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WINTER 2013 VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 1
FEATURES 14 MIDGING MAGIC BY LANDON MAYER 24
BIG THOMPSON BY BRIAN LA RUE
DEPARTMENTS 12
A GUIDE’S LIFE BY HAYDEN MELLSOP
LET’S GO FISHING BY BILL EDRINGTON
FIT TO BE TIED BY JOEL EVANS
HCA GEAR BAG BY FRANK MARTIN
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A GUIDE’S LIFE
•
BY HAYDEN MELLSOP
There’s Nothing Decent Here
T
here was perhaps an hour of light left to the day, the sun’s last rays brushing the very tops of the mountains to the east with orange and pink, the perfect accompaniment to the reds and golds of the aspens scattering their lower reaches, the forest around us darkening and growing colder by the minute. Seldom had the confines of a camp chair felt so welcome, with pretty much every muscle and sinew in my body aching in one way or another from the exertions of the last couple of days. I took a slug of margarita, fingertips still burning from squeezing the fresh lime juice, and thought back over the last forty eight hours. Woody Allen once posited that eighty percent of success involves just showing up, and never is this better illustrated than in fishing. Front up often enough, and every once in a while, the multiplicity of factors that determine time, space and circumstance align, leaving you humbled by a sense of having been granted a glimpse behind the veil of logic and perception that separates us from the real, natural world. At such times, the question of whether or not we are actually more highly developed and intelligent than the creatures we share this world with can raise its tentative, troublesome hand from somewhere toward the back of the classroom. We were discussing the beauty of a brook trout, the marbled flanks with orange and crimson spots haloed in blue and purple, and the quiet, elemental dignity of their spawning rituals when he walked into the clearing. We’d noticed his camp driving back to ours - truck, trailer, ATV, expedition-sized tent, full camp kitchen, a Cabela’s sales associate’s dream. “You fellas wouldn’t have an axe by chance would ya?� He stood there, all hat, boots and buckles, jacket pushed back off his hip to reveal a pistol in its holster. “I seem to have left mine behind. Need to chop wood for my fire. Looks like it’ll get chilly tonight.� “Sorry mate. We don’t have one. We’re not doing a fire.� He looked around our camp, as if to satisfy himself as to the veracity of my reply. His finger tapped his holster. “You guys see any blue grouse? You know a blue grouse? That’s what this is for. I see any, I’m gonna get me some of them suckers.� “Well, I wish we could help with the axe, but we don’t have one.� Its not that I’m intrinsically rude. On the contrary, guiding demands not only a sociable side, but the ability to connect with people you 12
High Country Angler • Winter 2013
occasionally don’t like. On the other hand, one of the reasons I seek out places at the ends of roads to go and fish is to try and forget, if only for a brief moment, that I share the planet with seven billion other idiots, each with their own hopes,
aspirations and human frailties. Thirty minutes from where we camped flowed a famous tailwater where even mid-week, fishermen stand shoulder to shoulder, herding like buffalo, all in the quest to catch a ‘big one.’ Until he’d walked into camp,
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we hadn’t seen another soul since purchasing a tank of gas and a couple of dubious hot dogs from the clerk at the Quickie Mart a couple of nights before. The little town had a dirt main street and hitching posts outside the town hall and mercantile. He noticed the waders hanging from the rope we’d slung between a couple of trees. “How’s the fishing?” Without waiting for a reply he continued. “I was up here earlier in the year. No good. Didn’t catch anything decent.” Caveman looked up for the first time. “What’s decent mean to you?” he half growled. I was grateful we were only in to our first marg - wars have been started over less. For the last couple of days, we’d been catching fish on dries - browns, cutts, and brookies, although Cave had once, to my disgust, tied on a nymph. The fish had taken pretty much anything we’d drifted, sometimes with aggression, other times with a subtlety so delicate you doubted they were there, setting more by instinct than certainty. There were pools so clear, their surface so smooth and precise, you followed the dance of an egg-laying caddis by its reflection on the water rather than its location in the air. We’d followed the stream as far as we could, to its origin in a narrow, marshy fen, backed up against the mountain side. Tex shrugged. “You know - decent.” He held his hands a vague distance apart. “You’re right,” Cave replied, “there’s nothing decent up here.” I stood and turned to the stew, giving it a stir and setting out a couple of bowls. We bade each other good night and he tipped his hat and turned on his heel, heading back down the hill to his crib. Cave stood and walked gingerly over to the beer cooler, cracked a PBR and looked at me, shaking his head. “Nothing decent.” A few minutes later a fire blazed down below, the lack of an axe apparently no longer an impediment. It is a good thing that what qualifies as ‘decent’ is open to interpretation. Looking back, I have tended, without consciously being aware of it, to gravitate to the peripheries of society’s bell curve. Any career whose description requires regular shaving or wearing anything more formal than a pair of Levis tends to drop quickly from consideration. I like it out here. Encounters with the mass of humanity tend to be less frequent, the air a little clearer, the pace a little less hectic, its background chatter a little less all-pervading. And there’s two-weight rods and beaver ponds, brook trout and blue spruce, solitude and succor. It was fully dark by now, the sky seeming to sag closer to earth under the weight of the stars. Dishes could wait till morning. I crawled into my down bag, the sound of the river meandering its millennia-old course rising from the valley below. Somewhere off in the distance, a coyote announced itself to the night, and I pictured Tex fumbling for the pistol under his pillow.
About
The
Author.
Hayden Mellsop is a fishing guide and real estate agent who enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, raising his two daughters to be good stewards of the land, and writing his blog at www.flyfishsalida.com. www.HCAmagazine.com
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High Country Angler • Winter 2013
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By Landon Mayer www.HCAmagazine.com
Winter 2013 • High Country Angler
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W
ith the hopes of giant-sized snowflakes overcoming the high country, winter angling can bring out the best of both tailwater and fly fisher alike. Yes, the warm sneaker days of summer heat can bring comfortable conditions for anglers, but the cloudcovered skies and powder-filled days of winter can supply the best conditions for success with midges ready for battle. The shallow waters on any tailwater are usually the first section of the river to warm up, causing lethargic trout to migrate there looking for daily meals. While it can be an advantage for anglers in gaining a visual of feeding trout, the flip side is that the fish can also see better—giving them a chance to investigate everything on your rig. The following tips are techniques I live by during the winter months for success with wary trout.
