Issuu

FALL 20

BY LAND ON MAYER by BRIAN LA RUE

PUBLIC LANDS – CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250TH

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FALL 2026 | VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 4

MAGAZINE CONTENTS FEATURES

06 READING THE RIVER WHEN THE SEASONS TURN by Landon Mayer

DESTINATION WYOMING: TROUT ON INN by Brian La Rue

COLUMNS

20 FIRST FISH

by Hayden Melsop

36 CONTRARIAN STONE by Joel Evans

44 LAST CAST

by Tim Gablehouse

CONSERVATION

22 THE ROAN PLATEAU by Colorado TU Staff

30 RIVER EDUCATION IN ACTION by Colorado TU Staff

38 PUBLIC LANDS – CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250TH by David Nickum

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • FALL Fall 2026 2026

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HCA Staff P U B LISHER S

J ac k Tallo n & Frank M ar tin

C O NTENT C ONSU LTANT L ando n M ayer

EDITO R IAL

Frank M ar t i n, M anagi ng Editor f rank@ hc am agaz ine.co m Landon Mayer, Editorial Consultant Ruthie Mar tin, Editor

ADV ER TISING

B r i an L a R ue, S ales & M a r keting b r ian@ hc am agaz i ne.co m D i rec t : ( 720) 202- 9600 M ar k Shulm an, Ad S ales Cell: ( 303) 668- 2591 m ar k@ hc am agaz i ne.co m

DESIG N

David M ar tin, Creative Direc tor & Graphic D esigner

P HOTO G RAP HY

Frank Martin, Landon Mayer, Brian LaRue, Angus Drummond

STAF F WRITER S

Frank Martin, Landon Mayer, Brian LaRue, Joel Evans, David Nickum, John Nickum, Peter Stitcher Copyright 2017, High Country Angler, a division of High Country Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. Reprinting of any content or photos without expressed written consent of publisher is prohibited. Published four (4) times per year. To add your shop or business to our distribution list, contact Frank Martin at frank@hcamagazine.com. D i str i buted by H i gh Countr y Publi cati ons, L LC 730 Popes Valley D r i ve Colorad o Spr i ngs, Colorad o 809 1 9 FA X 719-593-0040 Published in cooperation with Colorado Trout Unlimited 1536 Wynkoop Street, Suite 320 Denver, CO 80202 www.coloradotu.org

ON THE COVER Pete and Geoff DeTolve, PHOTO BY LANDON MAYER

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

BY LANDON MAYER

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

hen the weather changes, everything changes for a trout. If you want to catch big, educated fish during these seasonal shifts, you have to throw away old routines. You cannot fish a river the exact same way in late fall or early spring as you do in the middle of summer. To stay successful, you have to read the current water flows, watch the temperature, and know exactly how the local bugs are acting. Once you master these shifting patterns, you can catch beautiful fish while other anglers are sitting at home.

Reading Your Local Flows Before you even string up your rod, you need to check the river flows. Water levels change fast when seasons transition, and these changes dictate exactly

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

where the fish will live. High Water Shifts: When water rises during a transition, it pushes fish out of the main currents. Trout do not want to fight a heavy flow. They move right against the banks, into slow side channels, and behind big rocks where the water is soft. Low Water Shifts: When flows drop low and clear, trout feel naked. They get nervous about birds and predators. They will leave shallow runs and crowd into the deepest pools, dark underwater trenches, and places with heavy foam on top for cover. When a river drops low, your approach must slow down. Do not stomp right into the water. Walk softly along the bank, stay low so the fish do not see your shadow against the sky, and look for fish before making your first cast.

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The Power of Water Temperature

Picking the Right Bugs

Water temperature runs a trout’s whole life. It controls how much they eat and how fast they move. A change of just five degrees changes everything on the river. The Comfort Zone (50°F to 57°F): This is the sweet spot. When the water sits in the low-to-mid 50s, trout feel great. They will hold in fast, bubbly riffles where there is lots of oxygen. Bug hatches are heavy and can last for hours. The Cold Zone (42°F to 49°F): When the water dips into the low 40s, a trout’s body slows way down. They do not want to swim fast or chase food. They move into slow, deep water and wait. During cold seasonal shifts, you need to change your clock. Going out at sunrise is usually a waste of time. Sleep in, let the afternoon sun warm the water a couple of degrees, and fish hard from midday until the sun drops behind the trees. That is when the bugs will hatch and the fish will feed.

