We got flies, more flies than you can imagine. At last count we have 160 DOZEN flies to auction off. That's right 160 DOZEN!!! and we expect it to grow by the time the auction rolls around. These aren't just any flies either. These are flies tied by some of the best tiers in the State if not the COUNTRY. The quality of the flies being tied is remarkable. Just check out some of these photos.I got dibs on the midge box, they look hot Richard!!
Auction Item- William Joseph bamboo net
Auction Item- Custom Beaverbuilt Fly Rod
Beaverbuilt Fly Rods is donating a custom Backpacker Rod. This is a four piece rod that can be converted to a 4 or 5 weight depending on the fishing conditions. This rod is ideal for trips with varying water conditions.BEAVERBUILT has been building Custom Fly Rods and Pack Rods for over 25 years primarily on high end SAGE and WINSTON graphite blanks and our own line of high modulus 4th Generation IM6 graphite blanks .Each custom fly rod is carefully built with attention to detail specifically for performance and aesthetic enhancements that make every BEAVERBUILT Custom Fly Rod a step ahead of any standard factory fly rod.
Auction Item- Colorado Skies Outfitters Fishing School
We got another auction item for you guys. A certificate to attend Colorado Skies Outfitters summer fishing school. You'll spend one day in the "classroom" learning the basics of
- Casting
- Gear Selection
- Insect Identification
- Reading Water
- Places to Fish
The second day will be spent on the South Platte River for some real hands on learning with your instructor. The retail cost for this trip is $295.
Auction Item- Guided Trip with J Core
We are starting to assemble some really great gear, trips and other items for this year's auction. I thought I'd start sharing some of these items with you. The first item is a guided trip with Blue Quill Angler guide J. Core. Instead of me going on and on about how great a guide J is I thought I'd let him do some of the talking."I have been guiding for the Blue Quill Angler in Evergreen Co. for 19 years. Through those years, I have had the privilege of guiding some high profile Dignitaries and Celebrities. With those types of people comes a lot of stress. When I get them out on the water and focused in on techniques that will give them the opportunity for success, I see the satisfaction on their face and hear in their voice a big sigh, of that stress relief, witch is worth it's weight in gold!."J sent over a few pics to help us all get excited about bidding for this great auction item. Enjoy!! Keep an eye out on our website and over at our facebook page for more auction items.
Protect Our Rivers License Plate
During the upcoming 2011 legislative session, Colorado Trout Unlimited is introducing a bill to create the Protect Our Rivers license plate. The donations generated from these plates will be used to help CTU and our local chapters protect, conserve and restore Colorado’s rivers and watersheds – the money will remain local, 100% will be allocated within Colorado.To help ensure passage of the bill, we need your help to collect 3,000 signatures from Colorado residents that are interested in later purchasing the license plate. Note that signing the petition does not obligate you to purchase – at this time, you are merely expressing an interest.Once the bill is passed, to obtain the Protect Our Rivers license plate, you must make a one-time, tax-deductible donation of $25 to Colorado Trout Unlimited. The design of the license plate has not been finalized yet, but it is likely to be very similar to the sample above.To learn more about the Protect Our Rivers license plate, read theFAQ (frequently asked questions).For now, we’d really appreciate it if you’d sign our petition! And don’t forget to tell your friends!!
Our very own Sharon Lance wins Trout Unlimited's Highest Honor
Our Chapter President Sharon Lance has been awarded the highest honor from Trout Unlimited. Not only is Sharon only the Second Coloradan to ever receive the reward she is also the first woman to EVER win the award. Most of us in the Cutthroat Chapter only see a small portion of her tireless efforts to conserve coldwater fisheries. The next time you see her cruising around a chapter meeting make sure you giver her big congrats and tell her Thank You for all she has done.TU press release- Trout Unlimited has awarded its top volunteer honor to Sharon Lance, of Centennial, Colo. TU President and CEO Chris Wood presented her with the award at the organization’s annual meeting in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire this past weekend.The Ray Mortensen Award for Outstanding Volunteer Leadership is granted annually to a “one in a thousand” individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to local coldwater fisheries conservation efforts.During her 20-year involvement in TU, Lance has held numerous volunteer leadership positions, including president of the Cutthroat Chapter, located in suburban Denver. She has served as Colorado Trout Unlimited’s treasurer, vice president and president. She has, for the last five years, served as a trustee on TU’s board of trustees.Lance, President of Fortin Financial Services, Inc., and a certified financial planner, was a driving force in creating Colorado Trout Unlimited’s River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, a camp that teaches conservation and fly fishing to children ages 14 to 18. She was instrumental in bringing the Trout in the Classroom program to Colorado, an educational curriculum that teaches children about trout and conservation by having students raise trout in their classrooms. Lance also led the Cheesman Canyon Restoration Project along the South Platte River which rebuilt the Gill Trail and added river access trails to make the canyon safer and reduce erosion. Read the full list of 2010 TU Volunteer Awards here.Here's a link to another blub about Sharon's award on The Denver Post.
