Welcome!

September 2, 2021 Leave a comment admin Uncategorized

The Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited works in the upper Arkansas River Valley in central Colorado. The chapter has over 300 members. Its projects run from doing habitat restoration and stream access maintenance to advocating for responsible public policies, and working with a variety of agencies on conservation projects. We offer fly fishing classes, a middle school enrichment program called “Stream Explorers”, have a womens’ group called FlyGals, and sponsor youth fishing derbies. Volunteers put in over 3,000 hours/year. The chapter also provides up to $12,000 annually for scholarships.

We are also working on an education facility, the Ecosystem Learning Center (ELC), on the banks of the South Arkansas river.

Take a look at our brochure.

We publish a monthly newsletter. You can read through the newsletter archive, and you can subscribe to it here.

Coming events

International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4)
on Thursday, Apr 13th, 6:00pm
Surf Hotel
Ivy Ballroom, Surf Hotel | April 13, 2023 Doors open at 6:00 PM, Film begins at 7:00 PM Buy tickets at https://www.showclix.com/event/if42023buenavistaco. Tickets will be available for purchase at Upriver Fly Shop and if available, at the door on the day of the event. For information about this screening, please contact host at corkandcaddis@gmail.com. For questions about IF4™ or the presentation email info@flyfilmfest.com.
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July 4th kids fishing derby 2023
on Tuesday, Jul 4th, 8:30am
Frantz Lake
Free fishing derby for children through 13 years old (contestants provide own equipment and bait) Tuesday, July 4th at Frantz Lake, County Road 154, Salida Registration: 8:30 – 9:30 am Derby: 9:45 – 10:45 am Prizes: 11:00 am Free hot dog lunch for contestants and their families
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Moonlight Monday fundraiser
on Monday, Oct 9th, 12:00am
Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub
October 9th is our Monday Moonlight Pizza non-profit day! Are you ready for some pizza, great salad & beer?! Have you visited one of our local restaurants yet this year? 10% of all sales that day will go directly to our TU chapter, which conserves, protects, and restores the cold water fisheries and their watersheds of the upper Arkansas River valley. Now is our chance to support a local business and their employees. You can easily social distance in one of their two spacious outdoor patios, as the tables are spread out at a safe distance. Come out anytime throughout the day or evening, and hopefully we can visit or talk to those TU friends we haven’t seen all summer.…
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For a complete list of events, including all our meetings, check our calendar.

Ways to support our chapter

You can support our chapter by making a straight donation (processed by PayPal):




City Market Community Rewards will donate to our chapter every time you shop at Kroger stores. All you need to do is sign up — click here for instructions.

