2012 Conservation Auction Flyer & Map

Attached is a copy of the 2012 Conservation Auction flyer (including a map).Click Here for  the CCTU Auction and Map

October 2012 CCTU Newsletter

Tu News 2012_10

October Meeting Features South Platte Guide Duane Redford

Duane's presentation will discuss how to systematically approach a fickle tailwater that receives a large amount of angling and recreational pressures, has a very diverse insect population, and has substantial fluctuations in flows and water temperatures.  The presentation will also delve into the latent effects of the Hayman burn that occurred nearly ten years ago, including how the river is improving, suffering, and changing.More About DuaneDuane Redford, a professional fly fishing guide, spends the majority of his days guiding on the South Platte River below Deckers, Colorado.  That stretch of the river can be difficult to guide because of the constant changes in river conditions. The conditions range from high angling and recreation pressure to undesirable water clarity due to the erosion of a few feeder creeks.Since the Hayman Fire nearly ten years ago, the South Platte River has battled several obstacles in its recovery.  One large obstacle to recovery has been the persistent erosion of Horse Creek into the South Platte.  Duane is very passionate about the health of the river, and has prepared a presentation to help bring this issue forward.When he’s not guiding, Duane spends his time teaching fly fishing classes, and recently published his first book on fly fishing.  When he’s not teaching, writing or guiding, you’ll find him on the river.To order Duane’s book visit www.FlyfishersPlaybook.com .For guide services or other information feel free to email Duane at lonearcherguideservice@yahoo.com.Also, you can hear an archived nationwide broadcast at www.askaboutflyfishing.comFollow his blog at: www.flyfishersplaybook.wordpress.com

Final Conservation Project for 2102, South Platte River Restoration at Happy Meadows

                                         South Platte River Restoration, 2012

Please join us.......this is our last conservation project for 2012 and your last chance to earn another raffle ticket for the Conservation Volunteer Recognition Awards Raffle to be held at our Conservation Auction on November 13, 2012.  We have five great prizes including a full day rafting trip on the Colorado River donated and guided by Ray Carney, a box of custom killer flies tied and donated by Richard Pilatzke and a selection of must have ORVIS fishing gear!Carpooling will be available from the Park and Ride lot at Dad Clark and University Avenue (Just off 470) in Highlands Ranch.  We plan to leave at 8:00 am sharp, plan to be at the lot by 7:45 am.   Please contact Jim Klug at 303-953-8046 or jjklug1@comcast.net to sign up and arrange carpooling.  This is a joint effort with the Coalition for the Upper South Platte.  We would like a good turnout for this effort to finish the year with another successful project.  Details are outlined below.

The fishing has been good at Happy Meadows and the work completes at 2:00 pn leaving time to cast for your favorite species of Trout!

 Workday: Saturday, October 27^th, 2012Project Location:  Happy Meadows, directions belowProject Times: 10:00 am to 2:00 pmVolunteers Needed: 25  Workday Description:  Following major in stream restoration, we will be raking and seeding disturbed areas of reconstruction.  Depending on the progression of work, the project may also include transplanting native vegetation, sedges and/or willows along the river’s edge.   Important Notes:CUSP will provide materials and necessary tools to complete project work. A USFS outhouse is available nearby.Events may be canceled or rescheduled due to bad weather, which could create hazardous conditions for volunteers and staff.  Staff will monitor weather and notify you of any changes in a timely fashion. Mandatory Requirements of Volunteers: All volunteers must complete and submit:  a CUSP liability release form, CCTU liability release form and volunteer sign-up sheet (for the group).   Please Bring:Any applicable medicines (including epi-pen and inhalers, if needed)Sun block and sun glasses (or safety glasses)Layered clothing appropriate for outdoor workWaders – if you have themA container for water, the use of reusable containers is encouraged, refills will be providedWork glovesLunch Directions to Happy Meadows from Hwy 24 (from the east): Take Hwy 24 west through Lake George About one mile west of Lake George, turn right on county rd. 77 (towards Tarryall Reservoir)Turn right at CR 112, (appx. 1.4 mile), then turn right at the T Meet at the first large pullout, before Happy Meadows campground – signs will mark the site 

