The Colorado TU Raffle is Back!

Picture yourself in a boat on a river...

When you buy tickets for Colorado TU’s statewide raffle, you’ll help us fight to keep water in streams, support on-the-ground restoration projects, and help young people develop an appreciation for the aquatic life.

And you just might find yourself fishing in one of Colorado's most Gorge-ous places ...

Our lucky raffle winner will enjoy a full-day fall fishing float trip for two anglers through the spectacular Gunnison Gorge - plus a night's accommodations and dinner for the evening prior to your launch - all courtesy of Black Canyon Anglers.

You’ll need to hike in about a mile with your personal gear down the Chukar Trail into the scenic Gunnison Gorge; then, experienced guides will row you through one of Colorado’s true natural wonders where you’ll enjoy world-class fishing on a Gold Medal river.

The trip is for use this fall, by October 1, 2012.  Fall is prime time for streamer fishing and features the Gunnison's "hopper hatch."  For the lucky winner and their guest, this will truly be a trip to remember!

Raffle tickets are $10 each, or $25 for three. The drawing will take place at 8 pm at the Colorado TU End-of-Summer Bash on August 24th at the d-Note in Old Town Arvada. You need not be present to win.

ONLINE TICKET SALES ARE NOW CLOSED.  YOU MAY STILL PURCHASE TICKETS TONIGHT AT OUR SUMMER BASH AT THE D-NOTE IN ARVADA.

Thanks to Black Canyon Anglers for their generous support of Colorado Trout Unlimited. To learn more about their fishing and rafting trips on the Gunnison, as well as their dinner and lodging packages, visit www.blackcanyonanglers.com.

This raffle is conducted under Colorado Raffle License No 2012-05008, and is open only to residents of Colorado.

Riverfest! 8/11 at State Bridge

The celebration begins at the State Bridge at 2:00pm. You'll raft - or paddleboard to the new Two Bridges access point, then be whisked back to State Bridge to enjoy dinner, good music from the Olora Brothers and good friends!  Moe's is making a delicious Surf & Turf dinner and Mississippi Mud Pie dessert.  Crazy Mountain Brewing Company is providing ERWC's brew, the Lava Like Wit. There will be wine too! (I've read enough - take me to the tickets page!)

The Eagle River Watershed Council is proud to announce Colorado RiverFest is presented by B&B Excavating and honoring Eagle County Open Space.

We will be celebrating two of the County’s new public access points along the Colorado River, join us! These new acquisitions will improve the diversity of trips along the Colorado River and spread out recreational use of this beautiful river for more enjoyable experiences.

We have Silent Auction items from Karats, SteamMaster, Woody's Bar and Grill, EcoTransit, KEEN, Glenwood Caverns, J.Scott Jewlers, Holy Toledo, Maximum Comfort Pool & Spa, Organic Housekeepers, Grappa Fine Wines, and a 5 bedroom house in Los Cabos, Mexico for 1 week!

All of the funds raised will support the Eagle River Watershed Council and our river advocacy programs in Eagle County. Click here to go to the sign up page.

Beginning Fly Fishing Class for Women

On Saturday, August 11th, the West Denver Chapter of Trout Unlimited, in conjunction with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, will offer a full-day of learning to fly fish for women.  The class will take place at Lake Lehow (Waterton Canyon) and run from 9 AM to 4 PM, with a break for lunch. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the science of fly fishing (aquatic entomology), the art of fly fishing (fly tying), and the sport of fly fishing (casting), as well as how to tie basic fishing knots and how to select a basic set of fly fishing equipment.  Participants will also have the opportunity to fish the well-stocked lake under the tutelage of a TU member.

This class will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, and is limited to twelve women participants, ages 13 to adult.  Participants should bring rain gear, sun screen, water, insect repellant, and a lunch.  All equipment and materials needed to participate in the class will be supplied.

There will be a $10 fee charged to cover the cost of supplies.  Participants will need a valid Colorado fishing license in order to fish the lake.

For more information or to register for this class, please contact Charlie Horn at horndreams@msn.com or click here.

More Fishing is Even More Fun

Through the "Fishing is Fun" program, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has selected 11 projects to improve fishing around the state that will share in nearly a million dollars in matching funds as part of the 2012 grant cycle. Our own Southern Greenback and Cheyenne Mountain Chapters have teamed up with CPW, the City of Pueblo, Xcel Energy, and the Packard Foundation on one such project designed to improve aquatic habitat on a seven-mile section of the Arkansas River through Pueblo.

"This is an important project for a section of river that has been recognized as one of the Top 10 trout fisheries in the United States," said Doug Krieger, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Senior Aquatic Biologist for the Southeast Region, in a July 31, 2012 press release.

Other projects receiving funding include habitat work on the South Platte River in Denver, expansion of a community fishing pond in Kiowa County, aeration of Waneka Lake in Lafayette, an effort to build an ADA-accessible fishing platform on the Arkansas River at Canon City and projects to improve angler access to Clear Creek, the Swan River, Upper South Boulder Creek, Idaho Creek, the inlet to Lake San Cristobal in Lake City and three ponds in Loveland.

To read more about the "Fishing is Fun" program and these projects, please visit the CPW website here.