Cheesman Canyon Will Need Our Help, Again

Devastating rain event in Cheesman Canyon on July 31st is just the latest traumatizing event to hit this section of the cherished South Platte River.

An updaTe from the blue quill angler

Click the link above to get Pat Dorsey’s home shop’s current take on the wash and what action they’re taking.

Volunteer and Communications Sign Up Form.

CCTU Board members Scott Tampa and Meg Renton were enjoying a day in the Cheesman Canyon section of the South Platte River with their favorite guide, long-time chapter member and supporter, Pat Dorsey. The day progressed normally until a particularly dark sky approached and caused the group to seek shelter while the storm passed. Unfortunately, this storm really packed a wallop and dropped 2.5” inches of rain in a short time. As the group watched helplessly, they saw the hillside running down beside their refuge and into the river turning its normally crystal clear water into that heavy mocha you drink in the morning. In some places, the path of the river was permanently altered due to the incredible amount of hillside that was rushed into the river. The group of anglers eventually made it safely back to the parking lot but not before observing and navigating entirely washed away sections of the Gill Trail.

As you may be aware, many of our Cutthroat Chapter members frequent this section of the South Platte River and we consider it our home waters. Because of that, Colorado Trout Unlimited has reached out to us as a de facto point of contact for what will surely be a herculean effort to repair the Gill Trail and restore the Cheesman Canyon section of the South Platte River.

If you are interested in providing manual labor at any point in this sure-to-be lengthy project, please fill out the form below and we’ll reach out for help once there is a formal plan and direction.

Volunteer and Communications Sign Up Form.

If you’re interested in reading more about the event, Nicholas Hunt wrote a quick piece in 5280 Magazine that you can read.

Remnants of the Gill Trail leading into Cheesman Canyon after the July 31 rain event

Some of the debris that the rain event of July 31 brought down into the Cheesman Canyon Section of the South Platte River

More of the debris that the rain event of July 31 flushed into the Cheesman Canyon Section of the South Platte River

The True Cast - Is It About Fishing Or Conservation?

I get asked fairly often if Trout Unlimited is a “conservation” entity, or an organization rooted in “fishing for trout.”

Because throughout my entire lifetime of fishing, writing and advocating for the environment, the most abundantly clear lesson I have learned is that you cannot have one without the other. 

Another wonderful article from Kirk Deeter about one of his most dreaded questions. Read the whole thing here:

The True Cast - Is It About Fishing Or Conservation?

Check it out and maybe we can talk about it the next time we meet.

Crystal Lake Trip Needs Volunteers - June 29th

Every year, the Cutthroat Chapter along with Project Healing Waters host a trip for disabled veterans for a day of fishing on Crystal Lake. This year’s event will take place on June 29th and our organizer and long time CCTU member, Richard Pilatzke, is requesting additional volunteers. In the past, the event has started by meeting at a carpool location (yet to be determined) at 7am, traveling to Crystal Lake and then hosting the veterans.

If you can help out in any way, please reach out to:

Richard Pilatzke via email (rhpiscator@aol.com) or phone, 303.979.8425.

Bear Creek Park on Earth Day 2023

Earth Day 2023 and 15 members of your Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CCTU) were at Bear Creek Park in Lakewood to assist in planting well over 1000 plants. The annual project started with the CCTU Board approving a $3,000 donation to the City of Lakewood to purchase plants as a part of our long term effort to partner with the city and help Bear Creek become a better river for fish and other aquatic species.

We awoke on Saturday morning, April 22nd to below freezing temperatures and snow! But, our volunteers arrived dressed for the weather and ready to work planting a variety of plants from large cottonwoods to small sedges around the lake and along Bear Creek. This year the project planted closer to the parking lot supporting the improvements the City has under contract to include a new bridge and improved trails.

By noon all the plants were in the ground and surrounded by wire fence to prevent people from walking on them as well as attempting to prevent deer, beaver and other animals from snacking. A short walk downstream to the work we have done in years past and the fruits of our labor were evident. The trees are established and this year’s leaves are starting to bud.