Latest updates

Latest updates
February 16, 2023Click on the thumbnail below to watch the video recording of the Zoom meeting. You can also watch it directly on youtube by clicking here. [...] Read more...
February 15, 2023Established in 1991, the Upper Arkansas River Voluntary Flow Management Program (VFPM) has helped shape river conditions for the past 32 years. Recreation and tourism in Lake, Chaffee and Fremont Counties has benefitted from water management in this reach by the Bureau of Reclamation in partnership with the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. The most […] [...] Read more...
December 17, 2022The Board of Directors met in December, with our new president and board members. Lots of business was covered, watch the zoom recording below: [...] Read more...
November 14, 2022We held our annual Year-in Review member meeting on November 11th at the Poncha Springs Town Hall. Members and guests had an opportunity to meet friends, enjoy great food, some impromptu music and view a Powerpoint presentation on the many chapter events and activities held in 2022. CPC volunteers Henry and Ann Klaiman and Carole […] [...] Read more...
November 5, 2022The raffle drawing, via the Random Picker website, is complete! We are happy to announce the winner, Ken H. from Littleton, CO. Ken is the winner of our grand prize, worth over $2,000. [...] Read more...
October 27, 2022CPC provided volunteers to assist CPW over the course of 4 days in late August and early September with a barge-shocking project near Leadville, CO. The project covered waters of the Lake Fork, East Fork, Hayden Meadows, and main stem of the Arkansas. A large crew of CPW staff from Salida, Canon City, and Colorado […] [...] Read more...
October 27, 2022Dave joined the Board of Directors last year and has been very active in his new role. Among other things, he’s been tying flies for and helping with the veteran fly-fishing program, he was co-organizer of the FlyFishing 101 class earlier this fall. We ask Dave a few questions about himself to get to know […] [...] Read more...
October 24, 2022By Michael Harrington Bob picked a good day to do volunteer work cleaning up wire along the Arkansas River. Tuesday, September 27, 2022, a wiry crew, crusty a few and some younger too, with nippers, snippers, cutters, a camera too. Our mission: Rusty barbed wire. Piece by piece by piece, long and short lengths, some […] [...] Read more...
October 24, 2022Following is our proposed election slate for 2022. Terms expire November 30 of the listed year. Officers: (can be allowed more terms by board vote) President: Chris Lamson Exp. 2023 (to be elected) Vice-president: Keith Krebs Exp. 2023 (to be elected) Secretary: Karen Dils Exp. 2023 Treasurer: Pam Simpson Exp. 2023 (may “retire” then) Director: […] [...] Read more...
October 11, 2022Contents: CALENDAR KIDS HAVE FUN! KIDS RULE FISHING DERBY SEPTEMBER 2022 PRESENTATION 2022 FALL CADDIS RAFFLE FUNDRAISER – UPDATE YOUTH CAMP REPORT MOONLIGHT PIZZA DAY A BEGINNING RIVER SPEAK: OCTOBER (R#2) TRIP REPORT: CANADA 2022+ (WY, MT, ID) NEW MEXICO COURTS RULE PUBLIC CAN WADE STREAMS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY EAGLE COUNTY MANAGER SHROLL: UTAH OIL […] [...] Read more...
September 26, 2022By Chris Duerksen, as printed in the American Fly Fishing magazine “Crowds are not my cup of tea when it comes to fishing. Still, I’ve been intrigued when I tool down US Highway 285 through South Park on the way to Denver and see only a smattering of anglers plying the South Fork South Platte […] [...] Read more...
September 26, 2022Photos by Keith Krebs [...] Read more...
September 20, 2022By Jeff Porter So in August my wife, Dana, was going to do a Bike Packing trip from Banff, AB to Fernie, BC. Which meant that while she was riding I would be fishing. :) I joined an Alberta FF facebook page and had also reached out to the Jensens (WELCOME! – Jensen Fly Fishing […] [...] Read more...
September 1, 2022Contents: CALENDAR VOLUNTEER FOR BV FISHING DERBY “CAN’T MISS” CHRIS DUERKSEN PRESENTATION! MOONLIGHT MONDAY – SEPTEMBER 12 EDDYLINE PUB SOCIAL SUCCESS! TROUTFEST 2022 2022 FALL CADDIS RAFFLE FUNDRAISER WEATHER COOPERATES FOR VETERANS FISHING OUTING, BUT THE FISH NOT SO MUCH ELK CREEK ACT TWO: FRAGMENTS “GET TO KNOW” OUR LATEST NEW BOARD MEMBER: CHRIS LAMSON! […] [...] Read more...
August 25, 2022By Gene Milus In partnership with the Colorado Springs Chapter of Project Healing Waters (PHW), our chapterhosted eight disabled veterans for a day of fishing and camaraderie on August 20 at the Big Horn RVPark in Coaldale. Rain the previous evening did not muddy the river, and rain at the start soonended. Although the water […] [...] Read more...
August 1, 2022CONTENTS: CALENDAR AUGUST SOCIAL FLY FISHING 101 CLASS THANK YOUS VET MENTOR TRAINING MONOTUBE COLLECTIONS GET TO KNOW: BRYAN WARD RIVER SPEAK: DOMES OF HEAT COMMENTS FROM A NEW “FLY GAL” ‘A SUBTRACTION PROBLEM:’ A SHRINKING COLORADO RIVER FACES SHARP, SUDDEN CUTS COLORADO BIOLOGISTS AIM TO FIND YELLOWFIN CUTTHROAT TROUT THOUGHT TO BE EXTINCT FISHING […] [...] Read more...
July 25, 2022By Michael Harrington Elk Creek Campground, June 30-July 10, site 11 ACT TWO – 2022 Act One, July 6-14, 2021 was our first visit to E C, site 29. Invited by the Craigs to join if I could, to visit, fish, happy hour, dinners etc. Saying yes, I asked Mr. Payne if he was interested. […] [...] Read more...
July 19, 2022Photos by Heather Adams Photos by Kim LeTourneau: Photos by Keith Krebs: [...] Read more...
July 19, 2022by Karen Dils In mid-July 7 brave folks gathered at Ruby Mt. Springs for continued weed mitigation to increase the return flow to the river. Since we last did weed clean-up in 2021, they’ve brought in big machinery to help clean out some areas and planted 4 native cottonwoods by the ponds. They needed to […] [...] Read more...
June 4, 2022Contents: CALENDAR MAY MEETING: PERRY EDWARDS CPC thanks the Anonymous Donor and all the Buyers for their generous bids. SALIDA THIRD GRADE FIELD TRIP BUENA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL FISHING DAY NEWS: ZEPHYR MINING WITHDRAWS APPLICATION! UPDATES FROM TRCP FLYGALS MEET FOR A BUG CLINIC CONEJOS CAMPING TRIP WATER ACROSS CHAFFEE COUNTY COLORADO RIVER CONNECTIVITY CHANNEL […] [...] Read more...
May 28, 2022By Keith Krebs The final month of school in our valley is May and CPC-TU Youth Education programs came rapid-fire in the last half of the month. Three very successful collaborative events were completed by our volunteers. SALIDA THIRD GRADE FIELD TRIP CPC-TU members Gene Milus, Jerry Wright and Keith Krebs joined GARNA and CPW […] [...] Read more...
May 23, 2022By Linda Schuckert, CPC-TU member Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CPC-TU) is the oldest non-profit conservation organization in the upper Arkansas River valley. CPC-TU sponsors FlyGals, a group of women who either want to learn to fly fish, want to improve their skills with fly fishing, or just want to fly fish with other […] [...] Read more...
May 14, 2022 Read more...
May 1, 2022Click here to view our May newsletter.  Contents: Calendar Youth education: seeking volunteers! Moonlight Pizza social Thank you! FlyGals thank you! River speak CTU’S SPRING MEETING IN REDSTONE, CO Conejos camping & fishing trip Gala thank-you from Colorado TU Why Alaskans can’t ignore Pebble Mine In all fish sampled in three big counties to revive […] [...] Read more...
April 24, 2022Zoom recording of the April 2022 Board of Directors meeting [...] Read more...
March 14, 2022Do you know any teenagers that are interested in fly fishing and conservation?  This is a week-long camp organized by Colorato TU. The dates this year are June 12-18, 2022. It is located in Taylor Park, at the AEI Base. Our chapter is willing to underwrite one or two applicants, but the deadline for applying […] [...] Read more...
March 9, 2022Alex Townsend, our local CPW aquatic biologist, provided an update on CPW’s discontinuation of stocking fin clipped Gunnison River Rainbows in the Arkansas River. He also discussed some ideas for CPC volunteer projects at Twin Lakes involving Lake Trout; the stocking of Virginia Lake (off Hagerman Pass); and fish monitoring, electrofishing and stocking throughout the […] [...] Read more...
March 2, 2022For your reading enjoyment — the March 2022 newsletter.  Contents: CALENDAR ANNOUNCING THE CTU RIVER STEWARDSHIP GALA FREE TICKETS TO FIRST FIVE RESPONDERS SALIDA DERBY STILL NEEDS COORDINATORS! ORGANIZATIONAL NOTE CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR ACCESS STILES RIVER SPEAK FISHING QUOTE ACCESS, RIGHT-TO-WADE DEBATE COLORADO’S BENNET, HICKENLOOPER OPPOSE RENEWABLE WATER RESOURCES PROJECT ECOSYSTEMS RECOVER LONG AFTER FLAMES […] [...] Read more...
February 11, 2022Zoom recording of the February 2022 Board of Directors meeting. [...] Read more...
February 2, 2022The newsletter in PDF format, for your reading enjoyment. Click here to read it. [...] Read more...
January 26, 2022By Karen Dils I have been fortunate to fish in this amazing state about 18 different times, mostly on do it yourself trips in a variety of places. If you ever have a chance to go, just DO IT! Even if you catch no fish (which has never happened) it is an amazing environment and […] [...] Read more...
January 13, 2022Zoom recording of the January 2022 member meeting. David Nickum, director of Colorado TU, presents about TU’s new stratic plan and ideas. [...] Read more...
January 3, 2022The newsletter in PDF format, for your reading enjoyment. Click here to read it. [...] Read more...
December 14, 2021By Jerry Wright I had missed fishing the Arkansas in October, my favorite time on the river. Family and a rejuvenation-contemplation road trip had filled the month. Now November offered dead flowers, hummingbirds gone, a dried-up pump and sluice. A feeling of lost season and a Time’s Frank Bruni opinion piece “American Optimism, R.I.P.” had […] [...] Read more...
December 14, 2021 Read more...
December 11, 2021By Jack Bombardier Another fishing season on the Colorado River has passed, and the ice that’s begun to form every morning begins to grow. Soon it will thicken and cross entire span of the river in spots, and the river will look normal. But things aren’t normal, or at least what is “normal” these days […] [...] Read more...
December 9, 2021By Chris Wood Thanks to all of you who joined our conference last week to hear about the new course Trout Unlimited is charting. We were energized by the comments and questions that came in from the nearly 1,000 volunteers who took part from all over the country. For those of you whose questions we […] [...] Read more...
November 18, 2021By Karen Dils In mid-July last summer, 4 couples who were/are longtime volunteers and chapter members met at the Slough Creek trailhead at the northwest part of Yellowstone National Park. They had all done horseback trips into the wilds to fish before and were eager to try their luck on this fabled river and enjoy […] [...] Read more...
