On a beautiful Saturday June 4th morning eight members of CCTU and four members of CUSP (Coalition for the Upper South Platte) met at Deckers to finish the Gill Trail Maintenance project begun last year. We concentrated on the first half mile of the upper trail, and when all said and done we had accomplished quite a bit of work. According to Emma Ravage of CUSP we repaired 150 ft of trail tread, built 15 check dams, extended 3 rock steps, built 5 new rock steps, and built two water bars, and blocked a host of social trails. That was a ton of work, and these projects go a long way toward protecting the watershed and keeping hikers, fishermen, and fisherwomen safe. At the CCTU board meeting the following week thanks had already been heard from three guides out of Blue Quill Anglers who saw us hard at work and really appreciated our efforts. Many thanks to the hardworking volunteers that included Mark Hasseman, Greg Ledges, Derek Hankins, Bill Wiebesiek, Michael Brandt, Eric Philyaw, and Ted Philyaw.Come join us for the next conservation project at Deckers on Saturday, July 23. Details are on the CCTU website at this link,http://www.cutthroatctu.org/?page_id=11796Submitted by George Franklin
Photos from Fishing on the Fly
The 2016 Cutthroat TU Ladies on the Fly for the Highlands Ranch Community Association was a great success. We had a great turnout of TU members. Love the involvement!We had a lot of fun, and the ladies were great. I think that most did catch or at least hook up before the weather turned on us on Saturday.I have attached some photos from Mimi Epling from all three days.-- Cyndy Scholz, Ladies on the Fly organizer
Thank You from Project Healing Waters
Attached is the letter of appreciation from Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing thanking us for the $1,000 grant contribution we made to them. This was funded by a grant to us from the Wells Fargo Community Assistance Foundation in October last year.Project Healing Waters Thank You Letter - CCTU $1,000 Grant Contribution (2016.03.28)
Thank You to Cutthroat Leaders of Boise, Idaho
CCTU would like to thank Cutthroat Leaders of Boise Idaho for their generous donations of fly leaders to our monthly membership meeting raffle. Please take the opportunity to visit their web site at www.cutthroatfurledleaders.com, or contact owner Mike Morin at mike@cutthroatleader.com or 208.559.4788.
2016 Conservation Project Listing
Here are the Conservation Projects we have planned for 2016:
- Saturday, June 4 - Gil Trail Repair Completion, Cheesman Canyon
- Tuesday, July 12 - Project Healing Waters, Crystal Lake
- Saturday, July 23 - Horse Creek or Alma
- Saturday, August 20 - Horse Creek
- Saturday, September 17 - Clear Creek Clean Up
- Saturday, October 8 - Horse Creek
- Saturdays in October TBD - South Platte Park
If you're interested in attending one of the Projects or have questions about them, please contact George Franklin at 303.902.9827 or georgefr@aol.com or contact Jim Klug at 303.953.8046 or at jjklug1@comcast.net.
Ask BLM to support a balanced solution for the Roan Plateau!
One year ago, Colorado TU and other conservation interests reached a settlement with the Bureau of Land Management and energy companies on the long-standing dispute over natural gas development on the Roan Plateau. The Plateau is home to rare native cutthroat trout populations, strong mule deer herds - and significant energy reserves. The settlement agreement embodied a balanced approach, with leases canceled (and the holders reimbursed) for sensitive habitats including all native trout watersheds while leases were retained and planned for responsible development on less sensitive lands. It was a deal that worked for sportsmen, conservationists and the energy industry: you can learn more by reading our blog post here and by reading an op-ed piece penned by representatives CTU and Bill Barrett Corporation.While the BLM was part of the settlement, and did follow through on cancelling and refunding the leases on prime habitats atop the Roan, last year they were not able to commit to a longer-term solution for the Roan that will allow responsible development to proceed while not issuing any new leases on those more sensitive lands of greatest concern to hunters and anglers. Now, the BLM is completing their new Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Roan and we need them to finish the job we started last year and formally adopt the settlement alternative.
You can help by signing our petition to BLM Director Neil Kornze, asking him to support this balanced solution for the Roan and to use similar approaches in planning for other high-value habitats like South Park.
The Roan settlement was a "win-win" solution that achieved a balanced approach to conservation and energy development. It lays out a pathway for responsible energy development on appropriate lands, while not drilling on sensitive lands that are, as Secretary of the Interior Jewell put it, "too special to develop." But the job isn't done until the settlement terms are incorporated by BLM into its final management plan. By signing our petition, you add your voice to those calling on BLM to embrace this balanced solution for the Roan. And you can join us in encouraging BLM to bring a similar thoughtful approach to planning for other high-value lands like those in South Park, so that responsible energy development can proceed while avoiding impacts to our most treasured lands and waterways.
The Roan Settlement is a great example of what we can accomplish when differing interests sit down and engage in respectful dialogue and negotiation. We can have both responsible energy development and conservation of our fish and wildlife heritage - indeed, we should expect nothing less. Please join us in asking BLM to finish the job in adopting this balanced solution for one of Colorado's iconic places and for the native trout and wildlife that call it home.Sincerely,David NickumColorado TU Executive Director
Fishing on the Fly in the News
Fishing on the Fly is a women's-only program that the Cutthroat Chapter has been hosting in conjunction with Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association to introduce women to the sport of fly fishing. The most recent class completed in September and was written up in the Highlands Ranch Herald. Check out the story here.A big thank you to organizer Jim Long and all the volunteers that made it happen!
The Outdoors column you won't be reading in The Denver Post
From: Scott Willoughby [mailto:swilloughby@denverpost.com]Sent: Friday, August 21, 2015 5:40 PMTo: scottrwilloughby@gmail.comSubject: The Outdoors column you won't be reading in The Denver PostAs some of you already know, today was my last day at The Denver Post. I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to "The Voice of the Rocky Mountain West" as an Outdoors writer, photographer and columnist for the past 20 years, joining the full-time staff to launch the Outdoor Extremes section before graduating to Outdoors Editor for the last 11 of those.I'll be taking some time to celebrate the birth of our daughter next month before wading into the job market as a free agent. Those who would like to keep in touch can find me via email atscottrwilloughby@gmail.com. My cell phone remains the same (970-390-3676).There's not much left to say that isn't included in the farewell column (below) that my editor opted not to print, except to reiterate my heartfelt thanks for the opportunity and your enthusiastic support.It's been a good run, although the work is never done. Here's to the next chapter.
By Scott WilloughbyThe best stories have always originated in the outdoors.Be it the fireside tale that never grows old no matter how many times it’s told, or a modern classic born of the latest adventure, the wild outside has always offered the ideal backdrop for compelling drama.Like the rest of the world, the genre has evolved over time, taking us beyond the campfire to the Ted Trueblood era of Field & Stream, establishing local newspaper legends like Charlie Meyers, Bob Saile and Ed Dentry before making its way to the cutting edge of social media and contemporary brands like Yeti Coolers that urge through advertising: Be the guy with the story about the bear.Along the way, it found folks like you and me: Drawn in by nature’s allure, hooked by the sensations of adventure, dedicated to enriching and sharing the experience so that others might come to understand our collective passion for the outdoors and embrace it as their own. The stories are the things that connect us best to the land, the water, the wildlife and one another.There will always be a place for compelling outdoor stories and storytelling in Colorado, just no longer here on these pages. Or perhaps just no longer here by me.As of this week, The Denver Post has decided to do away with its traditional Outdoors pages, and by extension, my position as Outdoors writer, photographer and columnist. I’ve been invited to continue writing stories about Rams, Buffaloes and Falcons, but like those college sports mascots, the gesture feels symbolic at best. In all likelihood, this is the final column, outdoors or otherwise, I’ll be asked to write for The Denver Post.Among those outside the paper already aware of this decision, the disappointment has been universal. The pervading sense of loss has less to do with me personally than to Colorado’s collective outdoors community as an entity. In the absence of an uprising — and likely even in its presence — the voice of that community expressed for so long on these pages will soon fade to black. So many stories are left untold.It can be easily argued that these stories of wild places and the people drawn to them are more important now than ever. As our sprawling world grows ever more crowded, battle lines drawn over resources in greater demand, such places offer respite and reward that can’t be found or recreated anywhere else. And they require the voices of those who know and love them best to keep the fire lit.My ambition is to continue down this path, although where it leads is anyone’s guess right now. After two decades dedicated to the cause of Colorado outdoors, the mission and message remain as compelling as ever. It’s the job I was born to do (and yes, I am open to offers).First though, my heartfelt thanks are due for the opportunity I’ve had to do the job I’ve most aspired toward. While there is much more to achieve, for a time, at least, I could lay claim to the best job in Colorado.But like the campfire that gave birth to so many stories and outdoor traditions, this chapter is about to go up in smoke. I have no doubt the fire has not gone out, however. The flame will reignite and grow. The stories — maybe even some told by me — will linger. And new ones will emerge.The void is great. But the tale is never-ending.-30---Scott WilloughbyOutdoors Editor (former)970-390-3676New email: scottrwilloughby@gmail.comFind me on FacebookTwitter: @swilloughby
CUSP Thank You Note to CCTU
We received a very nice postcard from CUSP (see attached) thanking CCTU and all the volunteers who helped out on the Gill Trail restoration days.CCTU-Thank-You-from-CUSP_08-01-15Additionally, many thanks to those who volunteered for our Gill Trail Restoration project with CUSP. A special thanks to George Franklin who led the efforts for the last three workdays and Jerry Shin who volunteered for all four of the workdays. Deckers is a healthier stream as a result of our efforts.
July Meeting on Secrets of Clear Creek
CLEAR CREEK SECRETS. A presentation on fishing Clear Creek (the one that flows through Idaho Springs) by Josh Paterson of Clear Creek Outdoors. Clear Creek is Josh's home water and it is often overlooked by anglers. Josh is here to tell us why it should be our next destination rather than a blur on the way to somewhere else.The meeting is July 19th at 7899 S Lincoln Ct, Littleton, CO 80122. (See the Meeting Event post for even more details.) The doors open around 6:30pm for fish tales and other socializing. The meeting begins at 7pm.Free admission!Don't forget the fly raffle! New members/attendees get a free raffle ticket. Raffle winners receive a choice of a dozen flies tied by a local tier for local waters.Also, there may be some CCTU logo hats still available!