ticket is $100, and you can win more than once with multiple tickets.  Entries are limited to 150, and with 40 great prizes, the odds of winning are the best CCTU has ever offered.  Tickets go on sale at this Tuesday’s meeting (4/16) and will be on sale into August…winners announced at the August 20 annual picnic (don’t need to be present to win).  You can purchase tickets at the meeting with cash, check or credit.  If you can't make the meeting please email Allen Adinoff (aadinoff10@gmail.com) or Stephanie Young (syoung50@comcast.net) to arrange completion of the purchase by phone.

Don’t delay, as tickets will go fast!

All proceeds will go toward chapter conservation programs and other initiatives, including the CSU Steve Bailey scholarship, Greenback Reintroduction program, South Platte River Watch and Bug Analysis programs, the Clear Creek Clean-up Project, several joint CCTU/Coalition for the Upper South Platte rehabilitation and clean-up programs, and multiple projects focused on Lower Bear Creek.  These programs would not exist without your generous support of these fundraising efforts.

FULL LIST OF RAFFLE PRIZES

PRIZE RETAIL $ GUIDED TRIPS & LESSONS 1. Dunoir Fishing Adventures, Wyoming – Guided Float Trip for 2, 2020 season $475 2. Cast & Blast for 2 with Rudy Schreider – private fishing/hunting lease $750 3. Pat Dorsey Guided Fly Fishing Trip for 2 – guides choice water, 2020 season $495 4. Sunrise Anglers Guided Fly Fishing Trip for 2 – Thomas Schneider $550 5. Brian Young Guided Fly Fishing Trip for 2 – private water $575 6. Guided Turkey Hunt for 2 with Rudy Schreider $450 7. Sunrise Anglers Guided Fly Fishing Trip for 2..Cutthroat Trip with Brian Young $350 8. GEAR Colorado Fly Fishing Guided Tenkara Fly Fishing Trip for 2 with Graham Moran $400 9. Wyoming Anglers North Platte River Guided Float Trip for 2 with Tyler Soulek $500 10. Colorado River Float Trip for 2 with Lunch – with Matt Moskal $400 11. The Bluffs at Valhalla ½ Day Pheasant Hunt for 2 – sponsored by Allen Adinoff $900 12. Bass Fishing Trip for 2 on private water with Richard Pilatzke and Rudy Schreider, + 4 dozen flies $700 13. Colorado River Float Trip for 2 with Lunch – with David Densmore $400 14. Fishing Trip for 2 at Florissant Ponds with Richard Pilatzke and Rudy Schreider, + 4 dozen flies $700 15. Fishing Trip for 2 at Rainbow Falls Mountain Trout with Greg Ledges $400 16. Fishing Trip for 2 at Rainbow Falls Mountain Trout with Keith Simpson $400 17. Clear Creek Casting 3 hour Fly Casting Lesson for 2 people with Jonathan Walter $280 EQUIPMENT 18. Custom Bamboo Fly Rod designed and built by Scott Tampa $1,000 19. Orvis Clearwater Euronymphing Outfit – 10ft 3wt rod, Tactical Fly Line, Sighter Material $360 20. Custom 9ft 5wt Fly Rod from Dan’s Fly Shop, with Clearwater II Reel and line $315 21. Tenkara Outfit from Region Fishing - Rod, 3 lines, 3 spools, Nippers, Hemostats, 24 flies in Fly Box $200 22. Fishpond Nomad Mid-length Net, Colorado Edition, Net Release Lanyard and Smith Creek Holster $265 FLIES (IN BOXES) 23. Colorado River Dries & Emergers Box, 6 dozen – tied by John Vevurka $215 24. River Road Creations Tying Basket – foam, foam cutters, wing materials, tying book $250 25. Colorado Terrestrial Fly Box, 6 dozen – tied by Richard Pilatzke $180 26. Colorado Fly Selection 10 dozen midges/1 dozen streamers – tied by Greg Ledges $350 27. Rock Mountain Fly Design Streamer Box, 2 dozen streamers – tied by Chris Krueger $150 28. South Platte Favorites Box, 5 dozen – tied by Richard Pilatzke $150 29. Stillwater Chironomids (3 dozen) and Mice (1 dozen) Box – tied by Richard Pilatzke $120 30. Tiny Colorado Midge Box, 8 dozen – tied by Jerry Shin $280 31. Colorado Streamer Box, 6 dozen – tied by Bud McAlister $215 ARTWORK 32. Dave Whitlock Signed & Numbered Framed Print $250 33. Dave Whitlock Signed & Numbered Framed Print $250 34. Full Dress Framed Salmon Fly – tied by Scott Stisser $175 35. “Autumn on the Truckee” Signed & Numbered (132/500) Framed Print by Fred Boyce $250 36. Rainbow Trout Signed & Numbered (4/10) Framed Print by Tim England $150 37. Red Rainbow Giclee Print on Aluminum by Richard Pilatzke $100 38. Framed Photograph by Brian Kuchynka $200 FOOD & DRINK $200 Gift Certificate to White Chocolate Grill (Park Meadows) – donated by Kellen Sullivan $200 2 Bottles of Rare Fine Wine – donated by Ray Nagashima $485

San Juan Chapter Trip Review

This year's Cutthroat Chapter trip to the San Juan River in northwest New Mexico was one of the most successful in the last few years.  Everyone caught fish and some very large.  On two of the three days, the weather was bright and sunny.  The fishing on these days was solid.  Most of the fish caught were on a variety of small midges and baetis nymphs.  The last day was cloudy and the conditions were excellent for a day of dry fly fishing.  It was a great experience and a fun trip for everyone on one of the great waters of the west.  Everyone looks forward to next years trip…sign up early as it filled up very fast!

CCTU and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing – Denver Trip to Crystal Lake

On Thursday, June 27, CCTU and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing – Denver had another great trip to Crystal Lake outside Leadville.  Eleven vets joined the group and had a great day on the water with the team.  Thanks to Richard Pilatzke and Jim Cowell for organizing as they always do, John Cristantiello for a delicious lunch, and all the CCTU and PHWFF members that attended the event.  All the vets caught fish and it was a great time getting to know them on a beautiful day in a fantastic setting.  Damsels, Quigley Cripples, and Squirmies were all working well.  Everyone looks forward to doing it again next year.

Brian YoungVice President - Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited

CCTU and Greenback Reintroduction Project

On June 25, George Franklin, Bill Wiebesiek and Greg Ledges helped out on a Greenback reintroduction project up near Rock Creek.  CCTU donated funds for design of a fish barrier on Rock Creek and CCTU members have worked CTU projects up there as well.  This latest project was on adjacent Black Canyon Creek, which flows into Rock Creek and is part of that same project.  We notched beaver dams and drained beaver ponds in preparation for treatment of the creek to remove brookies and browns.  Check out the full article at the CTU website https://coloradotu.org/blog/2018/6/p7g37e3emjwgv7w6nlwjpdam9olio6

Bighorn Trip Recap

On May 14, fourteen CCTU members descended on Ft. Smith, Montana.  Their destination was the triple wide trailer complex affectionately known as “The Condo”.  Their goal was to erase the disappointment of last year when the normal 2200 cfs spring time flow of the Bighorn River was eclipsed by flows over 14,000 cfs.  Last year made this annual Cutthroat Chapter pilgrimage too dangerous for even the most experienced river guides, let alone manageable by serious amateur rowers from our chapter.  This year the snow pack was still 260% above normal in that drainage, but a different flow management philosophy made the river about half of last year’s volume.  The Cutthroat anglers decided it was worth a try and that triple typical spring time flows might still be manageable. The daytime highs were in the low eighties the first three days making it a very pleasant time to be on the water, but the fish weren’t buying it and the catch rate was less than optimal. The higher flows made it difficult to approach the usually wade-accessible spots, and the fish normally confined to those holes had the freedom of movement to spread out thinly across the swollen river.  Fortunately on the fourth day a cold front moved in and drizzle and cold brought the blue winged olives out to play.Swallows filled the air over the water like clouds of locust, and the productive Isle of Rich brought some love into the lonely nets of those anglers.  It was a good way to end a trip that was filled with lots of joking and camaraderie, if not filled with more than a handful of big fish stories as well as few stories of the ones that got away.

NEW MEETING LOCATION! Starting January 16th

IMPORTANT REMINDER…WE HAVE CHANGED OUR MEETING LOCATION…STARTING WITH TUESDAY’S (JAN 16) MEETING

The South Metro Denver Realtor Assoc Building has been sold, and the new owners are not interested in leasing it out going forward…and cancelled our lease about a month ago.  We looked at many different locations in the Highlands Ranch/Littleton area and came up with Cresthill Middle School as being the best option from all standpoints.  Cresthill Middle School is located one block north of Highlands Ranch High School, right off University, in Highlands Ranch.  The address is 9195 Cresthill Lane, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130.  The location has ample parking and a great grass areas for casting demos and other activities.  We will be meeting in the library, on the south end of the parking lot.  We will utilize a large, open plan conference room, and some excellent audio visual equipment.  Although not a key goal of our new meeting location selection, we are excited that this venue will cost about half of what we paid at the old location.

Directions from C-470 and University Blvd – Head south east on University Blvd.  Travel through the intersection of University/Highlands Ranch Pkwy/Colorado Blvd for a total of 2.4 miles to Cresthill Lane.  Turn left on Cresthill Lane.  Drive past Highlands Ranch High School and you will reach Cresthill Middle School in 0.4 miles, on the left side of Cresthill Lane.  Click on the attached Google Maps link for more details https://goo.gl/maps/FVbNmtxo76J2.

Directions for I-25 and Lincoln Ave – Head west on Lincoln Ave for 2.4 miles.  Lincoln Ave turns into S University Blvd at Quebec Street.  Travel 1.0 miles and make right on Cresthill Lane.  Drive past Highlands Ranch High School and you will reach Cresthill Middle School in 0.4 miles, on the left side of Cresthill Lane.  Click on the attached Google Maps link for more details https://goo.gl/maps/kVNJkfHaNVn

The International Sportsmen's Expo (ISE) - Thursday, Jan 11 - Sunday, Jan 14

Stop by the annual ISE show at the Colorado Convention Center starting Thursday, January 11^th.  Tickets can be purchased at https://www.axs.com/events/345044/international-sportsmen-s-expo-tickets?skin=ccc.  Catch shows by CCTU members Pat Dorsey and Richard Pilatzke…all located at the Fly Fishing Theater.

Thursday – Jan 11

       4:30 - Pat Dorsey “Fly Fishing Western Tailwaters”

       6:30 - Richard Pilatzke “Stillwater Fly Fishing”

Friday - Jan 12

       2:30 - Richard Pilatzke “Stillwater Fly Fishing”

       3:30 – Pat Dorsey “Tips to Catch More Trout”

Saturday – Jan 13

       1:30 – Pat Dorsey “The Secret Season: Winter Fly Fishing”

Sunday - Jan 14

       2:30 – Pat Dorsey “Colorado’s Best Trout Streams”