Destination: RMNP Dream Lake

Alternate Destination: RMNP Wild Basin - North St Vrain Creek

Host: Geoff Goetz - financialdev@rmftu.org

Dream Lake is a 1 Mile, 480 Feet of elevation hike from the Bear Lake Trailhead.

Because of the limited Timed Entry Passes, we will be limiting the number of people to 6.

RMNP Bear Lake - Timed Entry Passes are required to access Dream Lake. Because of this requirement we will need to get ‘Last Minute’ passes the night before.

If we cannot get the passes, we pivot to an entry at Wild Basin before 9:00 a.m. That gives us plenty of the North St Vrain Creek to fish near the road or as far as 5.5 miles to Ouzel Falls.

We will meet at 6:30 am and leave at 7:00 am at the Southeast corner of JAX Outdoors Loveland (Wilson and Hwy 34) parking lot to set up carpooling.

Please, respond by September 11th. I will send more information when we have the final list of people.

Please RSVP to Geoff Goetz at financialdev@rmftu.org or by using the email button below if you plan to join us!

Join Us for the George Creek Restoration!

We're gearing up for an exciting weekend of hands-on stream restoration at George Creek, and we'd love to have you join us!

Whether you're an experienced restoration volunteer or just looking for a rewarding way to spend a weekend outdoors, this is a great opportunity to help improve stream health, restore wildlife habitat, and make a lasting difference.

Volunteer Opportunities:

George Creek Restoration Staging Day
Friday, September 18, 2026
Help us organize materials, prep the site, and get everything ready for the big restoration weekend.

George Creek Restoration Work Days
Saturday & Sunday, September 19–20, 2026
Roll up your sleeves and help build structures that will reconnect the stream with its floodplain, improve aquatic habitat, and support a healthier watershed for years to come.

This project will bring together volunteers, conservation partners like Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) , and community members who care about restoring Colorado's rivers. It's a chance to learn new skills, meet great people, and spend a weekend making a real impact.

So you've thought about fly fishing on the rivers and lakes but you don't know where to start, and it looked difficult, and maybe expensive. Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter of Trout Unlimited has an opportunity for you to learn about fly fishing as a one-day instructional class. As a part of the class, you'll receive instruction in fly casting outdoors in the park. All equipment provided.

Age 10+, under age 15 parent/guardian required.

*Search the Loveland Parks & Rec Activity Guide

“Discover” is a part of the STREAM Series oriented to youth, adults, and families.  Taking the curriculum of an introduction to fly fishing this program utilizes a series of presentations and practices. Participants can expect to learn about the equipment for fly fishing, how to identify trout habitat, trout diet and macroinvertebrates, what fishing flies resemble and how standard fly patterns are tied, how to cast a fly rod, and the role conservation plays in thriving trout streams.

For the 2026-2027 season we are again holding the event on the First Monday of the month.

This months Pub & Dub will be Monday, Sept 7th at 6:00 PM in the loft area at the rear of the taproom at the Gilded Goat Brewery and Taproom, 3500 S. College Ave in Fort Collins.  Come and join us for an evening of socialization, swapping fish stories from your summer and maybe even learning a new pattern. 

“Pub-N-Dub” is a free event hosted by the Rocky Mountain Flycasters TU Chapter for members and friends to meet, have a beverage and tie flies. Marty Staab will designate a “Fly of the Month”, and the Chapter provides all tying materials (vises and tools as needed) along with video tying instructions on the big screen TV. Tyers of all abilities are welcome, and first time tyers will find themselves surrounded by others happy to assist. 

Please RSVP to Marty (Pub-n-Dub@rmftu.org) before each session, and let him know if you need a loaner vise or tools.

Please thank and support our hosts at Gilded Goat Brewery and Taproom by purchasing a beverage.

This Months Pattern: The Hen Hopper

Instructions: Hen Hopper tips WEB.pdf

Video:‍ ‍Hen Hopper - YouTube

To prepare for RMFTU’s fall 2026 stream temperature data retrieval campaign, Rocky Mountain Flycasters (RMF) will hold a Volunteer Training Field Day on Saturday, August 29. The primary intent is to train new volunteers in data retrieval and temperature sensor installation and maintenance. Experienced volunteers are welcome to attend as a refresher course and to share their experiences.

As limited parking is available at the field day site, we will meet to carpool at 8 am Saturday, August 24 at the NW of the King Soopers lot on N College in Fort Collins. We will return by mid-afternoon.

If you have questions about the Stream Monitoring Project please email me at phil.wright@rmftu.org. Phil Wright. You and others can sign up to volunteer with the RMF Stream Monitoring Volunteer Training Field Day using the button below.