Timing Powder Days When people take to the slopes as a low front sets in and heavy clouds produce heavy snowfalls, this is also the productive time to take a trip for some of the best midge action around. Unlike sunny conditions, the thick clouds insulate the air—causing warm temperatures for a majority of the day—not just the afternoon hours. In addition to the warmth, trout feel more secure with the cover from clouds and dark water—encouraging them to gorge on the heavy hatches. When you hit the right conditions, slow your pace down, knowing that the clouds can make sight fishing a challenge. Even actively rising trout can be difficult to see as the snow falls. The dark clouds can supply great viewing lanes and window to spot trout. Pay attention to the color of the sky and always face the clouds as they move in. This will place dark glare on the surface of the water—allowing you easier visibility to 16
High Country Angler • Winter 2013
Vi Visistit the n the N ew w w Weebsit G e id bsi ee tod e Guuid Toda ay Ph eddTtrript y o t o P hoto grapipss Vid g h e raph y Videoo and and M mory oree!!
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find feeding targets. If the clouds are consistently light, your lanes and windows will be reduced—making your viewing lane only 5-10 feet in front of you.
Top Water Success Tipping and sipping is the name of the game when trout are feeding on the midge adults known to blanket the water’s surface. The best top water imitation for the selective and slow moving trout is the Griffith’s Gnat. With a slim body and dense hackle, viewed from below this fly mimics the body and legs of an adult midge perfectly. The only disadvantage is keeping track of our fly when it is surrounded by dozens of natural adults. A trick that I have used for years is tying the hackle on the body using orange, pink, or red dyed grizzly. They will still keep the same profile of the natural Griffith’s Gnat, but the color change will allow your fly to stand out against the naturals. Trout see more of a silhouette of the fly than color, which is why matching the size is the most important step in fly selection.
Weight Beyond the Bead Midges posses some of the slimmest profiled bodies when compared to other food supplies in a trout’s diet, so when you buy or tie an imitation, you want to keep it slim. Bead is a favorite way to achieve weight on a fly, but sometimes they take the pattern over and destroy the slim profile. I prefer using midges with weight supplied using synthetic materials on the body: wire, tubing, cement, or weighted dubbing.
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This is why I tie my Tube Midge (Umpqua Flies) with the addition of wire to the body. Not only is it heavier, it is also extremely durable and can stand the test of catching numerous trout—not just one--before it falls apart. I even go so far as applying cement to the thorax or body of my midges to ensure that they will last. By using the slim flies without a split shot matched with a small clear thingamabobber, or white indicator, you now have one of the best natural rigs to deliver the fly to the trout. Attention to detail is important when dealing with fine tippets like 6-7x and extremely small flies. I always encourage anglers to check their rigs every 3 casts, or whenever you think you have touched river bottom. Even a small piece of vegetation can cover your imitation, preventing the trout from seeing the next meal. The most common way to clean a rig is by lifting the flies out of the water and clearing your rig by hand. Yes, this does work but in cold temps your fingers will quickly become numb, and it causes unnecessary movement above the water, which can cause fish to spook. The fly slap is a more productive way to keep your flies clean. Performed below or above the water where the trout is holding, with only one foot of line out past the rod tip, perform fast circular motions with the rod—causing the fly or flies to slap the surface at the end of each rotation. After two or three rotations, you will clean your imitations and move back to presenting to the target. It is amazing how much you can learn during the winter season with midges in hand. Not only do you have a better view of the trout, but seeing all the fish’s movement will teach you a lot about the natural behavior of a feeding fish, and what is the best way to approach each presentation. As the midge is the only food supply that actively hatches all year, these tips can be used during every season, and the techniques can be applied during different hatches and disciplines year-round. Try these tips the next time you are looking at the forecast and wondering what day is best for your trip.
About the Author.
Landon Mayer is a veteran Colorado guide and author of several books, including Colorado’s Best Fly Fishing, from Stackpole Books. He has co-produced 2 fly fishing DVDs with John Barr, both available from Mad Trout Media. Visit Landon’s website at www.landonmayer.com. 18
High Country Angler • Winter 2013
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LET’S GO FISHING •
BY BILL EDRINGTON
Shed Your Skin for a New Year
A
s I write this article, I am also arranging my fly box for a December trip to Rio Manso Lodge in Argentina. This will be my first trip to Rio Manso, and I am as excited as an old man can get to enjoy fishing for big Browns and Rainbows on streamers, 6to 8-lb. Brook trout on dry flies, eating wild beef, and drinking Malbecs from their vineyard. Plus, I get to go with my son and his new wife as well as a couple of my best friends, so life is good. I sort of had to throw that in as a precursor to this article, so you will understand where my mind really is at this time. All that aside, one of my favorite fishing events of the year takes place on freestone rivers in late February through March. This article will give you time to ready yourself to enjoy it and the start it gives to a new fishing year. All stoneflies grow to maturity by shedding their exoskeletons like a snake. This is known as an “instar” and can take place from 7 to 15 times in their lifecycle, depending on the species. We simply refer to it as the “Stonefly Molt.” On freestone rivers such as the upper Arkansas, Roaring Fork, Rio Grande, and the Madison, there are multiple species of Stoneflies in play and there is always a molt going on
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ROASTED PORK BELLY WITH YELLOW GRITS With the popularity of bacon these days, I dreamed up this cholesterol nightmare using pork belly (uncured bacon slab). To make it old school, I served it atop creamy yellow grits and topped it with a moderately hot red chile sauce. It is so good, it should be illegal, but since not much is anymore, I suggest giving it a go. One 2- to 3- lb pork belly: rub with dry rub, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hrs. Roast at 450 degrees for 15 minutes to create crust and then finish at 350 for about 1 hr. Dry Rub: 1/4 cup red chile powder 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. salt; 2 tsp. black pepper 1 tbsp. ground garlic Make chili sauce with 3 tbsp. bacon grease (drippings from roasted pork), 3 tbsp. flour to make a roux, and then add 3 tbsp. chili powder and 4 cups of beef broth. Add salt/pepper to taste. Serve over yellow grits made with heavy cream, or regular grits if you can’t find yellow ones. I like to slice the roasted pork belly and then sear the slices in a non-stick skillet to brown it up a bit.
