Anglers Edge, Spring 2023

Anglers Edge

Anglers Edge Production Editor - Aleksei (Alex) Saunders

Anglers Edge work group:

• Bob Becker

• Owen Charitan

• Keith Greenwell

• Randy Hanner

• Aleksei (Alex) Saunders

• John Semich

• Mark Shulman

• Jon Weimer

• Kenneth Worley

Cover Photo by Mark Shulman - Spring Run Limestone Creek, The Driftless, SW Wisconsin

Additional Photos:

Winter Fishing, Colorado - piii by Aleksei Saunders

Perlodidae baumanella sp. - p9 by user buchwalter001, https://www.flickr.com/photos/154118874@ N06/25059776867

Baetis intercalaris - p9 by user Andrew Hoffman, https://www.flickr.com/photos/71701055@N00/8703656236

Anopheles sp. - p9 pixabay.com images

Hydropsychidae caddis fly larvae - p9

West Denver TU Vision Statement

By Kenneth Worley

The board of directors held a 2023 planning workshop on March 11th. Members of the board along with leaders from various committees attended. This year was focused on listening to each other’s observations about WDTU. Strong efforts were made to understand the challenges a lot of membership-based social organizations are facing. Final goals and their execution are still being developed. We believe now is a good time to summarize the event for you.

Examining existing conditions was the first step in our workshop. This allowed for all the participants to be grounded with what is known about the chapter. We refreshed our familiarity with the bylaws, board, and committee structures. The national TU mission and purpose statement were examined. Current data indicates we have over 1,000 members of which 119 are new in the past year. We also reviewed our volunteer activity commitments to realize there is close to 700 hours needed to meet our participation in various 2023 activities.

Our second portion of the workshop was termed “Discovery.” This is when participants were

encouraged to share their observations of the chapter. Two major themes evolved from focused discussion.

Identity Crisis.

National TU mission is mainly aligned with water conservation values. WDTU recognizes the sport of fly fishing as a personal catalyst for appreciating nature which can lead to conservation action. The WDTU brand needs to be built with components for conservation, advocacy, outreach, education, and fly fishing. Enrollment in TU does not burden the chapter to make

members better anglers. We need to overcome the impression that TU is an elitist organization only for advanced anglers and wealthy contributors.

Membership Focus

The capability for mobilizing volunteer resources and leading their efforts is strained. Opportunities for membership participation are not well focused even with a robust enrollment. Dedicated conservation projects are difficult to navigate as a unilateral chapter activity and other agencies are dubious to use volunteer hours for their initiatives.

Introduction efforts to the chapter and guidance for participation need to be developed. Diversity in enrollment demographics will continue to be a challenge.

The workshop then moved on to brainstorming goals armed with insights from our discovery phase. Goals ranged from fly fishing skills instruction to creating fun, simple events. The board will continue to develop the purpose and execution of the goals during the course of the year. Membership will be updated on our progress.

Our second portion of the workshop was termed “Discovery.” This is when participants were encouraged to share their observations of the chapter. Two major themes evolved from focused discussion.

My joy was seeing a variety of observations about WDTU being shared openly and safely. Everyone made an effort to set aside their own preconceived notions regarding WDTU and TU to appreciate other points of view. It is all too easy to break down chapter operations as a balance between conservation and fly fishing. Indeed, even the word “balance” indicates equal amounts of both.

I believe WDTU is a mosaic created from conservation, advocacy, education, fly fishing, socialization, and multiple other tiles. Each tile is a different color and size which change constantly.

It would be a fool’s errand to try and create a WDTU mosaic out of constant tiles each year. Instead we must be flexible enough to allow our tiles to frequently morph to match our priorities at any moment. Yet all tiles must be considered in order for the design to be realized.

Now it’s your turn.

We invite you to submit editorials to Angler’s Edge and share your observations about WDTU. No judgment, no criticism, no rebuttal. We want to hear your stories in lieu of creating a new member survey. Submittals don’t even need to be published if you’d just like to tell a story to the Executive Board of Directors.

We will receive your insights with gratitude and appreciation. Looking forward to an eventful 2023 growing towards new horizons while rooted in reality.

