Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited 2014 Conservation ProjectsMay 9th: CUSP River Bank Stabilization and Trail Reconstruction (11 Mile Canyon)June 21st: CUSP Mine Reclamation (Treasure Mine above Alma)July 12th: CUSP Deckers South Platte Clean UpAugust Dates (TBD): DOW Fish Tagging Middle Fork South PlattAugust 23rd: Riparian Improvement, Happy MeadowsSeptember 6th: CUSP Noxious Weed mitigation on Deer Island (11 Mile Reservoir)September 20th: Clear Creek Clean Up (Idaho Springs)Monthly River Watch activities and our semi-annual temperature monitoring on the South Platte near Deckers.4/21/14 JJK/JA 303-565-7504 (Jim Klug)/303-653-6057 (Jason Agin)
2014 Conservation Project Schedule
Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited
2014
Conservation Projects
May 9 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CUSP Rock Steps and Trail Reconstruction,
11 Mile Canyon
June 21 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>CUSP Mine Reclamation, Treasure Mine above Alma
USFS/NEPA Approval Promised and in Progress
July 12 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>CUSP Deckers South Platte Clean Up
August 6+others (TBD) >>>>>DOW Fish Tagging Middle Fork South Platte
August 23 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Riparian Improvement, Happy Meadows
September 20 >>>>>>>>>>>Clear Creek Clean Up, Idaho Springs Klug/Carney
September 6 >>>>>>>>>>>>CUSP Noxious Weed mitigation on Deer Island,
11 Mile Reservoir Needs USFS Approval
Monthly River Watch activities and our semi-annual temperature monitoring on the South Platte near Deckers continue.
1/21/14 JJK/JA 303-565-7504 (Jim Klug)/303-653-6057 (Jason Agin)
Please plan on joining us on these important projects, call either of us for more information.
Clear Creek Cleanup Project a Resounding Success
Clear Creek Cleanup Project a Resounding Success
September 12, 2013
By: Allen Adinoff
On September 7, the Cutthroat and Cherry Creek Anger Chapters teamed up for our annual Clear Creek Cleanup project in Idaho Springs. A record number of volunteers (32 strong!) participated in the event. For several of the volunteers, it was their first experience with a TU conservation project. It was a beautiful day, and everyone enjoyed the experience.
Ten miles of stream were cleaned of litter and trash. One of the more interesting items found was an unbroken champagne glass and bottle, unfortunately, the bottle was empty.
Breakfast and lunch were provided by local merchants: Starbucks Coffee and Beau Jo’s Pizza. After lunch a raffle (officiated by long-timer Ray Carney) distributed prizes provided by the two chapters and also donated by local Idaho Springs merchants, Clear Creek Outdoors, Mile-Hi Rafting , Argo Gold Mill, and Colorado Adventure Center.
“This project is a great opportunity for TU Chapters, not only to further our mission of stream conservation, but also to develop relationships with the local community of Idaho Springs”, says Jim Klug, Director of Conservation projects for CCTU. “The local businesses with which we have developed affiliations really have come to appreciate our efforts, and demonstrate that with their support as well. It’s really a win win for everyone”.
There is one more CCTU conservation project scheduled for 2013. The date is Saturday, October 12th; we will be doing mine rehabilitation at the Orange Fence mine near Alma. Please check out the details on the web, look for it in out next Newsletter, or please call Jason Agin at 303-653-6057.
These projects are a great way to fulfill the mission of TU, and also give folks an opportunity to get to know other members of the Chapter. Not surprisingly, the topic of fly fishing is a common focus of conversation. On most of the projects, we also enjoy a few hours of fishing after the work is completed.
Please remember that participation in these projects makes you eligible to win great fishing oriented prizes in our Conservation Volunteer Awards Raffle. A Colorado River float trip with Ray Carney and six dozen flies tied by Richard Pilatzke, among others, are waiting for you! Come out and enjoy the conservation experience!
Thank's to Allen Adinoff, our photo journalist for this project!
Hartsel Conservation Project
Another really well done Conservation Project Saturday, August 10th! We had 13 volunteers + 2 CUSP. Right in Hartsel is the old train depot that is being worked on by the local historical group. All around the depot and down to the river were Canada Thistle. Our group removed most of the thistle, then raked dirt and spread wild flower seeds for things like Corn Flower, Yarrow, Columbine and others. Unfortunately we ran out of time to get all the thistle, but we still filled a truck bed with garbage bags. I kept waiting for a passerby to yell at us for cutting wildflowers because Canada Thistle produces pretty pinkish purple buds.
Straight up Noon and we gain new energy to trot across the road where the cafe fed us a nice lunch a hamburgers fresh off the grill, chips, drink, and brownie. The owners have lived there something like 42 years and were there when the original hotel serviced guests for their hot springs. Unfortunately the area has high radon emissions so the government shut down the hot springs. Jim Klug gave the cafe owners and the lady from CUSP shirts. Great TU advertising! The locals were very thankful that we would come and help them and told us we are welcome back anytime.After lunch folks split different directions to go fishing. Bruce led Jim Klug, Jerry, Bob Melcher, and myself out behind town to Badger Gap SWA. The stream meanders through the huge meadow; the "famous" place where the buffalo were shot. Around every corner we got more bites (fish, not mosquitos). When we hooked up, we found the fish were on the small side (see photo). 
This is the area that Greg Spohn wants funding to track fish movement. We also checked out Tomahawk SWA on the way in. It was looking just as nice and we saw a guide there with 2 guys. Does not show on Google maps but the parking area for Badger Gap is at N 39° 2' 4", W 105° 47' 36" if you want to get there.There are only 2 Conservation Projects left this year so don't miss out. After several projects I am seeing that we really are making a difference and people notice. See our other article on this web page for the September 7th Clear Creek Outing.
CCTU 2013 Conservation Auction
SAVE THE DATE!! Tuesday, November 12th, 6:00PM 2013We only do it once a year so it has to be BIGPlease join us and support the Trout Unlimited mission to: "To conserve, protect and restore Colorado’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds"Not only does this include the grass roots conservation projects primarily on the South Platte River watershed, but we support Youth Camp, Trout in the Classroom, and Trout in the Community. Come to the auction to learn more.Live Auction with Auctioneer Gary DeBus from The Wildlife Experience.Silent Auction, Bucket Raffles, Door PrizesIncredible Wildlife Experience foodCash BarThis is your chance to bid on great trips to public and private waters with Colorado's best guides from your favorite Fly Shops and Guides. New Fly Fishing gear including rods & reels. As always there will be many choices of Flies for you to bid on.This year The Wildlife Experience is the venue for the event as we outgrew our previous location. Big screens for viewing slide shows of CCTU Conservation Projects, Youth Camp, and Trout in the Classroom. Better automation for checkout and picking up your auction items too.Auction items include non-fly fishing items such as trips, memorabilia, salon treatments, art items by well-known artists, and moreBring your friends; they will thank you. Everybody enjoys the Live AuctionWatch this space for ticket purchase details coming soon.
Deckers Conservation Clean UP Project Completed!
Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited, South Platte River Conservation Clean Up Project: by Jocelyn Mertens July 13, 2013 I headed out very early, as it serves no purpose to resist an opportunity to fish. Why is it the human condition, when we are deep in our “serious” lives to forget all the sensory beauty that coats us when we stand at or in the river? When we see an old friend, a true friend, we seem to be able to pick up where we left off and we wonder why we haven’t stayed in touch more. Each time I at the water, I have that feeling. The sun was shining on the very tops of the cliffs and trees, and underneath that horizon, mysterious mist tumbled and uplifted, creating wispy pillars and sky waterfalls of changing shapes. The road was wet from desperately needed rains, and every corner conjured a slight thrill on the slippery slope to Nighthawk. I wound past Deckers and way up top to the Wigwam Club fence where evermore eager men already cast their hopeful lines on the cool steamy river. After an annoying long tippet extravaganza, I waded in and cast, and felt my chest expand to breathe, the harmonies of terrestrials as my metronome. “The moment, the moment, the moment,” they seemed to hum.
All too soon (and fishless), my time was over and I raced down to meet the people who care about the same things I’ve described. Twenty-four men and women met at the Deckers store where Jim Klug and Jim Rasmussen collected all the necessary paperwork on each sunscreen smeared volunteer. Jason Agin handed out green CCTU Conservation Volunteer T shirts. Trash bags were distributed, maps examined, and the cars set out for their respective clean up areas. As we drove to the first stop I interviewed many trash mates on what they had found in the water and on shore throughout the years. One of them had a found a rusted motorcycle chassis, most had found dinosaur fossils of an automotive nature. All admitted to searching for man made flies hooked on willows and conifers but expressed disappointment at the result. One CU student actually pulled out his current collection of found trash from a few hours before and posed for a proud portrait.
We walked the roads and shores, we laughed, and we talked, mostly about fishing for some reason, and headed back to the Deckers store for more camaraderie. Volunteers made short work of bountiful lunch of fresh sub sandwiches, chips, cookies, and candy flown in from Denver by Jim Klug. Tickets to the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs were awarded to Jerry Bredahl for finding the most unusual trash….one and a half dozen brand new golf balls…..is there a Deckers course we don’t know about????
The group had collected a pickup load ( 27 bags!) of trash, not as much as the year before, but we also got some good amounts of bad weeds.
Lisa Patton, Colorado Coalition for Upper South Platte (CUSP) Volunteer Coordinator provided information on invasive species, with hands on examination of the plants that crowd out the natural grasses and plants. The noxious weeds of the day were Musk Thistle, Canada Thistle, Toadflax and Mullen. Lisa gave an optimistic update on the native grasses happily sprouting as the result of the reseeding project at the Dream Stream site that CCTU helped with earlier this year. She gave thanks and accolades to the people who keep showing up and making a positive difference to the South Platte Watershed. She even provided a home-made cake for Jason’s birthday. 
Many thanks again to all of our 24 volunteers who did an outstanding job of cleaning up 10 miles of South Platte River corridor along the road to Deckers. Each participant earned one raffle ticket making them eligible to win great fishing prizes at our Conservation Volunteer Awards Raffle at our October membership meeting Remember, you too can be eligible for prizes…come out and help with our next project, August 10th at Hartsel Depot. Keep an eye on our Web Site for unfolding details. A special "Thank You" to our photo journalist, Jocelyn Mertens for covering this project and producing this article.. Well Done!!!!!!!