Chapter Activities
Rocky Mountain Flycasters
Trailgate Parties at Gateway Natural Area
Working up the Black Powder Trail
Early on the refreshingly cool morning of September 10, twelve RMF TU volunteers gathered at the Fort Collins Gateway Natural Area in the Poudre River Canyon. They were there for the second, and last for this year, Trailgate Party.
To open the party, and with six deer appropriately romping in the meadow behind her, Catherine Dillon, Service Learning Educator at Fort Collins Natural Areas Group, presented an illustrated talk on wildlife recently observed in the Gateway Natural Area. Her talk, based on observations recorded by Ranger Steve, was applauded by the volunteers as the deer paraded off-stage toward the Poudre River.
Then Todd Juhasz, Trail Technician at Fort Collins Natural Areas Group, explained the tasks the volunteers were to undertake. One part of the work involved drainage improvements on the Overlook Trail. Widening of its corridor had been the object of volunteers’ attention during the first Trailgate Party in August. The major attention this day was on the Black Powder Trail. It involved clearing bushes obstructing the trail corridor and also making trail drainage improvements at strategic locations. The energetic volunteers completed all the work that Todd had set as the objective for the day within the planned three-hour time span. Todd supervised the volunteer team doing the drainage improvements, and Catherine lead the team doing the corridor widening.
The September TrailGate Crew
To conclude the organized portion of the day, RMF Volunteer Coordinators Teri and Scott Gardner produced a luncheon of sandwiches with an assortment of condiments and supplemented with a delicious pecan pie. The entire event was well-planned by Catherine, Todd, Teri, and Scott and the volunteers appreciated those preparations that made the day go so smoothly. At the close of the Trailgate Party, those who had the time and inclination went flyfishing in the sparkling waters of the Poudre River, but avoided the North Fork because its waters are temporarily stained by repairs to the discharge gates on the Seaman Dam just upstream. (See the President’s Beat for additional information about Seaman.)
Those who worked on these two trails in 2011 recognize the need for additional loving care of these great trails next year. To facilitate that, RMF TU expects to continue the Adopt-a-Trail Agreement with the Fort Collins Natural Areas Program in 2012.
Dave Piske
Conservation Chair
Rocky Mountain Flycasters chapter, Trout Unlimited
Fly Tying Expo 2011
Rocky Mountain Flycasters held its Annual Fly Tying Expo on February 16, 2011. Nearly two dozen professional and experienced tiers from our region converged in Fort Collins for this annual special event to demonstrate their fly tying skills and share tips on tying and fishing with their special flies. We are sharing some photos from the event on Facebook which you can view without having to sign into Facebook.
 A few of the tiers who were there included: |
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| Ted Meredith | Rick Takahashi | Steve Schweitzer |
| Dick Shinton | Dennis Martin | Connor Murphy |
| Jin Choi | Jason Haddox | Dave Coulson |
| Mark McMillan | Grant Houx | & many more |
Some of the fly shops who helped with tiers included St. Pete’s, Angler’s Roost, Bob's Fly Shop, Elkhorn Rod and Reel, Kirk’s Fly Shop, Laughing Grizzly Fly Shop, Fish Explorer and from the board of Rocky Mountain Flycasters. If you missed this event, you missed a great once-a-year event.
Colorado Division of Wildlife Poudre Rendezvous Outdoor Skills Day
On Saturday, the 11th of September, nearly 150 youngsters and their parents gathered at the Ben Delatour Boy Scout Ranch for Colorado Division of Wildlife’s First Annual Poudre Rendezvous Outdoor Skills Day. All the attendees (children and their parents) were assigned to one of four groups and each group had a schedule to follow that took them to four activity locations: Shooting, Archery, Fishing, and Viewing/tracking/survival. CDOW Volunteers guided each group as they made the tour. One hour was scheduled for each activity with another 15 minutes scheduled for guided foot travel between activities.
The morning crew at the Rendezvous,
Todd, Paul, Ken, David C., Rich, and David P.
Rocky Mountain Flycasters (RMF) was there to share information about our mission, our Youth Outreach program, demonstrate fly casting, knot tying, and to help with the fishing. RMF seemed to have the greatest number of volunteers helping out with activities. We thank Todd Anderson, Rich Bader, David Cunningham, Ken Eis, Dennis and Amy Galyardt, David Piske, and Paul Wehr for their participation.
Children and parents had a great time with the activities and we watched and helped as they pulled rainbow and brown trout from a pond on the ranch. What a treat for these children to catch fish. At the end of the day, each child was presented with a casting rod and reel so that they could continue fishing on their own.
