Trout in the Classroom Makes a Splash in the Blue River

If you're not familiar with our Trout in the Classroom program, it's a program that provides the resources to a willing teacher to raise a tank full of trout. Well, last week there was a great success story out of Summit High School in Dillon, CO where they finally passed the required tests and received approval to release their trout into the Blue River. Read the article in the Summit Daily News about the Trout in the Classroom program's recent release into the Blue River where our very own Sharon Lance was in attendance.Summit High students the first class in Colorado to release trout into a Class A watershed

Dream Stream Seeding Effort Success

My wife dropped me off at the Dad Clark Park N Ride at Oh Dark 15. After a few sips of my fufu coffee, I realized that as the sky was turning azure, there was not a single cloud to be seen, no breeze, and all indications were for a perfect day. Another truck was waiting, then Jim's Banana Cruiser came along with a small parade of pickups. Fishermen love their trucks.Lists were checked, Release Forms signed, and we all saddled up for the Dream Stream. The trip went quickly and the scenery just kept smiling back - including Cow Rock.The group totaled about 25. The Ranger briefed us on the project, we picked up a rake and bucket and hiked downstream for what seemed like a mile - stealing ganders at the stream and occasionally seeing fish. The Ranger drove the ATV with the precious cargo: $2500 worth of prairie seed.We worked our way back to the parking lot just in time to share a great meal put together by Jim Klug. Jason Agin handed out the new CCTU Conservation T-Shirts. Beautiful green with the CCTU logo on the front and a modified (improved) NTU logo on the back. It has purple!Everyone was well-fed. Even the cows were escaping through the fence to see what we were up to. Sub sandwiches, condiments, fruit, chips, cookies, and drinks. Plenty for seconds. No grumbling in this crowd. Plenty of photo ops.A Ranger with a horse showed up to patrol the area and another ranger showed up wondering why we had a crowd of people and asked if we were all there to fish. Not often you see 25 people show up together to go fishing. She was excited to hear about our project, but still checked our fishing licenses. Actually, word was out that we had food.Sadly, some left to go home but most donned waders to stalk the stream for large trout. Results were mixed. Some caught a couple small rainbows. We saw a few people catch 24 inch fish, and most watched fish tease, but not take a fly. The rainbows had already spawned and the water level was low. Still it was a beautiful day shared by wonderful folks helping preserve a true Coloradan legacy.Y'all join us! Your name goes in to the raffle bucket for each project you help with. The prizes are pretty grand, but the bragging rights for the accomplishments are better when you return to each site to go fishing with your friends and family.

Springer Gulch, 11-Mile Canyon Erosion Control Project with CUSP, June 15, 2013

Work Date: Saturday, June 15^th, 2013

Project Location: above the South Platte at the Springer Fire Burn Area

Project Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a lunch break around noon

Volunteers needed: up to 40

Project Meeting Location: CUSP Office, 38000 Cherokee, Lake George, Colorado, 80827. Group will travel from the CUSP office to the site of the Springer Fire – off of FS 246. Due to the restricted access and location it is essential you arrive promptly as no directions will be given to the work location. Four wheel drive vehicles are preferred.

Please bring a backpack lunch and water to carry with you.

Workday Description:Work will occur in the approximate 1,200 acre Springer Fire area. Work will include installing erosion control structures in ephemeral drainages to reduce downstream impacts within the Eleven Mile Canyon area and South Platte River. This is a joint project with CUSP and the Cutthroat and Cheyenne Mountain Chapters of Trout Unlimited.Important notes:

• CUSP will provide materials and necessary tools to complete project work.
• A restroom will not be available on site.
• You may register by contacting Jim Klug at 303-953-8046, jjklug1@comcast.net or Jason Agin at 303-653-6057, jagin2023@msn.com

Mandatory Requirements of Volunteers:All volunteers must complete a CUSP liability release form and submit to CUSP on the day of the project. At CCTU Liability Waiver is also required. Jim Klug will provide copies of these forms to complete on Saturday morning.Please Bring:

• Any applicable medicines (including epi-pen and inhalers, if needed).
• Sunscreen
• Sun glasses or safety glasses
• Layered clothing appropriate for outdoor work
• A container for water, the use of reusable containers is encouraged
• Work gloves and shoes

Weather:Events may be canceled or rescheduled due to bad weather, which could create hazardous conditions for volunteers and staff. Any changes will be posted at: www.uppersouthplatte.org/Volunteer 719-748-0033 ALSO….We will be carpooling from the Dad Clark RTD Lot in Highlands Ranch at University and Dad Clark right off 470. Please be there by 6:15am as we will leave at 6:30am sharp.For additional information or car pool arrangements please contact Jim Klug or Jason Agin, Cutthroat Chapter TU at the above numbers.Hope to see you there,CUSP_Lake_George_ortho (1)Jim Klug, Director for Conservation, Cutthroat Chapter, Chapter, TUCell: 303-565-7504 Email: jjklug1@comcast.net

CANCELLED! Springer Fire Burn Area Conservation Project May 11, 2013

 PROJECT CANCELLED DUE TO TOO MUCH MOISTURE 

RAKING AND SEEDING WILL NOT BE FEASIBLE

Call Jim Klug @303-953-8046 with any questions.

Our next Conservation Project is Scheduled for June 15, 2013

with CUSP

Mine Reclemation at Buckskin Gulch (Alma)

Pending NEPA Approval

Jim Klug, Director for Conservation, Cutthroat Chapter, Chapter, TUCell:  303-565-7504 Email:jjklug1@comcast.net  

2013 CCTU -- UPDATED -- Conservation Project Listing

Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited

 2013

Conservation Projects  

UPDATED!

Dates and Activities

 April 27>>>>>>>>>>>>>Re-seed certain areas of the Dream Stream COMPLETE!CANCELLED!   May 11>>>>>>>>>>>>>Joint project with Cheyenne Mountain Chapter Re-seeding Springer Gulch Fire Area 11 Mile Canyon  CANCELLED!June 15>>>>>>>>>>>>CUSP / Joint Project with Chyenne Mountain Chapter, Installing Erosion Control Structures in the Springer Gulch Fire Area in 11 Mile CanyonJuly 13>>>>>>>>>>>>>CUSP Deckers South Platte Clean UpAugust 10>>>>>>>>>>>CUSP 11 Mile Reservoir Deer Island Noxious weed removal/restoration Needs USFW approvalSeptember 7 >>>>>>>>Clear Creek Clean Up, Idaho Springs. Ray Carney Is heading up this project.October 12>>>>>>>>>>CUSP South Platte Wildcat Canyon Stream clean up.  (Tough hike but good fishing) Plan B>>>>>>>>Mine Reclamation Buckskin Gulch ( Alma) Needs NEPA ApprovalAnd, we will continue to do our monthly River Watch activities and our quarterly temperature monitoring on the South Platte near Deckers. Please call Jim Klug at 303-565-7504 or Jason Agin at 303-653-6057 If you have any questions or would like to join us on a project.May 21, 2013

Temperature Profile Project March 21, 2013 by Allen Adinoff and Jim Rasmussen

Once again, many of our members volunteered their time for an important project on March 21, 2013.  The Cheesman Canyon, Temperature Profile, campaign has been one that has been ongoing since 2010.  The purpose is to measure temperature of the river, in four locations and pass this information to the Colorado Parks and Recreation aquatic biologist, in charge of the upper portion of the South Platte River.

The biologist uses the information gathered as a tool to manage the fishery.  How is the data used?  One example deals with the spawning of Rainbow trout.  Rainbow trout begin the spawning process after periods of 46 degree water temperature.  When does that happen above the Wig Wam Club?

 

 You can see (sorry, the computer would not let me make it larger!) from the above graph that in 2011 the temperature started pushing above 46 degrees F about April 15th.  So far our little project has provided three years’ worth this data.