November 14, 2021 Read more...
November 10, 2021 Read more...
November 4, 2021 Read more...
October 28, 2021By Tom P., October 8, 2021 Earlier this month a few members of various Trout Unlimited chapters in Colorado met for a tour of the proposed Wild Horse Reservoir. The tour and presentation were given by Aurora Water representatives at the proposed location in South Park. The representatives were very passionate and I learned a […] [...] Read more...
October 28, 2021The last session of Stream Explorers in Salida was on October 15, 2021. That is the session when the kids use the flies they tied in the 3rd session, learn basic knots and casting, and they go fishing! This time we had plenty of chapter volunteers. We met at the Mt Ouray SWA, the day […] [...] Read more...
October 28, 2021By Tom P., October 2021 I had offered to stock any lakes that the usual chapter effort doesn’t cover — I enjoy hiking, and this has been a fun (and hopefully helpful) way to get a look at new places. This year I stocked four different lakes, from Monarch Pass to Hagerman Pass. Arthur Lake […] [...] Read more...
October 14, 2021Officers – (one year term ending 2023) President – Vacant – (one year term) Vice President – Vacant – (one year term) Secretary – Karen Dils – (one year term) Treasurer – Pam Simpson – (one year term) Directors Up for Election – (three year term ending 2024) Dave Belmont Garrett Christie Bob Hamel Rick […] [...] Read more...
September 30, 2021The BV Labor Day Fishing derby was a great success with 107 kids fishing, the most ever, @70 fish caught and the BV Optimists Club providing both breakfast and lunch. While I had helped as a volunteer a few times in the past it was my first time to run the show. It was incredibly […] [...] Read more...
September 9, 2021 Read more...
September 2, 2021The Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited works in the upper Arkansas River Valley in central Colorado. The chapter has over 300 members. Its projects run from doing habitat restoration and stream access maintenance to advocating for responsible public policies, and working with a variety of agencies on conservation projects. We offer fly fishing classes, […] [...] Read more...
August 24, 2021To learn more about the proposed gold mine please read The Colorado Sun article. For the latest information on this issue please visit https://www.savefremontcounty.org/. That is the website for the main group opposing the application for a new gold mine near Grape Creek, by Canon City. Our chapter has filed an opposition letter with the […] [...] Read more...
July 25, 2021By Michael Harrington WHERE: Elk Creek Campground Conejos River Drainage July 6-14, 2021 WHEN: July 6 – 14, 2021 WHO: Michael C. Harrington, Larry Payne, and Angus Looking back, I’d say building the menu meals was the hardest do for the nine days of dry camping with a water spigot within an easy walk. I […] [...] Read more...
July 25, 2021by Paul J. Goetz, The Mountain Mail. Photos by Denise Goetz. Frantz Lake was abuzz with kids and their families as word spread of a girl who caught a 22-inch rainbow trout near the inlet Sunday at the annual Fourth of July Fishing Derby. The girl, Olivia Turner, 7, of Littleton, caught the biggest trout […] [...] Read more...
July 24, 2021By Ann and Henry Klaiman By best recollections, this was the 28th Annual July 4th Kids Fishing Derby. It felt good to be back, since no derby was held in 2020. Five CPW staff members and 29 chapter members– which may be a record– showed up to help register kids, serve snacks, measure fish caught, […] [...] Read more...
June 28, 2021By Tom Palka, editor I recently returned from a spectacular multi-day fly fishing trip. It was a rafting float down a beautiful canyon with steep schist and sandstone walls, cool water, tons of brown and rainbow trout. Difficult access meant we hardly saw anyone else during those days. The bug life was incredible (caddis, sallies, […] [...] Read more...
June 14, 2021The annual July 4th Kids Fishing Derby at Frantz Lake returns for 2021. The free event, for kids 13 and younger, is sponsored by Trout Unlimited and Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Registration begins at Frantz Lake at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 4th, followed by fishing from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Packaged snacks and sodas […] [...] Read more...
April 26, 2021This is a recording of the Zoom board meeting in April 2021. [...] Read more...
April 15, 2021 Read more...
March 12, 2021If you didn’t have a chance to attend our March meeting live, you can catch up by seeing the recording below. [...] Read more...
February 22, 2021For a variety of reasons, the chapter’s annual February fin clipping event with Colorado Parks & Wildlife has been cancelled. This is disappointing news as this event is popular with many of our dedicated CPC volunteers. A “look back” at our 2019 and 2020 events show over 40,000 greenback and Gunnison river rainbows clipped! Check […] [...] Read more...
February 14, 2021Read the description of our committees and volunteer to join one! [...] Read more...
February 11, 2021December 18, 2020 Central Colorado Conservancy, SalidaTrout Unlimited, Collegiate Peaks Chapter EcoMetrics, Buena VistaRound River Design, SalidaSupported by: Gillilan and Associates, Buena Vista Purpose and scope This study is a holistic riverscape health assessment of a 1.9 km reach of the South Arkansas River from County Road 107 to the confluence with the Arkansas River […] [...] Read more...
February 11, 2021The Chapter is always happy and thankful to receive donations throughout the year. We thank these generous supporters for their recent contributions: December 2020: Al & Pam Simpson Carolyn Miller Cary Carlson Charles Kenney III Dennis Hunter Dunkly DeCew Georgianna Rutherford Estate Henry & Ann Klaiman Jerry Wright Karen & Reed Dils Lynn Banks Lynn […] [...] Read more...
February 11, 2021How long have you been a TU member?  Can’t remember exactly when I joined, but for several years. When I was in Colorado Springs several years ago, I was a member of the Pikes Peak Flyfishers and then migrated to supporting TU in addition. Are you a chapter board member and/or officer? I am a […] [...] Read more...
February 11, 2021We received a thank you note from Grady Petit for our spring scholarship support.  Grady is from Salida, is a senior at Kansas University in Environmental Studies and an ROTC Cadet. This is his final semester, and he will be graduating later this year. [...] Read more...
February 1, 2021As you may know by now, Rio Grande Pacific Railroad, thru its subsidiary Colorado Midland & Pacific (CMP), has negotiated a lease with Union Pacific, which owns the Tennessee Rail Line from approximately Gypsum (on 1-70) all the way down to Parkdale. CMP has applied for a Notice of Exemption with the Surface Transportation Board […] [...] Read more...
December 5, 2020By Gene Milus Several days after Keith Krebs and Jerry Wright received gift certificates at the November meeting for their contributions to the chapter, Jim Impara was surprised to learn that he too was awarded a $100 gift certificate at Ark Anglers. Jim joined the chapter in 2006 and has been a director or vice […] [...] Read more...
December 5, 2020by Keith Krebs, Daniel Omasta, and Jason Willis The driving mission behind decades of work by Trout Unlimited is to conserve, protect and restore America’s cold-water fisheries and their watersheds. Colorado Trout Unlimited’s efforts have focused on collaborative approaches to restore native cutthroat trout, mitigate impacts of abandoned mines, enhance access to public lands and […] [...] Read more...
December 5, 2020If you missed our annual Year-In-Review meeting, this year it was held virtually. The elections were held, and we’re delighted to welcome two new board members — Kim LeTourneau and Jim McGannon! Tom Arnot prepared a presentation highlighting what we did in 2020 — click the thumbnail above to watch the video, or click here! [...] Read more...
December 5, 2020Chapter members were presented a check for $20,000 from Bob Gomez, representing the late Vern and Georgiana Rutherford, who graciously donated this amount from their estate. Also instrumental in this gift was Blake Fanning, (former VP for our chapter), who drove from his home in Grand Junction on Sept. 20, to participate. Chapter President Keith Krebs said […] [...] Read more...
October 26, 2020Mission – To conserve, protect and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Vision –Dear Members & Supporters, First and foremost, we hope you and your family are safe and healthy in this stressful and confusing time. Most of us living in the Upper Arkansas Valley are fortunate to be away from crowded cities […] [...] Read more...
October 17, 2020October 12, 2020 Chaffee County Board of Commissioners c/o Jon Roorda104 Crestone AvenueSalida, CO 81202 Dear Commissioners; This document is an addendum to our original letter and will serve to revise that letter of support dated March 15, 2020. The current Colorado 1041 permit held by Nestle Waters North America (NWNA) to extract spring water […] [...] Read more...
October 11, 2020[Editor: Keith Krebs is the president of Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited. The chapter and GARNA collaborate on a number of youth education programs, most notably Stream Explorers.] “Community Driven. Good People. Positive Impact. That’s GARNA.”– Keith Krebs, 2020 GARNA Environmental Hero Award for Education Here is a video interview of Keith: Keith, a […] [...] Read more...
October 9, 2020Usually we do it every other year, but Colorado Parks & Wildlife had some golden trout that needed to be stocked. Follow our volunteer as he hikes up the trail with two bags of fingerlings and puts them into a high mountain lake. [...] Read more...
September 11, 2020Click here to register [...] Read more...
July 27, 2020July 17, 2020 TO: Chaffee County Planning and Zoning Commission 104 Crestone AvenueRoom 125P.O. Box 699 Salida, Colorado 81201 RE: Aspire Tours Limited Impact Review Dear Commissioners: I am writing on behalf of the Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CPC-TU) to urge you to reject the application by Aspire Tours to build rental cabins, […] [...] Read more...
July 16, 2020Our July 2020 membership meeting was held remotely. Michael Atwood, our local aquatic biologist with Colorado Parks & Wildlife, gave a presentation on the state of the Upper Arkansas. He shared tons of great information! The meeting was recorded and the video is posted below for your enjoyment. You can also access it directly on […] [...] Read more...
July 16, 2020The Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited has cancelled its Buena Vista Labor Day Kids Fishing Derby for 2020. The annual event, held at the Town Pond in Buena Vista, draws over 200 people. The decision was made in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to social distance with so many kids and […] [...] Read more...