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When seasons turn, trout are caught between two mindsets. They are either looking for one big, easy meal to save energy, or they are eating tiny, consistent bugs because that is all the river is offering. You need options for both in your box.

Big Meals (Streamers and Leeches) Trout get aggressive when they feel the seasons changing. They want a lot of calories without working too hard for it. The Strategy: Small, heavy leeches like my Mini Leech Jig Lucent with jig heads are incredibly effective here. A jigged leech rides upside down in the water, so it bounces right over the rocks without snagging. You can dead-drift it under an indicator or fish it on a tight line through deep pockets.

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

indicators or tiny foam pieces that land like a feather. Adjust Your Weight Constantly: Do not just stick one heavy split shot on your line and leave it all day. If the water gets shallower, take weight off. If you are fishing a deep hole and not ticking the bottom, add a tiny bit of weight. You want your flies drifting at the As the air turns cold, the big river bugs disappear. exact depth the trout are holding. That is when midges like my Tube Midge become the main meal. The Strategy: Use slim midge patterns with tungsten beads. The heavy bead gets your fly down into the slow water near the bottom instantly. Trout sitting in The biggest secret to catching fish during a seasoncold water will not rise up to grab a fly, so you have to al change is patience. This style of fishing is not about put it right in front of their nose. catching fifty fish an hour. It is about hunting specific, high-quality trout. Take your time. Stand on the bank and watch a pool for five minutes before you cast. Look for the quick flash of a trout's white mouth opening underEven on cold days, you will find fish rising in flat, water, or a tiny bubble breaking on the surface. Move quiet pools. They are usually eating tiny emerging like a cat along the water's edge. If you combine soft bugs trapped in the surface film. Use low-profile dry wading, smart rigging, and a close eye on the river's flies and spinners that sit flat on the water to fool these temperature and flow, you will find success on any picky surface feeders. river you fish.

Tiny Staples (Midges and Small Nymphs)

The Mental Game

Surface Feeders (Dry Flies)

Simple Adjustments for Tough Conditions When a river gets low and clear, heavy gear will scare every fish in the pool. You must refine your tackle to match the conditions. Lighten Your Line: Swap out thick leaders for thin, strong fluorocarbon tippet like 5X or 6X. Fluorocarbon disappears under water and helps your flies sink faster and drift more naturally. Use Stealthy Indicators: Big, bright plastic bobbers make a loud splash when they hit the water. In quiet pools, that splash sounds like a rock being thrown at the fish. Switch to small yarn 12

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Landon Mayer is a veteran Colorado guide and author of several books. His newest book, Guide Flies: Easyto-Tie Patterns for Tough Trout, can be purchased on his website at www.landonmayerflyfishing.com. You can follow Landon on Instagram at @landonmayerflyfishing.

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

by Brian La Rue

ext time you head to Wyoming’s North Platte River, make your fishing trip even better by staying at the Trout On™ Inn. This remarkable property has everything an angler could want—from guided fishing, drift-boat rentals and shuttle services to comfortable cabins and lodge rooms that can accommodate up to 48 guests. Add a commercial kitchen and a stunning wedding venue, and it’s easy to see why Trout On™ Inn is much more than a place to stay—it’s a destination in itself. Fall is one of the most beautiful times to visit, as cottonwoods begin changing color, mornings are crisp, wildlife is active, and the river is peaceful. It is a quieter and more relaxed time of year, making it perfect for fishing, gathering with friends or simply getting away for a few days. Trout On™ Inn is located at the Lusby Public Access Area, approximately 30 minutes outside Casper. The property offers river access, plenty of open space, beautiful views of the surrounding bluffs,

and a peaceful setting away from town. Guests can spend their days fishing and exploring, then return to a comfortable room, a home-cooked meal and an evening around the fire. A good way to experience Trout On™ Inn, is through the property’s “Wy Knot” package ( https:// troutoninn.com/guided-fishing-trips) which makes planning a fishing getaway easy by combining lodging, meals and a guided float trip into one experience. Guests can enjoy breakfast before heading out on the river with an experienced guide and return to a home-cooked dinner at the Inn. The team wants guests to relax and enjoy their trip without having to coordinate every detail themselves. In addition to the basic “Wy Not” package, they offer three other fully inclusive packages to choose from.

