CTU BULL MOOSE COMMITTEE ALERT – THE UINTA BASIN RAILWAY

The CTU Bull Moose Committee (BM), CTU’s committee for legislative advocacy, briefed the CTU Board in January.  One of the items BM is following is the Uinta Basin Railway, in NE Utah.  All CCTU members need to know how this project will impact rail traffic in CO.

This proposed 88-mile railway connects Uinta Basin oil fields to the main rail line going west to east following the Colorado River, through the Moffat Tunnel and down to Denver before heading south to Gulf Coast refineries.  The crude is too solid to move through a pipeline so the railway solution enables producers to quadruple oil extraction, potentially producing 350,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD).  The project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) estimates up to 10 trains of the waxy crude will move through CO daily.  Conservation concerns range from a significant climate change impact from ramped-up production to the increased potential for accidents and spills in sensitive watersheds.  The added rail traffic on the Moffat line will increase pressure to re-open the Tennessee Pass Line (TPL) along the Arkansas River through Brown’s Canyon, essentially Dotsero to Pueblo.  Today the only train using this rail is the Royal Gorge Route tourist rail running from Canon City to Parkdale.  The rail between Parkdale and Dotsero is not active.

The Uinta Basin Railway EIS was approved by the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) in December.  The connector rail has tremendous political support in Utah, including both Senators, the Governor, and multiple counties’ commissioners due to the economic value.  The Utah TU council did not take a position on the proposal. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/ has been spearheading pushback on this project and have been quite harsh in written comments to the STB.  CTU’s traditional hunting and angling conservation allies have not signed onto the CBD effort.

With federal approval in place, Bull Moose will focus on understanding the risks to Colorado waters, specifically the Colorado, Eagle and Arkansas River Valleys.  Senator Bennet has already expressed concerns about using the TPL line for oil trains, new passenger rail however, is another matter: Bennet railway article .  Protecting Brown’s canyon from any reopening of the TPL is a major concern of the Friends of Brown’s Canyon.  See their comments here: https://brownscanyon.org/help-keep-oil-trains-out-of-colorado/

January Meeting Presentation on CCTU YouTube Channel

The January chapter meeting is now up on the CCTU YouTube channel.  Taylor Edrington, Owner/President of Royal Gorge Anglers in Canon City, gave an excellent presentation “Fly Fishing the Seasons of the Arkansas River – North America’s Longest Gold Medal Trout Stream”.  He gave a detailed presentation on the conditions (water temp, cfs, etc.), specific fly imitations, and techniques to be successful in each key season on the river.  Taylor also went into some solid detail on locations throughout the watershed.  Fascinating, informative and well presented discussion.  Contact Taylor to book a trip, purchase gear, or get more info at Royal Gorge Anglers at https://www.royalgorgeanglers.com/…you will not be disappointed. 

Access the presentation via the CCTU YouTube channel https://youtu.be/scwvlBMlCo0.

CCTU OCTOBER SAN JUAN CHAPTER FISHING TRIP WRAP-UP

After a year off from the San Juan due to COVID, this year's trip to the San Juan was highly anticipated. We had good BWO hatches every day but did have strong winds on a couple days and a full blown gale one morning.  The snow, rain, and wind did not deter us from throwing dries and catching some nice fish.  If you have never fished the "Juan", perhaps you may want to join us next year.  More details on the trip will be out in the spring.  In the meantime, don't forget the trips to the Green and Bighorn in April and May, 2022.  Contact Rich Hus at r_hus@hotmail.com regarding the Green and Bighorn trips.

IN MEMORY OF RAY CARNEY

IN MEMORY OF RAY CARNEY

CCTU has lost another great friend as Ray Carney passed away peacefully this past Sunday, Oct 24th.  Ray was a long-standing member of our chapter and the champion of the Clear Creek Clean Up Project for longer than most of us can remember.  He was a great friend, fly fishing mentor to many, and one of the truly nicer people in this world.  Many of the chapter has spent time on the water with Ray and marveled at his attitude, quiet love of life and nymphing abilities.  He celebrated his 94th birthday on October 11 and will be missed forever by those that knew him.

 His funeral is this Saturday, October 30 at the LDS church at 910 W. Ridge Road, Littleton, CO 80120.  Viewing from 9:30am-10:45am and funeral services will begin at 11:00am.

