Rocky Mountain Flycasters’ Awards for 2023
Rocky Mountain Flycasters Honors Seven Individuals and One Fly Shop for Outstanding Volunteer Efforts
Each year, Rocky Mountain Flycasters recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to assure the Chapter succeeds in meeting our impressive watershed conservation goals, our youth education goals and generally keep our Chapter moving forward at a high level. These awards were presented on April 17, 2024 at our annual Chapter Business meeting. Each award winner receives, in addition to a certificate, a Columbia jacket with our logo and their name embroidered. The complete Awards Policy and Procedure can be viewed on our website.
This year’s award recipients are:
Outstanding Chapter Volunteer Award: Dennis Cook for his many years of contributions to the success of Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter of Trout Unlimited including recruitment of successful leaders, organization of the annual Brookie Bash, maintaining records of Chapter history, and his efforts in forming the youth program.
Leadership Award for Exemplary Chapter Activity: Marty Staab for his efforts with Pub and Dub, a monthly social fly tying gathering that has seen participation grow to one of the most popular events in the Chapter. His dedication to selecting flies that catch fish, suppling materials, and creating meticulous videos and instructions have made this a favorite among fly tiers of all abilities.
Leadership Award for Exemplary Chapter Function: Tony Popp for his role as Treasurer of the Chapter and navigating a new system to develop new monthly financial reports readable to all. His meticulous work has demystified the Budget making it more clear and accessible to those in Leadership roles.
Leadership Award for Exemplary Chapter Function: Terry Gibbons for his efforts to improve the functions of the Chapter website that has become an extremely useable resource for members and visitors. His up-to-date calendar is especially helpful. He also stepped into the Chapter Vice President role at a time when it was most needed, while keeping the Website active.
Exemplary Youth Education Award: Jim Durante for his role as Director of the annual Youth Fly Fishing Day Camp that has provided education to many teens interested in learning or improving their knowledge of fly fishing. The details involved with planning, coordinating volunteers, and fundraising have led to successful camps over the past several years.
Exemplary Conservation Volunteer Award: Rick Kahn for his role as the Coordinator of the Poudre Headwaters Project. His professional background with CPW and NPS has enabled him to work behind the scenes to make significant progress. CTU often confers with him to help CTU navigate the subtleties of interagency cooperation and collaboration.
Exemplary NoCO Guide/Outfitter Award: St Peter’s Fly Shop For Outstanding human and financial contributions to Chapter events including being a major sponsor for the Fly Fishing Expo, participating in the Youth Fly Fishing Day Camp, and donating items for our auctions and raffles. Whenever there is a need, Grant and Julia are willing to step up and help Rocky Mountain Flycasters raise funds or supply staff for special events.
Special President’s Award: Mark Miller For continued outstanding activities directly related to the success of Rocky Mountain Flycasters, especially by creating, then managing and coordinating a revamped Northern Colorado Fly Fishing Expo over the past two years. This new event has raised significant funds that far exceed past fundraising events enabling Chapter needs for youth and conservation activities.