Article #1 . . . General Meeting for May 7th - At The Spice of Life Events Center!
Drew Peternell - Colorado Water Project Director

Article #2 . . . BFC President, Larry Quilling "First Cast"

Article #3 . . . Cody Burghoff, BFC Youth Camp Scholarship winner!

Article #4 . . . BFC attends CTU Rendezvous!

Article #5 . . . Welcome new members!

Article #6 . . . Sportsmen's Bill of Rights!

Article #7 . . . St. Vrain Anglers Auction, May 2nd!

Article #8 . . . Gov. Ritter names 3 to Water Board!

Article #9 . . . St. Vrain Anglers Kid Fishing Day!

Article #10 . . . BFC Hats for sale (Part of Boulder Creek fundraising package)

Article #11 . . . Fly of the Month by Ron Donahue

Article #12 . . . BFC Calendar for Spring 2008

FIRST CAST ARTICLE


May begins one of the most important months in the history of Boulder Flycasters as we begin Boulder Creek Watershed Awareness Month and the fund raising campaign in support of the Rogers Park Project. An unprecedented effort has begun by BFC Board members and volunteers to plan Awareness Events and fund raising activities.
Our principle goal for the May festivities is to bring to the attention of Boulder residents the plight our Boulder Creek has endured through the decades of channelization, diversions, and other habitat degradation. We look forward to your support and help to spread the word that protection, conservation and restoration of our watershed is just as important as carbon emissions or green points.

For the first time in many years, Boulder Flycasters will be at the Boulder Creek Festival promoting our home water stewardship as well as selling numerous items raising funds for Rogers Park. Other activities in May include the Children's Water Festival on the CU campus, multiple school streamside instructions on water quality, entomology, and watershed management. Of course, fishing is the finale and highlight of these events. Volunteers are welcome; please contact me for more details.

Boulder Flycasters has adopted the Rogers Park Project because the upper stretches of Middle Boulder Creek would significantly benefit from the introduction or adjustment of existing natural structure to create adequate holding water for fish in low flow months. Such changes are expected to enhance the overall population and improve the balance of large and small fish. The fact that the City of Boulder owns Barker Reservoir and has agreed to maintain a minimum instream flow will significantly contribute to the success of this undertaking.

If we are to start project reconstruction this fall, we need to be climbing the ladder starting in May. We have raised about 60% of the $235,000 needed by successfully securing a DOW grant. Our fund raising goal for Rogers Park is $60,000 and we need your help to fund the balance. We have many new and innovative ways to help encourage your financial support. Members of the Boulder Creek Enhancement Team unanimously adopted the Boulder Creek Project graphic as a centerpiece for the project. There will be a series of limited edition prints and posters available on line at boulderflycasters.org as well as being for sale at monthly chapter meetings and at our booth at the Boulder Creek Festival next month. We have new Boulder Flycasters fishing caps for sale both at our meetings and on our web site. These are first quality, adjustable baseball style caps available in both khaki and olive colors for $20.00. We also have a long-billed baseball cap in two-tone for $25.00.

Prove that you care by donating any amount towards the completion of this project in 2008/2009. Over 20 years ago BFC made the Boulder Creek Path happen. It's time to step up again!

by Larry Quilling, BFC President
Ever vigilant for the rise and never surprised by the take!

by Larry Quilling

Cody Burghoff selected as BFC student to attend CTU Youth camp!

Cody Burghoff, a fourteen year old student at Peak to Peak High School and Lafayette resident, has been selected to represent Boulder Flycasters at this year's CTU Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp at Peace Ranch near Basalt, CO. Cody was selected after the BFC BOD reviewed his application and required essay. His application boasts a number of accomplishments and activities including selection to his school's dean's list, a junior ski instructor at Eldora, a goalie for the Monarch H.S. lacrosse team and a volunteer for the National Fly Fishing Championships this past fall. He further states he would like to go on to college to pursue a degree in limnology and become a future DOW agent researching how excess fishing affects the ecology and its inhabitants. He goes on to say "I want to acquire the education and skill to protect our fisheries and resources for myself and for others that will follow".