May 28, 2020The Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited has cancelled its July 4th Kids Fishing Derby for 2020. The annual event, held at Frantz Lake near Salida, draws almost 350 people. “Even by July 4th,” said organizer Henry Klaiman, “a crowd of that size is larger than we can safely plan for in the wake of […] [...] Read more...
May 7, 2020by Keith Krebs, reprinted from The Mountain Mail, May 7, 2020, edition The South Arkansas, known as The Little River to many locals, is an important tributary of the main stem of the Arkansas River. Historically, flows in the South Arkansas were larger and more varied than at present. The physical footprint of today’s river […] [...] Read more...
April 30, 2020​By Eric Heltzel​​My wife reminded me that we have been quarantined for most of a month. Normal? It is starting to feel a bit that way. I live in a fairly rural setting and can go outdoors at will and not be near other people. Wow! Walking in the woods, playing with the dog, doing […] [...] Read more...
April 20, 2020This year’s Earth Day is on 22 April, and Colorado Public Lands Day and Clean-up / Green-up is on May 16th. Rather than having a single day event, we want to encourage our members to participate in the cleanup on their own time, during the three-week period between 4/22 and 5/16. Here is how the […] [...] Read more...
March 31, 2020by Eric Heltzel, reprinted from The Mountain Mail Wilderness. A word that has been a functional part of our vocabulary for many years. But recent fires and flooding here in the Upper Arkansas Valley have caused me to consider this word with a slightly different view. So, I got out my New Oxford American Dictionary […] [...] Read more...
March 30, 2020This letter was submitted by our chapter on March 28, 2020. March 28, 2020 TO: Amy Titterington, Geologist and AML CoordinatorSouth Park Ranger District, USFSP.O. Box 219; 320 US Highway 285Fairplay CO 80440 RE: Public Comment submission for Oro Vista #1, #2, #3 (Oro Vista Claim Block) Mine Proposal, 12 miles north of Buena Vista, […] [...] Read more...
March 30, 2020This letter was submitted by Jason Willis on behalf of TU. We are reprinting it as our chapter also submitted a comment, and we are very impressed by the level of technical detail in this one. Jason Willis, P.E. – CO AML Program Manager128 East 1st StreetSalida, CO 81201jwillis@tu.org(719) 221-0411 March 25, 2020 Trout Unlimited […] [...] Read more...
March 30, 2020This letter in opposition to the Parkdale Quarry expansion was submitted to the BLM by our chapter on March 20, 2020. Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office 3028 E. Main St.Cañon City, CO 81212 RE: Parkdale Quarry Expansion Comments To whom it may concern: I am writing on behalf of the Collegiate Peaks […] [...] Read more...
February 26, 2020Story and photos by Cody Olivas, Reprinted from The Mountain Mail, February 26, 2020 For decades Colorado Parks and Wildlife has made efforts to restore rainbow trout populations, ever since whirling disease wiped out many of the fish in the 1990s. “It (whirling disease) damages the cartilage of young and developing fish,” CPW aquatic biologist […] [...] Read more...
February 17, 2020By Jerry Wright I first met Rod in the early 80’s shortly after I moved to Denver from Tennessee. With his tight smile, hesitant, deep laugh, and his love of fly-fishing, I liked him right away. Having fished the small streams of the Smokies, I had grown confident in catching willing brookies, but was quickly […] [...] Read more...
February 17, 2020How long have you been a TU member? For almost 11 years, all with CPC-TU. Last year I became a Lifetime Member. Are you a chapter board member and/or officer? Yes. I was just elected Chapter President for 2020. Initially, I had one term as Presiding Officer that I split with Jim Impara. This will be my […] [...] Read more...
February 17, 2020When:​ Tuesday – Feb 25th through Thursday – Feb 27th​​ Where: ​Mt. Ouray Fish Unit at Mt Shavano Hatchery – 7725 CR 154  Time: ​​8am to 3pm (or as much time as you can spend)  In past years, CPC Chapter members have volunteered with Michael Atwood, Aquatic Biologist at Colorado Parks & Wildlife, with a […] [...] Read more...
February 17, 2020By Keith Krebs Like 2019, the annual CTU Rendezvous will be held in Glennwood Springs at the Hotel Colorado from May 23 through May 26, 2020. The Rendezvous is a high-quality event that provides multiple educational opportunities using break-out sessions each day. It’s a chance to meet new people, get new ideas and find out […] [...] Read more...
December 28, 2019 Read more...
December 5, 2019Mark your calendars for Colorado Gives Day! For the 1st time CPC is participating in this fundraising day for Colorado nonprofits. Join one of the largest one-day giving movements in the country. Each December Coloradans come together with the common goal to strengthen the community by helping to power nonprofits. Community First Foundation and FirstBank […] [...] Read more...
December 5, 2019How long have you been a TU member? Actually not sure how long I’ve been a member but think it’s been since the early 2000’s and I have mostly been a business member. What drew you to joining TU? Really started working with TU in 2006 when I saw they aligned so well with the […] [...] Read more...
December 5, 2019How long have you been a TU member? Since 1993 I believe. Now a Lifetime Member. Are you a chapter board member and/or officer? Yes. I’m the secretary for 2020 and have served in that capacity previously as well as chapter president for several years. Before Keith I was the Youth Education Coordinator and helped […] [...] Read more...
December 5, 2019by Rick Helmick At the year end meeting last week, we gave a report on how our fundraising went this year, as it comes to an end. I included the first slide below, and there are several more from the slide show Tom Arnot put together, and it’s now posted on our website. I might […] [...] Read more...
December 5, 2019Congratulations to Barbara! She received the very well-deserved Outstanding Volunteer award from Colorado TU. Among other things, she started the FlyGals program, organized the Caddis Festival Banquet, and participated in the scholarship committee. Thank you, Barbara, for all you do! [...] Read more...
November 18, 2019We held our annual Year in Review meeting on November 13th at Granzella Hall. The room was nearly packed, and it was great to see friends again. We also welcomed a few new members. Annual report Tom Arnot prepared a presentation on all chapter activities, a report on fundraising, and more. If you missed the […] [...] Read more...
November 12, 2019by Arlene ShovaldSpecial to The Mountain Mail [reprinted from The Mountain Mail special edition, 11 November 2019] Outdoor activities with a group of like individuals can be a transforming experience for disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans. The Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited provides this type of experience through a partnership with […] [...] Read more...
October 27, 2019We had the bi-annual high country fish stocking on September 25th, 2019. It was coordinated by Michael Atwood from Colorado Parks & Wildlife. We had ten volunteers who (some in teams, some solo) stocked 11,000 fingerlings into about nine creeks. CPW stocked another location on horseback. Locations: Chalk Creek – 2,000 fish Middle Cottonwood Creek […] [...] Read more...
October 27, 2019By Rick Helmick Heather Adams emailed me that our check was ready, from last month’s Monday 10% non-profit program. So here is Ryan, assistant manager, presenting Collegiate Peaks TU with a check for $601, which represents 10% of their sales that day. I hope everyone had a good time Sept. 9th, as this was an […] [...] Read more...
October 27, 2019Chapter members came to the rescue of a Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) event that was on the verge of being cancelled due to lack of volunteers. Charlie Adams, the trip leader for the event and a chapter member,did not want to see the event cancelled. He reached out to the chapter for volunteers […] [...] Read more...
October 27, 2019How long have you been a TU member? I had been a member for several years before becoming a Life Member in 1995, so over 20 years.  Are you a chapter board member and/or officer? Currently a Board member, but have been VP and Co-Presiding Officer with Keith.  What drew you to joining TU? A good friend in […] [...] Read more...
October 27, 2019How long have you been a TU member? I’ve been a member since 2012.  What drew you to joining TU? It was sort of an accident… A friend gave me a membership for a Christmas gift in 2012 and it proved to be a good way to meet people when we moved here the following year. Are […] [...] Read more...
October 14, 2019by Rick Helmick Heather Adams emailed me that our check was ready, from last month’s Monday 10% non-profit program. So here is Ryan, assistant manager, presenting Collegiate Peaks TU with a check for $601, which represents 10% of their sales that day. I hope everyone had a good time Sept. 9th, as this was an […] [...] Read more...
October 13, 2019Candidate Slate – the following candidates are up for election: President: Keith Krebs, 1 year term Vice President: Rick Helmick, 1 year term Secretary: Karen Dils, 1 year term Treasurer: Jerry Wright, 1 year term Board member: Pam Simpson, 3 year term Board member: Gene Milus, 3 year term Board member: Bill Dvorak, 3 year […] [...] Read more...
October 1, 2019The October newsletter is ready for your perusal. In it: Upcoming events September recap, by Rick Helmick Buena Vista kids fishing derby, by Bob Gray Vets fish the Arkansas river, by Gene Milus Fishing quote Last month’s members’ meeting, by Rick Helmick Scholarship recipient thank you notes! River speak, by M.H. New study reveals 6.35 […] [...] Read more...
September 3, 2019Our September newsletter is hot off the press! Contents: Upcoming events Moonlight Monday fundraiser (September 9th!) Announcing fall 2019 scholarships FlyGals donate to the Fred Rasmussen memorial scholarship Phantom Canyon, by Michael Harrington Thousands of cutthroats returned to the wild after Hayden Pass fire Fish ladders and boat chutes on Arkansas river Click here to […] [...] Read more...
July 1, 2019Our July newsletter is hot off the press! Contents: Upcoming events My experience spawning greenback cutthroat trout by Jim McGannon Second annual veteran fishing event by Gene Milus Fishing quote Colorado program that enhances streams gets a second chance at expansion this summer, from Water Education Colorado River speak Ending cutthroat restoration in Utah from […] [...] Read more...