Get A Drift!

Kenneth Worley is Secretary of the West Denver Trout Unlimited board of directors.

If I may editorialize at this point and share a personal reflection on our workshop efforts.

I believe WDTU is a mosaic created from conservation, advocacy, education, fly fishing, socialization, and multiple other tiles. Each tile is a different color and size which change constantly.

Kenneth Worley

WDTU Annual Spring Fishing for Conservation at Rainbow Falls

By Matt Rivera

Ed Calmus - Photo by Matt Rivera

On March 18, 2023, thirty-seven hearty anglers and supporters of West Denver Trout Unlimited braved temperatures ranging between 12-14 as they approached the gate at Rainbow Falls for a 0900 starting time. The sun was out and winds were light, making the air temperature feel much higher than well above the report from our car thermometers. After check-in, grabbing a breakfast snack or two and a logo’d angler gift, the anglers geared up (many were already geared up) and headed to their favorite fishing location.

Richard Johnson offered numerous recommendations for patterns to start the day along with the warning that the fish might be a bit lethargic until mid-morning when the sun warmed the water a bit, however we both noticed a number of bent rods from our vantage point early on. The fishing was so good, that close to a third of the anglers continued fishing through most of

lunch! All, or at least most did work their way to the barn for lunch. Lunch was prepared by David Dudden and his two assistants, Troy Hayes and 1st timer, Ross Seymor. With David’s guidance, the steak and chicken were grilled to perfection and we all enjoyed a warm meal and some desert.

During lunch, Paul Bunker gave a short presentation about the Yellowstone project, including mentioning the goal of removing all fish in the park that are not cutthroat trout. Paul did attract some interest in the project and many attendees were disappointed to find out that the project was full for this year. After Paul’s presentation, Richard Johnson gave a brief history of Rainbow Falls, including mentioning that he suspects that Rainbow Falls, as Colorado’s first fish hatchery, was probably responsible for stocking the park with rainbows!

Wes & Wilder Threlkeld - Photo by Matt Rivera

George Hussy -

Photo by Matt Rivera

We have been very fortunate to be welcomed back to Rainbow Falls every year for the last eight years, Richard Johnson and his family continue to be gracious to us and we, as a chapter are very grateful for the privilege. Every year, I enjoy seeing dads fishing with their fathers, or grandfathers with their grandsons. Seeing this brings back fond memories of fishing with my father and while I no longer have

that opportunity, I was very excited to see Bill Threlkeld bring his son, Wes and his grandchildren, Emma and Wilder. Additionally, two other friends bring their daughters to fish and enjoy a day in the mountains, Daniel Cohen and daughter Willa and Troy Bloom with Ava and Brynn. I should also add that Dan and Troy were responsible for another four new attendees this year!

I have to thank all of the supporters who came out to support us, David and his crew for providing a wonderful meal (every year); long time, multiyear supporters, Mick DeSantis, Jon Weimer, Fred Portillo, Bill Threlkeld and Kurt Sunderland; these folks either have not missed more than two years, and a few have not missed a single trip! I also need to thank Laura Beer for coming out to help the youngsters (and those not so youngsters willing to learn) learn some flyfishing skills. I look forward to hosting the 9th annual next March, here’s hoping we can get all who joined this year and few new folks as well!

Matt Rivera is Treasurer of West Denver Trout Unlimited board of directors

Team Bloom - Photo by Matt Rivera

Willa & Dan Cohen - Photo by Matt Rivera

Clear Creek,

Bug Talk

By Keith Greenwell

As part of the River Watch program, WDTU has been conducting an annual macroinvertebrate sample on Clear Creek.

Clear Creek Macroinvertebrates Sampling

The sampling is typically done in the 3rd week of September at three sites in Clear Creek canyon: Mayhem Gulch since 2010 and at two sites off of US 6 near the gravel pit between I-70 and CO 119. The sampling is done in accordance to a procedure defined by US Forest Service. A volunteer shuffles his feet and scrubs rocks to dislodge the bugs and another volunteer holds a fine meshed seine net downstream for collection.

