NEWS
CCTU Conservation Survey Results Are In
The Conservation Team would like to thank all those Cutthroat Chapter members who shared their thoughts in the recent Survey Monkey Conservation Survey. We are currently in talks with our partners in an attempt to tailor the 2017 conservation projects according to your preferences. A big thanks to chapter members who have helped in past projects. We hope the changes to chapter projects based upon the survey feedback inspire those of you who have been unable to participate to step up and share in the pride of helping to conserve, protect and restore Colorado's fisheries and their watersheds in 2017!In order share the results of the survey with all Cutthroat Chapter members, the Conservation Team has prepared the Key Findings summary below.Key Findings
- The types of conservation projects offered in the past were evenly received – river clean-up was most popular, weed mitigation least popular
- Four to five projects during the season is optimal
- Enough members felt breakfasts and lunches are important that we will offer one or both on all projects going forward
- After project raffles not important – the long-time raffle at the end of the Clear Creek Clean-up Project will be the only project with a raffle program going forward
- Not critical to have 100% board member participation in conservation projects, although we will keep this goal going forward
- Majority of respondents want published summary (email newsletter, website, social media) of project upon completion
- Few respondents felt the need for individual official recognition beyond a verbal “thank you”
- Several watersheds were mentioned for future project focus - however, the South Platte River and the Deckers area were mentioned most often
- Members get word of our upcoming conservation projects from a variety of sources and media
- Members willing to travel up to two hours to participate in to these projects
- Most members are willing to work past a lunch-time break
- Majority of members place value on fishing time with friends or mentors after the project
- Interest was divided regarding participation in Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) projects, but enough interest was shown that the Conservation Team will personally reach out to those individuals
Complete results of the survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-RNM7JYXF/We so appreciate your feedback on this survey. Every one of these preferences will be addressed in our choices of conservation projects for 2017. We urge you to continue supporting our mission, and if you were unable to get out to help us in 2016 we would hope you will find the time and energy to step up in the New Year! If you would like to add something to the discussion, please contact George Franklin at georgefr@aol.com or at (303) 902-9827.Our Most Sincere Thanks,Cutthroat Chapter Board
Trail Creek Conservation Project / Then and Now
The Trail Creek area was swept clean of vegetation by the 2002 Hayman Fire. As a result of the fire that creek continues to transport harmful silt to the South Platte River. That river is our CCTU home water and we feel obligated to help it heal. On August 20, 2016 ten members of CCTU volunteered to help. With the help of members of CUSP and of Boy Scout Troop 88, we spent the day stabilizing the stream bank of Trail Creek. We seeded about half an acre of stream bank and planted an estimated 1300 willows. These plants will help stop a portion of the estimated 70 tons of silt that flow annually into the South Platte River near Deckers. CCTU members Jim Rasmussen and Jerry Shin had the opportunity to work this exact area about four years ago. These two volunteers were overjoyed to see the pine saplings they planted back then have survived and thrived to become 3 to 4 foot tall pine trees. Grass that was seeded then has transformed charred earth into meadows. Willows have grown into patches so large that we were able to harvest some of them for the current project. Leopard frogs have returned. Although much work remains, it was heartening to see the improvement thanks to the work of volunteers like CCTU members. Here is a link to CUSP's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/uppersouthplatte/videos. The video titled "Our very own drone pilot shot this neat video of…" is a drone video taken during the August 20 Trail Creek Conservation Project. The folks on the ground are Cutthroat members, Scouts from Troop 88, and CUSP members.This is Trail Creek four years ago, ten years after the Hayman Fire. There was little evidence that native plants had been able to reestablish themselves.
This is the Trail Creek area today. The improvement is largely due to the efforts of CCTU volunteers four years ago. Planted grasses created a meadow and the lowest sediment trap has become a pond lined with willows.
The willows were now so dense in the lower parts of the wash that they could become source materials for new plantings. Here Jim prepares some willows for planting.
Sediment traps farther up the drainage were the focus of the current project. Willows were planted in these areas that have now silted in and require stabilization.
Thank You Note from CUSP
2016.07.25 CUSP thankyou12016.07.25 CUSP thankyou2
CUTTHROAT CHAPTER 2ND HALF FABULOUS FUNDRAISING PROGRAM
PAY $20/MONTH FOR CHANCE TO WIN FABULOUS PRIZES
This year, for the 2nd Half fundraising program, CCTU is offering a simple, easy new way to fund chapter projects and win fantastic prizes.Pay $120 (check or credit card) and receive one ticket for a chance to win one of 10 great prizes, totaling nearly $5k in value. Each additional $120 payment = one additional entry ticket. Funds will be used for the key CCTU chapter programs, including the CSU Steve Bailey scholarship, Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP) grants, River Watch Analysis, and more. Participants don’t have to be a TU member to enter…friends & family welcome!THE 10 FABULOUS PRIZES ARE ALREADY FULLY SET!
| PRIZES | RETAIL VALUE | |
| 1. | Full day Cast & Blast for 2 with Rudy Schreider, incl all meals that day | $1,500+ |
| 2. | Orvis Superfine 8’ 5wt Glass Rod, CFO Reel, and Hydros Line | $849 |
| 3. | Full Day Guided Fly Fishing Trip for 2 – Pat Dorsey | $600 |
| 4. | Full Day Guided Fly Fishing Trip for 2 on Private Water – Brian Young | $570 |
| 5. | Remington 870 Pump Shotgun | $330 |
| 6. | Orvis Park Meadows Gift Certificate | $300 |
| 7. | Dave Whitlock Custom Signed & Numbered Framed Print | $250 |
| 8. | ½ Day Guided Fly Fishing Trip for 1 on South Platte – Flies & Lies | $195 |
| 9. | 48 hand tied flies by Rich Pilatzke in CCTU Umpqua Box | $157 |
| 10. | 48 hand tied flies by Bud McAllister in CCTU Umpqua Box | $157 |
| TOTAL PRIZE VALUE | $4,908 |
Prizes will be awarded at the Fundraising Party on September 22nd from 5PM-10PM at the Breckenridge Brewery. The party should be a blast…it will include a separate Silent Auction, food & drinks, and more. Winners do not have to be present at the party.For only $.67/day ($120 over 6 months) you can help the chapter attain its 2nd Half fundraising goal, and help continue all the great conservation programs CCTU delivers.Contact CCTU Board members Brian Young (brianyoungco@comcast.net) or Mac Ishii (conradishii@yahoo.com) for more information.
Gill Trail Work Wrap-up
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
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