The Places Trout Call Home

Whoosh!  Bam! 

Another fly smacks the water.

A fishing buddy recently said my casting technique reminded him of an old lady fighting off a bee with a broomstick.  And he’s my friend.

He wasn’t far from the truth.  Over the years, Cutthroat Chapter presidents have included some truly accomplished anglers.  I admit to not being one of them.  On chapter trips, I appreciate colleagues generous enough to offer advice.  But I’m surely not at streamside as often as I’d like.  (Then again, who is?)

The good news is, you needn’t be the best fly-fisher in town to serve as a TU chapter president, or to serve in any other position on a TU board.  (Cynics might say all you need is to miss the nominations meeting.)

What you DO need, accomplished or otherwise, is something we all share: a passion for angling, and a reverence for the places trout call home.  As that ace angler-photographer Mark Lance once observed, “Trout don’t live in ugly places.”

Colorado has tens of thousands of folk who consider themselves anglers.  I wish more of them would appreciate the stake they have in the well-being of streams they love.  I wish more of them recognized that our mutual passion for angling, and that of our kids and grandkids when we’re gone, increasingly depends on how well coldwater streams and their watersheds are protected from forces caring little for what trout need to survive.  More and more, as Colorado keeps on growing, such places need our help. Have you seen what remains of the high country stream Dwight Eisenhower once prized as his favorite?

I rest my case.

If we could somehow zoom in on those thousands of self-described anglers, we would find only a modest number who support Trout Unlimited through their annual memberships.  Most of them choose to remain mysterious benefactors, who never set foot in a TU chapter meeting.  But their dues help support national and state TU agendas, including Colorado TU’s advocacy at the Statehouse and in regulatory proceedings affecting watersheds, in-stream flow and water quality standards  Thanks in part to CTU’s efforts, the state in January finally adopted initial water temperature standards protecting trout habitat in Gold Medal Waters and many other streams above 7,000 feet.

Zooming further in, we’d see the ten percent of TU members who actually show up at monthly chapter meetings.  Many come only to see friends and let professional guides regale them with multimedia programs.  But a closer look would reveal that tiny, very special five percent of TU members who are “active” -- who not only love to be on the river, but who care enough about our rivers to get involved in lending a hand. 

They volunteer.  They “roll rocks” or restore bank vegetation enhancing trout habitat. They help monitor water quality through the River Watch project. They help a cub scout to learn what trout need in order to thrive, and to experience the thrill of catching that first rainbow.  When needed, they sound off in letters to regulatory agencies. They do pick-and-shovel work to improve and maintain trail access into Cheesman canyon.  They help out at Cutthroat’s November Conservation Auction, raising funds which, among other things, help CSU graduate students become fishery biologists.  They do all that, and more. This small, loyal handful of member-volunteers are the heart and soul of the Cutthroat Chapter.  A few of them, knowing that their chapter always needs leaders, contribute some of their time and talents as members of the board. 

For their dedication, and for your support as we begin a new year of projects and fellowship, the Cutthoat Chapter will be much obliged.

Here’s wishing you many good days at streamside this year.  Will you also consider giving back a day or two for the places trout call home?   Just let me know.

Tight lines.  Good casting, too.

Jim Crawford
crawfish1@comcast.net
303-220-5450