 We monitor the South Platte River at four locations from Cheesman dam to below Deckers.   Jim Rasmussen has championed this effort.  Submerged temperature loggers sample data every twenty minutes over the year.  These monitors are retrieved and downloaded twice a year. The results are downloaded to a data shuttle  and later transferred to a computer for further analysis.  Critical to the retrieval process (LOL) is the hydroscope, which allows the workers to visualize what they’re doing under water.  This is required as the monitors are secured to steel rods embedded into the riverbed.  The hydroscope is a large plastic jar that is inverted in the water, providing a clear view beneath the surface.  The jar was originally filled with pretzels, requiring Jim and Bill to eat all of them along with consuming several beers.  They then generously donated the hydroscope to CCTU.  Thanks guys for your sacrifice and generosity.

Rasmussen and Wiebesiek using Hydroscope to view nuts on clamps holding data logger to bottom of river.



Freeing the Temperature Sensor from its protective housing.



Temperature sensor in its protective housing.



Temperature sensor and housing mounted on re-bar in the river.

Many others joined the effort including Jim Klug, Allen Adinoff,  Bill Wiebesek (chief hydroscope technician), Greg Ledges.  It was a cool crisp sunny day, and all enjoyed the experience.  Although flow rates were a bit lower than usual at 40 cfs, plenty of nice fish were landed.  Everyone appreciated the fun, experience, and camaraderie.  Projects like these are a great way to fulfill the mission of TU, spend some time with other Chapter members, and enjoy some fishing.

Consider joining us for one of our many CCTU conservation projects in the future.  Jim Klug jjklug1@comcast.net and Jason Agin jagin2032@msn.com  lead  our conservation program for CCTU.  The schedule of conservation projects can also be found on our web site.  Our next project is May 11th. at 11 Mile Canyon where we will be reseeding burned areas in Springer Gulch.

See you on the river!

Allen Adinoff and Jim Rasmussen,

CCTU Membership Chair and Temperature Profile Project Leader

Photos by Jim Klug,

Conservation Director

Big Horn Trip

Hard to believe, but it's time to sign up for the 2013 Big Horn trip and start tying those special Big Horn flies like the Ray Charles and Pink Sowbugs!  We have reservations at Cottonwood Camp for Sunday, May 12 - through Thursday, May 16, checking out Friday morning, May 17.Runoff for these dates is anyone's guess.  Last year, it was below normal, the year before was flash flood conditions.  Right now, the snowpack in the Big Horn basin is at about 90%, so things are looking good at this point!We stay in a sprawling facility affectionately known as the "condo", which will accommodate up to 15 people.We generally reserve up to 4 drift boats to float either the upper 3 mile stretch, the middle stretch which is about 9 miles, or, as some of us discovered the last couple of years, the lower 10 mile stretch to the Mallard takeout, which held some very nice fish,  beautiful waters and less fishing pressure.This has been an annual event for the Cutthroat Chapter for over 20 years and for good reason:  The fishing is great, the scenery spectacular and the cost very reasonable (unless, of course, you get carried away at the fly shop!)This trip fills up quickly, so sign up early.  Contact Jim Ericson @ james.ericson@comcast.net or give him a call at 303-683-8609.Big Horn Registration 2013 Hope you can join us!