See you on the stream - Phil Wright

Destination RMNP (probably Fall River)

Host: Bill Gillett - billgillett920@gmail.com

Fishing for Brook, Brown and Cutthroat trout (90% Brookies).

Because of the limited fishing area(s) and parking, we will be limiting the number of people to 12.

We will meet at 7:00 am and leave at 7:15 am at the Southeast corner of JAX Outdoors Loveland (Wilson and Hwy 34) parking lot to set up carpooling.

Please, respond by July 31st. I will send more information on equipment, flies etc. when we have the final list of people.

In the meantime, you can email me at billgillett920@gmail.com or call/text at 970-412-2853

.

Please RSVP to Bill Gillett using the email button below if you plan to join us, or call him at 970-412-2853!

2026 Information Coming Soon

-VOLUNTEERS NEEDED-

Join RMFTU and New Belgium Brewing from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. to celebrate the Poudre River!

The Poudre RiverFest is a free, family-friendly festival that celebrates the Poudre River, promotes restoration, and educates people about our river corridor, an important natural resource in our community. The festival features activities for children and adults to explore the role of the river as an important habitat for wildlife, a lively recreation area, and a source for clean drinking water.

New Belgium Brewing is one of RMFTU’s biggest supporters, so please signup to volunteer to help us make this a great event for all of us.

For current information visit the the Poudre RiverFest website.

Destination: Lake Agnes, State Forest State Park

(via the Lake Agnes trailhead) (See Map)

Host: Bill Adkison - hwmadkison@gmail.com

The location will be at Lake Agnes, located in State Forest State Park. This is short, but steep scramble/hike just under 1 mile up, with over 400 feet of elevation gain. (See Map) This lake holds cutthroat, and there's a good chance for a moose sighting. The last mile in the park leading to the trailhead may require a 4WD vehicle. A truck is capable, but it would be nice to have a 2nd volunteer driver with 4WD.

The plan is to have a group of 8-10 meet at JAX North, 1200 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524 and we can carpool together. It is a 1.5+ hour drive to the trailhead so we would leave JAX at 6:30AM with an 8AM start for the hike. We'll head back early in the afternoon, depending on the weather.

Please bring plenty of water, food and proper gear for this hike. Its tough but worth it!

Please let Bill know if you have any questions, you can email Bill at hwmadkison@gmail.com

or text me at 575-770-2490.

Please RSVP to Bill Adkison using the email button below if you plan to join us, or text him at 575-770-2490!

Long Draw Reservoir

Host: Dave Morse - dgmorse45@gmail.com

Chapter member Dave Morse is organizing a group fishing trip to Long Draw Reservoir near Cameron Pass on Saturday, July 19. July is a great time to fish the lake for beautiful 12-17” cutthroats. Float devices give you access to the whole lake. I will put in at the inlet end of the lake, but there is parking in the mid-lake area, and a quarter mile west of the dam and at the dam. You are welcome to drive up on your own schedule. There is stream fishing below the dam on the South Fork of the Poudre River. The fish have already spawned above the lake and have run back to the lake. Be careful of the wind and lightning if it gets stormy. The water is likely to be cold. I usually wear long johns under my waders. Bring plenty of sun screen, your lunch, water, and rain gear. Fishing is on your own wherever you want to fish. There is no organized lunch. Stay as long as you like, particularly if the weather is cooperative. There is a good chance you may see a moose on the upper end of Long Draw Rd. We’ll fish the west end near the inlet and Grand View Campground, (40°29'35.0"N 105°48'17.7"W).

Suggested Equipment:

Float Tube or Pontoon. or Canoe or Paddle Board or Kayak

Waders, but you can fish from shore

Rod WT: 5 wt .#4 or 5 Tippet:

Flies: #14-16 Hippy Stomper, Happy Hippy, Madam X, Elk Hair Caddis #10-12 Stimulator, #10-12 Wooly Bugger, #16 Copper John, Zebra Midge. Chironomids.

You can either meet us up there or meet us at 6:15 am in the NW corner of the N College King Soopers lot in Fort Collins to carpool. 6:30 am ‘sharp’ departure to make an 8:30 am ETA.

Please RSVP to Dave Morse using the email button below if you plan to join us, or call him at (217) 418-9386!

RMF Volunteers needed to staff our booth

Big Thompson Watershed Coalition is hosting our annual Trek the Thompson event on Sunday, July 12th, from 9am-1pm at Fairgrounds Park in Loveland, CO

Join us and other local organizations working to protect and enhance the Big T on Sunday, July 12 from 9am-1pm for a free, family-friendly celebration of the Big Thompson River at the Loveland Farmers Market. Explore hands-on activities, learn about water conservation, wildfire and flood recovery, wildlife, river restoration, and more — all while enjoying a morning at the market.