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High Country Angler • Winter 2013
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from mid-February till the end of March. With big rivers beginning to break free of winter constraints, Golden Stone varieties such as Classinia and Hesperoperla begin to crawl out of their rock compression hideouts to the top of submerged rocks in order to shed their skin. Please do not confuse this with a “hatch.” All of this occurs underneath the surface of the water, even though you will see an occasional exoskeleton float by in the surface film. I have, over the years, surmised that most of the molting stoneflies I see in early spring are mature, and are the ones that will hatch in late May through June. Technically speaking, the final instar is the emergence from the larval state to the adult, which is done on vegetation streamside instead of in the water. During the early spring molt, stonefly nymphs are swept off the rocks by currents and devoured by hungry trout that see this process as the first real food of spring. Trout have, until now, been cut off of the buffet line of bugs that we see from Spring through Fall, and are looking to eat darned near anything except a midge larva. After several months of cold water, ice flow, and deoxygenating conditions, more midge larva is akin to going to a fine restaurant that serves only jello for four months. Now all of a sudden, the water is filled with buttered popcorn and it’s chow time. A recently molted golden stone is soft and translucent, and the fish notice that right away. In order to feast on these little buttery morsels, trout will move up into choppy current tongues where these bugs are found and snatch them as they drift a short distance. Stoneflies are clinging crawlers and reattach themselves to the streambed rocks as soon as they possibly can. This molting process usually occurs at
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daybreak, and the nymphs stay soft and buttery for about 6 hours before hardening up again and turning darker. So, in order to fish the stonefly molt properly, you need to have a really golden colored pattern starting around daybreak, to be followed by a darker one later on in the day, in the early afternoon. I, and many others, have written dozens of articles and newsletters about fishing this bug, but for the most part, many fly fishers still ignore it. It seems they had rather fish a Copper John and a midge larva than try something new. Fly fishing, it seems to me, is all about trying something new. You can go back to the stuff in your comfort zone anytime you wish, but you should add a few new notions to your repertoire each year, don’t you think? If learning a new method and using a fly that you haven’t used adds to a better understanding of the sport, then I believe it’s worth it. Some folks just can’t seem to break away from the idea that every fishing trip’s destiny is to see how many fish you can catch—even if you always do it the same way with the same flies and the same rig. Don’t worry so much about how to fish these flies, just fish them. Choose the right water and some good patterns and have at it. All the new 10-foot rods in the world with Czech, French or Polish systems won’t make up for the knowledge of what the fish want and how they want it. We’ve caught fish for years on 9-foot 5/6 weight rods, and guess what....you still can. The new gear is cool though, and definitely worth a go; it’s just not a “have to.” I’m simply suggesting that you start by using a few new flies this year, then move along to the gear. Shed your skin and shake off the winter chill. My selection of flies for this time of year definitely has to include John Barr’s Jumbo John. There is not much better stonefly imitation out there, and if you use tungsten and enough lead, it will drop like an anvil to the bottom where it belongs. Another very interesting and very productive one is Idylwilde Fly Company’s Golden Speculator. We took a lot of fish off this bug this year, and it was one of our top guide flies. As far as eating goes during these early spring months, we need to look at pork fat seriously. My new
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High Country Angler • Winter 2013
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BILL’S MUFFALETTA These are great sandwiches to take on a fishing trip, and one of them will feed two folks. This sandwich was made famous in the 50s by the Central Grocery in the French Quarter of NOLA, and was considered a “working man’s sandwich” which could be picked up each morning. Its popularity has spread around the country now, and this is my version. I like it just as well as the real deal, except I use sourdough bread because we live in a culinary wasteland and can’t get muffaletta bread. All joking aside, I think I like the sourdough better. Olive Spread for sandwich: 3/4 cup pimiento-stuffed olives 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives 1/4 cup giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetables) 2 lg. pepperoncini 3 - 4 pickled onions 2 Tbsp. capers 1 med. clove garlic, chopped 1 Tsp. dried oregano 1 Tbsp. black pepper 2 Tsp. fresh lemon juice 2 Tbsp. olive oil
“It’s winter.” is not an excuse. fishrifle.com
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Drain all ingredients and pulse in a food processor until coarsely blended One 8-inch round sourdough roll with olive spread on both sides (generously spread). Add the following meats and cheeses or design your own, but do not leave out the salami: 6 slices of Genoa salami 6 slices of ham or capicola 6 slices of mortedella 4 slices of mozzarella cheese 4 slices of smoked provolone cheese
recipe for roasted pork belly on grits is just....pork fat at its finest. The Muffaletta sandwich has been one of my favorites since I first went to New Orleans as a teenager. This Italian olive spread monster will keep you going all afternoon after sharing one streamside with a friend.
About
The
Author.
Bill Edrington is a retired sociology/criminology professor who has owned Royal Gorge Anglers for over 20 years. He has authored several books and magazine articles. You may follow his fly fishing and cooking adventures on his new blog “Tight Lines and Tasty Spoons” at www.tightlinesandtastyspoons.blogspot. com. www.HCAmagazine.com
Winter 2013 • High Country Angler
23
I
f you’ve ever driven along Highway 34 from Loveland to Estes and Rocky Mountain National Park, then you’ve seen the Big Thompson River and all the fantastic fishing options. Most Front Range locals hit the Big T for a quick outing when they don’t have a whole day to drive to the South Platte, Arkansas, or the Colorado. When winter road conditions play a factor or a honey-do list has you tied down for the majority of a day, the Big T allows for a little fun, but it also can be a rewarding destination in itself if you do a little homework or spend enough time on it to truly enjoy a home field advantage. Beginning with the January, February, and into March, cold-weatherbraving anglers who get cabin fever can always find open water on the Big T. When driving up the canyon in late January you might get discouraged by the sights of a frozen river, but don’t throw in the towel. Brian Chavet, owner of Elkhorn Fly Rod and Reel in Loveland (www.elkhornflyrodandreel.com) says there’s always something biting and you’ll always find open water. “If you fish the Thompson in late winter or spring, target the open water along the south-southwest -facing stretches of the river, or the open water below Olympus Dam, below Lake Estes,” advises Chavet. “The higher reaches see more sunlight than the lower canyon stretches, so there is a better chance for more open water near Estes. The constant outflow from the dam also prevents ice from forming up high--making the river a year-round tailwater. “Some of the better early season patterns to carry for the Thompson would be Tak’s go2 caddis, JuJu midges, RS2s, blue poison tongues, Egan’s tungsten rainbow warrior from Umpqua, and the old standby, a zebra midge,” suggests Chavet. “Regardless of season, good anglers can usually net six-plus trout per hour.” As for the Big T’s fish, Chavet says there is no shortage of 20-inch fish in the river, but for the most part, anglers will find numerous fish in the 10- to 15-inch range, so expect the average catch to be around 12 inches. Rainbows and browns will dominate the catch, with more and more rainbows found in the higher reaches, while quality browns haunt the areas closer to Loveland where many go undisturbed. Late spring and early summer sees runoff. The flow rarely gets out of hand from the releases at Olympus Dam (sure, there was a flood), but because of the heavy snow in the canyon and numerous feeder streams, there are times when you either have to pass on the Big T or pick and choose your spots wisely. Once runoff subsides, the river gets rolling with quality fishing close to home. “There is lots of public access throughout the canyon,” said Chavet from the perch of his fly shop in Loveland. “The river is constantly changing and numerous hatches begin to come off as flows settle down. I welcome anglers 24
High Country Angler • Winter 2013
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by BrIan La Rue
www.HCAmagazine.com
Winter 2013 • High Country Angler
25
headed up the canyon to swing by the shop for the latest flies and I would gladly suggest some spots.” As a northeast Denver local, I love hitting the Thompson. I enjoy the stretch below the dam as mentioned by Chavet. I also enjoy the Sleepy Hollow area. My advice: fish lighter tippets and as tiny flies as you can handle, especially when flows are low or you find yourself eyes-to-tail with a monster in skinny water. The Big T sees lots of anglers, so take the time to make a better presentation, and you’ll enjoy better catch rates than most. Adapt to changing conditions and be ready for anything. I pack light, and when a small dry doesn’t work or fish turn their noses at my nymph, I switch my fly line tip to a sinking line and trick a big fish with an aggressively ripped streamer. How do I make this sound so quick and easy? Look for information on Rio’s Versitip II soon. “Speaking of big fish and memories on the Big T, I remember one angler landing a 30 ½-inch brown that ate a 6-inch rainbow he had hooked,” said Chavet. “The small, hooked rainbow was immediately taken by the brown as the angler brought the small bow to the net near the undercut bank at his feet. So, if you cover lots of water with a big streamer, who knows what could happen?” One of my favorite times to fish the Thompson is in late summer and fall. Chavet and I both love to throw hopper and dropper combos or maybe an attractor and a dropper in the average flows, especially around larger
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High Country Angler • Winter 2013
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boulders or through deeper pools. This application is usually best in August and September. “Often overlooked, the river in Loveland offers great brown trout action,” says Chavet. “There are a handful of anglers who fish through town, but if you swing by the shop for a map, visit with Loveland locals or explore a little bit, you can find access and connect with some big browns. As for fishing above Lake Estes, anglers will find good access by the golf course and multiple options in Rocky Mountain National Park.” This area of the Northern Front Range is not only home to the Big T, but you’ll also find Fall River and the St. Vrain, all within a 30-minute drive. For more information on fishing the Big T, check out Fly Fishing Colorado’s Big Thompson River and Other Freestone Streams (River Fork Press) by Drake local Dale Darling. You can find it at area fly shops or online (riverforkpress.com). Good luck, and share your photos with us!
About
The
Author.
High Country Angler contributor Brian La Rue enjoys giving fly fishers ideas of where to go for an adventure. His work can also be seen at his Examiner.com Denver Fly Fishing page. You can contact Brian by writing to brian@HCAmagazine.com.
www.HCAmagazine.com
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Winter 2013 • High Country Angler
27
FIT TO BE TIED
•
BY JOEL EVANS
Gunnison Orange Asher
F
ly fishing and tying can be simple or complicated. When striving for advancement with gear, technique, and materials, complicated often triumphs. Complicated can be wonderful, for example with a reel drag or synthetic tying material. Sometimes though, simple can be more effective than complicated. Consider the Orange Asher. Few pattern books or current magazine articles would give this pattern any attention. Yet, simple has its merits. Consisting of only three materials, including the thread, this fly is highly effective in moving and still water. Gale Doudy, former fly tying chairman for the Federation of Fly Gunnison Orange Asher Tied by Gale Doudy Hook: Size 14, dry, commonly tied larger and smaller Thread: Black 6/0 Body: Orange floss Hackle: Orange grizzly, palmered
28
High Country Angler • Winter 2013
Fishers international show, has guided the Gunnison River in Colorado for over 3 decades. Recalling a guided float trip years ago with Tracy Borah, legendary wrestler and hall of fame coach from Gunnison, Colorado, Gale recounted how Tracy said he only used one fly, the Gunnison Orange Asher. As guide, Gale was expecting a tough day. Tracy fished the fly as a dry, a wet, and as a stripped streamer, catching more fish than Gale has ever since witnessed as a guide. A search of my tying books and the internet revealed very little information about the origins of the fly. The word “Asher” isn’t commonly applied to other patterns. As a name, it has a biblical origin, but I’m unaware of a tyer named Asher or some meaning other than a name. The Gunnison River version substitutes the standard badger or grizzly hackle with dyed orange grizzly. A dry has similarities to a Griffith’s Gnat, perhaps imitating a midge or mosquito. As a wet, really a sunken dry with motion, maybe a midge or caddis emerger. It is just as effective on still water, commonly used with a spinning rod with a fly and bubble setup. Or simply, maybe an unexplainable attractor fly.
About The Author.
Joel Evans is a fly fishing writer, photographer, and long-time member of Trout Unlimited from Montrose, CO. You can contact him via the HCA editor at frank@hcamagazine.com.
www.HCAmagazine.com
HCA 6
GEAR BAG BY FRANK MARTIN
W
hen it comes to wading boots, fly fishermen have several requirements. We want boots that are comfortable, easy to get on and off, relatively lightweight, and give lots of traction in the river. Nothing will ruin a good day of fishing faster than a wader-full of ice-cold water. We also want boots that are eco-friendly, and leave little impact on the environment. Fly fishing is a fish-friendly sport, and our gear should reflect that fact. That’s why a good pair of wading boots is critical to a successful day on the water. Here are a few of our picks for the best wading boots available for the coming season.
PATAGONIA ROCK GRIP WADING BOOT
O
ut of the box, you wouldn’t guess that these boots would give you the kind of traction you need, because they’re unlike any soles most of us have seen. The Patagonia Rock Grip Wading Boot is fitted with a series of aluminum bars attached to the sole, and they look more like construction boots than wading gear, but trust me, they do the trick. They offer incredible traction, even in treacherous waters. I think they far outperform most studded boots, and are much lighter than many competitive boots. They are easy to get on, lace up tightly, offer lots of comfort and durability, and drain quickly when you step out of the water. Priced at just $179, these boots are worth checking out. Look for them at www.patagonia.com.
ORVIS RIVER GUARD WITH ECOTRAX SOLES
O
rvis’ new EcoTraX sole system gives you the surefooted traction you need in rushing water, and also stem the spread of invasive species. They’re extremely comfortable on your feet, whether wading in the water or hiking a couple miles to your favorite fishing spot. The proprietary “lug pattern” has sharp edges that grip the riverbed well, without disturbing the environment. I love the lightweight feel of the boots, as well as the hiking boot style and lacing system. They fit well, and are easy to slip on and off. These boots are also extremely durable, with rubber toes, sidewalls, and heels to keep them from getting beat up by rocks and debris. The boots come with a small key to help replace and remove the screw-in studs, so when unpacking your box, make sure you put it on your key ring. Price is $198, but they were on sale at Orvis the last time I looked. Check them out at www.orvis.com.
www.HCAmagazine.com
LL BEAN RIVER TREADS
L
.L. Bean has updated their River Tread boot for the coming season. The new model offers excellent support and stability on the water, and the extra-wide opening make them super easy to get on and off. I’m a huge fan of Boa-closure systems, and the older I get the more I need them. These work extremely well and are easy to tighten and loosen. The River Treads are also built to resist the transport of destructive aquatic materials such as Didymo (rock snot) and Whirling Disease. They’re easy to clean, have few seams and are made of materials that dry quickly. Nonporous upper, laces and sole also discourage unwanted hitchhikers. The sole is made from grippy Five-Ten rubber with a hex pattern for traction. The construction is rugged, and the side ports drain extremely well. Priced right at $179, you owe it to yourself to give them a look. Check them out at www.llbean.com.
KORKER’S METALHEAD BOOT
N
o wading boot review is complete without something from Korkers, so we have to include the Metalhead in our list of best boots for the coming year. The Metalhead has been out a few years, and it has stood the test of time. These are the lightest boots we looked at, and some of the most comfortable. Korker’s patented OmniTrax 3.0 interchangeable Sole System lets you adapt quickly to whatever river you plan to fish, and gives more sole options than any boot on the market. The Boa speed lacing system allows you to get them off and on quickly and easily, and they cinch tight and comfortably. All Korker’s wading boots are waterproof, which greatly reduces the overall weight. They also dry faster and help prevent the spread of invasive species. Priced between $159.99 and $179.99, depending on the soles you order, the Metalhead is a must see. Check them out at www.korkers.com. Winter 2013 • High Country Angler
29
FROM THE COLO. TU PRESIDENT • SINJIN EBERLE
A Season of Successes
I
t has been a challenging year in many ways, but I’m pleased to report that in 2012 Colorado TU has scored some impressive conservation victories that translate into greater protections for wildlife and native trout populations across Colorado. In addition to our participation in the development of the Colorado Roadless Rule and a successful legal challenge to oil and gas leasing on the Roan Plateau, we’ve also launched some innovative initiatives for youth education designed to reach a new generation of conservation stewards. We’re also continuing with communications enhancements and organization changes that position Colorado TU as a model for integrating the efforts of chapters, the state council and national staff in Colorado.
Here are some of this year’s highlights: •
•
•
•
30
Roan Plateau. Colorado TU, along with a coalition of nine other conservation interests, won a landmark victory in federal district court, overturning a Bush-era plan for natural gas drilling on the Roan Plateau – an outstanding big game habitat and home to rare native populations of Colorado River cutthroats. And this fall we completed work on habitat improvements and a fish barrier that will further help cutthroat restoration. Colorado Roadless rule. Colorado joined Idaho as one of two states with unique, state-specific plans for management of US Forest Service roadless areas. Building on an initial plan that was a weak imitation of the 2001 Roadless Rule, TU secured improvements that made our Colorado rule as strong as – if not stronger – than the Clinton-era plan. Youth education. Colorado TU has worked with an Americorps VISTA staffer Jake Lemon since August 2011 to enhance our youth education programs. In conjunction with the Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter, Jake has developed an inquiry-based “Stream Explorers” watershed science curriculum, which helps kids learn by doing real science. The program will roll out in three new pilot locations in the coming year: with Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Denver, the Boy Scouts in Cortez, and as an in-school program in Steamboat Springs. This new curriculum is an off-shoot of Colorado TU’s annual youth education camps, which have provide an intensive week for conservation education and fly fishing instruction for approximately 20 students. Upper Colorado River. The headwaters of the Colorado have been significantly dewatered, with 60% of native flows diverted to the Front Range. The proposed Windy Gap and Moffat Tunnel water projects would tap another 20% of its flow, primarily during spring runoff, resulting in a loss of vital flushing flows needed for habitat health. Working with National TU’s Colorado Water Project staff and the Colorado River Headwaters chapter, Colorado TU has boosted awareness about the threats facing our state’s namesake river, and helped generate the political will to ensure that permits for the new projects include strong protections for the rivers.
High Country Angler • Winter 2013
Communications: Colorado TU’s attractive new website (www. coloradotu.org) is a centerpiece for member engagement that includes regular news updates through an online blog, background information on key TU campaigns, and an Action Center where Colorado’s state and national staff prompt grassroots action on key issues. This website is also integrated with our Facebook page, which also serves as real-time information and discussion about current events in Colorado. Growth and engagement: Beyond tried-and-true chapter development, Colorado TU has also developed an innovative strategy for new member engagement. We worked with the Five Rivers Chapter in Durango to establish a model for a “sub-chapter” in a rural area where members were too far from the chapter’s main base in Durango. Yet, the Dolores River Anglers subchapter has been an integral part of TU’s conservation and youth education work in the watershed, and is preparing to seek its own charter as a new TU chapter. In metro Denver, Colorado TU, two initiatives are engaging targeted groups that have not historically participated in the TU chapter model: •
•
A series of monthly luncheon presentations helped connect TU with the downtown business community through the “Denver Angling Society.” This popular program represents a new channel for recruiting new donors and conservation activists. A promising new initiative is engaging younger (age 20s and 30s) anglers through a group called “The Greenbacks.” Rather than traditional chapter meetings, the Greenbacks host special events – from happy hours to film/photography events. Through their focus on fundraising for native trout conservation, the Greenbacks have attracted hundreds of “non-traditional” participants, and generated thousands of dollars to support projects such as stream restoration on the Roan Plateau.
Financially, Colorado TU has also enjoyed steady growth despite a challenging economy. Over the past four years, net income from our annual gala and auction has grown by more than 50%. We have established new relationships with foundations and corporations, too, enabling us to develop strong grassroots campaigns in support of the Upper Colorado River and native cutthroat trout. Our “Protect Our Rivers” partnership with Upslope Brewing, for example, which donates 1% of sales from their Craft Lager to Colorado TU’s river conservation efforts, has brought in more than $5,000 this year. TU’s success in Colorado affects all conservationists and anglers who enjoy our world-class habitat and outdoor traditions. But none of this can happen without your engagement and support. Thank you for what you do every day for Colorado’s rivers and streams!
About The Author.
Sinjin Eberle is the president of Colorado Trout Unlimited. You can contact him via the CTU website at www.cotrout.org. www.HCAmagazine.com
www.HCAmagazine.com
Winter 2013 • High Country Angler
31
The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp
W
hen you buy your annual fishing license, you’ve no doubt noticed that you’re required to pay an additional $10 for a Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp. As a loyal Colorado angler, you already know that your license dollars support a variety of different agency programs, including the operation of hatcheries, crucial scientific research, and fish population monitoring. You might have asked yourself what happens with the funds generated by the extra charge you pay into the Habitat Stamp. In fact, your simple purchase of the Habitat Stamp contributes to one of the most successful fish and wildlife habitat protection efforts in the country. Unlike regular license revenue, Habitat Stamp
dollars are firewalled exclusively for use in protecting habitat and providing access for hunting and angling. Habitat loss is one of the leading issues impacting the survival of fish and wildlife for future generations. Colorado Parks and Wildlife leverages Habitat Stamp funds with millions of dollars in other funding to protect crucial lands and waters around the state. The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program is targeted at protecting privately-owned farms and ranches. Even in a state with 23 million acres of public land, private land provides crucial fish and wildlife habitat. Most of the river corridors and riparian areas in the state are in private hands. Development pressure and escalating bills can force landowners to subdivide
and sell their land. By purchasing conservation easements and access easements, the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program helps keep private lands in agricultural production while providing habitat for fish and wildlife and access for hunting and fishing. Since the Habitat Stamp’s legislative inception in 2006, the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program has protected more than 138,000 acres of key fish and wildlife habitat. The program has also opened up almost 68,000 acres to access for hunting and fishing, including more than 25 miles of fishing access on some of Colorado’s premier trout streams. Some highlighted examples of projects protected by the Habitat Stamp include:
Cochetopa State Wildlife Area – Snyder Ranch
L
ocated about 35 miles from Gunnison, the Snyder Ranch includes a mix of irrigated meadows and sagebrush shrubland that exemplify the unique landscape of the Gunnison Basin. As responsible stewards of the land, the Snyder Family has worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife for decades to maintain their property’s habitat value for fish and wildlife. In 2008, the Snyders and the agency reached an agreement to put a permanent conservation easement on the property in order to prevent subdivision and development of the ranch. In addition to protecting the family’s ranch, the project provided significant new public access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. About 7,000 acres of land were opened to new public access, including 8 miles of excellent cold-water fishing opportunity. The property also adjoins federal and state public lands, opening up even more areas to outdoor recreation.
32
High Country Angler • Winter 2013
Photo courtesy of Matt Thorpe, CPW
www.HCAmagazine.com
Salida State Wildlife Area - Hardeman Parcel
T
he upper Arkansas River includes some of the best cold-water fishing in Colorado, harboring giant brown and rainbow trout in a picturesque setting. The region is a destination for anglers from around the country, who help support the local economy in Chaffee and Lake Counties. Located in southern Lake County, the Hardeman property includes land on both sides of the Arkansas River. For many years, the Hardeman property was open to public access through a short-term lease between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the landowner. In 2007, Parks and Wildlife was able to combine Habitat Stamp funds with financial support from Trout Unlimited to secure easements for permanent protection and access to the property. In conjunction with neighboring areas, the project opened up a total of four miles of the river to fishing.
Photo courtesy of Jim Aragon, CPW
Moyer 45 Bar Ranch
L
ocated south of Leadville, the Moyer Ranch is the last working ranch in Lake County and the largest fee title ranch in the entire Upper Arkansas Valley. Mixing sagebrush steppe with wetlands and streams, the ranch harbors a wide variety of wildlife. The ranch also includes several small streams that feed into the Arkansas River, providing habitat for fish and protecting flows in the river. In addition to the conservation easement on the entire ranch, about 1,350 acres of the ranch are open to public hunting and fishing. The Moyer Family also chose to allow fishing access to a crucial stretch of the Arkansas River, which, when combined with other adjacent accessible areas, gives anglers over seven contiguous miles of world-class fishing. The Moyer Family was able to protect their ranch by working with Parks and Wildlife, the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas, and Great Outdoors Colorado. Without support from the Habitat Stamp program, the Moyer Ranch would not have been protected in
Photo courtesy of CPW a timely manner. Facing development pressure, it would have likely been subdivided and its water rights would have been sold.
Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area (Koziel Parcel)
A
nglers from around the world travel to Colorado to fish the Gold Medal waters of the Roaring Fork River. This conservation easement will prevent a crucial 7.5 acre site just outside of Carbondale from being developed in this fast growing area. The easement includes an access point to the river, a public parking lot and public boat launch. The area was previously leased by the Colorado Division of Wildlife and was enormously popular with anglers, but was in danger of being sold to private interests. This transaction secured that access point in perpetuity, ensuring that anglers and other river users can continue to enjoy this tremendous amenity.
Tarryall Creek Ranch/Cline Ranch State Wildlife Area
T
arryall Creek Ranch (now known as Cline Ranch State Wildlife Area) was the object of focused conservation efforts for several years. The property contains 2.7 miles of Tarryall Creek plus 30 beaver ponds and 250 acres of riparian shrub community. In 2010, Park County purchased the ranch and conveyed to Colorado Parks and Wildlife a conservation and access easement; the County also developed a management plan to protect the property’s conservation, wildlife and recreational values.
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Photo © Gary E. Nichols Winter 2013 • High Country Angler
33
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Winter 2013 • High Country Angler
35
Algae Sucks (Oxygen)
O
ver the course of our lives, most of us learn what’s good for us. We learn that nutrients are what people, plants, and animals need to thrive. But we’ve also learned that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. That can be true of nitrogen and phosphorus, when mixed with water. Nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrients used to fertilize farms and lawns. They’re also by-products of the treatment of wastewater. The problem with these otherwise beneficial substances is that they promote the growth of algae, which sucks oxygen from water. In extreme cases, algae creates hypoxic or oxygen-depleted dead zones. You’ve probably seen this on a small-scale when algae growth covers a pond in a neighborhood park or golf course. But we’ve also seen “big picture” examples of massive dead zones in Lake Erie, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Mississippi Delta that have had widespread economic impacts. Prompted by this kind of damage, the Environmental Protection Agency directed the states to establish their own plans and standards for the removal of nutrients. In 2009, the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission established a Nutrient Working Group, made up of a range of stakeholders, to develop standards for the removal of nutrients from Colorado’s lakes and streams. While Colorado does have some concerns with nutrient levels caused by agriculture and livestock operations “downstream” from Front Range cities, the Nutrient Working Group focused primarily on water supply reservoirs and wastewater treatment. Most regulatory processes are contentious, and this was no different. The technology required to remove nutrients – especially nitrogen – can be extremely costly and can be perceived as an “unfunded mandate” for local agencies. Algae growth is probably not a significant threat to human health, and for the time being, fish in high country streams and lakes aren’t at serious risk. But let’s face it: algae isn’t pretty. Even if it doesn’t cover the surface of a stream or lake, it can affect water clarity and one’s perception of water quality, as one study conducted in Montana found. The bottom line: nutrients in our
36
High Country Angler • Winter 2013
streams and high country reservoirs can have a negative effect on a tourist’s recreational experience. And that could represent a major threat to Colorado’s economy. Colorado’s standards are a protective measure. There are valid concerns about nutrients from wastewater facilities in large mountain resort communities such as Vail and Crested Butte, where streams are smaller, and elevated nutrient levels can have serious impacts—especially during low flow periods brought about by drought. Ultimately, the work of the committee proved fruitful and served as a good example of how environmental, governmental, and quasi-governmental agencies can work together to solve problems. The state’s largest discharger – the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District – and Trout Unlimited may seem unlikely partners, but over the course of this process they worked closely to promote practical solutions to protect water quality, while being workable for water treatment facilities. As a result of the group’s work, the Water Quality Control Commission approved a four-year process to establish nutrient standards for nitrogen and phosphorus in each of Colorado’s major river basins. By then, more than 40 wastewater treatment facilities - the large majority on the Front Range - will have installed the technology to remove nitrogen and phosphorus. Once this technological goal is achieved, the next step – by 2024 – will be to operate within specific numeric standards. So ultimately, what does this mean to you as a concerned high country angler? First, it means the streams you fish will have About The Author. improved clarity and quality. And it means that you Tom Krol is a longtime supporter and can add your voice to the member of Trout Unlimited. He presprocess as standards are ently serves on the CTU staff. You can adopted in each basin. contact him via the CTU website at It’s all about conservawww.cotrout.org. tion, one step at a time.
www.HCAmagazine.com
Chasing Greenbacks
M
any Colorado anglers – including this writer – have spent many days on the water pursuing Colorado’s state fish, the Greenback cutthroat trout. It turns out our pursuit will have to begin again – the fish we’ve been catching are Colorado natives, but they aren’t Greenbacks.
