Welcome to the Monthly Meeting - March 5th Regular meeting at The Spice of Life Events Center
Regular meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month.
Meeting begins at 6:00 PM with a mixer with cash bar, a short business meeting will follow and then the regular program will round out the evening.
As always, the meeting will be held at the Spice of Life Events Center, 5706 Arapahoe Avenue (in the Flatirons Golf Course Complex).
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| Table of Contents for Reel News
Article #1 . . . General Meeting for March 5th - At The Spice of Life Events Center!
Bill Dvorak
Article #2 . . . New BFC President, Larry Quilling
Article #3 . . . BFC Volunteering, A Love or Hate affair!
Article #4 . . . CTU Youth Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp -
Last Chance Opportunity for the Youth of Chapter Members
Article #5 . . . Rogers Park Project Status - March
Article #6 . . . Fly of the Month by Ron Donahue
Article #7 . . . BFC Calendar for Winter/Spring 2008
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MARCH MEETING — Wednesday, March 5th - Bill Dvorak's Black Canyon Fishing and a Conservation Challenge!
Ever wanted to float the Black Canyon of the Gunnison but didn’t know how to begin and where to end the trip?
Here’s your chance! Bill has all the answers and more!
His company has been outfitting in the Gunnison since 1982 and have over 25 launches in the gorge each season.
Bill offers rafting, kayaking and fishing (FLY or SPIN) expeditions. They offer trips on the Gunnison River thru the Gunnison Gorge.
These expeditions are arranged by reservation only, for a full day or two and three day expeditions as you require.
The craft of choice can be an inflatable paddle raft, inflatable kayaks or an oar raft set up with a custom fishing guide
at the helm and two anglers per raft. There is a maximum of 12 persons including guides per launch date.
The late season possibility of canoe trips can also be an option.
For the most part, our fishing trips are done from the boat (raft). You are welcome to bring your waders for the
opportunity can arise to (wade/walk) shore fish near camp or off shore during the day. Your mult-day expeditions
will be fully catered with all boating equipment, cooking and meals provided. You will have to note the
Black Canyon’s Gunnison Gorge is restricted by a launch calendar which have specific start dates
(call Bill for dates-800 824.3795 or (719) 539-6851). The season is from May thru September.
The Gunnison Gorge is the top cold water fishery in the state of Colorado. It has been awarded "GOLD MEDAL"
status by the Division of Wildlife and is managed by special National Park and Bureau of Land Management regulations.
Go to www.DvorakExpeditions.com for all the details.
The second part of Bill's presentation is alarming and it's about OIL SHALE development in his neck-of-the-woods!
The Bureau of Land Management released its draft plan for commercial oil shale development last December.
Research to identify the costs, benefits and risks of promoting oil shale as a domestic fuel source won't
be completed until 2010. Industry leaders themselves are saying that we are still at least 15-20 years out before
the technology to extract oil from shale is proven---if ever. Regardless, the BLM remains on the fast track to issuing
commercial leases.
The only thing we do know about commercial oil shale development is that it will have devastating impacts
on our water, wildlife and recreation opportunities. For example, oil extraction and processing will require significant
amounts of water, which will degrade stream fisheries and place further pressure on a resource already in great demand.
Additionally, much of this development will occur on public lands where wildlife already is stressed by oil and gas drilling.
Here how you can help with this potential conservation disaster!
Click here to go directly to Bill's web site! |
NEW BFC PRESIDENT - Larry Quilling
REFLECTIONS OF BOULDER FLYCASTERS & LOOKING FORWARD. . .
It was not that long ago Lloyd Brady approached me at a BFC meeting and asked
if I would be interested in serving on the BFC Board of Directors for the coming year. I said yes but I
know I would not have stepped forward and volunteered without his asking. That was six years ago;
my years of service to the BFC board and CTU have been very rewarding and I have not looked back to
ask how my life would be different if Lloyd had never approached me.
