Youth Outreach

Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter of Trout Unlimited (RMF) youth outreach programs introduce young people to fly fishing and also help others to develop more advanced skills. This outdoors experience helps them understand the need for coldwater conservation and for our Trout Unlimited mission “To conserve, protect, and restore Colorado’s watersheds and their trout fisheries.”

To these ends we will invite local fly shops, merchants, civic, & public organizations and other non-profits to share a collaborative role through support and involvement. We will promote our program through the schools, churches, Boy & Girl Scouts, Larimer Boys & Girls Club, and other youth organizations, and will seek local newspaper, radio, and TV exposure to gain participation and support.

Youth Outreach Chairperson, Dennis Cook, serves on our RMF Leadership Council. Dennis is a past-president of the Cherry Creek Anglers Chapter and serves as a Director on the Colorado Trout Unlimited State Council.

RMF River Conservation & Fly Fishing Day Camp a Big Success!

Fish electroshocking survey

RMF’s inaugural NoCO Youth Conservation & Fly Fishing Day Camp in July was a success by all accounts based on responses from campers and parents. Following a last minute cancellation by a 10th camper, we proceeded with nine, enthusiastic youths, ages 14-15; two girls and seven boys. Six camp-days later they had completed extensive conservation ethics and issues studies and a willows-restoration project on the Big T,
Identifying & measuring fish as well as experiencing classroom and generous on-water fly fishing skills training. Conservation studies generally occupied the initial couple days, transitioning into a mix with fly fishing for the next couple, and fly fishing skills generally occupied the last couple days. Curriculum time was pretty evenly balanced between conservation and fishing. All of our river fishing was on the Poudre, and we also fished the Lower Valley ponds at Sylvan Dale.

Fishing the Poudre

Many RMF members generously volunteered their time and talents, and with a couple non-members we totaled 23 volunteers. This was terrific, because it enabled the campers to receive 1:1 skills instruction and mentoring, which resulted in every camper catching fish on both still and river waters.

Seining for insects and more

Many “Thanks!” to Todd Anderson, Rich Bader, Dennis Cook, Lee Evans, Ken Eis, Krista and Justin Deese, Cullen Emsing, Bryon Fessler, Amy and Dennis Galyardt, Alan Jones, Jamie Karlak, Phil Keller, Connor Murphy, Dennis Martin, Dave Piske, Dick Shinton, Bob Streeter, Seann Sweeney, Paul Wehr, Phil Wright, and Guy Turenne. Additionally, we were supported by 19 professional staff from the CDOW, NRCS, TU, CTU and Timberline Aquatics, Inc. who presented classroom material, led the willows planting and several on-water activities, and also handled the entomology sessions.
Instruction in reading the river

We also are fortunate to have partnered with the Larimer Boys & Girls Club which provided transportation vehicles and drivers in exchange for some members on scholarship and agreement for RMF to present some fly fishing related classes for their other member youths. We look forward to continuing this relationship in coming years.

Of course, we could not have done the camp without the support from our sponsors. Please be sure to patronize these generous community friends, and to thank them for their support.

Snorkeling to observe underwater RMF will be targeting to have about 15-18 campers for the 2011 Youth Day Camp, so please be thinking about your children, grandchildren and friends’ children who might appreciate learning more about the TU conservation mission and also learning fly fishing skills. The chapter board will soon be announcing dates for the 2011 Day Camp.

We are in the process of producing several photographic and video presentations about the Day Camp, and hope you will enjoy them at one of our chapter meetings soon…and also perhaps be thinking about becoming a volunteer for the 2011 Day Camp.

Trout In The Classroom (TIC)

RMF has been approved to implement this exciting new program at Windsor High School starting September, 2010. A 50-gallon tank with 200 rainbow trout eggs will be installed, hatched and nurtured through growth and tested for pathogens before final release into area waters. Students will learn about trout biology, habitat and the need for adequate supply of clean oxygenated cold water to successfully maintain these fish. Cost for the initial installation and one-year program is approximately $2500; ongoing annual costs are about $1500.00.

Scouts

Boy Scout Fly Fishing Merit Badge

This merit badge is specifically targeted at teaching fly fishing. It is more of a hands-on, one-on-one, or one-on-several, instruction and counseling role. Your involvement schedule can be flexibly managed to accommodate your time availability. The Boy Scout Council requires each counselor to become “approved” as an adult counselor.

CTU Youth Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp

RMF Chapter continues its enthusiastic participation and financial support of the Colorado Trout Unlimited River Conservation & Fly Fishing Youth Camp. This is a residential experience at a ranch typically located in the Roaring Fork Valley near Aspen; the camp’s mission is the same as that of our chapters Day Camp.

Rocky Mountain Flycasters sponsored campers in 2006 through 2010.

Other Ways You Can Help Youth Outreach Succeed:

• Inform leadership of...
  • indoor classroom space that is available at no cost, or inexpensively
  • private river frontage or private lake access that is available at no-cost
  • private pond access in the Fort Collins & Loveland areas that can be stocked for a juvenile fishing event
  • “influence center” persons with organizations that may be interested in parterning to promote youth participation
  • “influence center” individuals within sports stores and other merchants that would be interested in supporting Youth Outreach in any of numerous ways…
    • equipment (fly rods/reels/lines, apparel, vests/packs, vises/tools, etc.) to support fundraising campaigns
    • providing basic flies, fly boxes, videos & books, materials, nippers/forceps/zingers/etc.
  • Recommendations for high school & junior high conservation “projects”
• Volunteer to serve as a Grant writer and/or general fundraiser or equipment donation solicitor
• Donate “youth restricted” funding to help support the various Youth Outreach programs
• Volunteer to participate in one, or several, of the youth program areas
• Contact Dennis Cook to inquire about how your interests might fit into the Day Camp activities at 970-372-9229 Cellphone…or email Dennis Cook

Watch our www.rockymtnflycasters.org website for additional information and updates. Please inquire to discuss your possible interests, and to receive information.

Thank you for all overtures of interest, inquiries, volunteerism, enabling introductions and funds donations.

Donations

“Youth Designated” donations will be used exclusively for RMF Youth Outreach purposes. All donations and contributions are tax-deductible at a fair market value as allowable by law. Rocky Mountain Flycasters is a registered 501(c)3 organization and a recognition letter/receipt will be sent in return for all contributions. Consult your CPA.

There are three ways to donate:

• Download, print and mail the donation form (PDF 245KB)
• Click on the Donate button to contribute online.
• Make a donation at a chapter meeting.

Any donation will be greatly appreciated and RMF thanks you for your contribution.

Selecting the donate button will take you to the secure PayPal site where you may make a donation with a credit card, debit card, or through a PayPal account. You do not need a PayPal account to make a donation to Rocky Mountain Flycasters.