June 19, 2019CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: TU JULY 4TH KIDS FISHING DERBY AT FRANTZ LAKE FOR OVER TWO DECADES, the Collegiate Peaks Chapter has offered free fishing derbies for kids, one in Salida on July 4th and one in Buena Vista on Labor Day Weekend. THESE EVENTS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY for our chapter to give back to the […] [...] Read more...
May 9, 2019This year we’re running sessions in Salida and in Buena Vista. Check out our Stream Explorers tab for more information! [...] Read more...
April 25, 2019by Keith Krebs and Daniel Omasta The drought of 2018 was a tough one for Colorado – especially for rural communities that battled catastrophic wildfire or watched irrigated fields go dry and saw tourists leave as the rivers were closed and fires were banned. While this winter has brought much needed relief to our watersheds, […] [...] Read more...
February 26, 2019By Keith Krebs This year Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CPC-TU) is joining Colorado Trout Unlimited (CTU) in celebrating 50 years of protecting Colorado’s coldwater fisheries. Founded in 1969, CTU is the state’s leading non-profit, non-partisan organization providing a voice for Colorado’s rivers. CPC-TU is a member chapter and celebrates being the oldest conservation […] [...] Read more...
October 6, 2018Graham Bachmann, Senior at Colorado State University and Stacy Wilson, Senior at Colorado Mesa University, have received CPC’s scholarships for the Fall, 2018 semester. Graham, who is scheduled to graduate in December, 2018, is majoring in Natural Resource Management with a minor in Fishery Biology. This is his third year of support from CPC. Graham’s […] [...] Read more...
August 26, 2018by Jerry Wright Wooly Worms. Buckskins. Griffith’s Gnats. Even Ceasar’s Psycho Worm (a one-of-a-kind neon pink and blue creation of feathers and yarn -the product of a young student’s creative mind). For Leadville 5th and 6th graders, August learning went well beyond a vocabulary lesson. ​The week began with lessons on water quality and stream […] [...] Read more...
June 23, 2018A few photos from this year’s Caddis Festival Banquet! All photos courtesy of Keith Krebs. [...] Read more...
May 28, 2018Chapter trip to the Uncompahgre River. Jim & Barbara Larry & friend Guest Mike Delaney (holding trout) Sharing the trail Beaver Lodge on the Comp. Guest Leo (with cigar) Hikers-Karen, Carolyn, Marji, Callie(woof), Carla, Tracy Scenic Steve Reed & Karen Carolyn & Lee Bob & Marji Tracy Group Carla & Larry (Coordinator, cook) Steaks and […] [...] Read more...
May 28, 2018by Jerry Wright On Tuesday, May 22, 2018, volunteers from Collegiate Peaks Chapter, Trout Unlimited joined volunteers from the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Buena Vista McGinnis Middle School staff at the Buena Vista Youth Conservation Camp in the upper meadow of the Four Mile Creek area. The day started […] [...] Read more...
March 4, 2018Video courtesy of Denver Post By Bill Vogrin, reposted from Colorado Parks & Wildlife press release March 2, 2018 Volunteers key in grueling quest for wild rainbow trout resistant to whirling disease SALIDA, Colo. – As snow piled up outside the Mount Ouray hatchery building late last month, inside a handful of Colorado Parks and […] [...] Read more...
January 18, 2018Reposted from Yale Environment 360 Chinook salmon, an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that supports a major fishery industry and indigenous traditions, have lost up to two-thirds of their genetic diversity over the past 7,000 years, according to a new study. Scientists warn the loss could make it difficult for the species to cope […] [...] Read more...
January 15, 2018Amy Harmon, Senior at Western State Colorado University, and Graham Bachmann, Junior at Colorado State University have received CPC’s scholarships for the Spring, 2018 semester. Amy, who is scheduled to graduate in May, 2018, is majoring in Biology (Environmental Biology & Ecology Emphasis); Environment & Sustainability (Water Emphasis). She has received multiple years of support […] [...] Read more...
December 14, 2017by Matthew Brown, in The Chicago Tribune President Donald Trump’s administration announced Friday that it won’t require mining companies to prove they have the financial wherewithal to clean up their pollution, despite an industry legacy of abandoned mines that have fouled waterways across the U.S. The move came after mining groups and Western-state Republicans pushed […] [...] Read more...
December 13, 2017By JOHN CLARKE, from The New York Times ROANOKE, Va. – Kim Brannock became fascinated by fly-fishing after watching “A River Runs Through It,” a 1992 film starring Brad Pitt. Years later, a co-worker taught her to fly-fish during lunch breaks, when she practiced casting underneath the St. Johns Bridge on the Willamette River in […] [...] Read more...
December 8, 2017The 2018 Caddis Festival Banquet & Auction is scheduled for May 5, 2018 at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. In order for this major fundraiser to be successful, we need a team of chapter members to help plan the event and to volunteer during the Caddis Festival. If you’ve helped before, we need your help again! […] [...] Read more...
December 1, 2017CONTENTS Note from the editor Upcoming events Fly Tiers Jamboreey Bull Trout Decline Whirling Disease Lefty’s Letter Tester joins Western Senators Click here to read the newsletter… [...] Read more...
November 1, 2017Officers (One-year term): President (vacant) VP: Blake Fanning Treasurer: Jerry Wright Secretary: Tom Arnot Director Nominations (expiration) Larry Payne (2018) Eric Heltzel (2018) Bill Dvorak (2019) Gene Milus (2019) Mike Perry (2019) Jim Impara (2020) Fred Rasmussen (2020) Rick Helmick (2020) A big shout out to these candidates serving for the first time! NOTE: Vote […] [...] Read more...
October 18, 2017Below is the list of flies that are needed — along with names of people who volunteered so far. If you’d like to help us, please pick a pattern and contact Jim Impara (twopi@hughes.net) to let him know. Thanks! Flies Sizes Number needed for each size Tier’s Name Group Nymphs Brassie 16 12 CFR BH […] [...] Read more...
May 27, 2017Our photographer/reporter missed the third session of Stream Explorers, so there are no notes or photos from the fly tying. The students learned how to tie flies, and tied a number of them in preparation for today’s session. Today we had a chance to fish at the Kelly ponds near Buena Vista. They are private […] [...] Read more...
May 5, 2017Today we had two more students show up, bringing up the class size to 13! We met at the Touber building again. Today’s session started with an experiment to determine how water temperature is related to dissolved oxygen. All students got a mason jar with room temperature water (purified) into which we put a goldfish. […] [...] Read more...
May 2, 2017(reprinted from The Mountain Mail, April 28, 2017, edition) by Tom Arnot For several years, Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited has conducted an aquatic ecology program for Salida Middle School students called Stream Explorers. It begins with collecting macro-invertebrates from the river and extends to students examining the behavior of surrogate fish under varied […] [...] Read more...
May 1, 2017Helpers needed! Caddis Festival Set-up this Friday The 32nd Annual Caddis Festival Banquet & Auction is just a week away! Friday, May 5th is the set-up day for the festival at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. Set-up begins at 9:30 am. Your help in genuinely needed and appreciated. Lunch provided. If you have questions, please contact […] [...] Read more...
May 1, 2017Highway 285 spring clean-up May 20th, 10am-noon We’re doing our semi-annual Highway 285 cleanup on May 20th. It starts at 10am at the 1806 Rest Stop (sometimes called the Christmas Rest Stop, click here for directions), mile marker 132, about 1 – 1.5 miles south of where State Road 291 cuts off toward Salida. If […] [...] Read more...
April 30, 2017This year the Stream Explorers met at the Touber building. The Scout Hut is being renovated, and the City of Salida kindly offered us a room so we could be near the river. The first session saw about 10 students and we had a high school volunteer helper too. A winter storm storm was on […] [...] Read more...
April 4, 2017The April 2017 edition is ready! [...] Read more...
March 8, 2017These are notes from Tom P’s presentation at the March 8, 2017, chapter meeting. PDF of the slide show Links: Google Earth desktop program Maps.Me mobile app (page contains links to both Android and iOS versions) Stay The Trail: OHV trail maps and guides for our area. Click “Trail Maps” in the main navigation. It […] [...] Read more...
March 1, 2017Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its spring meeting from 6 to 8:30 p.m. March 8 in the front room of Boathouse Cantina, 228 N. F St. The meeting is open to all chapter members and the public, according to a press release. Social hour starts at 6 p.m., followed by the program […] [...] Read more...
February 26, 2017Originally published in Men’s Journal (article link). by Tyghe Trimble. On Tuesday, Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) introduced two bills (H.R. 621 and H.R. 622) with the explicit aim to sell Federal lands and “terminate the law enforcement functions of the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.” While 622 never made it further than its […] [...] Read more...
February 12, 2017Article by Chris Wood, published in The New York Times, February 10, 2017 THE eastern brook trout, whose native haunts in the Appalachians are a short drive from my home in Washington, is a fragile species. It requires the coldest and cleanest water to survive, and over the past two centuries, its ranks have been […] [...] Read more...
January 8, 2017Reprinted from The Mountain Mail. By Fred Rasmussen When Jeanne and I purchased our place in the Arkansas River Valley in the late 1970s, there was a tattered Texas gate guarding the narrow rutted cow trail that led through the pinon/juniper to the property. The J-shaped trail led west then through and over the rocks […] [...] Read more...
January 8, 2017The Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its first member meeting of 2017 in the front room of The Boathouse Cantina, located at 228 North F Street, Salida on Wednesday, January 11th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The meeting is open to all Chapter members and the public is encouraged to attend […] [...] Read more...
January 8, 2017Don’t forget that members will have an opportunity to participate in setting Chapter goals and activities for 2017 and discuss new opportunities and concerns by attending our annual Strategic Planning meeting to be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017, from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at Mt. Shavano Manor meeting room at 525 West 16th […] [...] Read more...
November 25, 2016Reposted from The Mountain Mail, November 25 2016 edition. by Fred Rasmussen, Special to The Mail Dredging weighted nymphs in deep pools while standing in a cold wind on slippery ice can be tedious, often unsuccessful and usually a chilling experience. There may be a good day now and then when the midges bring the […] [...] Read more...
November 5, 2016Our Bylaws and Policies are now available through the web site — find them under the “About” menu, or at this link. [...] Read more...
November 5, 2016Officers (One-year term): President: Keith Krebs (Per Bylaws BoD voted to approve 3rd term) Vice President: Blake Fanning ** Secretary: Tom Arnot Treasurer: Jerry Wright Director Nominations (expiration) Bill Dvorak (2019) Agreed to another 3 year term Gene Milus (2019) ** Mike Perry (2019) Jason Willis (2019) Agreed to another 3 year term A big […] [...] Read more...
October 26, 2016Reprinted from The Mountain Mail, Wednesday, October 26, 2016 edition. by John Cameron, Mail Staff Writer The future of Gold Medal Trout Waters like the Arkansas River and other cold water fisheries in Colorado relies on students currently studying in the field of aquatic biology. That, according to the Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited […] [...] Read more...
October 18, 2016We will start posting the meeting minutes on this site. Please check the Meeting Minutes page for more info. [...] Read more...
September 30, 2016by Fred Rasmussen, reprinted from The Mountain Mail, September 30, 2016 edition. The Gunnison River below the Black Canyon, from the Smith Fork to the confluence of the North Fork, does not have a plethora of public access. So this elegant fishery very often lacks the hordes of anglers that diminish the ambiance of the […] [...] Read more...
August 29, 2016As seen in the The Mountain Mail, August 29, 2016, edition by Bill Perrill Special to The Mail Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting disabled veterans in their rehabilitation. “The sport of fly fishing holds many therapeutic benefits that encompass the physical, mental and emotional,” said Daniel Morgan, […] [...] Read more...
May 17, 2016A big “thank you” to all our sponsors! Please see the full list here. [...] Read more...
May 13, 2016Eight students came today, we had three who were out of town and will make up this activity with volunteer teachers later on. Those who came today brought their fly tying kits and the flies they had tied. Some pretty nice creations — and some really good looking ones that should work great! We took […] [...] Read more...
May 10, 2016From The Mountain Mail, May 10, 2016, edition. by Marcus Hill, Mail Staff Writer The 31st annual Caddis Festival, presented by the Collegiate Peaks Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited, will help the chapter continue to give to the community. The Caddis Festival made “in the ballpark of $35,000,” which is on par with what the […] [...] Read more...
May 6, 2016The fly tying session! Last week we showed the students how to set up the vises, insert the hook, and start the thread. They came back excited and ready to tie their own creations. We had a few more volunteers, allowing a nicer teacher-student ration. The students tied some wooly worms, blood midge larva, wooly […] [...] Read more...
May 4, 2016A dangerous bill was introduced with just days left in Colorado’s legislative session that could accelerate permitting of water projects at the expense of environmental review. SB16-200 undermines the unprecedented civic engagement that was the hallmark of Colorado’s Water Plan and its celebrated collaborative water solutions. The bill is the product of outdated closed-door water […] [...] Read more...
April 30, 2016A snow storm moved over Salida last night. We woke up to snow on the ground and cold temperatures, not a fun day to be outside. We were lucky to have great weather last week when we collected samples in the river! We discussed what made good habitats for the goldfish that the students took […] [...] Read more...
April 26, 2016This year’s Stream Explorers Salida sessions had a great start. Although we have fewer students than in the previous years, they are all excited and curious and keen to learn. We started the day with a brief introduction to the course and then went down to the river. Most students wore shorts, and put on […] [...] Read more...
April 14, 2016We will no longer meet at Mt. Princeton — those meetings will now take place at the Branding Iron restaurant in Buena Vista.   Click here to find directions and more info. All events listed below (and more, including FlyGals and Stream Explorers) can be found on our web site’s Calendar section. May 7 (Sat.) […] [...] Read more...
April 6, 2016The Salida sessions of Stream Explorers 2016 are open for registration! Click here to learn more about this program. [...] Read more...
April 2, 2016For your reading pleasure: the April newsletter. [...] Read more...
March 2, 2016Read it here. [...] Read more...
February 3, 2016As printed in The Mountain Mail, January 29, 2016, edition. by Keith Krebs I would like to acknowledge the considerable help Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited gets from local collaborators. The Greater Arkansas River Nature Association is a significant positive force in our community. GARNA’s mission is to foster stewardship of the resources of […] [...] Read more...
February 3, 2016Read our newsletter: February 2016 edition. [...] Read more...
January 1, 2016This month’s newsletter is hot off the presses. Click here to read it. Happy New Year! [...] Read more...
December 28, 2015[This article appeared in the 12/28/2015 edition of The Mountain Mail] Dear Mom, thanks for the water. What is this? It is a phrase that I try to say out loud every morning, which may seem particularly odd because my mother died in 2009. Nonetheless, I consider it an important part of my daily ritual. […] [...] Read more...
December 10, 2015Our latest newsletter: [...] Read more...
October 19, 2015Following the fly casting clinic we helped with at the Crest Academy, today five chapter members taught the same students how to tie flies. We had a total of 28 students, and thankfully they came in two separate groups — so we had enough vises and tools for everyone. With five volunteers we were able […] [...] Read more...
September 9, 2015Tonight we showed the Fly Fishing Film Tour at the Steamplant in Salida. The room was just about packed, and a good percentage of the guests were not chapter members. It was a fun selection of movies! A few poor photos below. [...] Read more...
September 7, 2015Another great event and lots of happy kids! [...] Read more...
September 3, 2015We had a chance to participate in the PE class for Crest Academy. We had two groups of students come out, a total of 28. GARNA supplied us with the Redington Path fly rod outfits, thank you! The students came, learned how to tie a simple clinch or #8 knot, then learned how to joint […] [...] Read more...
August 26, 2015Yesterday’s greenback trout stocking went very well. Seventeen volunteers stocked 11,000 fish in 9 locations ranging from North and west of Leadville south to Chalk Creek. DPW personnel stocked a little over 18,000 fish in an additional 6 locations. Time investment ranged from as little as 4 hours to as many as 8 hours. Hope […] [...] Read more...
June 17, 2015We had our largest Stream Explorers group yet in Buena Vista with the cooperation of the BV Recreation Department, Boys & Girls Clubs, GARNA, and our local home school coordinator, Trish Nelson. Twenty youngsters from 5th-9th grade participated over the 4 days and 13 became Stream Explorers! To accomplish that and receive a complimentary year’s […] [...] Read more...
June 4, 2015This year’s Salida fishing derby will be, as usual, on July 4th at Frantz Lake! Please contact Mike Perry with any questions. [...] Read more...
May 15, 2015What a fun day! I am very excited to report that most of the students caught fish today — on the flies they tied themselves! It was great to see. We started the day by meeting in front of the Scout Hut. The Chaffee Shuttle took all the students to the Mount Ouray SWA just […] [...] Read more...
May 8, 2015Today was time to learn to tie flies! In session #1 we went into the river and collected lots of specimens, so the students had a very good idea of what lives in the river. We started off talking about what trout eat, about sizes and colors of the bugs. We had enough volunteers to […] [...] Read more...
May 8, 2015This year, like in 2014, we had the opportunity to spend a few fun days with the veterans from the Project Healing Waters. There were nine veterans who came to fish with us this year, and despite challenging conditions I think we all had a good time. Challenging conditions: although the famous caddis hatch had […] [...] Read more...
May 5, 2015Re-printed from The Mountain Mail, May 6 2015 edition. By Marcus Hill, Mail Staff Writer The 30th annual Caddis Festival presented by the Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited at Chaffee County Fairgrounds Saturday night saw a hike in attendance and money raised. More than 260 people attended the banquet this year, which garnered […] [...] Read more...
April 24, 2015(Stream Explorers is offered in partnership between GARNA (Greater Arkansas Nature Association) and our chapter). Our actual first session date got cancelled — Salida got almost 2′ of wet snow! The session was cancelled and the program moved forward a week. And a good thing — today was a warm sunny day. The day started […] [...] Read more...
March 31, 2015The 2015 event calendar is posted on the FlyGals section of the site. Also, FlyGals now has its own Facebook page — please join the group to participate and to receive event updates! [...] Read more...
March 11, 2015Tonight we had a great member meeting — a very good turnout, people enjoying food and beverages at the Boathouse Cantina, and all that followed by Duane Redford’s presentation.  Here are some links to Duane’s web site and book: “Fly Fisher’s Playbook”, 2nd edition, on Amazon.com Duane’s website: http://flyfishersplaybook.wordpress.com     [...] Read more...
March 6, 2015Colorado Trout Unlimited is now accepting applications for the Tenth Annual River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, June 14-19, 2015 at the Bar N I Ranch near Weston, CO. Applications must be received by April 15, 2015. The camp is designed to educate 14 to 18 year old students on the importance of coldwater conservation and provide hands-on […] [...] Read more...
February 27, 2015Reprinted from The Mountain Mail‘s February 27, 2015 edition. Earlier in the month, just getting back from a float down the Arkansas, I couldn’t help feeling like spring had settled into our valley. I missed the cold short days, standing in the water, alone, with snowflakes falling around me, waiting for a hatch. Now that […] [...] Read more...
February 16, 2015The Film Festival is back in Salida — last year’s selection was great, and we’re sure this year’s will be too! Buy your tickets early, it will sell out. Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival – Films selected, check. Dates in Salida and BV scheduled, check. Tickets available online, check. Buy your tickets now – […] [...] Read more...
January 13, 2015Here is a list of the educational events that our chapter will participate in or organize this year. Please contact Karen Dils (karendils4@gmail.com) for more information or (better yet) to volunteer! [...] Read more...
December 5, 2014Reprinted from The Mountain Mail‘s 12/05/2014 edition. Guest opinion by Jim Impara After more than 20 years of discussion, meetings and missed opportunities, the time is right to designate a Browns Canyon National Monument. Saturday’s meeting in Salida – hosted by the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and Sens. Mark Udall and […] [...] Read more...
November 16, 2014The annual elections took place on November 15, 2014. The listing for the new board of directors has been posted. [...] Read more...
November 12, 2014Passing along from Jason Willis, TU Mine Restoration Project Manager and one of our chapter board directors: As many of you know, the South Arkansas Restoration Project finished up last Friday with a volunteer planting day.  This project has been a huge success with community-wide involvement.  Attached is a photo compilation of the volunteer day.  Thanks […] [...] Read more...
November 10, 2014From The Mountain Mail, November 10 2014 edition. by J.D.Thomas Mail Staff Writer The South Arkansas River riparian corridor in Poncha Springs received a facelift from 25 volunteers during a volunteer workday Friday. Volunteers, along with stu- dents from Salida Middle School and Longfellow Ele- mentary School, dug holes and planted willow, alder and chokecherry […] [...] Read more...
November 6, 2014Every year we host a fly tying Jamboree event to produce flies for charities. Please refer to the Flies for Charity page to see the list of what we plan to tie, and to volunteer to tie some of them! [...] Read more...
October 27, 2014We received a great thank-you letter from one of our scholarship recipients — and wanted to share it. Dear Collegiate Peaks Anglers Scholarship Committee, I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to you for making the Collegiate Peaks Anglers Scholarship possible. I am delighted and deeply honored to learn of my selection for this […] [...] Read more...
October 10, 2014Candidates slate for the 2015 elections: President: Keith Krebs Vice-president: Jim Impara Treasurer: Reed Dils Secretary: Larry Payne Board Member 1: Jerry Wright Board Member 2: Brian Eagleson Board Member 3: Fred Rasmussen Board Member 4: -open- [...] Read more...
June 4, 2014Short version: no meetings this summer. Read on for more info: CHANGES are coming to the Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited! One of the Strategic Planning Workshop outcomes is holding fewer, but better, membership meetings. As encouragement for more members of all age groups to attend, membership meetings will be held at Salida […] [...] Read more...
May 22, 2014This was the first year that Stream Explorers 2014 was offered in Buena Vista, with students attending from Leadville too. It was the same program as the Salida sessions, but on the fourth session they had much better luck with fish! Also check out the short cell phone movie :) [...] Read more...
May 9, 2014Stream Explorers is offered in partnership by Collegiate Peaks Anglers and Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA). Today was the last session of this four-week program, and fly fishing was the main topic. We met at the Scout Hut at 9am and proceeded to assemble their casting outfits. For starters, we used wooden 3/8″ dowels […] [...] Read more...
May 5, 2014by Nick Jurney, The Mountain Mail Staff Writer Reprinted from the The Mountain Mail, May 5, 2014. Around 230 people turned out Saturday for the 29th annual Caddis Festival pre- sented by the Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited at Chaffee County Fairgrounds. Jim Impara, host for the event and board of direc- tors […] [...] Read more...
May 2, 2014The Stream Explorers program is offered in partnership with Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA). Big thanks go to ArkAnglers fly shop for helping us out with scissors, threaders, fly boxes, and hooks! Today’s session was the third in the cycle, and fly tying was the focus. Most fly tying classes revolve around learning particular […] [...] Read more...
April 29, 2014 Read more...
April 29, 2014On Friday, April 25, twenty FlyGals were given casting instruction at Bovee Ponds in Salida by professional guide Stuart Andrews. Carol Neville former Arklangler guide assisted, Barbara Plake and Dominique Naccarrato organized and assisted. Photos by Jim. We learned a lot and even caught some fish! [...] Read more...
April 26, 2014Here are some photos from the FlyGals March 25, 2014, Bug Clinic, led by Dan Stockton. We had 17 women who attended the event. [...] Read more...
April 25, 2014Stream Explorers is a program ran jointly by Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited (CPA) and Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA). Today’s session started with some bug collection. As the water was a bit higher at 900cfs, only one of the adults (Tom) volunteered to go in the river. We didn’t find as […] [...] Read more...
April 18, 2014Stream Explorers is a program ran jointly by Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited (CPA) and Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA). We had a great opening Stream Explorers session today! Ten students showed up (slightly fewer than the 15 who signed up), and so we had plenty volunteers to work with everyone. We […] [...] Read more...
April 18, 2014Jim Impara writes: Sending two photos of the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing participants. These taken on Wednesday, the second day of guiding these seven wounded vets (several had PTSD). Our chapter members who participated are: Jim Impara, Jerry Wright, Kent Higgins, Ken Iwamasa, Dan Stockton, and former member John Doughty. The others are either […] [...] Read more...
April 5, 2014We added a “for visiting anglers” section to the menu — with a page containing flow information, links to fishing reports, and solunar tables for those who believe it. Also see the list of local fly shops and guides, and let us know if there are any others we should add! Email webadmin@collegiatepeaksTU.org with suggestions. [...] Read more...
March 31, 2014Do you know someone between 14 & 18 who has an interest in fish, science, or conservation? Applications for the eighth annual River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, June 8-13, 2014 at the Bar N I Ranch near Weston, CO (southeast of Alamosa) are now available. Applications must be received by April 15, 2014. […] [...] Read more...
March 20, 2014Once again Trout Unlimited is holding its annual Youth Conservation and Flyfishing Camp June 8-13. Applications are due by April 15. It is open to anyone ages 14-18 (no fishing experience needed as they do lots of science as well). Our chapter has scholarships available so folks just need to get themselves to Weston, CO […] [...] Read more...
February 26, 2014Hopefully you will see the new Stream Explorers posters coming up around town. We’re ready for sign-up! To register, please go to the Salida Pool. For more info, see the Stream Explorers program description. Also, this year is the first that we and GARNA will offer this program in Buena Vista! There will be a […] [...] Read more...
February 22, 2014Our chapter committed $5,000 towards the GOCO grant application for the extensions of the Salida River Trail. This week, city council unanimously voted to authorize the application — cross your fingers we get the grant! [...] Read more...
February 22, 2014(Re-printed from Chaffee County Times) Posted: Thursday, February 13, 2014 11:51 am By Kim Marquis  / Times correspondent About 40 members of the local chapter of Trout Unlimited gathered Wednesday night to hear how two decades of work on the Arkansas River led to this year’s Gold Medal Trout Waters designation on more than 100 […] [...] Read more...
February 22, 2014 For many years volunteers collected water samples from tributaries of the Arkansas River.  These included from below a mine on Chalk Creek and above the new Buena Vista State Wildlife Access site on Cottonwood Creek.  This was done in snow, sleet, rain and heat, year-round by dedicated volunteers.  Data was periodically sent to the Division of Wildlife for […] [...] Read more...
February 22, 2014(quoted from Summit Voice) SUMMIT COUNTY — Trout Unlimited this week awarded a $4,500 Embrace-A-Stream grant to its Collegiate Peaks chapter in the Upper Arkansas River Valley. The chapter, based in Salida and Buena Vista, proposes to conduct assessment and stakeholders meetings for the South Arkansas River to create a plan for conservation and restoration […] [...] Read more...
February 22, 2014Read the BLM project description.   Our multi-year Kerber Creek Restoration Project has been the recipient of several national awards including: 2010 BLM Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Award – The awards recognize the efforts made in implementing the principles of sustainable development, a concept adopted by the United States and 192 other countries, to […] [...] Read more...
February 22, 2014CPA has finished the gate for DOW access to the lake from the upper parking lot at Sand Lake. Thanks to Bob Delnay, Dusty Yaeger and Dan Clegg. Casing for the gate was donated by American Drilling in Howard. This project is part of CPA’s donation to the Sand Lake Fishing Is Fun project which […] [...] Read more...
February 22, 2014Project Head Bob Gray at dedication of new Buena Vista Fishing Easement on Cottonwood Creek. [...] Read more...
February 22, 2014May 3, 2014, from 5pm to 9pm At the Chaffee County Fairgrounds, CR 120, Poncha Springs. Read all the details here. [...] Read more...
February 22, 2014(Re-posted from The Mountain Mail) Posted: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 9:04 am. by Kim Marquis, Times Correspondent BUENA VISTA – Last month’s designation of Gold Medal trout waters for a stretch of the Arkansas River through Buena Vista and Salida is likely to bring additional attention to the river as a fishing destination. But the […] [...] Read more...
February 22, 2014March 8, 2014 from 11:00am to 2:00pm At the Salida Community Center, Third and F streets INTRODUCTION Collegiate Peaks Anglers (CPA) chapter of Trout Unlimited is sponsoring this event for the local angling community. We do this in a spirit of fellowship to encourage fishing as a healthy activity and to allow exchange or donation […] [...] Read more...
January 12, 2014A feature about the recent history of the Arkansas River — published in The Mountain Mail’s “Fishing Guide”.   [...] Read more...

VFMP (Voluntary Flow Management Program) 2023

February 15, 2023 Leave a comment admin Uncategorized

Established in 1991, the Upper Arkansas River Voluntary Flow Management Program (VFPM) has helped shape river conditions for the past 32 years. Recreation and tourism in Lake, Chaffee and Fremont Counties has benefitted from water management in this reach by the Bureau of Reclamation in partnership with the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. The most remarkable outcome of the program is that the Arkansas River from Leadville to Canon City is both a Gold Medal trout fishery and a Mecca for rafters and kayakers.

The fishing and boating industries once were in conflict on the river, but have worked together to shape an environment that benefits both, while providing scenic and environmental benefits as well.

A 102-mile stretch of the Arkansas River was declared a Gold Medal fishery by Trout Unlimited in 2014. The criteria for becoming a Gold Medal fishery is the ability to sustain 12 14-inch “quality trout” per acre, and produce 60 pounds of standing stock (fish, plant life and invertebrates) per acre. Gold Medal waters also must be accessible to the public.

The Arkansas River Outfitters Association formed in 1980 and has developed the most successful commercial reach of whitewater in the world. Each year, if conditions are prime, about 200,000 people enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting.

Two factors have made this unusual dichotomy possible:

  • The creation of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in 1989.
  • The establishment of the Voluntary Flow Management Program in 1991.

With the 32th anniversary of the VFPM in 2023, it’s time to take a look back at how the program started, and how it has evolved over the intervening years.

Click below to read the 2023 edition of the VFMP brochure: