Latest Additions

November Additions

November General Meeting posted on the calendar. Holiday party details are up for December and the January Fly Tying Expo has been set.

Board Meeting minutes from October posted with a note about some found keys. Also the November minutes have been posted.

October Additions

Colorado Trout Unlimited has provided a fact sheet about some of the implications of Colorado’s Amendment 52. They say this in summary: “Amendment 52 will create a constitutional diversion of monies from the funds that address statewide water projects to unspecified transportation projects.” They recommend that we vote NO on 52. For more information, download this Water Development Fact Sheet (pdf 392KB).

Board Meeting minutes from September posted.

Stop cross-water contamination!

Whirling disease. Dydimo. New Zealand Mud Snails. Chytrid fungus. These are very real threats to our waters. If you follow some very simple, inexpensive procedures, you can help curb the spread of these diseases. See Common Sense Disinfection Procedure by Phil Wright. Coming soon! Another article from Phil Wright about an inexpensive home-made wading staff from recycled materials.

Flycasters’ Forum

Screen shot from the forum

We have recently added another feature to our offerings on the Internet. We've created an additional site where we host a forum/message board for sharing information about our organization, our goals, our concerns, and some of our fun. Initial topics include places to discuss local, state, and national issues. RMF Board Members will have special access to sections pertaining to Board activities and discussions.

Head on over to Forum.RockyMtnFlycasters.org/phpbb and sign up to join the fun. Sign up soon so you can have the user name of your choice. Since we have just started, the field is wide open.

Annual Report

See what Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter has been doing over the past year. Meetings, conservation, scholarships, and more.

Land and water issues

At the October 2007 Board meeting, Gina C. Janett presented information about the Clean Water Act and the Hardrock Mining and Restoration Act that are coming up for action in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Some changes and interpretations of the Clean Water Act make it imperative that we get Congressional support for continuing protection of 75% of Colorado's streams and rivers. The hardrock mining issue seeks to update laws established in 1872 before the knowledge of damage done by mining was well understood. See this article for more information about this legislation.

 

 

Phantom Canyon Adventure Days

(Formerly known as Phantom Canyon Public fishing lottery.)

The Nature Conservancy and RMF is sponsoring Phantom Canyon River Adventure Days again this summer. Each River Adventure Day will have a theme, such as aquatic insects, fish biology and habitat, and hydrology and riparian plants followed by an opportunity to fish catch-and-release in the canyon. Registration will begin April 1 through Phantom Canyon Preserve, not through Rocky Mountain Flycasters.

[More information about Phantom Canyon Adventure Days and registration as well as our August Trail Maintenance...]

Current Issues

Rock Snot

Is didymo invading your favorite stream? Read this article and Phil Wright's about decontamination.

Rocky Mountain National Park wilderness legislation

Senator Salazar hosted a listening session on October 25th in Loveland to further gauge local support for protecting the Park’s wild backcountry. Dave Piske attended the meeting and provides this report.

Eagle’s Nest Open Space

They just keep coming, these fine days up at Eagles Nest Open Space and the North Fork! More on the July watering....

April 14 What a glorious day to be playing around on the North Fork! OK, if we had been fishing, it could have been even nicer! See this update.

Contact Bob Streeter by phone (495-1893) or email to join in this worthwhile project or if you need more information.

Rocky Mountain Flycasters’ members continue to contribute hundreds of hours for stream bank restoration to help make this a welcome Open Space. See more articles in our Chapter Activities.

Call for Volunteers

In addition to volunteers needed for the Eagle's nest project, there are several other opportunities to contribute to the conservation, protection and restoration of local trout fisheries and watersheds. Below is a partial list.

• Internship Program Opportunity:

  U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Region 8
  Office of Ecosystems Protection and Remediation
  Denver, Colorado
  Project # EPA Water 2006-66: An internship is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 8 office in Denver, Colorado. See the internship page for more information.

• Phantom Canyon: There is an occasional need for volunteers to assist in maintaining the trails at Phantom Canyon. Many times after trail work is done, volunteers are able to use artificial flies on barbless hooks to catch and release "samples." Volunteers should contact Ken Eis or Scott Baily. Additional information about Phantom Canyon and the Nature Conservancy, see www.nature.org/colorado.
• Rocky Mountain National Park: Help with providing park users with information or assist wildlife biologists with research. Options are wide-ranging and open to suit your needs. See RMNP Volunteers.

Mud Snail Threat

See Conservation News for information.

For water conditions in our area, please check U.S. Geological Survey's Real-time water data.