Blog — Colorado Trout Unlimited
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The CURRENT Podcast | Episode 5 featuring CTU's Trout in the Classroom

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The CURRENT is a low-key, light-hearted fly fishing podcast hosted by Will Rice. With some recently found free time, Will will be thumbing through his Rolodex of accomplished anglers and friends in the fly fishing industry to talk about what's going on in their neck of the woods.

After visiting with friends from a variety of fisheries across the US, host Will Rice welcomes Bianca McGrath-Martinez from CTU, Bill Gilmore and Guy Grace from Littleton Public Schools to talk about the Trout in the Classroom program.

This environmental education program allows for elementary, middle, and high school students to raise rainbow trout eggs to fry as a vehicle to understand ecosystems. At the end of the program, the students typically release the fry into a local fishery with help from CPW. Will explores the fate of these trout with the recent shutdown of schools.

For more on the CTU Trout In The Classroom Program: CLICK HERE

You can find the podcast on Apple Music, Spotify & Stitcher. If you enjoy what Will is putting together with The CURRENT podcast, we ask that you please rate it and leave it a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify! Thanks for listening!

Help support our local partners that support the rivers and fishing you love!

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As we practice our social distancing and comply with stay-at-home orders, we recognize that our commitment to those within our communities is more important than ever. We value the members, supporters, and partners of the TU in Colorado family, and we cannot overstate our gratitude for our fellow Coloradoans who are providing essential services during the pandemic. From healthcare workers on the front lines of the crisis to those working to keep our communities safe, the stores stocked and open, provide distance learning opportunities for our children, and so many others – Thank You!

Unfortunately, at the same time many businesses have had to shut their doors, lay off employees, and move to online-only sales. At Colorado TU we are fortunate to have many incredible business partners who direct some of their earnings to our work in support of coldwater conservation across the state. During this difficult time, and if you are able, we ask that you consider supporting the businesses that support Colorado TU by shopping via their online stores or buying a gift certificate for future use. We have highlighted a handful of our business partners here and will continue to share ways you can show your support to many of our partners across the state over the coming weeks.

We recognize that there are fly shops, restaurants, and other businesses in your local communities that support the work TU does and could use your support as well. If you would prefer to direct your support locally, please consider shopping via their online store or buying a gift certificate for future use. You can see a map of the many local shops and outfitters who support Colorado TU here.

We are all in this together and we thank you in advance for supporting the businesses who support our work conserving, protecting, and restoring Colorado’s watershed and wild places.

The Colorado TU Team

Click on the logo below to see how to support:


River Surveys - help inform local management efforts

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Colorado TU has partnered with local chapters and river conservancy districts to host angler surveys that will help inform local management efforts. If you fish or recreate on any of the rivers below, please take a second to fill out the survey below!

UPPER GUNNISON RIVER

Angler survey will inform ongoing stream management plan for Gunnison River, Taylor River, Tomichi Creek drainage, and Cebolla Creek drainage.


BLUE RIVER

Angler survey will inform ongoing stream management plan for the Blue River and major tributaries.

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Fishing – and Keeping It Local – Through the Pandemic

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These are difficult times. COVID-19 has millions under stay-at-home orders, isolating themselves, practicing social distancing and limiting their personal contact with others. In communities across the US and around the world, we’re all experiencing it.

Fortunately, the Colorado stay-at-home order recognizes that one of our allowed “necessary activities” is outdoor recreation, specifically allowing “outdoor activity, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, biking or running.”

Time spent on the water is allowed under the state order and can be a much-needed way of healing our spirits. Our friends at Angling Trade have a great overview on their blog on fishing during the pandemic– but the essentials really come down to common sense. Fish near where you live, on your “home waters” rather than trying to travel longer distances where you could pick up or spread the virus in another community. Always practice social distancing while going to the water and when fishing.  Don’t put yourself or others at risk – we will have plenty of chances to fish in groups and at more distant destinations down the road.

While face-to-face gatherings with angling friends – including our TU chapter and council meetings – are on hold for the indefinite future, there are also plenty of “virtual” opportunities to engage with TU and the broader angling community as well – and we’ve included links to several of these in the next issue of Currents. It may not be on the water, but still is an important way to connect with others who share our passion for rivers, trout, and conservation.

All of our Colorado fishing experiences are immeasurably enriched by our fly shop and outfitter partners. The pandemic hasn’t changed how important they are as key parts of our community economies, as reliable sources of information, and as allies and supporters of coldwater conservation. That makes it more important than ever that we also show them our appreciation by continuing to do business with them through these challenging times.  

While traditional brick-and-mortar storefronts may be closed, you can still order your gear, flies, and tying materials from your local fly shop online. Or think ahead and book a guide trip for later in the year. Or purchase a gift card for yourself or as a gift for others. Every purchase you make will help the local businesses we rely on for leadership and reliable information on our Colorado waterways so that they weather this crisis and be there to continuing serving us on the other side of the pandemic.

Check out the map of local fishing businesses across the state who have supported Colorado TU’s mission, including links to their online storefronts!