Trout Unlimited

TU’s work expands beyond fishery

Photo: Mike Rosso

by Theresa Williamson
Chaffee County Times
Buena Vista
“To conserve, protect, and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds” is the mission statement of the national coldwater-conservation organization Trout Unlimited and the Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter of the group works on numerous projects to fulfill that mission.

This active group is dedicated to conservation, fishing, friendship and fun, with informative monthly meetings, environmental projects, fishing trips and social events. The local chapter formed in 1985 with 35 charter members. The club has seen an increase in membership in the last year, with 243 on the roster, club official Dusty Yaeger said.

Collegiate Peaks Anglers and TU played a key role in representing fishing interests when the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) was created. Chapter and Colorado TU members worked to establish boating regulations including times and numbers of boats along with minimum stream flows which have helped maintain the river through winter months.

The chapter’s list of volunteer activities includes:

• Helping with Buena Vista’s McGinnis Middle School’s annual conservation camp in the Fourmile Travel Management Area.

• In cooperation with Colorado Division of Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service, participating in the Embrace a Stream program. The purpose of this program is to improve river habitat. Collegiate Peaks Anglers is working to improve the Cottonwood Creek habitat.

• Spending a day with the Boy Scouts at their camp in the Salida area, every week for eight weeks.

• Sponsoring annual kids’ fishing events in Salida (July 4) and Buena Vista (Sept. 2). The group also plans a kids’ event for Leadville.

• Participating in the annual cleanup of 11 miles of highway twice each year.

• Providing scholarships of $2,000 each to two college students each year. Matt Brekke and Seth Firestone are the most recent recipients. The scholarships are given to students who plan to pursue degrees in fields relating to fisheries or biological or environmental sciences. The club is also establishing a one-time scholarship in memory of a member who recently died. Students interested in applying for a scholarship may contact Tom Thomas, 539-4619.

• Working with and donating funds for state and federal agency stream projects.

• Supporting the annual AHRA river cleanup project every May.

• Assisting the Colorado Division of Wildlife with high-country fingerling stocking each fall, annual Arkansas River fish population studies and greenback restoration work.

The Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter is also active in the Colorado River Watch network. Chapter members take water samples from Cottonwood Creek and Chalk Creek, checking them for water quality and insect life. Samples are also sent to DOW, which analyzes them for nutrient and metals content.

In addition, the chapter contributes funds to the whirling-disease foundation.

The Women's Outreach Committee of Collegiate Peaks Anglers is very active and an important part of the organization, Yaeger said.

Goals of this committee are:

• To encourage women to become members of Collegiate Peaks Anglers of Trout Unlimited.

• To provide activities especially designed to give women of all ability levels confidence in fly fishing.

• To encourage women to help with chapter projects and activities.

Activities of the women’s committee have included potlucks, discussions about equipment, fishing trips, fly fishing lessons and Casting for Recovery, a breast-cancer recovery program.

In 2006, the chapter hosts the Caddis Festival Banquet and Fundraiser on Saturday, May 6, at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds Community Building. For tickets, call Steve Craig at (719) 539-4236.

Except during May, the chapter meets every second Wednesday, alternating between Salida and Buena Vista. The club welcomes new members. Dues are $15 per year.

For information, call Mark Cole of Leadville, president, (719) 486-0176 or visit collegiatepeaksanglerstu.org.