Conservation
The geographic scope of our conservation area encompasses an area from Wyoming on the north to Rocky Mountain National Park on the south and from the beginning of the Foothills on the east to the Continental Divide on the west. While our membership includes many individuals with a passion for fly fishing, our projects attract a wide variety of people with various outdoor interests. All who love the value offered by healthy streams, rivers, lakes, and their watersheds are welcome to join with us as we work to Protect, Reconnect, Restore and Sustain our cold-water resources. And if you haven’t yet been bitten by the fly fishing bug—who knows what lies in your future!!
We categorize our conservation projects as either boots-on-the-ground projects or advocacy activities.
Boots-on-the-ground projects involve a relationship with: a government entity that owns or manages specific natural resources; other non-profit entities that seek collaborative assistance; and sometimes, private property owners if the project outcome benefits public cold water fisheries habitat. Examples include:
Organic plantings to armor a stream’s channel,
Back packing stream analysis equipment or fish, in the case of native stocking efforts, to remote locations,
Installation of equipment to monitor headwater stream temperatures and flows,
Assisting with fish studies to confirm species populations or sample for health threats,
Barrier construction, where needed, to prevent migration of non-native fish species,
Stream and fish habitat improvement,
Mitigate long-term and ongoing erosion issues by working with agricultural interests to provide controlled livestock access to streams,
Stream and Trail cleanup and maintenance.
We always recommend that you have your fly fishing gear with you on most projects. A lot of our work occurs in and among some of the most outstanding and pristine waters in Northern Colorado!
An equally important part of our conservation mission is our Advocacy Activities. These activities are typically public policy issues relevant to Trout Unlimited or Rocky Mountain Flycasters mission and goals. Examples include:
Analyzing projects and submitting reports, comment, concern, or support when appropriate, to the proper reviewing agency,
Identifying problem areas affecting streams and their watersheds and documenting those concerns with the proper land management agency,
Offering written support of native fish restoration efforts,
Preparing a grant requesting funds to help support a conservation initiative.
RMF’s strategy in advocacy matters follows the TU model i.e., to utilize science-based evidence of impacts on cold-water resources and collaborative solutions rather than litigation.
To sum it up, we are a grassroots conservation organization. As such, our volunteers are the key to our success! Whether you hike, camp, hunt, kayak, or simply seek refuge in our wondrous natural environs, everyone enjoys the benefits of cold, clean healthy waters and the watersheds that support them. Please register as a volunteer and join us in our conservation efforts! You can also support Trout Unlimited and the work we do locally by joining Trout Unlimited as a member. Annual member dues are only 35.00 per year.
Native Trout
The Colorado State Fish, the Greenback Cutthroat Trout, is a native resident of the Big Thompson and Poudre watersheds. RMF is actively involved in several native trout restoration projects.
Big Thompson
RMF assists in several restoration and surveying activities in the Big Thompson watershed, including Rocky Mountain National Park. These include river improvements, debris removal and fish surveys.
Cache la Poudre
RMF assists in several restoration, maintenance and surveying activities in the Poudre watershed. These include river improvements, trail work, debris removal and fish surveys.
Cold Water Advocacy
RMF’s participation in advocacy activities falls into two classes.
One class of advocacy involves public policy actions that may broadly impact cold-water resources and/or people who utilize them. Examples include legislative and rule-making proposals by governments and their agencies.
The other class of advocacy involves applications from others to obtain permits for actions that will impact cold-water resources.
Agency Fishery Support
RMF projects in support of CPW fisheries are generally ad hoc as special opportunities arise. Fort Collins-based CPW fisheries biologists are readily available for consultations regarding conservation projects and RMF volunteers are pleased to support CPW projects. Aside from conservation projects, RMF also supports other CPW activities such as the annual Outdoor Skills Day for youths and exhibitions at sportsman shows.