YOUTH CONSERVATION & FLY FISHING CAMP

CTU Campers Ready to Fly Fish

Colorado Trount Unlimited Youth River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp

by Dick Shinton

Yes, it’s a long name, but it accurately describes the content of the camp CTU operates for 1418 year-old teens. Our mission is twofold: to teach camp attendees about coldwater stream conservation, and to teach them the fine art of fly fishing. Our emphasis is on the conservation side of the ledger.

With a seventeen-year history, CTU’s camp is one of the longest running programs of its kind among TU’s many chapters across the US. Beginning in 2006 on a ranch along the Colorado River, the camp has been held at various locations around Colorado, including Peace Ranch above the Fryingpan River, at Bar NI Ranch west of Trinidad, at Beaver Run Trout

Ranch on Woody Creek near Aspen, and at Silent Spring Resort near Almont. Founders Sharon Lance and Larry Quilling started something special that lives on as a testament to their love for TU and its future.

The camp found a new home in 2021 at AEI Base Camp north of Gunnison near Taylor Park Reservoir. AEI Base Camp sits at nearly 10,000 feet on the west side of the Sawatch Range. It’s most easily reached via Cottonwood Pass from Buena Vista. AEI’s property includes little Illinois Creek with brook and brown trout, and a pair of lakes stocked with sizeable rainbow and brown trout. There is an open wooded area with tremendous views of the Sawatch and Collegiate ranges, where the campers can pitch their tents, along with cabins for the counselor staff. It’s a perfect spot.

During the midday Sunday through midday Saturday week, campers participate in curriculum and activities that teach the basics of stream ecology, stream flow and water quality, macroinvertebrate surveys, electroshock trout surveys, trout biology and pathology, invasive species, hatchery operations, western water issues, conservation awareness, and of course, in-depth instruction in fly casting, fly fishing, fly tying, knot tying and stream etiquette. Throughout the week, fishing takes place on site at AEI as well as off site at other local rivers and lakes.

Macroinvertebrate sampling is a key activity. Students use kick nets and D-nets to take samples of macroinvertebrate life forms in Illinois Creek. They sample riffles, runs and holes, sort the insects by type, count each type and prepare reports that note not only the insect counts, but compare the differences in diversity between the different habitats. This activity teaches the use of accurate sampling methodologies, connects the dots between stream health and macroinvertebrates, and prepares campers to do similar sampling in their home waters. Campers are even instructed on how to make their own sampling nets! A highlight of the week is a hands-on conservation service project. Past years’ projects have included

Electorshocking with Campers

Campers acting out macroinvertebrate lifecycles

removing tamarisk and Russian olive trees along the Purgatoire in Trinidad, trail maintenance on National Forest land near Reudi Reservoir, and planting willows along the Gunnison. In 2022, campers assisted Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) personnel in removing fencing near Willow Creek, a small stream that flows into Taylor Park Reservoir, in preparation for installation of new fencing to better control grazing rotation. Under the direction of CPW staff, campers built in-stream structures to prevent bank erosion and stabilized the stream banks with willow plantings. We plan to return to Willow Creek in 2023 and continue our efforts to improve trout habitat. With the camp’s partnership with AEI expected to continue, Willow Creek habitat

2022 CTU Campers, Counselors, and Camp Staff

restoration and improvement will become an ongoing project.

The entirely volunteer camp staff is made up of experienced fly fishers, guides, fly shop employees and TU chapter members. Several of the counselors have been with the program for most of its history. Exceptional former campers have been brought back as youth counselors. They not only provide continuity to the program but give peer level instruction and support to campers. Several past youth counselors have become regular adult counselors as well. These volunteers are the backbone of the program and without their dedication, time, support, and volunteering, camp would not be possible!

In addition to the camp staff, outside experts are engaged to offer instruction in specific areas of

their expertise. CPW and US Fish and Wildlife employees lead the trout electroshocking activity. CPW personnel also conduct a comprehensive Roaring Judy Hatchery tour and teach campers about native cutthroat trout, and the efforts to protect them and reintroduce them into their original habitats. TU water lawyers and other experts explain the legal aspects of water usage and how water is transported around the state through diversions and transmountain tunnels.

Does the camp make a difference? The answer is YES!

• “I care an insane amount more about conservation…” • “I know way more techniques, flies, rivers, and fishing.” • “This camp has really made me want to have a career in conservation.” • “Amazing and helpful. I found my passion and [it] helped me straighten out my life.” • “One of the best weeks of my life […] and I learned a ton.” • “I learned much that I hadn’t known before about conservation Loved the discussions about conservation…”

Anecdotally, several past campers reported how deeply camp impacted their lives, resulting in careers in the outdoor industry and in conservation, fisheries and forestry sciences.

With strong leadership and a dedicated staff and volunteers, CTU’s Youth River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp is poised to continue producing committed conservationists and lifelong fly anglers.

Registration for camp in now open! Visit our CTU River Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp page at https://coloradotu.org/youthcamp to learn more, register your teen, apply to be a counselor, and/or support this impactful youth program.

To Learn More.

To learn more about this story and Colorado Trout Unlimited, visit coloradotu.org.

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