Our Project at Happy Meadows marks the end of our Conservation Projects for this year. The 11 volunteers deserve a hearty thank you since this was one of the more difficult work days of the year. Despite the frozen ground, they persevered and succeeded in leveling and preparing the ground, disturbed by heavy equipment used for bank stabilization, for planting with Riparian seed custom mixed for the South Platte drainage. Several hundred native willow shoots were harvested and planted strategically to prevent erosion.After the work was completer there was time to fish the Happy Meadows area. All who fished caught fish!
Our conservation for 2012 work focused on the restoration of the Upper South Platte River drainage system damaged by the Hayman fire.This year, in addition to our monthly River Watch and Quarterly Temperature Monitoring in the South Platte we completed 4 Restoration Projects, 1 Fish Rescue , 2 River Clean Up Projects,Over 6000 Willow shoots and 160 Ponderosa Pines were planted along Trail Creek, West Creek and the South Platte River.18 miles of stream banks were cleaned up along the South Platte near Deckers and along Clear Creek at Idaho Springs.To accomplish this, 86 hard working Volunteers contributed over 1400 hours of their valuable time.Thank you Volunteers, the work you do is import and and much appreciated!I would like to acknowledge and send a special thanks to the following individuals who assisted me during the year.Jim Rasmussen, my mentor and back up who also leads the temperature monitoring project, andBill Honeyfield who heads up River Watch,Ray Carney who leads the Clear Creek Clean Up every year. Be sure to attend the Conservtion Auction on November 13th. at the Highlands Ranch Mansion. Volunteers, remember we will have a Conservation Awards raffle, your earned your raffle tickets, come collect them and see if you will win a nice prize.This year you could win: A full day fishing raft trip down the Colorado River donated by Ray Carney , a box of super flies tied and donated by Richard Pilatzke, Orvis rod case, Orvis fly line or Orvis fully equiped lanyard. Hope to see you there and thank you again for your hard work this year.Jim Klug
2012 Annual Conservation Auction
The Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CCTU) is holding its annual Conservation Auction on November 13, 2012 (6-9 pm). This year’s Auction will be held at the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion in—you guessed it—Highlands Ranch (9900 S. Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130).The HR Mansion has some interesting and colorful history and architecture. After you’ve walked through the Mansion, settle in for some good food, drink and conversation with your friends!As is CCTU’s custom, the evening will include a Silent and Live Auction. Auction items include fly fishing equipment, guided fishing trips, sports memorabilia and outdoor themed art work. Special Auction offerings this year include:
Bamboo Rod: Renowned rod makers Sweetgrass Rods (Twin Bridges, MT) have generously donated a 7’9” hex 4 wt bamboo rod (2 piece w/ extra tip). All Sweetgrass Rods are hollow built using a special “fluting” process that lightens the rod and gives it the “sweet” action as the name implies. This Sweetgrass series of rod has a retail value of $2000 and would take approximately 1 year to order. CCTU’s Auction represents a unique opportunity to acquire a Sweetgrass classic. Get more details here.Trophy Brook/Lake Trout Fishing (Labrador, Canada). Three Rivers Lodge is offering a special fly fishing trip for 2 anglers to chase trophy brook trout and lake trout in Labrador during mid-August to September 1, 2013. The trip includes 7 days of fishing and includes lodging, food and guides. Make some memories and come buy this trip at the Auction!Broncos Memorabilia. This year’s Auction includes a fully framed Broncos jersey signed by #7, John Elway, along with a Broncos helmet signed by Denver’s newest favorite son, Peyton Manning.
The Auction will also feature valuable door prizes including: a brand new 4 wt rod (donated by Clear Creek Outdoors) plus a new Ross reel and Rio 4WF line (total retail value in excess of $400; a Simms Dry Hip/Chest pack (retail value $110); and a surprise or two.Please come to the Auction and show your support for CCTU’s ongoing conservation, youth education, scholarship and community education programs! Advance tickets are $15. Tickets sold at the door are $20. For advance tickets please contact Gary Wiehrauch, 303.349.5461 (gsweihrauch@comcast.net) or Cam Chandler, 303.956.5140 (camntraci@comcast.net).
Special Donation for Bid at CCTU Auction
Sweetgrass Rods has been kind enough to donate a 7’9” hex 4 wt bamboo rod to the Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited for their annual Conservation Auction. The “Boo Boys” as the owners of Sweetgrass Rods are called, are masters at the craft of building bamboo fly rods of the finest quality. Headed by Glenn Brackett, who was a former owner of Winston Fly Rods is the leader of Sweetgrass Rods, along with longtime Winston bamboo fly rod master craftsman Jerry Kustich. All Sweetgrass Rods are hollow built, which is a process that former Winston owner Lew Stoner and E.C. Powells patented in the early 1900’s. In the 30’s Lew Stoner patented a revolutionary hollowing process called “fluting”, which is the same process used today by Sweetgrass Rods. By hollowing the rod, it not only make the rod much lighter, but the action is “sweet” as the name implies. The Sweetgrass series of their rods sell for $2000 today. It is a 2 piece rod with and extra tip and takes approximately a year to complete after ordering.For those familiar to the wonderful casting qualities of a fine bamboo rod, this classic rod will not disappoint. Bamboo rods with this type of craftsmanship allow the angler to feel every aspect of the cast and after you hook a fish, the subsequent fight is just as special. The softer tip on a bamboo rod assists the angler in loosing less fish with break offs, as the tip tends to give much more than traditional graphite rods, especially the faster rods of today. The Sweetgrass Rods are made to not only last a lifetime, but to be passed on to future generations of family. Rods of this quality tend to only go up in value over time. Some rods that Glenn built at Winston are collector items today and sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than when they were purchased new. You can be sure that his rods at Sweetgrass will be just as cherished for generations to come.
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
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 27th, 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 29th, 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