NEWS
Should I Stay, Or Should I Go... Fishing?
Some of you may recognize the iconic line from The Clash’s song, but to be honest, the question has been torturing me lately. As I examine my non-hook punctured fingers and dry, cracking knuckles I realize that they’re dry not from releasing yet another gift from the fishing gods but from diligently washing my hands to prevent the spread of this awful virus that has frozen many of us in our track. Yes, I’m desperate to stand in any one of my favorite rivers and cast to those ‘fishy’ locations but I’m struggling because all of my favorite rivers are an hour or more from my home in Arvada.
I have used the justification I’ve heard stating that fishing can be a solitary sport and that I wouldn’t even come in contact with anyone. But then I saw Kyle Clark on 9News’s program, Next, scold those that were still heading to the high-country to get the fix on whatever mountain addiction ails them. He emphasized that despite your best intentions of staying away from people and towns, through no fault of your own, you may end up needing assistance from any of our brave first responders. And now you’ve exposed them and every single person they will come in contact with for the next several hours or weeks. I was devastated, but the argument makes total sense. I stayed home.
Finally, I came across an article from Kirk Deeter on Angling Trade’s website that really confirmed my begrudgingly made decision to stay home. I’m sharing that article here for those that are stuck in the Denver Metro area and desperate to get on the water, like I am. I hope it helps you feel better about following the rules that will help us all in the long run.
Until we get the all-clear, support your local fly shops and guides by buying gift cards and whatever supplies you need online. Or visit our Partners page and support one of those business in the same way.
Stay Strong. Stay Safe. We’ll be back on the water in due time.
Mike Myers
CCTU 2020 RAFFLE PROGRAM - TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
This year, CCTU’s annual Fundraising efforts will again be focused on the Raffle program. We aren’t having the Fundraising Party again this year (with Fly Auctions, Silent Auctions), so the Raffle program is your main opportunity to support chapter projects and you have an excellent chance to win a prize from our greatest list of donated items yet.
We have 40 prizes again this year, and an even better set of prizes than ever before…with nearly $16k retail value!. These donated items range from 11 different guided float, fishing trips and lessons, 8 great equipment packages including a Scott Tampa bamboo rod, 12 fly box prizes filled with over 50 dozen flies, 6 framed artwork/photography, and 3 restaurant/other oriented prizes. Check out the full list on the CCTU website this week. Each raffle ticket is $100, and you can win more than once with multiple tickets. Entries are limited to 150, and with 40 great prizes, the odds of winning are the best CCTU has ever offered. Tickets will be on sale into August, or whenever we reach 150. Winners announced at the August 18 annual picnic (don’t need to be present to win).
All proceeds will go toward chapter conservation programs and other initiatives, including the CSU Steve Bailey scholarship, Greenback Reintroduction program, Alma Riverwalk Project, Earth Day Bear Creek Project, South Platte River Watch and Bug Analysis programs, Clear Creek Clean-up, several joint CCTU/Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP) rehabilitation and clean-up programs. These programs would not exist without your generous support of these fundraising efforts.
Ready to buy tickets? Contact Peter King (pbking10@outlook.com, 303-775-9422) or Allen Adinoff (aadinoff10@gmail.com, 303-726-0073) or George Franklin (georgefr@aol.com, 303-902-9827) to purchase. Tickets must be purchased via check (mail) or cash (in person). Tickets will be sent by email back to you, following payment.
Don’t delay, as tickets will go fast!
In Memoriam - Bob Tucker
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of long time CCTU member and supporter Bob Tucker on April 1. Please see comments and photo his longtime friend and fishing partner Sharon Lance provided.
“It is with great sorrow that I share the passing of Bob Tucker on April 1st of a heart attack on his 59th wedding anniversary. He was one of our staunchest Cutthroat supporters and a long-time member. Bob was a dear friend and my fishing buddy. Bob had an engaging smile and shared everything he could to support our chapter. He donated a trip for two anglers to his home in Carbondale at the Ranch of the Roaring Fork every year for our annual auction. He and his wife, Bobbye, were so gracious. They taught me what the word “hospitality” means as well as true friendship. I remember all the stories about Bob and Arny Silverman at the annual chapter trip to the Big Horn River. Bob and Arny would fish from sunup to sundown, come back to the condo”, cook dinner and tie flies after dinner. They would do this every day for four or five days in a row!
