President's Beat

July 19, 2007

Greg Evans

Hey Summer Anglers! Wish I had a great fish story to report for the Summer. My wife could tell you about her 20 inch, tailwalking rainbow she landed on my 2wt with 6X tippet, but I've heard her tell about it. She unfortunately talks a lot more about my bankside swearing and hollering and about me accidently dropping the net in the lake after its release; she has a lot to learn about fish stories.

My brothers and Dad got together for a great day on the Poudre two weekends ago, but I ended it poorly with cactus in MY end. That's another story involving my wife, a headlamp and my two kids in latex gloves taking pictures of a private area. I will leave that story our too.

On to business, I thought I would give you a Summer update of the Chapter's activities and look forward to next season. The board had a June Summer retreat hosted by the very generous Bob and Karen Streeter in their home on a great Bass lake. Highlights were cementing plans for a fundraising banquet in February of 2008, furthering out activities on the North Fork of the Poudre and fleshing out our communication and general meeting strategies. We hope to improve our membership involvment in conservation activities with better recruitment and monthly discussions on conservation issues as well as fishing trips.

Ken Eis is leading the guiding of the Nature Conservancy's River Adventure Days in Phantom Canyon this Summer and Fall. So far the speakers and participation has been wonderful and the fishing terrific as well. We hope our cooperation with TNC on this project can continue into the future. I found the day I attended in the Canyon with Dr. Ellen Wohl enthralling. Go to Virtual Rivers: Lessons... (on Amazon) for a very good read that will open your eyes to our River and water history.

Dave Piske and Mark Coleman have been again working with CTU to find a mitigation solution for the Long Draw Court decision we had a breakthrough on earlier this year.

Mark Coleman and myself have also been communicating with CSU on our scholarship sponsorship. An awardee has been informally chosen. More exciting, Dr. Behnke is also making progress on an endowed scholarship he is funding with RMFC support that is gaining national attention.

Bob Streeter continues his organizational efforts to water trees in Eagle's Nest, and many other volunteers are helping on various projects such as RMNF fish census, brochure development, etc. Bottom line is individuals make our Chapter what it is. Call me if you want to join this list of active participants! If you have a good fish story, post it on the website. And, get out there to fish (bring your kids). Until August, tight lines.