Coalition for the Upper South Platte

Post Office Box 726

Lake George, Colorado 80827

719.748.0033

CCTU Annual Conservation Auction

CCTU's 2012 Conservation Auction will be held on November 13, 2012 at the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion.  The fun begins at 6 pm and should wind down around 9 pm.  In addition to our silent and live Auction, we'll have door prizes, catered food, a cash bar and a surprise or two.  Advance tickets are $15; tickets at the door are $20.  More information to follow.  We hope to see you (and a friend or two) at this year's Conservation Auction to support the mission of Trout Unlimted.If you have any questions, please contact this year's Auction Chairman, Cam Chandler (303.956.5140).Click Here for  the CCTU Auction and Map

Clear Creek Clean Up Thank You!

On September 8, 2012, the Cutthroat Chapter and the Cherry Creek anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited co-sponsored our annual Clear Creek Clean Up in Idaho Springs.  Ray Carney and I send a hearty THANK YOU to the 28 hard working volunteers who spent their Saturday morning removing trash from along 10 miles of Clear Creek stream side.  A special thanks to Ray Carney for all his time and effort in organizing this important conservation event.   Ray claims he cannot remember how many times he has lead this endeavor.Coffee and doughnuts were provided to get the morning started on the right foot.   After the work was finished, Pizza lunch was enjoyed as was a raffle of gifts provided by both chapters and local merchants.  Clear Creek County provided safety vests, the giant orange trash bags and roadside trash pickup.Gift certificates were donated by Colorado Skies Outfitters in Parker, Clear Creek Outdoors in Idaho Springs, Mile High rafting in Idaho Springs and Beau Jo’s Pizza also in Idaho Springs.   The local Starbucks provided the coffee and fixens and Beau Jo’s provided the Pizza at a generous discount.  Clear Creek Outdoors also supported the raffle with a new fly rod!  When you are in the area, please stop by these merchants and let them know you appreciate what they do to make this event a success.This annual event and Ray is already planning for 2013! 

National Public Lands Day, South Platte River Restoration at Happy Meadows

The Coalition for the Upper South Platte is sponsering a restoration project at Happy Meadows on Saturday, September 29th., National Public Lands Day.  Our Chapter is not officially participating in this project, however if you can help out, please register on line or contact Lisa Patton at 719-748-0033.  Details to follow...........  Thank you, Jim KlugWorkday: Saturday, September 29^th, 2011Project Location:  Happy Meadows, directions belowTimes: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, with a lunch break around noonVolunteers Needed: up to 40 Workday Description:  Following major in stream restoration, we will be raking and seeding disturbed areas of reconstruction.  Depending on the progression of work, the project may also include transplanting native vegetation, sedges and/or willows along the river’s edge.Important Notes:CUSP will provide materials and necessary tools to complete project work.

• A USFS outhouse is available nearby.
• Please register at: http://www.uppersouthplatte.org/Volunteer/

Mandatory Requirements of Volunteers:  All volunteers must complete and submit:  a CUSP liability release form for each volunteer and volunteer sign-up sheet (for the group).Please Bring: Any applicable medicines (including epi-pen and inhalers, if needed)SunscreenSun glasses or safety glassesLayered clothing appropriate for outdoor workA container for water, the use of reusable containers is encouragedA sack lunchWeather:Events may be canceled or rescheduled due to bad weather, which could create hazardous conditions for volunteers and staff.  Staff will monitor weather and notify you of any changes on the volunteer link at the CUSP website. Directions to Happy Meadows from Hwy 24 (from the east): Take Hwy 24 west through Lake George About one mile west of Lake George, turn right on county rd. 77 (towards Tarryall Reservoir)Turn right at CR 112, (appx. 1.4 mile)At the T and turn rightMeet at the large pullout, appx. ½ mile past Happy Meadows campground – signs will mark the site 

Coalition for the Upper South Platte

Post Office Box 726

Lake George, Colorado 80827

West Creek Restoration Project Successfully Completed!

