Congratulations Mike Nicholson - Volunteer of the Year!

Congratulations to Cutthroat Chapter member Mike Nicholson who was recently named Volunteer of the Year by Colorado Trout Unlimited!  Mike was honored in recognition of the countless hours of time Mike has donated while serving for seven years as the Director of the Colorado River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp (“Colorado Youth Camp”).  David Nickum, Executive Director of Colorado Trout Unlimited, presented Mike with his award at CCTU’s May 20th meeting.  The Colorado Youth Camp, which was established by Sharon Lance (another Cutthroat Chapter member), provides coldwater conservation education as well as fly fishing instruction on everything from tying flies to casting for  14-18 old students from across Colorado.  The Colorado Youth Camp has served as a model for other TU chapters around the country.  Mike’s contributions to the Colorado Youth Camp have been invaluable.  Next month, Mike and Sharon will be at it again for the 2014 Colorado Youth Camp being held near Weston, Colorado.  Again, hearty congratulations to Mike Nicholson, Colorado Trout Unlimited’s 2014 Volunteer of the Year.  Atta Boy, Mike!

Congratulations Mike Nicholson - Volunteer of the Year!

Congratulations to Cutthroat Chapter member Mike Nicholson who was recently named Volunteer of the Year by Colorado Trout Unlimited!  Mike was honored in recognition of the countless hours of time Mike has donated while serving for seven years as the Director of the Colorado River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp (“Colorado Youth Camp”).  David Nickum, Executive Director of Colorado Trout Unlimited, presented Mike with his award at CCTU’s May 20^th meeting.  The Colorado Youth Camp, which was established by Sharon Lance (another Cutthroat Chapter member), provides coldwater conservation education as well as fly fishing instruction on everything from tying flies to casting for  14-18 old students from across Colorado.  The Colorado Youth Camp has served as a model for other TU chapters around the country.  Mike’s contributions to the Colorado Youth Camp have been invaluable.  Next month, Mike and Sharon will be at it again for the 2014 Colorado Youth Camp being held near Weston, Colorado.  Again, hearty congratulations to Mike Nicholson, Colorado Trout Unlimited’s 2014 Volunteer of the Year.  Atta Boy, Mike! 

Updated 2014 Conservation Project Schedule

2014 Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited Conservation ProjectsNote:  June 21st. and August 23 Projects Switched!June 21st: Riparian Improvement, Happy MeadowsJuly 12: CUSP Deckers South Platte Clean UpAugust Dates (TBD): DOW Fish Tagging Middle Fork South PlattAugust 23: CUSP Mine Reclamation, Treasure Mine above Alma USFS/NEPA Approval Promised and in ProgressSeptember 6: CUSP Noxious Weed mitigation on Deer Island, 11 Mile ReservoirSeptember 20: Clear Creek Clean Up, Idaho Springs Klug/CarneyMonthly River Watch activities and our semi-annual temperature monitoring on the South Platte near Deckers.5/20/14 JJK/JA 303-565-7504 (Jim Klug)/303-653-6057 (Jason Agin)

26th Annual Blue Quill Angler Fly Fishing Extravaganza

Saturday May 10th: 26th Annual Blue Quill Angler Fly Fishing ExtravaganzaThis is a fun event with all the factory representatives on site with all the latest and greatest goodies to test drive, guest speakers, guides and some unadvertised deals on the best fly fishing gear we have to offer. From 9:00am until 4:00pmContact Bob Getz for carpool. More information on http://www.bluequillangler.com/Upcoming-Events

May 3rd Outdoor Mentors Event

CTU is looking for a couple of volunteers to help at the fishing booth this Saturday at Chatfield State Park. The event will be open to the public from 9 to 1. Volunteers will have entry fees waived.Where: Chatfield State Park (on the south side by the gravel ponds)When: 9am – 1 pmWhat: Volunteers for fishing booth, casting and registrationFlyer attachedOutdoor Mentors EventFor questions please call Garrett Hanks at 720-354-2646 or ghanks@tu.org

Free TU Memberships for Women and Half-price renewal

About a quarter of the fly fishing population in the United States consists of women. With that in mind, TU realizes the need to bring more women–and their potential contributions to our work around America–into the organization. Until May 31, TU memberships for women are free, and renewal is only half price. Share the good news with the women anglers you know.

May 20th Meeting with Steve Schweitzer

Join us as Steve Schweitzer presents “Fly Fishing Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park” where he will share effective tactics and flies to help make your next visit to the Park a productive one.Steve has been a backcountry junkie since moving to Colorado in 1999. He has hiked more than 1,000 miles doing research in RMNP for his book entitled “A Fly Fishing Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park.” Since its January 2011 release, Steve’s book has received numerous international book awards and has been recognized as the go-to guide for fishing the Park. It went into its second printing only a year after its release. Steve is now working on a second book of similar format for the Indian Peaks Wilderness area. He is co-authoring this book with Michael Kruise, owner of the Laughing Grizzly Fly Shop.Steve is a contributing editor for Angling Trade magazine and author of the Innovative Fly Tyer column for Southwest, Northwest and Eastern Fly Fishing Magazines. He has authored numerous articles appearing in Fly Fisherman Magazine, Trout, Wall Street Journal and a myriad of other regional angling publications. He also is contributing author & illustrator for the book “Drag Free Drift – Presentation Techniques for Fly Fishing”, authored by Joe Kissane. His fly tying patterns appear in books by Chris Mann, John Shewey, FFF Masters, Rick Takahashi & Jerry Hubka. Steve makes his home in Greeley, CO. By day, Steve works as a consultant in the broadband and digital media industries.I hope you can join us at 7pm (6:30pm for story telling) on May 20th at 7899 S Lincoln Ct, Littleton