After the bugs are collected at four locations, two in fast riffles and two in slow water, we retire to the shore and pick thru the sample for visible bugs. The macro-invertibrates are preserved in alcohol and then shipped to the USFS lab in Fort Collins for an official count and taxanomic identification. The procedure at the USFS lab is to dump the

sample onto a table with 15 marked grids. They then randomly select grids and count and identify the

subspecies until they have counted 500 organism. This process does not give a population density but identifies the relative numbers of the different species. The number of grids needed to obtain the 500 count does give an indication of overall population density.

Creek, Gunella Pass — Alex Saunders

Clear Creek Macroinvertebrate Sampling

Samples taken annually in Sept. No samples taken in 2013 - high water.

Samples not taken above Gravel pit in 2017 or at the Gravel Pit in 2021.

No Samples 2020 - COVID. Slices represent % of total of sample Species under 10% not indicated in key

The chart to the left is a summary of the data collected from 2010 to 2021. The macroinvertebrates population in Clear Creek is diverse with all four of the major orders that are important to fly fishers represented: Ephemeroptera (Mayfly), Plecoptera (Stonefly), Tricoptera (Caddis fly), and Diptera (Midge).

A couple of interesting observations on the data.

Since 2010 the distribution of the macro invertibrates has shifted from predominately Midges to Mayflys, primarily Baetis. In 2021 we saw another significant shift at both sites that were tested

Super Family Description

(Mayhem Gulch and above the Gravel Pit) where the porportion of Mayflies dropped and Caddis flies increased. This change is unexplained and may just be sampling variation.

Common Name %

(Mayfly)

PLECOPTERA (Stonefly)

TRICHOPTERA (Caddisfly)

The table to the left shows the % breakdown within each family of the genera. This data is from all three Clear Creek sites since our sampling started in 2010. There are a few other orders represented in the sampling, i.e. aquatic worms, beetles and mites.

DIPTERA (Midge)

The macroinvertebrates population in Clear Creek is diverse with all four of the major orders that are important to fly fishers represented

This gives a general idea as to the specific type of insect you might try using when fishing Clear Creek canyon.

CPW fish survey data suggests that the brown trout population is stable with approximately 2400 fish per mile at a test site approximately one mile below the Highway 119 junction.. Although they are small, 7 to 12 in on average, they are naturally reporoducing and anecdotally have good weight to length ratios.

CPW has been trying to establish a Whirling Disease resistent strain of naturally reproducing rainbow trout for quite a few years by annually stocking Rainbow Trout fingerlings. There is some evidence of the Rainbows reproducing, but currently the population density is not sufficient to curtail stocking efforts.

This is the link to the CPW fishing summary for Clear Creek.

https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Fishery%20Survey%20Summaries/ClearCreek.pdf

Keith Greenwell

Keith is a leader of West Denver Trout Unlimited conservation efforts and an avid backcountry angler

Long Casts

Chapter Identity and Volunteers — Musings of a Former Chapter President and Director-at-Large

By Jon Weimer

In deliberations held within Colorado Trout Unlimited (CTU) and in discussions seen on National Trout Unlimited (NTU) online and in printed venues, a topic that pops up frequently is whether chapters should be pure “fishing clubs” or devoted to environmental and conservation issues – or both.

I know these discussions have occurred within the West Denver Chapter (WDTU) over the years. Soon after I joined WDTU, a Board officer expressed his frustration with some members who eschewed or appeared indifferent to guest speakers and issues related to environmental and conservation matters.

To my surprise and chagrin, he stated that such members should not be associated with TU, but would be better suited for another organization. My response was that his statement was wrong-headed and elitist. Certainly, I stated, our chapter should be able to accommodate members with varying interests and various motives for joining us.

I indicated to this Board member that I suspected that many members initially joined our chapter to learn how and where to fish, and that there was nothing wrong with that. Frankly, I joined

WDTU in 2006 because I wanted to fish with people who knew what they were doing and knew where to go. But, somewhere along the way, I noticed some subtle changes in my outlook. I began to realize

that in order to enjoy the privilege of fly fishing for beautiful fish in beautiful parts of the State, I should begin to take a more active part to try to protect, if not enhance, our fisheries, specifically, and our environment in general. As one letter-writer to an issue of an NTU publication wrote, he understood “…that if there are no rivers that are fishable, fishing clubs, as well as fishermen, become anachronisms”.

Amen.

I believe that when you start fly fishing seriously, you begin to sense that you are part of a community of like-minded individuals who strive to reduce wanton environmental damage in favor of endorsing policies and situations to preserve the environment. And, what better venue to do this than through a TU chapter? I certainly don’t want to advocate or encourage a bunker mentality, i.e, “us against them” but, as this country grapples with an uneven economy, organizations such as ours are obligated to question and monitor the activities of extractive industries. I am fully aware and appreciate that there are some very conscientious oil/gas and mining companies, and I am not so naïve to think that this country is going to immediately wean itself from fossil fuels and certain metals. But, we need to be on the alert for those parties whose efforts seem intent to ravage wilderness to satisfy the quest for profit.

Regarding conservation efforts, I think there’s merit in collaborating with both Federal and State agencies to engage in enhancing trout habitation efforts. I know there are some factions out there who frown working with government agencies, but the reality is that these agencies are often well-intentioned (if not

I believe that when you start fly fishing seriously, you begin to sense that you are part of a community of likeminded individuals who strive to reduce wanton environmental damage in favor of endorsing policies and situations to preserve the environment.

always competent) and may possess invaluable resources to help us fulfill our mission. I suspect there are anti-government types still chortling and smirking over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) responsibility several years ago for the Animus River mine drainage incident. Yes, EPA was careless, but that should not mask over the fact that the real culprit in this tragedy is Colorado’s legacy of abandoned mines with no culpable owners — and that many mining companies over the years have maximized their profit by ignoring the environment and then abandoning their mess for the taxpayers to clean up.

Thus far, this discussion has focused on two possible services/ functions that a chapter may provide: fishing opportunities and work on conservation/ environmental issues. However, another topic on which more chapters appear to be focusing is education – specifically, youth education. Some may classify youth education under the rubric of conservation activities in that the stated purpose of these youth programs is to educate, connect with, and influence our next generation of conservation stewards. Trout in the Classroom, the CTU Youth Camp, Adopt-A-Trout and Windy Peak are just some of the youth education programs that are run under the auspices of CTU chapters that cover topics such as entomology, aquatic biology, fly tying, fly casting, and fish anatomy.

A common thread that runs through all these programs is instilling the conservation ethic.

You may hear the adage that a person or organization can’t be all things to all people. That may be true in many instances, but I believe a chapter can at least attempt to accommodate the interests and skill sets of its members – be it fishing, conservation work and/ or education. By rigidly adhering to just one area, a chapter may be shortchanging itself and its members.

Of course, volunteers are the lifeblood of an organization such as TU. To carry out a myriad of

presumably filter down to local chapters. Perhaps more proactive measures are needed from CTU, as an organization, and from individual chapters. What those measures should be is also unclear to me at this juncture although, on the surface, I would think that for any function/activity that a chapter conducts, it would be helpful if the chapter had material available to hand out to participants and if there were some designated chapter personnel who could serve as spokespersons to tout the merits of joining a chapter.

activities, CTU chapters strive to recruit additional members and to retain whom they already have. Several years ago, I saw a statistic that startled me: a little less than seven percent of all fly fishers in Colorado are CTU members. The reason for such low CTU affiliation among fly fishers is unclear to me. Perhaps, but not necessarily, more aggressive, large-scale advertising/promotional activities on the part of NTU are needed, the benefits of which would

A common mantra that I’ve heard within WDTU as well as in other chapters is the importance placed on recruiting young members — the need for “new blood”, fresh ideas. I certainly understand this emphasis. Young members can indeed bring new ideas as well as the enthusiasm, energy, and vigor associated with youth. Based on casual observation, younger members tend to be more technologically oriented than their older counterparts, and can apply this knowledge to make a chapter more efficient and effective. However, it is important that this emphasis on youth does not dismiss or ignore the contribution that “grey hairs” may bring to a chapter. Senior members may bring a maturity and gravitas that can benefit an organization. And, let’s face it, seniors may have more time on their hands than younger members to devote to chapter activities. Seniors may often be free of job and family responsibilities that encumber and eat up the time and energy of younger members. In other words,

I believe a chapter can at least attempt to accommodate the interests and skill sets of its members – be it fishing, conservation work and/ or education. By rigidly adhering to just one area, a chapter may be shortchanging itself and its members.

rather than lament the fact that you may have a disproportionate number of older members in your chapter, use these members to your advantage. Exploit their experience and hard-earned expertise.

Retaining chapter members is a formidable task as well. What WDTU did some years ago was enlightening. Using a tool called Survey Monkey, it sent an email survey to all members to get input as to how our chapter could be more “user friendly”. The results of this survey were eye-opening, to say the least, and a little disconcerting although, in the long run, they were beneficial to our operation.

Simply stated, chapter leaders need to periodically get feedback from their members, and act accordingly. Chapter leaders should also be aware of the composition of their membership to make needed adjustments to staff their events/activities. Our chapter, for example, realizes that a number of our members are working full-time (if not overtime) to keep financially afloat. And, a number of our members are also raising families, and simply do not have the time to participate in many of our events. In the small amount of time they have to themselves, they may simply want to fish for the therapeutic value it affords. That’s understandable. However, we have tried to emphasize to our members that we appreciate even a nominal amount of their time, e.g., 3-4 hours a year.

If that’s not possible, they can still make a contribution without exerting a great deal of time and effort by simply keeping abreast of the legislation and campaigns revolving around, for example, Colorado water and energy issues by tapping into our website and/or that of CTU. They can

contribute, for example, by signing petitions and/or donating funds for measures that will protect and restore trout habitat. It is important to emphasize the ability of CTU members to crank up the volume on issues important to us through sheer numbers. Basically, all CTU members can pitch in to help conserve, protect, and enhance our trout fisheries, no one way being any better than another.

Recently, I was going through a number of past issues of CTU’s Year in Review publications, detailing some of the notable accomplishments of CTU over the years, accomplishments that were frequently obtained in cooperation with NTU personnel and a host of other partners---both in the private sector and from the State and Federal government realm. The diversity of these projects is impressive. Diversity appears to be the key word for success within CTU---diversity in terms of membership, diversity in terms of skill sets, diversity in terms of opportunities afforded to members—including fishing.

Jon Weimer

(Jon is a former President of WDTU and a former CTU Director-at-Large. He’s a former editor of the WDTU’s newsletter and has been a contributor to CPW’s “Colorado Outdoors” magazine and to CTU’s “High Country Angler” magazine).

Charlie Boy Hopper

Story and photos by Ed Calmus

Fishing the Charlie Boy Hopper in Patagonia

Rio Grande, Argentina

It is mid-January, Summer in Patagonia.

It is the first day of fishing with my guide, Martin Majul. He asks to see my fly box.

We are in a rubber raft floating the Rio Grande near Esquel, Argentina. He quickly picks out a Charlie Boy Hopper that I had tied, and asks, “Do you know this fly? The Charlie Boy Hopper? It is my favorite fly.” I am able to respond, “Yes, I know this fly, and I know Charlie too!”

Later in the trip, during the camping portion, Martin is tying some flies for the next day’s fishing. I suggest he tie the Charlie Boy

Hopper, and I film it for Charlie. See this video on our You Tube channel, West Denver Trout Unlimited, at https://youtu.be/ qwgYkldgWug.

Martin is obviously a skilled and accomplished fly tyer. At the end of the video he thanks Charlie for designing such a durable and effective pattern.

Floating the Rio Grande

Martin Majul

Back home, I visit Charlie’s Fly Box and share Martin’s tying video with him.

I also show Charlie the actual fly from the video, which I brought back from Patagonia. Charlie is impressed with Martin’s skill, and with the quality of the fly. He makes a short video response to Martin, which I share with him via What’s App.

It is also available on our You Tube channel, https:// youtube.com/shorts/ rMQZsdzHulo?feature=share.

The Patagonia is a beautiful place with fantastic fishing. But what is often most memorable are the people met and the connections made.

Ed Calmus is recent past President of West Denver Trout Unlimited

Charlie Martin

Ed Marin and Azule Ed Calmus