Trout Unlimited and Coalition for the Upper South Platte West Creek Restoration Project Successfully Completed!On September 25, 2102, a group of 16 energetic volunteers from the Cutthroat Chapter and the Coalition for the Upper South Platte added the finishing restoration touches to a reconstructed stretch of West Creek.  I just six hours time, approximately 1500 willow shoots were planted along the stream edges.  What makes this amazing is that the group locally harvested native willow branches and prepared them for planting by stripping the leaves and cutting them into 24 inch long willow shoots.  This is a proven process as shoots planted a month ago are already sprouting new growth.         Thanks to all the volunteers for a great days work and thanks to CUSP for providing direction and equipment to get the job done. This work supports recent major river restoration in the Trail Creek corridor, greatly impacted from the Hayman burn, which includes: stream channel narrowing, and placement of natural materials such as burned trees and boulders (in stream structures) to raise the height of creeks and stabilize steep eroded banks. Efforts will re-create more natural flows and fight erosion, benefiting downstream fisheries and water supplies from sedimentation. 

September Meeting Features Jeff Spohn of CO Parks and Wildlife

Jeff Spohn is Colorado Parks and Wildlife's aquatic biologist for the Upper South Platte River Basin. The Upper South Platte River is the Cutthroat Chapter’s “home waters”.  Jeff knows more about this section of the state than anyone you’re likely to meet. Jeff will spend the first part of his presentation discussing the biology, management, and current issues with the fishery in the Spinney, Cheesman and Deckers areas after which he will take questions and topics from the floor.Jeff graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Limnology & Fisheries and a second degree in Aquatic Biology.Don’t miss this chance to hear him talk about what’s going on in our own “backyard”. Surely, he'll mistakenly reveal some hot spots you haven't heard of yet!Additionally, CSU PhD Student Adam Schwindt on Effects of Human Birth Control on Fish PopulationsAdam completed his undergraduate studies in Biology at the University of Colorado conducting research on the disruption of the stress response in brown trout subjected to metal pollution. He then completed his Masters in Fisheries Science at Oregon State University with research focused on stress induced gene expression in the brain of juvenile Steelhead trout. Following this, Adam served as a project leader in the Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Project, a multi-disciplinary study investigating the deposition and effects of airborne contaminants in sub-alpine and Arctic aquatic ecosystems in western US national parks. He is currently working on his PhD in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University as well as serving as an independent contractor for the US EPA.”Really looking forward to the meeting…  I also appreciate the funding assistance from the Cutthroat TU chapter it's been instrumental to my work.”

Annual Clear Creek Cleanup - September 8th

The Cutthroat Chapter, in conjunction with the Cherry Creek Chapter will be conducting a stream cleanup along Clear Creek Saturday, September 8th. We have been doing this for several years and it has yielded very worthwhile results and community appreciation. It is almost unbelievable the things we pull from the banks and the stream itself. Our efforts really do make a difference as the stream is in a high traffic area vulnerable to lots of trash pollution.We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at Courtney-Ryley-Cooper Park @ 2331 Colorado Ave. in Idaho Springs. Have a doughnut (or two!) along with coffee (provided by the local Starbuck's) and get our stream section assignments. We'll then work for two or three hours and have lunch provided by the Chapter.Here's a follow up post from last year's event that appeared on the Cutthroat website so you can read about what they accomplished and the fun they had doing it.After lunch, plan to spend a few hours fishing or hiking in the area.Courtney-Ryley-Cooper Park is easy to find, just take the first exit into Idaho Springs from I-70. Follow the street-Colorado Ave. - to the park.Please plan to support this rewarding conservation/fishing event, sign up by calling Ray Carney at (303) 972-2976 or calling Jim Klug at (303) 953-8046.