As Evan Esar once said, “You can’t do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something
about its width and depth”. I was waiting for someone to reach out and ask me to extend myself. I did
not know it at the time and only in reflection do I understand what a difference it has made in my life. I
have spent the past six years immersed in Trout Unlimited conservation and youth projects. The width
and depth of my experiences have been wider than I have ever cast and deeper than I have ever fished.
Lloyd’s request was a defining moment for me, an opportunity to make my life through giving in balance
with making a living.
When I saw this past December our chapter was searching for a new president, I did not have to wait to be invited.
Boulder Flycasters is an organization rich in fly-fishing tradition and volunteer stewardship. I am truly proud
and excited to serve our chapter as this year’s club president.
Our mission this year is clear; we will complete one of the most ambitious projects our club has ever
pursued with the completion of the Roger’s Park Project. Our club is reaching wider and deeper than
ever so please don’t wait to be asked and don’t be surprised if you are approached to volunteer.
Together, we are reversing the scars and mistakes of the past and creating a lasting stewardship for our
watershed. Please join us, the rewards are beyond measure.
Larry Quilling
Incoming BFC President
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| BFC Volunteering... it's a Love or Hate Question!
 by Bob Bush
As Larry was reflecting about how he became involved in volunteering for Boulder Flycasters,
it became apparent that Larry's story was much like any number of volunteers we've had helping us
throughout the years I've been helping out at BFC. We all strive to become involved with one thing or
another as we grow and mature as adults. Young and old and everything in between!
When we become young parents, we have many family duties and responsibilities to take up our time.
Most are very enjoyable and fill us with satisfaction, others are more dutiful and make us the responsible adults
that we need to be when raising families and nurturing relationships. Once our families grow up and leave home,
we develop a sadness and something is lost in us. That's where helping others becomes a real focus and helps
us manage our time, a way of giving back and to help create a quality of life for all. But it's not for everyone.
As we volunteer our time, there become conflicts, we feel unappreciated, over worked, we get burned out, no one listens to us, our views are either by-passed or fall on deaf ears. . . even worse, our efforts go down the tube!
Sometimes that does happen, but more often than not, we feel up-lifted and fulfilled, meet some great people
and become life-long friends with many. I for one have not regretted any of my 40+ years in volunteer work!
Each of us must decide if we'll love volunteering or hate it.
As a club, we cannot survive without the help of members who step up and volunteer. It's more critical than ever as
we begin on this final climb to complete the Roger's Park project we began last year. We have bitten off a huge task, both in physical effort and in fund raising to attain our goals in completing this project. Any help we can get from the membership will be welcome. Call fundraising coordinator, Chad Pettrone, BFC Vice President at 720.224.4485 or
our "Project Lead", Roger Svendsen at 303.939.9843 to add your volunteer support. Any help you can lend will be appreciated!
Larry sent me this "Top Ten List of Things a Volunteer Should Know". I agree whole heartedly and suggest you read it . . .
It may give you some perspective on what you may or may not know of volunteering.
"Top Ten List of Things a Volunteer Should Know" Written by Donald Patrick Dunn.
10. List your dreams and talents. Where do you excel? What have you always dreamed of doing?
What do you really enjoy or would like to try? Is there a way to prepare, learn or try it as a volunteer?
9. Pick your duration. One size does not fit all, just like volunteer opportunities.
I’ve found that volunteer projects come in three sizes: one-time, short-term,
and “whad’ya doing for the rest of your life?”
8. Make a commitment. Sometimes a volunteer project is an acquired taste. Give yourself a chance
to have good days, bad days and in-between days. If after three months you see no redeeming value,
then at least you can feel you gave it a fair chance.
7. Watch and learn. Seasoned volunteers can teach you the “rope” so to speak. Have confidence
in the knowledge that you are capable and trainable. Balance that confidence with a dose of humility, also.
6. Ability, need and desire. You must have the ability to do the service, there must be a need for the service,
and you must have the desire to be of service.
