Thanks for taking a look at our summer newsletter. The summer seems to be flying by way too fast! Thanks to Don for getting the summer edition out as I am sure he is busy like we all are this time of year.
Hopefully you have been able to get out and fish some as well as enjoy the great summer weather we have been having. Although it was a dry start with a reduced snowpack, we have been lucky in this part of the state to receive some decent rains compared to our neighbors to the west which are dangerously dry.
Our chapter does not have regular meetings in the summer but we have stayed busy and are finally able to participate in live events all of which were cancelled last year due to Covid. In late April; Doug, Ian and I helped with the Del Norte High School Aquaponics class teaching fly fishing and stream invertebrate identification. This was the final day of the class; the students were great and we all had fun. In June, Marty and I helped with a session at the Beaver Creek Youth Conservation Camp near South Fork. We taught the students fly casting and stream invertebrate identification and compared the real bugs to their fly pattern counterparts. Assisting with these educational programs is a very important aspect or our chapter’s work. It is also a very rewarding experience. I encourage you to volunteer for one of these events and see for yourself.
In mid-June, Kevin organized a work day on Jim Creek along with members of Running Rivers and our chapter. The work included fencing, planting willows and removing brook trout from the creek. The project continues to move along thanks to Kevin and he has more plans for the future. Thanks to everyone who volunteered at these events.
In June the board held the annual summer board meeting in the rain on the banks of the Rio Grande when we stopped for lunch during a float trip from Marshall Park to the fish hatchery. The fishing was very good and the meeting as productive as could be with everyone focusing on the fish rising in the river! This meeting gives the board an opportunity to include some great fishing in with chapter business discussions and project progress reports. Thanks to Kevin and Don for bringing their boats and rowing, and to Doug for providing the delicious lunch.
Please look for details of upcoming volunteer opportunities in this newsletter and put them on your calendar. I hope everyone is able to get out and enjoy this great weather and wonderful summer fishing!
Thanks for your support!
Mark