2014 Updated Conservation Project Schedule

Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited 2014 Conservation ProjectsMay 9th: CUSP River Bank Stabilization and Trail Reconstruction (11 Mile Canyon)June 21st: CUSP Mine Reclamation (Treasure Mine above Alma)July 12th: CUSP Deckers South Platte Clean UpAugust Dates (TBD): DOW Fish Tagging Middle Fork South PlattAugust 23rd: Riparian Improvement, Happy MeadowsSeptember 6th: CUSP Noxious Weed mitigation on Deer Island (11 Mile Reservoir)September 20th: Clear Creek Clean Up (Idaho Springs)Monthly River Watch activities and our semi-annual temperature monitoring on the South Platte near Deckers.4/21/14 JJK/JA 303-565-7504 (Jim Klug)/303-653-6057 (Jason Agin)

First Conservation Project for 2014: FRIDAY MAY 9TH. AT 11 MILE CANYON

South Platte River, Erosion Control

At Eleven-Mile Canyon

Workday: Friday, May 9^th, 2014

Project Location: 11-Mile CanyonProject Times: 9:00am – 12:00 noonMeeting Location: CUSP office, 38000 Cherokee Ave. Lake George, CO 80827 (MAP below)Volunteers Needed: Up to 12:  The minimum age requirement for this project is 13.Cutthroat Chapter Project Leader:  Jim RasmussenBONUS!  Plenty of time to fish after lunch!Workday Description:We will be stabilizing the river bank near the footbridge, in an area of high use. We will re-direct concentrated water flow that is causing erosional damage by installing rock structures and erosion control fabric.  Work may also include re-directing water along an illegal social trail above the worksite. Important Notes:CUSP will provide materials and necessary tools to complete project work.

• A USFS outhouse is available nearby.
• Weather, which could create hazardous conditions, may cause the project to be canceled or rescheduled – notifications will be posted at:  www.uppersouthplatte.org/Volunteer/

 Requirements of Volunteers:All volunteers must complete and submit: a CUSP liability release form and volunteer signup sheet (for the group), attached. And a CCTU liability release form.  Forms provided by CCTU volunteer project organizer.  Please Bring:Any applicable medicines (including epi-pen and inhalers, if needed)LunchSun block and Sun glasses (or safety glasses)Work glovesWork boots or waders if you preferPants and long sleeved shirts are recommendedA container for water, the use of reusable containers is encouraged, refills will be provided What to Expect:Please be aware and prepared for potential hazards, including but not limited to: driving on mountainous roads with loose gravel and high flash flood potential; exposure to sun, wind, lightening and rapidly changing weather conditions; working with sharpened tools in areas with unstable terrain and footing; possible falling trees; and hiking at significant elevation. Medications may have adverse effects in sun, heat or altitude; please list medications and medical conditions on the CUSP release form so staff may be aware of potential concerns. Know your limitations and inform staff immediately if you become ill or injured. Be prepared to exit quickly in the event of an emergency or changing environmental conditions. Please drink plenty of water prior to and during the project to avoid dehydration. Please wear appropriate clothing; clothing may become stained or ruined.  The minimum age requirement for this project is 13. Carpooling:If possible, please arrange carpooling with other volunteers.  Please call Jim Rasmussen @ 303-663-6707 or Jason Agin @ 303-653-6057 or Jim Klug @ 303-953-8046 for further information. CUSP office MAP:  

Please note that cell phone coverage is limited in this area.

GPS units are often inaccurate in this area as well.

The Coalition for the Upper South Platte

Post Office Box 726,  Lake George, Colorado 80827

719.748.0033  www.uppersouthplatte.org  www.waldofire.org

Still Time for the Big Horn Trip May 12-17

It's not too late to sign up for the annual Big Horn Trip! We have reservations at Cottonwood Camp for Monday, May 12 - through Friday, May 16, checking out Saturday morning, May 17. We shifted the schedule slightly from last year so members don't have to travel on Mother's Day!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 at Cottonwood Camp in a sprawling facility affectionately known as the "condo", which will accommodate up to 15 people. Cottonwood Camp is under new ownership. Currently, the owners have indicated the daily rate for the "Condo" will remain the same, generally less than $30/person/night. They are, however requiring a deposit of $500 to secure our reservation.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 at james.ericson@comcast.net or give him a call at 303-683-8609. Jim will forward you a registration form and make arrangements for a deposit.Hope you can join us!