Lodging and Amenities

Trout On™ Inn offers six private cabins, a fourroom lodge (like hotel rooms), and a larger wedding

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HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

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house (off season availability to all). Altogether, the property can accommodate approximately 48 overnight guests, making it a great option for individuals, couples, families, fishing groups, wedding parties, reunions and corporate retreats. The cabins (kitchenettes) provide guests with a comfortable and private place to stay near the river. The lodge has four guest rooms, a welcoming room and a commercial kitchen. The wedding house provides additional space and is especially helpful for

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wedding parties and larger groups. Guests can also enjoy their outdoor gathering areas, a park with a gas fire pit, and The Hut, a small store and guest check-in area. The Hut carries flies, snacks, drinks and other convenient OTC items.

Fishing Services and Extras

Because Trout On™ Inn is located at the popular Lusby access point on the Grey Reef section of the North Platte, guests are in an ideal location for

Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

a fishing trip. In addition to guided float trips, the Inn offers drift boat rentals and shuttle services. Guests can bring their own boat, rent one or arrange a guided fishing experience. They also offer meals by reservation only, including breakfast, dinner and boxed lunches for days spent on the river. The goal at Trout On™ Inn is to make each stay as convenient or as independent as guests would like. Some visitors come for a fully planned fishing experience, while others reserve lodging and build their own adventure.

What to Expect During Your Stay

one location to another. Couples can choose a simpler venue package or a more inclusive experience that includes lodging, planning, coordination, catering, setup and many of the other details. Weddings at Trout On™ Inn are relaxed, personal and centered on bringing people together. They are beautiful celebrations, but they are also about the quieter moments: morning coffee with family, getting ready with lifelong friends, children playing outside and everyone gathering in one place for an unforgettable weekend. To learn more about Trout On™ Inn, visit www. troutoninn.com and check out their free guide.

Trout On™ Inn is comfortable, welcoming and intentionally relaxed. Don’t expect a large commercial resort. It’s a small family-owned property where guests often get to know the owners, staff, guides and one another during their stay. People go there to slow down, reconnect and enjoy the outdoors. Things you might see; deer moving through the property, anglers heading out early in the morning, families gathering around the firepit, and friends sharing stories after a day of fishing. Their hope is that people come as guests and leave as friends, taking home memories that last a lifetime.

Wedding at Trout On™ Inn

A wedding there feels like an entire retreat weekend. The couple and their closest family and friends can stay together on the property, settle in, and enjoy time with one another before the celebration begins. Picture a ceremony beside the North Platte River, with the water flowing behind the couple and the cottonwoods and Wyoming bluffs creating a natural backdrop. Afterward, guests make their way to the barn, just a few feet away, and ABOUT THE AUTHOR lighted patio for dinner, music and dancing. As the sun begins to set, High Country Angler contributor Brian La Rue the property takes on a warm glow enjoys giving fly fishers ideas of where to go for while guests gather outside beneath an adventure. Feel free to reach out to Brian at the wide-open Wyoming sky. Brian@hcamagazine.com if you want your lodge or Because lodging, ceremony guide service featured in an upcoming promotional spaces, reception areas and gathmarketing plan. ering places are all located on the property, there is less rushing from 18