Frying Pan Fishing Fun - Sept 16/19
Wow, did we have fun on the Frying Pan River September 16-19!!!!!!!!!!!! This was a new chapter trip arranged by Joe Snoy through Frying Pan Anglers who own the accommodations at Taylor Creek Cabins. The participant were Kent Higgins, Bill Honeyfield, Bill Wiebesiek, Jim Ives, Duane Vandeventer, Todd Young, Jerry Shin and Joe Snoy. Fishing started slow on Thursday, but on Friday the guys "broke the code" and started catching rainbows and browns on size 22, 24, 26 emergers and dries. The fish seemed to prefer the Barr Emerver. The group concentrated on the section of the river at the bridge below Reudi Reservoir and several of the guys had 20+ fish days. Most of fish were between 8-16 inches. Four of the guys arranged float trips on the Colorado River below Glenwood Springs through the Frying Pan Anglers. The Colorado River fish were very fussy and difficult to catch, but one 21 inch 4 pound rainbow was landed. 
Keeping in tune with the TU mission, we performed a "bug collection" experiment in "the Pan" across from the cabins just to get a feel for the health of the River. The result was two stoneflies and a zillion size 50 midges/mayflies, etc. The close-in accommodations made fishing access to the river a breeze. The cabins are rustic on the outside but modern on the inside with a full kitchen, 
2 bedrooms, living room with sleeper, satellite TV, phone and outdoor gas grill. We had so much fun that Joe is thinking about making reservation for next year.
INSECTS OF CHEESMAN CANYON 2009
A report on the collection of trout forage and water quality information in the South Platte River, near Deckers Colorado. Includes lists of insects and other macroinvetebrates collected from Cheesman Canyon down to below Night Hawk hill. Also compares water quality and macroinvertebrates before and after the Hayman fire. Hit link to view SPRING 2009 MACROINVERTEBRATE REPORT
CTU comments on the Christo Project- "issues need to be addressed"
Colorado Trout Unlimited has released their comments to the BLM on the Christo "Over the River" project and have determined there are many areas of the plan that need further analysis and improvements before the project can proceed.The comments are broadly broken down into three areas: environmental impacts and risks of the project; inadequacies in the analysis within the EIS; and consistency with BLM management plans and special area designations.Environmental Impacts of the ProjectOf most concern to CTU is the (1) disturbance of land and vegetation along the river – and the associated increase in sedimentation in the river; (2) risk of fuel/chemical spills; (3) risks from catastrophic failure; and (4) the need for a “leave no trace” approach. Point number four, leave no trace, is the strongest request made by CTU. Essentially we are asking that "what goes in the ground must come out" I love that line. It's a great rally cry for the opposition to the project.Inadequacies in the EIS AnalysisThe main argument here is that the EIS fails to take into account the cumulative effect of the 9100 bore holes of the project. CTU argues that although the single impact of one bore hole may be insignificant the EIS fails to take into account the impacts of all holes combined.CTU also argues that there is little to no analysis on the impact to guides and fisherman in the area. The comments point to specific studies that show anglers prefer scenic beauty and poor fishing to excellent fishing in poor scenic areas. The later would be the case during construction of the project.Consistency with Management Plans and Special DesignationsThis section of the comments calls into question whether this project meets the directive established by the Arkansas Canyonlands ACEC. There are several major environmental impacts that will occur within the project that seem to fly in the face of the BLM regulations. These include:
"The DEIS states that Over the River would have “moderate to significant” impacts on bighorn sheep, including long-term impacts (DEIS 4-3). Raptors would face moderate to significant impacts as well (DEIS 4-19, 4-20). Peregrine falcon specifically would also face moderate to significant impacts (DEIS 4-55)."
Overall the comments from CTU ask BLM to address several improtant issues with the "Over the River" before the project is approved. Read the full version of the comments and let CTU know what you think.