Cody loves fishing; a letter of recommendation from a Elktrout guide stated: He impressed me so much with his personal love towards the outdoors and cold water fisheries. As an angler, he was very focused and competent with the fly rod, which included a 22+ inch rainbow from the Blue River as part of his catch & release efforts. Also, he read and understood the water, knew how to fish different waters, plus was such a joy to be around as he literally out fished everyone!" Cody had his proudest fishing moment during spring break last year when he landed a seven and a half pound trout in Pyramid Lake. At eight years old, he caught his first trout on the Big Thompson River. He says, "I waded out to my chest, with my grandpa beside me holding onto my chest straps". He goes on to say, "On my third cast into the white water, I saw my line shoot forward and after a short battle, I had caught and released my first river fish, a twelve inch rainbow."

Boulder Flycasters will be sponsoring Cody to the CTU Camp, paying his tuition to the week long camp. We are confident Cody will return from camp with a wealth of fisheries knowledge to share with our chapter and his community.

by Allen Nakagawa, BFC secretary.

BFC attends CTU Spring Rendevous

CTU held its annual Spring rendezvous at Redstone on April 12-13. Seventeen Colorado TU chapters were represented along with the staff of CTU and national TU. Boulder Flycasters were represented by Chad Pettrone, Dave Clark, and Allen Nakagawa.

Program highlights:
• State senator Gail Schwartz provided an update of legislation of interest to CTU. Jen Boulton, the CTU lobbyist summarized 20 bills of priority interest to the preservation and protection of Colorado’s coldwater fisheries.
• Members of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) presented an update on their program to secure water rights to provide minimum in stream flow to protect fish habitat and other recreational uses. In Boulder County, in stream flow was added for Como Creek to protect Greenback Cutthroats and Coal Creek will be added in 2009. Through the input of local chapters, CTU is one of many parties that recommend specific steams for CWCB to acquire in steam flow rights. TU Brad Dills from College Peaks chapter is a newly appointed member of this Board.
• Update on Roan Plateau decision by BLM and litigation by CTU.
• The federal BLM (Bureau of Land Management) has decided to start bids for leases on the entire Roan Plateau in August despite Governor Ritter’s recommendation to lease the land in phases.
• CTU is seeking protection on approximately 2% of the plateau to prevent watershed pollution and to protect native populations of native cutthroat trout.
• Senator Salazar is proposing legislation to define development corridors with continuous monitoring, supervision, and enforcement of the drilling sites.
• CTU will join other conservation groups in lawsuit against the BLM decision.
• Election of new CTU officers. Ken Neubecker from Carbondale is new president with Paul Prentiss, our former BFC president, elected as a Director.
• Status of major projects by various chapters. A truly impressive list of stream restoration projects and youth educational programs. CTU and the various chapters have made significant contributions to Colorado with minimal resources and relatively modest funding.
• CTU and local chapters are all challenged to meet the funding necessary to support their programs. Auctions alone will not meet the funding needs of our programs. Increased emphasis is being placed on grants and soliciting financial support from local businesses and individuals.
• Boulder Flycasters received an award for leadership in Youth Education Programs. Congratulations to Larry Quilling for his leadership in training tomorrow’s conservation leaders. Larry got kudos from many of his colleagues at the meeting.
• CTU approved a $1,000 GOMO grant for the BFC Boulder Creek Project. The project was mentioned several times during the meeting and was the topic of many private conservations.


An orientation for new chapter leaders was also held on Friday, April 11. This provided an overview of the organization, roles, and responsibilities of national TU, the state councils (such as CTU), and each chapter. The session also provided an introduction to Colorado Water Law and key Colorado issues:
• I-70 transportation to include highway maintenance and its use of chemicals and traction sand which flow into streams.
• Management of Gold Metal streams
• Energy development in the form of gas drilling, hydroelectric power generation, and oil shale
• Trans basin water projects that divert water to the front range to serve the population centers.
• Restoration of protections for stream water quality from pollution previously covered by the Clean Water Act.


The rendezvous is open to all TU members. It’s a great way to meet the men and women from other chapters as well as the staff of CTU, national TU, and representatives from our state government who support us. The energy and passion of the volunteers was impressive and inspirational. I also learned that we have an arsenal of talent in the TU lawyers and lobbyist that make a difference in working through the system to protect our fisheries. I recommend that any member attend to learn more about the relevant issues and to understand the resources available to us. During the many social opportunities, the rendezvous is also a great way to make new friends and learn about their secret fishing spots in other parts of Colorado.

The Redstone Inn is in a beautiful and extremely relaxed setting. The city of Redstone (pop 90) is a friendly town where everybody waves and says “hi” when they see you. It seems that everybody in Redstone knows about CTU and they all say nice things about the work that we do. The Crystal River and private catch and release fishery flow next to the inn and the valley is surrounded by majestic maroon mountains. A limited number of passes to fish the private waters are provided by those attending the meeting. The registration and room costs are reasonable. I am already making my plans to return to Redstone next Spring.

For more information about Boulder Flycasters and what they do on a regular basis, click below!

by DAVID NICKUM

The Sportsmen's Bill of Rights from the Sportsmen for
Responsible Energy Development Campaign, a partnership including TU and
NWF. At the Spring Rendezvous, CTU voted to sign on as supporters of the
Bill of Rights, and we encourage all chapters to look this over and
consider signing on as well - as well as sharing it with other partners
that you think may also want to support the platform. If you have any
questions, you can contact David Nickum (DNickum@tu.org or
Corey Fisher (Cfisher@tu.org).
Thanks!

CONTACT
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us

GOV. RITTER NAMES THREE TO WATER BOARD

Gov. Bill Ritter today named two new members to the Colorado Water
Conservation Board -- Reed K. Dils of Buena Vista and Bruce T. Whitehead of
Hesperus – and re-appointed Travis L. Smith of Del Norte.

Dils, 60, has lived in Chaffee County since 1976 and is retired from the
outfitting and rafting business. He is past president of the Colorado River
Outfitters Association and currently serves on the Southeastern Colorado
Water Conservation District and the Arkansas River Basin Roundtable. Dils
helped create the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, was named Colorado
Trout Unlimited’s 2006 “Outstanding Volunteer” and has been recognized by
numerous organizations for his work on the Arkansas River.

Smith, 54, is superintendent of the San Luis Valley Irrigation District and
currently serves as chairman of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. He
is a member of the Colorado Water Congress and its State Affairs Committee,
as well as the Rio Grande River Basin Roundtable. He is a rancher with 30
years of experience in water administration.

Whitehead, 49, is executive director of the Southwestern Water Conservation
District and Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District. He has more than
25 years of experience as a division engineer, assistant division engineer
and senior hydrographic engineer for the Colorado Division of Water
Resources within the Office of the State Engineer.

“I am pleased to appoint these individuals to the Colorado Water
Conservation Board,” Gov. Ritter said. “These appointments reflect an
expertise in water issues from diverse backgrounds, interests and
experience. They will further enrich the various and important discussions
and decisions of the board as it considers water policy development.”

The board appointments come as Colorado reshapes its water leadership team.
In November, Dick Wolfe was named sate engineer and Jennifer Gimbel was
named director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The 15-member
board was created in 1937 to aid in the protection and development of the
waters of the state. Terms are for three years and require Senate
confirmation.

# # #

by Paul Prentiss

Mark your calendars for ST. VRAIN ANGLER'S KID'S FISHING DAY that has been scheduled for May 31, 2008 between 9:00 am & 1:00 pm at Izaak Walton Pond. Longmont, Colorado.

There will be individual casting instruction and fly fishing for kids 8 to 15 years old.

The chapter has fishing rods available for those in need of equipment. There will be plenty of free hot dogs for participants.

For more information, contact Mark Rayman, Program and Trip Chairman, at mflyfish@msn.com

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).