A new study just released from the University of Colorado, published in the peer-reviewed journal Molecular Ecology and funded in part by Trout Unlimited, has redrawn the map on Colorado’s native cutthroat trout. The study, conducted by analyzing DNA from historic 19th Century fish samples, attempted to shed light on what native trout lineages were found in Colorado – and where they were found – before widespread stocking spread different fish far and wide. Among the most notable findings: the fish generally believed to be Greenback cutthroat trout and native to the Front Range are in reality from native trout lineages west of the Continental Divide – either from a White/Yampa basin lineage, or from a Colorado/Gunnison basin strain. The study also found one remaining Greenback population in Bear Creek on the flanks of Pikes Peak. Ironically, the surviving Greenbacks, originally native to the South Platte, are now found only in a tributary within the Arkansas drainage, where they were stocked more than a hundred years ago by an hotelier seeking to boost his business by improving the fishing. Does this mean that the many thousands of dollars and volunteer hours invested to date on greenback restoration has been for naught? Fortunately, no. The restored populations are still valuable native Colorado trout, albeit of a different lineage, and their conservation is important as well. Moreover, work that has been done in preparing sites for successful relocations (such as planning efforts in the Poudre headwaters for large-scale greenback restoration), as well as general TU efforts in improving habitat and watershed health, will help create a better home for the greenbacks in those locations where they are re-established going forward. Our work to date provides a solid foundation for our future restoration efforts with the greenback. Of course, having to push the “reset” www.HCAmagazine.com
button on our native trout restoration strategies is a disappointment – just as some anglers will surely be disappointed to find that they actually haven’t crossed Greenbacks off their lifetime list. But the flip side of any disappointment is opportunity. It has been said that “extinction means it is too late.” The good news for greenbacks is that we are not too late, and our efforts in the years to come will help ensure that we, our children, and our grandchildren can all have the opportunity to fish for this Colorado native. The pursuit continues.
To learn more, visit the Colorado TU website: www.coloradotu.org.
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Winter 2013 • High Country Angler
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THE LAST CAST
•
JOHN NICKUM
The Greenback Puzzle
Q
There have been several reports and media stories lately about greenback cutthroat trout and which populations are “pure” or “true” greenbacks. What are your thoughts on this “greenback puzzle?”
A
First, I have to provide a disclaimer: I am a “seriously experienced” (a.k.a, older/old) vertebrate zoologist who specialized in fisheries management, fish culture, and fish health. While I have more background in traditional genetics and evolution than many zoologists of my time, I am not an expert in molecular genetics. What this means to readers is that my thoughts are founded in genetics, taxonomy, and evolution as these areas of biology were practiced before the advent of “evolutionarily significant units,” “locally adapted phenotypes,” and the perceived need to preserve every piece of genetic diversity. Recent studies, which reached the conclusion that the cutthroat trout populations that have been officially designated as greenback cutthroat trout for the last 40 years are not the historic greenback, surprised nearly everyone. The fish that has been called the greenback cutthroat had been brought back from the brink of extinction and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was nearly ready to change its listing to “recovered”. Several selfsustaining populations plus hatchery stocks seemed to ensure the long-term future of greenback cutthroats. Now, faced with valid scientific data showing that the molecular genetic makeup of the restored “greenbacks” demonstrates ancestry from the Colorado River drainages rather than the South Platte, the future of “true” greenbacks must be reevaluated. There appears to be only one population of “pure” or “true” greenback cutthroats, which has been trans-located and now is found only in the Arkansas River drainage, not the South Platte drainage - the recognized historic range of the greenback cutthroat trout. If this situation seems confusing to the non-biologist, it’s because it is confusing. Questions about the “proper” designation of various species have existed as long as biologists have classified plants and animals as species. There have always been “splitters” and “lumpers,” who differ sharply on how much importance to give to small differences. Traditionally, a species was any group 38
High Country Angler • Winter 2013
of plants or animals that was reproductively isolated; meaning that under “natural” conditions, they could not reproduce with any plant or animal other than members of the same species. But, even then controversies developed. In actual practice, species were designated on the basis of their anatomy and their appearance. Or, as Dr. Richard Blackwelder (who literally wrote the book, Taxonomy) told me and my fellow graduate students, “A species is a group of living things designated as a species by a scientist who is recognized as a competent authority.” In other words, designating species has always included a bit of subjectivity… and it still does. The same general rule applies to designating sub-species, races, strains, or any other category. I confess to being a “lumper.” I consider many of the populations now designated as sub-species, and even species in a few cases, to be “species in development.” They will need many more generations in isolation from similar populations to become actual species. However, that does not mean that these developing species are not important and worthy of protection. Modern molecular genetics, based in detailed analyses of DNA, the basic material of heredity, has led to changes in the practice of taxonomy and the classification of distinct populations. Rather than relying on subjective judgments about the appearance of an organism, or counts and measurements of its structure, the specific makeup of its DNA is presumed to be the definitive information for designating the taxonomic place of any population. If the sequences in selected sections of DNA are different, the population that is being analyzed must be at least an “evolutionarily significant unit” and thereby eligible for protection under the Endangered Species Act. However, some of us older biologists, sometimes pejoratively called “fossils” or “dinosaurs” because of our old-fashioned ideas, continue to think that there is more to the story. Cutthroat trout are thought to have evolved from a rainbow trout ancestor, primarily because they can still interbreed with rainbows when given the opportunity.
Isolated populations of both species have been evolving toward sub-species, or even species levels ever since the last continental ice sheet retreated about ten thousand years ago. Although these isolated populations show unique, reproducible characteristics, they will interbreed readily if the physical barriers that separate them are removed. Or, when humans intervene and transplant them into common waters. The question then becomes, at what point do taxonomists declare these populations to be separate species, sub-species, or evolutionarily significant units? For my part, I would not separate them until they can no longer interbreed under natural conditions… but, remember that I am a “lumper.” Just to be absolutely clear, I find no faults in the recently published study. The fish that we have called “greenback cutthroats” for the last 40 years is genetically different from the fish originally found in the South Platte basin – the historic range of greenback cutthroat trout. Whether we call them species, sub-species, strains, races, or just unique populations, their unique characteristics are deserving of protection and restoration. The work done over the last four decades provides a foundation for restoring both the “true” greenback and the other cutthroat trout populations that we have mistakenly considered to be greenbacks. Both are the artworks of nature developed gradually over hundreds of generations. Just like the art of Van Gogh or Rembrandt, the art of nature must be protected, preserved, and when possible, restored.
About
The
Author.
John Nickum, is a retired PhD. fishery biologist whose career has included positions as professor at research universities including Iowa State and Cornell University, director of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s fisheries research facility in Bozeman, MT, and science officer for the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Mountain-Prairie Region. He was inducted into the National Fish Culture Hall of Fame in 2008. www.HCAmagazine.com
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