OCTOBER MEETING PRESENTATIONS ON CCTU YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Last night’s chapter meeting is now up on the CCTU YouTube channel.  Audrey Harris, this year’s recipient of the CCTU Steve Bailey Memorial Fellowship and a master’s candidate in the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at Colorado State gave a fascinating presentation on her master’s research “Assisting greenback cutthroat trout recovery using an unlikely tool - brook trout genetics”.  She reviewed the brook trout study in the Poudre Headwaters Project area and what their genetic signatures can tell us about fish movement between streams, barriers in the study area, and what environmental variables influence movement.  Author, lecturer, journalist, photographer Ron Belak present a slideshow entitled “800 High Lakes in Colorado - Recommendations on Where to Fish”, celebrating his new book “The Fishing Guide to 800 High Lakes in Colorado” (BookBaby, 2021).  He covered key lakes in the Front Range, Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Mesa, Central Mountains and Weminuche Wilderness…some accessible by passenger vehicles while others require easy to moderate day hikes.  This book is full of great fishing location tips and can be ordered at www.ronbelak.com.

Access the presentations at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7OCjBKVAFI

COALITION FOR THE UPPER SOUTH PLATTE OPEN CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS GILL TRAIL MAINTENANCE THURSDAY & FRIDAY, OCT 14 & 15, 9AM-3PM

Open Call for Individual Volunteers Gill Trail Maintenance Workdays: Thursday & Friday, October 14th & 15th, 2021 Project Location: Gill Trail, Cheesman Reservoir Difficulty Rating: Moderate+ Project Times: 9am-3pm

Workday Description

The scenic Gill Trail, adjacent to the pristine Cheesman Canyon, has beautiful canyon views and access to world-class fishing. This project includes annual maintenance on the Upper Gill Trail. Each volunteer will need to carry in their own water for the day (two liters minimum), their lunches and any other necessities. Each volunteer may carry up to two tools to include pickmatics, McLeods, and rockbars. Please consider the physical aspect of this project before registering. Our chief concern is your safety and health on this project.

Important Notes

·       CUSP will provide hard hats, materials and necessary tools to complete project work

·       A USFS outhouse will be available for participants at the lower parking area.

·       A safety review and work demonstration will proceed the project work

·       Weather, which could create hazardous conditions, may cause the project to be canceled or rescheduled; staff will monitor weather and notify you of any changes.

To Volunteer Call Chris @ 719-748-0033 or email chris@cusp.ws

BOB TUCKER CELEBRATION OF LIFE, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 11AM-2PM

As previously announced, long-time CCTU member and supporter Bob Tucker passed away last April 1, 2020 in Carbondale.  A Celebration of Life is being held on Saturday, October 9 at First Plymouth Congregational Church.  The church is located at 3501, S Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80113.

 Please RSVP at https://www.evite.com/event/03646VI6HPECXEY6GEPMCDWXOVKNIA/rsvp?utm_campaign=send_sharable_link&utm_medium=sharable_invite&utm_source=evitelink

 Note - the Evite says RSVP by Oct 3, but they are still accepting more attendees.

 For those that can’t make it, the event will be recorded and listed as an archive on the church website and viewable for the next year at https://www.youtube.com/user/firstplymouthdenver/videos.

Greenback Stocking in the Upper West Fork of Clear Creek

Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocked Greenback Cutthroat Trout in the Upper West Fork of Clear Creek. This is the third location stocked in the Clear Creek drainage basin after Dry Gulch and Herman Gulch.

Click on the link below for the full story.

6,000 trout stocked into Clear Creek fork | 9news.com

Bear Creek Electrofishing CCTU & CPW

September 8, 2021 was a beautiful day for a conservation project.  Eleven members of CCTU traveled to Bear Creek west of Morrison where they met with a CPW crew lead by Paul Winkle and Tyler Swarr.  The goal was to help CPW electrofish that creek in O'Fallon and Dedisse Parks.  The data retrieved will allow CPW to make informed decisions to ensure the health of those fisheries.  Brown trout made up the bulk of the catch, and native fish like chubs were also captured and recorded.  It was a fun and educational educational experience for all, and we helped CPW in their mission to manage and maintain our Colorado coldwater gamefish populations.

 At one point a young family became curious about all of us splashing around in the water.  Tyler took time to greet and inform the family by showing them some of the trout we had captured.  The little girls helped revive some of the trout and gently released the fish back into the stream.  Outreach such as this is great promotion for our club, and maybe one day these little girls will grow up to become environmental advocates.  Hopefully this will ensure that our children and theirs will enjoy healthy trout and productive streams for generations to come.

MORE ALMA RIVER WALK UPDATES

After a very successful Mineral Park Ponds revegetation project on Saturday August 14, 2021, some of CCTU volunteers checked out Alma's River Walk.  We are pleased to report even more progress.  What was just a pile of lumber a short time ago is now an ADA accessible boardwalk and fishing/observation platform.  The boardwalk is constructed such that high water can pass underneath and it has edge curbs to keep wheelchairs in check.  The platform was constructed on a location suggested by CCTU board members in previous meetings with the Alma Foundation.  That location is not only scenic but also is a great fishing spot for able and disabled alike.  The lack of railings along the boardwalk and platform creates an open view and allows easier casting from a seated position.  It is great to see the project continuing to come along.