5. Unpaid does not mean unprofessional. “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” All that we do,
we need to do with our most sincere effort. Anything less is a disservice to those who are helping and
ultimately to ourselves.
4. Balance is the key. Priorities add balance. Charity begins at home-keep the priorities straight.
Balance out family, work, and volunteering. If you become over-whelmed, stress will set in and you
won’t enjoy anything.
3. Stand back and admire. Sometimes people forget to say “thank you,” so you will need to reward yourself.
Be proud of your accomplishments-take the time to smell the roses, hear the raindrops on the pane,
feel the snow on your nose, taste the cool clear water.
2. Find a home or make a change. Are you stale or still fresh? Are you learning, enthusiastic or
approaching burnout? Check yourself periodically and act upon your honest answers.
1. Have fun! Life has enough drudgery; volunteering shouldn’t be one of them. Giving of yourself should
be uplifting and joyful. We are at our best when we learn, grow, play and serve each other with love and respect.
Tight lines,
Bob Bush
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CTU Youth Conservation and Flyfishing Camp... We need your applications, NOW!
What gives? Here's a chance for one of your kids to spend a week having fun at no cost to you! Have your kids send us an application
for a great week at this summer's CTU Youth Conservation and Flyfishing Camp. Time is running out and this years' camp promises to be a
week of both fun and a great conservation learning experience.
Last Years' CTU Youth Conservation and Flyfishing Camp at Peace Ranch, near Basalt, drew 21 young men and women from across Colorado,
as well as one each from Maine and Texas. From June 10th through the 15th, their hands-on learning programs included measuring stream flows,
conducting water quality sampling, snorkeling to observe fish species, collecting macro invertebrates, and electroshocking a small stretch of stream
to sample the fish population.
Campers also took a field trip to Reudi Reservoir to learn about water operations, and really got their feet wet, planting wetlands vegetation at a
restored site. Of course, they had a chance to wet a few lines, too, benefiting from expert instruction in casting and fishing tactics.
This year's conservation camp was made possible by a terrific group of volunteer flight leaders and instructors, led by Larry Quilling, President of Boulder Flycasters. “Fly fishers have always taken the lead in conservation efforts,” said Quilling.
“We think the key to future conservation is to reach people when they're young.” Special thanks are also due to the Beattie family at Peace Ranch, who were kind
enough to provide a home and hospitality for our sizeable entourage.
CTU Conservation Camp participants are encouraged to apply what they learn; each camper helps organize a conservation or education project with their
home chapter of TU. 2006 camper Elyssa Ridinger of Broomfield organized fellow students at the Peak-to-Peak Charter School to research an invasion of
Eurasian milfoil in Boulder Creek and schedule a work day to remove the invasive plant.
Hayden Stone of Evergreen worked with CTU legislative liaison Jen Boulton to draft a Joint Resolution on Water Conservation, then convince the
2007 Colorado General Assembly to pass it. “It’s great to see young people learning that they can make a difference,”
said CTU Executive Director David Nickum. “It's gratifying that CTU can be a part of that process.
Here is a portion of the press release from CTU's web site to help members children get involved in this camp:
Colorado Trout Unlimited Seeks Students for River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp!
BOULDER, Colo. – Jan. 16, 2008 – Colorado Trout Unlimited, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring Colorado’s
coldwater fisheries, is now accepting applications from students aged 14 to 18 for its second annual River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp.
Applications are available online at www.cotrout.org (click on link below) and must be received by March 30, 2008. The camp, scheduled for June 8th – 13th
at the Peace Ranch near Basalt, Colorado, is designed to educate students on the importance of coldwater conservation and provide hands-on fly-fishing instruction.
The River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp is limited to 20 qualified students who will be selected based on their qualifications and a written essay
on why they would like to attend the camp.
Your Boulder Flycasters will be offering a scholarship to attend the CTU Youth camp this June! Go to our link below to download an application today!
Time is running out!
click here for information CTU Youth Camp |
| Rogers Park Project Status-March!
Here's the latest update for our Roger's Park project. We are moving forward in our fund raising efforts to
attain our goal of raising the full $235,000.00. We have applied for additional grants and are moving forward
with the month of May as Boulder Creek Month. Our president, Larry Quilling is in the process of getting
the proclamation off to city council for approval and we are contacting Boulder businesses to help with additional monetary support. Stay tuned for more updates as we get them. If you'd like to help,
contact Chad or Roger at the phone numbers listed below.
As many of you know, the BFC Board of Directors decided that the Rogers Park project would be the major focus of BFC activity for 2008. We had always planned to perform the major portion of work this year, however the Board’s decision adds even more emphasis. The project as currently planned will require $235,000.
Via grants from Fishing is Fun, The Trout and Salmon Foundation, and personal donations to date, we have approximately $135,000. Since additional funding remains a significant effort, the project team has agreed to establish a sub-team to complete this effort. That team will be led by our new BFC Board Vice President,
Chad Pettrone (720.224.4485). Chad’s team will contain several project team members as well as others with fund raising skills and experience.
If you would like to help with this project and are not already a member of one of these teams, please contact
Roger Svendsen, Rsvend@comcast.net or 303-939-9843.
The Rogers Park committee decided at a meeting on Tuesday, January 15 that we had sufficient funds to
empower Environmental Resource Consultants, ERC, to begin the Permit Process and Detailed Design tasks.
The cost of these two tasks will be $18,000. ERC is the local company that is our partner in this project. Our target
for doing the in-stream work is the fall of this year. Key to the success of this project will be voluntary contributions
of labor and funds. Much of the labor will be in the form of re-vegetation of the modified stream banks. A better
understanding of this work should be available after the detailed design is complete. Another key contribution will be
for rocks. We need 480 tons of rock to be used for stream bank stabilization and stream foundation material.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has agreed to gather and store as much rock as they can from slides in
Boulder Canyon. So if you see piles of rock in some of the pullout areas in the canyon, you will know they are for us.
You are encouraged to track project progress by monitoring the BFC website.
Our meeting minutes will be posted there on a regular basis.
Report by Roger Svendsen, Co-Chairman, BFC Rogers Park Project
Click here for the BFC web site
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FLY OF THE MONTH THE "Palamino Nymph"
Palamino Nymph
Tying Pattern by Ron Donahue
Recipe:
Hook: Tiemco #2488 size 16-18
Thread: Gray, UTC 70
Tail: Perfect Rubber - Flo. Red
Body: Gray Thread
Thorax: Sparkle wool - Gray
Wing: Sparkle Wool - Gray
Tying Instructions:
1. Tie in Gray thread behind eye, wind thread backword to bend of hook.
2. Tie in Perfect Rubber at bend of hook, one hook length long.
3. Tie in Gray wool on top of hook. Make low hump and tie off with 25% space behind eye.
4. Make wool form forward slanting wing one half hook length long.
5. Stand wing up and whip finish under wing, cement head.
Fishing Suggestions:
This fly should always be fished as a bottom fly. It is most effective when the line is completing a swing and the fly is rising. Excellent early season pattern on the Big Horn.
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BFC Calendar Events Listing for Winter/Spring, 2008
March 5th, Bill Dvorak - Fishing the Black Canyon and other local rivers & Impact of gas & oil exploration in western Colorado.
April 2nd, Evan Jones - Exploring Patagonia all the way to the Horn!
May 7th, Drew Peternell - Director of Colorado Water Project, Conservation info Program.
June Picnic - Date to be determined!
Summer (July and August) - No Meetings . . . Gone Fish'n
General Meeting: Doors will open at 6:00 PM. This meeting will be held at the Spice of Life Events Center, 5706 Arapahoe Avenue (in the Flatirons Golf Course Complex).
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