Despite the weather being more like winter than spring, a good time was had by all and a lot of work was done in a short amount of time. Finally, we are happy to report that no one fell into the creek!

Fueling up before we begin the day’s work.

Some of the trees that were planted.

Tools for the day

Most of the CCTU participants ready to get to work!

Receiving our instructions for all the various plantings we would complete.

Some of the work being done.

A well-deserved lunch and finally, a little sun to finish the day!

Orphan Boy Mine Cleanup with Anglers All | Colorado Gives 365

Located high in the South Platte watershed near Alma, Orphan Boy is a once-successful legacy gold mine that has become a relic of its former self. The mine site now leaches heavy metals into the downstream waters of Mosquito Creek, a tributary to the Middle Fork South Platte, damaging valuable water resources, wetlands and trout habitat.

Trout Unlimited plans to control this contamination by reclaiming the site through containment of flowing mine waters, controlling seepage and erosion, and revegetating exposed mine wastes - all while preserving the historic legacy of the site. The end result will be improved water quality and stream health, protection of downstream communities, and preservation of historical structures at the mine site.

Anglers All has generously pledged $10,000 as a matching gift to help with reclamation of this mine site in their home watershed - so your contribution will be doubled, helping us fully tap their challenge grant!

Gil Trail Footbridge Repairs Completed

Thanks to the efforts of the USFS and funds provided by the Cutthroat Chapter, the bridge spanning Wigwam Creek from the lower Gill Trail parking lot (sometimes known as the Cheesman Canyon Trailhead) has been repaired. The trailhead parking lot is now open and the bridge looks great!

In Memory of Bill Reinig

We are sad to notify the CCTU family of the passing of Bill Reinig after a long battle with Parkinson’s.  Bill, aka B3, was a long-time active member of the chapter and participated in many of the CCTU fishing trips.  Services will be held on Monday, November 14, 1pm at Cherry Hills Community Church.  Donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies in Bill’s name.

CCTU October Meeting Presentation on YouTube Channel

Had an excellent October chapter meeting last night at Cresthill Middle School.  Chris Krueger, Rocky Mountain Fly Design, gave his timely presentation on streamer fishing – “Taking the Guess Work Out of Streamer Fishing…Tips for Success”.  He delved into why trout eat streamers, when to fish streamers and went into significant detail on some of the key streamer imitated food sources.  Fly patterns, retrieves and presentation techniques, and equipment, including leader design were all covered.  It was an invaluable dive into an area that we all can grow our fly fishing skillsets.  Pick up some of his amazing streamers, check out tying videos and more at his website www.rockymountainflydesign.com.

If you missed the meeting or wanted to review any aspect of Chris’ presentation, it is now up on the CCTU YouTube site at https://youtu.be/2bJwUyp5Cbs

ALERT: Gil Trail Footbridge to be Closed 10/17-10/21

In an email to CCTU leaders, Mikele Painter, District Biologist for the US Forest Service asked that we notify the CCTU members of upcoming footbridge repair at the lower Gil Trail for the week of October 17th (through October 21st). Email included below:

Hi Scott and John,

Please let your Trout Unlimited members know that the Gill Trail Footbridge repair work will take place next week (10/17 – 10/21) and the bridge will be closed. The construction company will also be staging in the parking lot, so public parking will be severely impacted for that week. We suggest that visitors avoid the Lower Cheesman Canyon Trailhead entirely for that week.

Thanks for helping us spread the word and let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers,

Mikele Painter
“Michael” she/her

District Biologist

Forest Service

Pike National Forest

South Platte Ranger District

George Franklin and John Vevurka 2019 CCTU Raffle Trip Winners Fishing at Ouray Ranch

George Franklin finally had a chance to go on the trip he won in the 2019 CCTU Raffle.  He and John Vevurka fished Ouray Ranch with Brian Young on Thursday.  It was a beautiful fall day in the 60s in Grand County and the fishing was excellent throughout the day.  George and John brought many rainbows and browns to net across a broad variety of techniques - Euronymphing, standard nymphing, and dries.  2023 CCTU Raffle Program will open up early in the new year.  Get your ticket early.