April 27th is an Important Conservation Project

Come join us on the Dream Stream - we Need 40 Energetic VolunteersStart the fishing season off right and make a real difference in Colorado on a very important stretch of water.The Dream Stream is about 3 miles of impressive fishing water between 11 Mile and Spinney Reservoirs. The trout use the Dream Stream as their spawning grounds. In Spring the Rainbows head into the Dream Stream and in Fall the Browns take their turn. These are the more mature (read that BIG) fish. Just do NOT disturb fish on their redds. Here is a good description of the Dream Stream: http://www.coloradotrouthunters.com/dreamstream.htmlThe Dream Stream project is an important project. We will be reseeding areas that have been damaged or had noxious weeds removed. With a good turn out of volunteers the work will go fast, lunch will be provided, and you get the afternoon to fish. If that's not enough you will also receive one of CCTU's new Conservation T-shirts. WE NEED 40 VOLUNTEERSPlease call Jim Klug at 303-565-7504 or Jason Agin at 303-653-6057 If you have any questions or would like to join us on a project. THIS IS IMPORTANT so we can plan for Lunch and T-shirts. It takes about 2.5 hours to get there. We will meet at the ParkNRide at Dad Clark and University at 0615 to leave promptly at 0630. The project begins at 0900. We MUST car pool as parking is limited.• Take Hwy 285 southwest through Fairplay.• Just past Fairplay turn left, (south) on Hwy. 9, travel approximately 17 miles.• Hwy. 9 will intersect with Hwy. 24, turn left (east), travel approximately 11 miles.• At County Road 23/San Juan Rd. turn right (south) at sign: "Eleven Mile and Spinney Mtn. State Parks".• Travel approximately 2.8 miles to County Road 59, turn left (east) at the "T" intersection.• Travel approximately 2.4 miles until County Road 59 makes a 90 degree turn to the right (south).• Continue to the Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area parking lot on your right. The project site will be on the east side of County Road 59.• Wear long-sleeved shirt, work pants & boots. Bring sun block, hat, water bottle, work gloves, and sun glasses. Check the weather and dress accordingly – layers is a good thing.• Bring your fishing gear.

April Meeting: Tim Patterson Owner of RIGS Adventure

One of Colorado's Wonders of the World: the Black Canyon of the GunnisonSo if you missed our fly tying Clinic - you missed out. STOP THAT! We got another great event lined up this month. If you have ever seen the Black Canyon of the Gunnison from the top it gives you vertigo since the depth of field is too much for your brain. It is that spectacular!Go to the bottom of the canyon and you have one of Colorado's best fisheries. Tim Patterson is coming to give you a guided tour through the canyon and surrounding areas.Ridgway Independent Guide Service LLC (RIGS) was founded in 2001. A family business, built from the ground up, with extensive industry knowledge and years of hard guide work throughout the industry. RIGS recognizes that access to quality waters is the most important resources for the business. RIGS successfully received the first permit for guided fly fishing and rafting on the Uncompahgre River in 2002 and has lead the charge in acquiring Western Colorado's top Public & Private guide access.Owner, Tim Patterson (the guy in the photo) has led fly fishing, rafting and eco-tours throughout Central America, Mexico and the Southwestern U. S. since 1991. Patterson's degree in Recreation Management from Prescott College set the stage for a career in adventure guiding and a passion for keeping tight lines on home waters. "It's not just about the fishing, it's about the people," Patterson says. "Our activities are kind of a metaphor for life. They can teach patience, strategy, versatility and adaptability to conditions."Tim sent us a note saying, don't wait for the presentation. Go check them out NOW on their website because they fill up slots every year. Great photos on the website.

CCTU March Meeting - Fly Tying

The CCTU March Meeting on March 19th will be our annual Fly Tying Clinic. We have a number of tiers lined up and more will join in. Come and ask questions, watch tiers demonstrate techniques, learn how to fish specific flies, get new ideas for places to fish, and join in the fun for fly raffles. All are welcome and best of all it is FREE!!!Tiers include: Pat Dorsey, Carl Pennington, Steve Johnson, John Vevurka, Greg Garcia, Jerry Shin, Richard Pilatzke, Jim Neiberger, Bob Dye, John Aaron, Bud McAllister, Jim Schmidt, Ed Berg, Frank Prekel, and Bob Getz. In other words lots of technique to learn from! Don't miss this opportunity.Location is out normal meeting spot: South Metro Denver Realtors' ASsociation at the corner of South Broadway and Mineral Ave in Littleton. Address is 7899 S. Lincoln Ct. Littleton, CO 80122