Bob had some favorite sayings that I will always remember……."Anything worth doing is worth overdoing" and “Too much of a good thing is just right”.
It can be summed up in a quote that stood in his home: “Life is a great investment and no man lives in vain who guards a hundred friendships as a miser guards his gain”...author unknown.”
For a full obituary, go to…https://horancares.com/obits/robert-edward-tucker/
April Bear Creek Conservation Project CANCELLED
Unfortunately the City of Lakewood has cancelled the Bear Creek Conservation event. If it is rescheduled, we will let CCTU members know.
Change to Chapter Bylaws
This spring, the board decided that Emeritus board members that attend a board meeting would count towards a quorum and they would have a vote. Chapter Bylaws will be changed for Emeritus board members to read “If in attendance at a board meeting, they will be given a vote, and will be counted towards a quorum. Meeting attendance would not be required.” If you have any questions on this change, please contact CCTU President Allen Adinoff at aadinoff10@gmail.com.
MARCH MEETING CANCELLED
MARCH MEETING CANCELLED. As with other chapters, we are doing our part by cancelling the March 17 meeting to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. We appreciate your patience and understanding and will book Ron Belak for a different time. We will revisit the April meeting early that month. Best thoughts to all for staying healthy and safe.
Riverwatch Team Braves February Conditions
Jim, Dolf and Bill braving the weather for the Feb 20th edition of Riverwatch water sampling near Waterton Canyon. This February has been one of the top two snowiest February’s in Denver Metro history. If you are interested in volunteering for Riverwatch, please contact Jim Rasmussen at jiber2@msn.com
2019 San Juan River CCTU Chapter Trip
This year's San Juan trip was October 24-28, and the fishing and weather was a mixed bag. There were days of warm and relatively calm conditions, mixed with a day of snow and wind. Nymphing with tiny midges is the norm for the San Juan's upper river. It did not disappoint. Some very nice fish were caught and released. The lower river is where the BWO's hatch. The hatches varied with the weather conditions. The last day of overcast skies and calm winds provided 4 to 5 hours of great dry fly fishing. Everyone is looking forward to next year’s trip. We are adding an extra day, and the trip will run Saturday October 24 through Thursday, October 29. Contact Jerry Shin if you are interested in more info or to sign up (gjshin@msn.com). Enjoy Rich Hus video from this year’s trip.
TU Thanks All Veterans for Their Service
On this Veterans Day, we at Trout Unlimited thank our military servicemen and women, our veterans, and their families for their lives of service. Through TU's Veterans Service Partnership, we invite you to continue that legacy of service and join a ready-made community of passionate conservationists and anglers. For the past 60 years, Trout Unlimited has worked to conserve, protect, and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. If you share our passion, or just wish to know more, we welcome you to find your community at www.tu.org/chaptersearch. Happy Veterans Day from Trout Unlimited!
TU's Veterans Service Partnership - Free Trial Membership for Active Veterans
On this Veterans Day, we at Trout Unlimited thank our military servicemen and women, our veterans, and their families for their lives of service. Through TU's Veterans Service Partnership, we invite veterans to continue that legacy of service and join a ready-made community of passionate conservationists and anglers. Trout Unlimited is proud to partner with Project Healing Waters, other veteran's service organizations to provide healing, rehabilitation and hope to those who have experienced the traumas of war. The Veterans Service Partnership is a nationwide effort initiated by TU in 2011 to bring the healing power of the water to those who have served our nation so boldly. TU is offering a free one year introductory membership for veterans who have worked with a TU chapter, council, or program supporter. You will receive all the benefits of a paid membership. You'll also receive a less tangible benefit, the pleasure of knowing you're part of a growing community of individuals who enjoy angling and want to keep America's rivers cold, clean and fishable. Together, we can make our trout and salmon fisheries healthier, for us and the next generation. Please join us in this important work. If you know of a veteran who has been involved with the Cutthroat Chapter, please contact them and send them the link below for the free one year TU membership.
https://gifts.tu.org/vsp_join