Plus, visiting Trek stations gives you a chance to win Market Bucks to spend at the Farmers Market!

Come discover, explore, and connect with the Big Thompson River.

Visit the event website to register and learn more about our sponsors and the locally donated prizes.

Rocky Mountain Flycasters is a proud sponsor of this event.

ONLY 15 SPOTS AVAILABLE!

BROOKIES GALORE!

This trip is typically one of the of hopefully many FF Fun Trips again this year. RMNP timed gate entry regulations apply again this year beginning in May, so you might want to consider making reservations with plenty of lead time. (See the Timed Entry Information HERE)

The mighty Colorado River's headwaters present an entirely different character at about 8,800 feet before it transitions onto the flat, wide meadows crossing Kawuneeche Valley. Its early headwaters’ gentle reaches ascend through cool shadows cast by towering spruce and pine, and here its headwaters surround you with beautiful and exciting mystique. Each of its endless meanders holds a new challenge as the river gently surrenders elevation after its upper reaches pass through the historic Lulu City mining town’s ghostly remains several miles above, though still well below its 10,184’ LaPoudre Pass origin.

For a short distance, at first…you might encounter a Plein Aire artist in a nearby meadow off to your right capturing in his brush strokes the grandeur of the Grand Canal suspended from the majestic peaks of the Never Summer Range whose spine boasts the Continental Divide immediately to the West. Or a young couple may steal quietly by you with hands clasped eagerly seeking a hidden niche to share private moments...or through the brush you may spy an elderly couple on lawn chairs shaded by a sprawling fir, reading and enjoying warmth radiating from the meadow’s sun line...all of these escaping life’s fast pace.

One can’t wade these reaches without reflecting upon the history that unfolded along these same banks a hundred years ago. And then suddenly behind you, just out of sight there sounds thundering hoof beats that send chills up your back…and you freeze in your tracks and turn your head to see a large moose hurrying off across yet another small meadow into the trees. He probably had been guardedly watching since several earlier turns when you noisily crossed the stream where it had narrowed. What a wonderland where every bend holds a new scene, a new allure, a new mystery that peaks your imagination.

Your rod-in-hand wade along these historic headwaters is so easy, relaxing and never tiring. When afternoon shadows begin to lengthen and you wonder if you should probably turn around, there’s always another, and another, beautiful pool just ahead at the next bend…and the next…and so on. The beauty is magnetic; I always hardly allow myself to turn around…but of course, I must, and I begin the quiet walk back downstream, revisiting and drinking in again the feelings I experience as I revisit so many of the familiar scenes that engulfed me on my first visit here a quarter century ago.

This is my absolutely favorite stretch of pristine, Colorado mountain stream! For me it offers the essence of fly fishing. And you too can experience this almost out-of-body peacefulness. And “Oh, yes”, I almost forgot to mention…you can also easily have a 45-50 fish day, not to mention all the spine-tingling misses that wriggled off your hook. Big fish? Very few; but many high-personality, colorful brookies plus an occasional cutthroat. This is a perfect outing for experienced anglers to unwind and laugh at themselves a lot, and for new anglers to learn a lot of valuable insights about how to read water and ‘fish a river’.

Details: 7:00am carpools depart from the Jax Outdoors/Loveland West store located on the corner of West Eisenhower Blvd. (US 34) at Wilson Avenue. Riders share gas expenses with drivers; lunch is together sharing stories on the river, so bring water and pack snacks. At day's end each car's riders choose whether to grab a bite in Estes Park at the Casa Grande Mexican Restaurant, or not, and continue homeward. More details are provided in plenty of time for you to prepare.

To sign up, or if you’ve any questions, email Trip Coordinator, Don Gilmore at president@rmftu.org.

ONLY 15 SPOTS AVAILABLE!

Join Us for Troutfest Colorado at Coors Field – Free & Family-Friendly!

Troutfest Colorado is back. Join us on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 12 PM to 5 PM at Coors Field for a free, family-friendly festival celebrating community, conservation, and education. Come enjoy live music, fly tying demos, a kids' activity area, and even stadium tours. Whether you're an experienced angler or just curious about the outdoors, there's something for everyone. Register today and be part of the fun. Sponsored by the Colorado Wildlife Council and the Colorado Lottery.

RMF Chapter Fishing Trip, Friday, June 26th

Joe Wright Reservoir

This is a DIY trip. There will be NO formal HOST. A chance to meet up with some fellow anglers.

