Clear Creek Clean Up Project, Saturday,September 20, 2014

This year, our Stream Clean Up effort will be part of the Clear Creek Watershed Festival held at Courtney- Riely -Cooper Park in Idaho Springs. We are teamed with volunteers from Cherry Creek Anglers and plan to work the stream from Starbucks in the East to Dumont on the West. We are in need of 20 volunteers to help make this project a success. Please bring waders and work gloves. Garbage bags and safety vests will be provided.To entice you to join us we will have coffee and doughnuts at our Passport Station @ 8:30AM before work starts at 9:00AM, AND for your participation you will earn a BBQ lunch as well! THAT’S NOT ALL…., we will conclude our work with our traditional raffle, FEATURING GREAT FLY FISHING ORIENTED PRIZES after lunch.Please call our project leader, Ray Carney at 303-523-4740 to sign up!Our Passport Station is just ASCOSS THE 23rd. Street Bridge over Clear Creek to the left. Our CCTU banner will be on the Station. The Festival is fun and educational for all ages, so bring the family if you like.  

Calling all volunteers!! Saturday, September 6th - Deer Island

We are in need of a few more volunteers for this Saturday. This is a unique opportunity to make an important impact on an untouched environment. Contact Jim Klug at 303-565-7504 or jjklug1@comcast.net for questions and to register.Workday: Saturday, September 6th, 2014Project Location: Deer IslandProject Times: 9 am – 2 pmMeeting Location: 4229 CR 92, Lake George, CO 80827Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/wIiVvVolunteers Needed: maximum 10Workday Description:Deer Island, 11 Mile Reservoir State Park, is closed to public access and use. The resource is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and owned by Denver Water. The island is approximately 50 acres and contains several unmapped and untreated species of noxious weeds. Our task will be to identify, inventory and map invasive species'. Depending on the identifications, we may minimally (mechanically) treat the weeds. The species likely include highly invasive Canada thistle and yellow toadflax. The island is home to many species of birds, including raptors and vultures. Wildlife habitat includes deer and small mammals. Fish species include trout, pike and Kokanee salmon. These efforts will improve wildlife and aquatic habitats throughout the park and surrounding ecosystem.We will meet at the main ranger office, then travel to the North shore and then be boated over by CPW rangers to the island. Space is limited to ten volunteers, with one medium sized backpack per person. Restrooms will not be available upon leaving shoreline. Muck boots are encouraged. This is a truly unique opportunity to make an important impact in an untouched environment.Important Notes:CUSP will provide materials and necessary tools to complete project work.Restrooms will not be on site.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 prior to the project: a CUSP RELEASE 2014; and a VOLUNTEER LISTING 2014- for your group. Please print all documents two sided.Please Bring:Any applicable medicines (including epi-pen and inhalers, if needed)Sun blockSun glasses (or safety glasses)Work glovesWork bootsLong pants and long sleeved shirts are strongly recommendedA container for water, the use of reusable containers is encouragedSack lunches to carry with youWhat 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; 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 16.*Note cell phone coverage is limited in this area.

Casting for Recovery - Fish Tales and Cocktails

Join Casting for Recovery at the Wildlife Experience this Thursday, August 21st from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm to show your support to Colorado women breast cancer survivors.Click on the link for more details: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=aa368c

Annual Picnic August 19th at Reynolds Landing

Join us at the Annual Picnic on August 19th at Reynolds LandingBring something to share (beer, dessert, side dish) and your family and fishing buddies.You can Google Map Reynolds Landing and that would help, but here are some detailed directions to start with:

• From the intersection of Mineral and Santa Fe head North on Santa Fe. GET IN THE LEFT LANE.
• Go past Aspen Grove and the condos. A left turn lane will appear. Get in it. You will be turning left across South Bound traffic.
• When you turn left there are two drives. The left one goes to Reynolds Landing. The right one goes into the trailer park.
• Take the LEFT road, go to the back and veer right into the parking lot for Reynolds Landing (South Suburban Park). Park, grab your food/drink to share and head to the gazebo where you will see the grills at work. The gazebo overlooks a bend in the river.

CCTU provides the meat, plates, napkins, water and soft drinks.START: Flexible, but food will be ready to eat by 6PMEND: Parks close at sundown. Fishing: yes - it is right at the South Platte river. John Aaron mentioned that he might put together a casting contest. Bring your rod/reel and join the fun.THANK YOU to John Aaron for organizing and to the board members who cook for you.RAFFLE with No ticket purchase included again.

Hidden Treasure Mine Decommissioning and Rehabilitating Project this Saturday!!

Itching for a way to volunteer? Are you a fan of BBQ? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! We are in need of 8 more volunteers to help with the Hidden Treasure Mine Decommissioning and Rehabilitation Project this Saturday, August 23rd.CCTU is joining forces with the Coalition for the Upper South Platte and the city of Alma to complete the Hidden Treasure Mine, aka. Orange Fence Mine Decommissioning and Rehabilitating Project. By closing access and rehabbing the site, this work will both help to preserve the historical aspects of the area, populations of rare plants recently discovered at the site as well as to improve water quality of Buckskin Creek and ultimately the important fishery of the Middle Fork of the South Platte River.Where and When: We plan to meet at 9:00 AM at the Alma Town Hall located at 59 Buckskin Street, Alma, CO 80420. There is a lot of work to do so we are planning on working till 2:00PM.Lunch! A BBQ Lunch will be provided by a generous supporter for all volunteers.Project Description: Work will include rehabilitating the abandoned mine site on USFS property 4 miles outside of Alma on County road 8.. The site has significant erosion issues exacerbated by illegal digging with heavy equipment. Runoff flows over tailings and goes subterranean before entering Buckskin Creek, which then drains into the Middle Fork of the Upper South Platte. Part of the project entails creating a diversion to curtail water moving over the tailings. The illegal use activity also created access point for off road vehicles, multiplying the damage. Work will minimize the issues through decommissioning the site, re-seeding with native perennials, transplanting trees and shrubs. This work will reduce degradation of this 'attractive nuisance' and enhance regeneration at this polluted site, improving downstream water quality. The Town of Alma will donate heavy equipment and staff for the project, CUSP will donate staff and seed, and a generous supporter will provide a BBQ lunch. This project will be completed through genuine dedication of key local community members and committed efforts of CCTU volunteers. Please plan to join us on this collaborative and impact-full effort.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 workWaterproof work bootsWork GlovesA container for water, the use of reusable containers is encouraged, refills will be providedPlease call Jim Klug at 303-565-7504 to sign up and to arrange for car-pooling.

2014 South Platte River Cleanup - a HUGE success!

A big thank you to all the CCTU members who participated in the 2014 South Platte River Cleanup! The event was a huge success and our Chapter collected 15 bags of trash and 10 bags of noxious weeds.  After a morning of hard work, everyone was treated to a delicious lunch, followed by an afternoon of fishing.  If you would like to learn how to become more involved, join us at the next member meeting on August 12th!

Calling all volunteers!

Have you been looking for an opportunity to be more involved?   Ladies, we need you in particular! This is a wonderful time for you to share your passion and talk about fly fishing and encourage women to become more involved in the sport and Trout Unlimited.We are looking for help with the Fishing on the Fly class for women in August at the Eastridge Rec Center in Highlands Ranch. This program includes three classroom sessions, and one morning field-trip to put into practice what they have learned. Classroom: August 7, 14 & 21,  6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
Field-trip: August 28, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Please reach out to Richard Miles at m6111926@msn.com  for more information and to sign up to help. 

2014 Conservation Project Schedule Update

August Dates (TBD) >>>>>>DOW Fish Tagging Middle Fork South PlattAugust 23 >>>>>>>>>>CUSP Mine Reclamation, Treasure Mine above Alma USFS/NEPA Approval Promised and in Progress 99% a Go!September 6 >>>>>>>>CUSP Noxious Weed mitigation on Deer Island, 11 Mile Reservoir LIMITED to 10 VOLUNTEERSSeptember 20 >>>>>>>Clear Creek Clean Up, Idaho Springs Klug/Carney Monthly River Watch activities and our semi-annual temperature monitoring on the South Platte near Deckers. Kevin Keens7/18/14 JJK 303-565-7504 (Jim Klug)

Colorado High School Teacher Wins National Conservation Award

Thanks to his conservation efforts and environmental teaching within the program of Trout in the Classroom, local Summit High School teacher, Jamie Lambrecht is the newest winner of the 2014 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE).

The PIAEE is awarded to 16 different teachers across the country each year. These teachers have dedicated their time and curriculum to teaching their students about the importance of environmental conservation. According the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the award is given to teachers, “to nationally honor, support and encourage educators who incorporate environmental education in their classrooms & teaching methods.”

For Lambrecht, winning the award is an honor; but he is most happy with the recognition the award represents. According to Lambrecht, the award shows that, “people are starting to realize the efforts that go into watersheds and conservation.” This is the reason behind his involvement with the Trout in the Classroom program (TIC).

Lambrecht has been involved with the TIC program for the last three years. With a biology degree under his belt, he felt very drawn to the program when it was being offered by Gore Range Trout Unlimited. “I wanted a way for kids to get more involved with some more hands on research,” he said.

The program reaches about 150-200 kids between the ages of 14 and 18 at Summit High School in Summit County, Colorado. “The program is an elective class, [as an extension of the biology department] therefore students have to sign up and want to take it,” said Lambrecht.

His curriculum involves more than growing fish in tanks; it helps students learn all about the aquatic ecosystem. Students learn about the insects in the water, the affects of pH and nitrate towards water quality, and other ways to help improve the river habitat. The kids also learn how these different traits affect fishing. Lambrecht says, “The kids leave the class ready to fish.”

In the future Lambrecht and Gore Range TU are going to continue with the Trout in the Classroom program as well as other conservation projects that will help kids get more involved with watershed conservation.

For more information on the Trout in the Classroom program, check out thearticle on the Stream Explorers Program.

July 15th Meeting

Be sure to join us for our monthly meeting Tuesday, July 15th at 7 pm at our regular meeting place (7899 S Lincoln Ct Littleton, CO 80122). Our speaker this month is going to be be very special. CCTU member Mark Lance will provide an exciting presentation entitled: "Chasing Cutthroats and Wangling Llamas in the Weminuche Wilderness." We have lots of exciting news to share with you! Learn about our upcoming projects and learn how to get involved.  Do you have fellow fishermen that are not current members? Encourage them to come along and become part of this great group!We look forward to seeing you all next Tuesday!Sincerely,Board of Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited