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2009 Drake Flyfishing Video Awards Winning Clip

Once in a Blue Moon. Here’s the clip that won the 2009 Drake Flyfishing Video Awards. Full length feature film out now, visit http://www.onthefly.co.nz

Gary Borger: Fly Fishing For Trout – (3 of 6)

What Happens on Election Night if No One Runs?

It might sound like an absurd question but that is a dilemma we face for our Boulder Flycasters   officer elections next Wednesday evening at our chapter meeting.  As we prepare for a full year of programs and new restoration projects we are without candidates for some of the key roles  in our Board of Directors slate of officers.    Our board is without a chapter secretary, vice president and chapter communications director volunteers to fill these positions.   If you would be interested in exploring the duties and time commitments associated with any of these positions please contact me for further details. 

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.  ~Winston Churchill

Larry Quilling

BFC Chapter President

Colorado Supreme Court hands down anti-speculation water ruling

Trout Unlimited hails decision as a “victory for reality-based water planning”

(Denver)—The Colorado Supreme Court today handed down a decision that reinforced the principle that Colorado municipalities must base water projects on clearly demonstrated and credible projections of future need.

 In the case, Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District and San Juan Water Conservancy District v. Trout Unlimited, the Court ruled that Pagosa area water districts had not sufficiently demonstrated a need for the amount of water they claimed for the proposed Dry Gulch Reservoir, based on projected population growth and water availability over a 50-year planning period.

 “The Supreme Court reaffirmed today that it will not tolerate public utilities speculating in water,” said Drew Peternell, director of  TU’s Colorado Water Project, who argued the case before the state’s highest court. “This is a victory for reality-based water planning.”

 The ruling is the second time Trout Unlimited has challenged the district water court’s decrees in the so-called Dry Gulch case—and the second time it has won.

 In 2006, TU challenged a decision by Judge Gregory G. Lyman, the District Court judge who serves as the water judge in Division 7 in Colorado’s southwest.  The decision would have allowed a reservoir of 35,300 acre feet two miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, using diversions from the San Juan River totaling 180 cubic feet per second.

 Trout Unlimited appealed that decision to the Colorado Supreme Court, which in 2007 reversed Judge Lyman’s findings and remanded the case back to him for reevaluation of the districts’ future water needs.

 Without examining new evidence, as the Court had suggested would be necessary, Judge Lyman issued another decree in 2008, awarding the Pagosa Springs districts enough water to build a Dry Gulch Reservoir of 25,300 acre feet in size, using diversions from the San Juan River totaling 150 cfs.

 Trout Unlimited appealed again, arguing that the revised figures still weren’t in line with credible future water use projections and amounted to speculation.

 Today, the Colorado Supreme Court unanimously agreed with TU. While the Court did allow a 50-year planning horizon (TU had argued that a 40-year timeframe was reasonable), the Court found that there wasn’t evidence to support the quantities of water the judge had awarded, either in terms of the direct flow rights or in terms of storage.

 The 23,500 acre feet size approved by the water court for the Dry Gulch Reservoir is based on “speculative claims, at least in part,” said the Court. Unless the Pagosa districts can now demonstrate a “substantial probability” that a reservoir of that size is needed to meet future needs, the water court must reduce the amount of their claimed water. 

 “The ruling underscored that municipalities can’t justify a new water right without real evidence to support it,” said Melinda Kassen, director of TU’s Western Water Project. “This protects Coloradoans from irresponsible water grabs and speculative development.”

 Colorado law already has rules preventing speculation in water rights. Although there is an exception in some situations for municipalities, the Supreme Court today made clear that the public exception should be interpreted narrowly.

 Looking ahead, TU called this latest ruling an opportunity for all water stakeholders to sit down and craft comprehensive solutions for meeting the region’s real water needs.

 “We’re ready to talk with the Pagosa Springs stakeholders and craft a solution that meets a range of valid needs, including municipal growth, agriculture and recreation and wildlife,” said Peternell. “But any solution has to be based on credible, substantiated numbers about future water supply and needs.”

Link to full Court ruling: http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/Supreme_Court/opinions/2008/08SA354.pdf

Stewardship Tip – Nonylphenols

In the United States, the nonionic surfactant nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) belongs to a class of compounds called alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).  NPEs are the preferred surfactant in many detergents because of their properties as outstanding dispersants, wetting agents, and emulsifiers.  They work well with little need for other additives.  They are also inexpensive.  NPEs break down into nonylphenols in the environment.

Why are nonylphenols important to our fish:  Nonylphenols can act as endocrine disruptors.  According to H. L. Schoenfuss, et al, low doses of nonylphenols primed males for breeding competition; however, higher exposures inhibited their breeding behavior.

It makes sense to select detergents that do not use NPEs as surfactants.  When choosing detergents at the store, avoid products that contain the following:

• 2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptylphenol
• p-Nonylphenol, branched

Here’s the rub.  Detergent manufacturers are not required by law to disclose their contents.  Many manufacturers, however, are taking responsibility and listing their contents.  Many, moreover, state, on the label, that their products are free of NPEs.

Take the time to examine the label of your detergent before you buy.  We think that it is worthwhile to reward manufacturers who state what is in their product.  We feel that it is doubly important reward those who help to keep nonylphenols out of our environment by offering NPE free detergent.

The Fly Tying Season is Here!

Front Range Anglers FREE Fly Tying Clinics

 

11/14/09	Jay Zimmerman	Genetically Altered Creations Our in-house mad scientist doing his thing. Oh yeah- he has a couple of new hot flies out from Umpqua. Just wait and see what this guy can do with a few odds and ends, hook and thread.
11/21/09	Mark McMillen	Carp and Bad ass Bass Flies Local guide and resident enthusiast shows his favorite Carp and bass flies and talks techniques for tackling local warmwater predators.
11/28/09	Thomas Zigler	Proven Patterns for tough Smallies Thomas has managed and guided in shops in Missouri, neck deep in bass country. His tying and fishing insight for Smallies, Largemouths and Spinning Deer poppers is unparalleled.
12/5/09	Mike Kruise	Front Range Guide Patterns Owner and guide for Laughing Grizzly Fly shop in Longmont ties Guide patterns for local streams. If your looking for new ju ju for the Park or Big Thompson this is a must see.
12/12/09	Chris Shrantz	Big water Patterns Boulder Boat works manager and designer for Umpqua Feather merchants shares tying and fishing techniques drummed up from his 20 plus years of industry and guiding experience in Colorado and Wyoming. Chris is an exceptional tyer, angler, and presenter, and his shows are always well attended. Come early!
12/19/09	Larry Jurgens	Small Flies for Big Fish Local tying expert and personality shares his latest and greatest patterns for Baetis, Caddis, and Midges for Colorado rivers and lakes. He also enjoys left wing political conversations.
12/26/09	Jay Zimmerman	Christmas Vacation Come hang with the Grinch and speak freely about the holiday season.
1/2/10	JD Miller	Best flies for Montana Ex-boulder flyfishing professional gone Idaho guide comes down to share his favorite imitations for the Henry’s Fork, Madison and others. Planning a trip to Montana or Idaho next year? JD will help point you in the right direction.
1/9/10	Paul Prentiss	Our Man Paul will be tying up some of his time tested patterns that continue to produce on the front range and beyond.
1/16/10	Charlie Craven	Proven CO Patterns & Book Signing Owner of Charlie’s Fly Box, esteemed fly designer, author and all-around good guy comes back to Boulder to show off his new creations and sign copies of his book.
1/23/10	Al Ritt	Tools for the serious Tyer Peak Vice Representative and signature fly designer for Montana Fly Company shows his newest creations for local waters and shows off his favorite tools to make every tyer’s efforts easier.
1/30/10	Pat Dorsey	South Platte Tailwaters South Platte Guru does his Flyfishing Tailwaters Presentation to compliment his new book “Flyfishing Tailwaters”. Bring your book in for signing or get one here and learn to tackle your favorite tailwater with the master.
2/6/10	Greg Garcia	“Rojo Midge” Greg Garcia will be in to show off his newest patterns available from Umpqua Feather Merchants, as well as show his Colorado staples. A fantastic demonstrator and instructor!
2/13/10	Wallace Westfieldt	Bug ID and Local Water Flies A guide’s view of entomology presentation simplifies bug ID and fly selection for local water. Wallace has been a local guide for several Colorado outfitters over the past decade and his insight is invaluable.
2/27/10	Patrick Knockendoffell	Fun Behind the Vise Guide extraordinaire and fly tying madman always brings new ideas to the vise. Trout and Warmwater enthusiasts will walk away with new tricks and inspiration.

GAry Borger: Fly Fishing For Trout – (2 of 6)

RC Fly Fishing

November 11th BFC General Membership Meeting

Please join us at the next general membership meeting on – Wednesday, November 11th, 2009.

Meetings begin at 6:00 pm.

6:00 – 6:30pm      Social Mixer w/ Cash Bar

6:30 – 7:00pm      Chapter Business:

                                     Annual Board of Directors Election & By-Law Change Votes

7:00 – 8:00pm      Program:

                                      Sabrina Stratford – She Loves Fly Fishing – A Reflection On Why We All Love This Sport!  For a preview, check out her website/blog at www.shelovesflyfishing.com

8:00 – 8:30pm       BFC Board Status Update / Q&A

8:30pm                      Raffle

The meeting will be held at The Spice of Life Events Center, 5706 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder (in the Flatirons Golf Course Complex).

BFC has not had a general membership meeting for some time now, so please come out and see what we’re up to - we think you’ll be surprised and pleased.

Please email boulderflycasters@hotmail.com if you have any questions.

Charlie Meyers Interview with Lefty Kreh & Bob Clouser