CDOW casting rod instructions
In the last group of the day, there was a nine year old boy who had been fishing about 10 times with his dad (who was there with him), but the boy had never caught a fish. Within fifteen or so minutes he landed three lively rainbows. The boy thought he had become Superman and exhibited more than enough excited energy to leap tall buildings. Not everyone had a similar experience, but many caught at least one trout and went away happy. The browns caught by the kids were in the 14-16 inch lengths while the rainbows were typically in the 10-12 inch size.
Yet another fish.
One little girl who was about six or seven was fishing and watching an older boy about twenty yards away catch two rainbow trout while she had caught nothing. After the boy had moved away, she said, "I think I should try up there." so she reeled in her line and moved to the empty spot. Soon, she caught her own fish, and then two more. This young lady is going to be an observant angler.
Youngsters and adults try the knot board.
At the RMF booth we had set up, we had information about our meetings, our Youth Camp, hats and maps, fly casting rods for demonstration, and our knot board. The knot board was well-attended as youth and adults tried their hand at knots for lines, hooks, and droppers. While at the booth, all RMF volunteers learned how to tie a Duncan Loop.
Father and daughter at the fish pond.
The CDOW Rendezvous was a great opportunity for youngsters to learn about and experience the great Colorado outdoors with their parents. We look forward to working with CDOW and taking part in the Rendezvous again next year.
Narrows State Wildlife Area Clean up Crew June 26, 2010 photo by Bryon Fessler
River Cleanup
Rocky Mountain Flycasters has adopted the Narrows State Wildlife Area for its part of the National Trout Unlimited Cleanup Day. See our River Cleanup page for more pictures and more of the story.
We have here a few reports from previous years so you can see some of our activities. See our river cleanups.
Scholarships
Read more about the Robert J. Behnke-RMF fellowship and you can use this Donation Form to make a contribution. This fellowship helps a Colorado State graduate student with research and honors the continuing contributions being made by Dr. Behnke.
Eagles Nest Open Space
The Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter of Trout Unlimited has developed a long-term project to assist with the restoration of the section of the North Fork Cache la Poudre River that runs through the Larimer County Eagle’s Nest Open Space. The Eagle’s Nest Open Space is located just south of The Forks in the Livermore area. See recent project activities.
photo by Dave Piske
Phantom Canyon Trail work
Trail maintenance in Phantom Canyon by Rocky Mountain Flycasters volunteers has been an important part of our preservation work. Some articles about our involvement with The Nature Conservancy can be found on our Phantom Canyon page and our Phantom Canyon Trail page.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain Flycaster members join with Rocky Mountain National Park programs and other TU members in projects within the RMNP. Working to help protect and restore this jewel in the Rockies is an ongoing process.
Chris Kennedy, US Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Biologist, conducts research in the Park with the help of TU members. Please see these references.
- Willow Creek Research Project by Dave Piske and Phil Wright
- Disease prevention procedures from RMNP
- Disease prevention procedures from Phil Wright
Learning Activities
Rocky Mountain Flycasters provides many opportunities for members and other to learn more about protecting our natural resources as well as learning about various aspects of fly fishing. Our general meetings are always informative and we are always adding information to our web site. Here are a few examples:
- Common Sense Disinfection Procedure by Phil Wright
- Building a wading stick (pdf 412KB) with inexpensive/used materials by Phil Wright
- Articles of issues
- Tying the Gurgler video (coming soon)
Future guardian of cold-water resources
Sylvan Dale Picnic September 24, 2006
The Sylvan Dale Picnic is an opportunity for members and their families to get together, socialize, share some tips, and do some fun fishing in the ponds and Big Thompson river. Rocky Mountain Flycasters held their annual Sylvan Dale Ranch Picnic on September 24. Activities included a picnic lunch with hamburgers, hot dogs and non-alcoholic beverages. Ken Eis will provided some tips on casting and some of the finer points of wading a river (too late for Paul Wehr who took a non-injury tumble in the river.) Catch-and-release fishing on the Big Thompson and Sylvan Dale's ponds provided opportunities to bring in a few fish. Photo gallery. The companionship and food were great!
Colorado Youth Outdoors
Our chapter participated in the Colorado Youth Outdoors’ fly fishing-related programs at three Loveland high schools. The programs teach students and their parents the basics of fly tying, rod building, and fly fishing. Click here to see the action.
Last updated: 28 Nov 2010