If you have never caught an Arctic Grayling, this is your chance! This one-day trip to Joe Wright, way up Poudre Canyon, near Cameron Pass. About 1 ½ Hours’ drive from north Fort Collins.

Grayling will be getting ready to run up Joe Wright Creek to spawn. Fishing the creek or inlet area is closed due to the spawn, so we will be fishing the cove where the creek enters the lake on the far west end of the lake.

The best fly-fishing method is usually a small bead-head fly under an indicator. Usually, a shiny pattern gets their attention. The grayling are not large – nothing like Alaska – but still can run about 10-13” long. It’s very special to be able to fish for grayling so close to home. And when you lift that great big dorsal fin so the sun lights it up . . . ya, doesn’t get much better than that!

Logistics: Let’s meet at the west end of the lake about 9am. It’s about 1 ½ Hours’ drive from north Fort Collins. Most people just wade fish, although you can use your float tube also.

Grayling are rather small, so your 2-5 wt rods will be good. 4x-5x tippet will suffice, and most bead-head nymphs in sizes 12-16 should work just fine.

Leave it to the Beavers

Join us for a speaker series all about beavers and resilient watersheds!

Co-hosted by Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV), Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW), Larimer Conservation District (LCD), and Rocky Mountain Flycasters (RMF), this monthly series (Feb–Sept 2026) brings together experts and community members to explore the powerful role beavers play in creating healthy, resilient ecosystems.

The June event in our Leave it to the Beavers speaker series is “Beavers: Architects of Wildfire Resistance" with Dr. Emily Fairfax.

Beaver dams and beaver mimicry structures are gaining traction as a low-cost, nature-based strategy for climate resilience. By slowing and storing water during wet periods, beavers keep riparian corridors well-watered and green, making them far less flammable during droughts. Dr. Fairfax's research shows these beaver-influenced areas serve as fire refugia, preserving mature riparian habitat even during megafires, and in some cases, actively altering wildfire behavior and spread. As evidence grows, it's becoming clear that partnering with beaver ecosystem engineering may be one of our most effective tools for building drought- and fire-resistant landscapes across the American and Canadian West.

Join us to discuss how to live with, protect, and empower these aquatic eco system engineers!

Be part of the impact:
Help keep this beautiful stretch of highway clean and enjoyable for everyone by picking up litter along our 2 mile section.

Why join us?

• Give back to a canyon and river we all love

• Great for individuals, families, or small groups

• Enjoy fresh air while supporting local conservation

We’ve got you covered:

• Trash bags provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) 

• CDOT handles trash pickup and disposal

• Our chapter is recognized with signage along the highway

Good to know:

• We will only be collecting litter in the Highway right of way (not the river itself)

• Bring gloves!

• Ongoing opportunity during our adoption period

Step outside, make a difference, and help us keep the Poudre Canyon beautiful—one stretch at a time!

Before the event:

Sign up in iVolunteer, view the required videos, sign a waiver.

Attend a virtual safety meeting on June 18th at 6:00 pm

All participants must be over the age of ten.

Event will be canceled in the case of inclement weather.

CDOT will provide orange safety vests and trash bags

Contact: Susanne Cordery | secretary@rmftu.org

Before the event:

Attend a virtual safety meeting on June 18th at 6:00 pm

Join the Zoom Meeting using the link below.
https://zoom.us/j/95956728820?pwd=ZmwwZklEODJhc0RIalVOTXZ3V3B5QT09

Sign up in iVolunteer, view the required videos, sign a waiver.

Be part of the impact:
Help keep this beautiful stretch of highway clean and enjoyable for everyone by picking up litter along our 2 mile section.

Why join us?

• Give back to a canyon and river we all love

• Great for individuals, families, or small groups

• Enjoy fresh air while supporting local conservation

We’ve got you covered:

• Trash bags provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) 

• CDOT handles trash pickup and disposal

• Our chapter is recognized with signage along the highway

Good to know:

• We will only be collecting litter in the Highway right of way (not the river itself)

• Bring gloves!

• Ongoing opportunity during our adoption period

Step outside, make a difference, and help us keep the Poudre Canyon beautiful—one stretch at a time!

Before the event:

Sign up in iVolunteer, view the required videos, sign a waiver.

Attend a virtual safety meeting on June 18th at 6:00 pm
Join the Zoom Meeting

All participants must be over the age of ten.

Event will be canceled in the case of inclement weather.

CDOT will provide orange safety vests and trash bags

Contact: Susanne Cordery | secretary@rmftu.org