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

A GUIDE’S LIFE

•

BY H AY D E N M E L L S O P

First Fish

t was impossible to live in the town of Turangi, New Zealand, and not be affected in some way by trout. Large signs at each end of town proclaimed the traveler was entering the Trout Fishing Capital of the World. The Tongariro River, perhaps New Zealand’s most famous trout stream, flowed around its edge. Yet for me, a twenty something raft guide, trout fishing lacked appeal, a pastime reserved for old men whose lust for life and adventure had withered with age. Then one day, the phone rang. Johnny, an old-time fishing guide, asked if I could row he and a client down a difficult-to-access section of the river, where he suspected fish, fresh run from the lake into which the river flowed and answering the call to spawn, were waiting to be caught. Why not, I thought? He offered to pay me well, and said he’d provide a hearty lunch. Regulations forbade fishing from the raft, so I’d row Johnny to a particular place he liked, then sit, read, and nap, while Johnny worked with his client from shore. There was a hint of winter in the late fall air, a cold breeze blowing from the south, the sun-

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

shine lacking any real warmth. I’d hunkered down behind a sheltering bush, dozing off, when a sense of urgency in Johnny’s voice caught my attention. I stood and walked to where he was pointing across the river. “See there,” he said, “just below the big boulder with the seam coming off it.” The fisherman, next to him, seemed unconvinced. “Pass me the rod,” Johnny continued. “We’ll try a dry. Royal Wulff should do it.” He patted about his fly vest like a smoker searching for an errant lighter, before locating a small box and taking from it something large, white and hairy. “Let’s see if he comes up again.” We three stood and looked across the river. Two minutes later, as the tension began to ebb, a large dimple radiated out from the bubble line below the boulder. We all looked at each other, two of us Doubting Thomases no longer. “Angle downstream a bit. Drop it on the bubble line, right where it forms against the boulder, and let it drift down.” The fisherman did as instructed. In retrospect it was a difficult cast, fully sixty feet across several current seams. The Wulff landed gently and began to pirouette down the bubble line. A few feet below it, a large head broke the surface, its bottom jaw flopping lazily open like a whale siphoning krill. The fly disappeared as the fish porpoised gracefully on it, revealing a deep green flank and a vivid, almost crimson stripe along its length, before it slipped below the surface again. “Now!” yelled Johnny. “Set! Set! Set!” The fisherman raised his rod skyward, and immediately the tip bucked and bent as he scrambled up out of the knee-deep water he’d been standing in. The reel began to www.HCAezine.com

scream as the fish, still underwater, headed upstream world, others not, the flies spoke of mystery, objects a before turning suddenly and charging downstream, shaman or alchemist might pull from a leather pouch past the boulder and toward the far bank, the fish- about their neck. I handed the box back to Johnny, erman stumbling along the shore as he stripped line and decided to forego my book for the rest of the day. vigorously. A brief pause ensued before the fish exploded from the water in a fit of head-shaking fury, tail walking for several feet before slamming ABOUT THE AUTHOR down again, now below the surface and heading upstream, pullHayden Mellsop is an expat New Zealander living in ing line from the reel once more. the mountain town of Salida, Colorado, on the banks The fisherman’s face was frozen of the Arkansas River. As well as being a semi-retired in concentration, as he navigated fly fishing guide, he juggles helping his wife raise two that fine line between overpowerteenage daughters, along with a career in real estate. ing the fish and being overpowered. Little by little the strain of the fight began to sap at the fish’s energy, and five minutes later, utilizHayden Mellsop ing the slower water at the tail of Fly ﬁshing guide. Real Estate guide. the pool, the fisherman coaxed it into Johnny’s net. It was nearly an arm’s length, hook-jawed and muscular, and we took several photos before Johnny gently revived and released it. The fish slipped from his cradled hands and with a flick of its tail vanished into the deep. The only fish I had caught to date were in salt water, hauled anonymously from the depths with all the subtlety of a tractor Recreation, residential, retirement, investment. pull, on line strong enough to 5IF EJõFSFODF CFUXFFO MPPLJOH GPS ZPVS TQFDJBM QMBDF BOE mOEJOH JU hog-tie a calf. I asked Johnny for a look in his fly box, and he handed 1JOPO 3FBM &TUBUF (SPVQ 4BMJEB it to me with a knowing glance. 0öDF ] $FMM Full of strange combinations of XXX )PNF 8BUFST DPN INFMMTPQ!QJOPOSFBMFTUBUF DPN fur and feather tied to frail hooks, some recognizable as resembling something from the natural www.HCAezine.com

Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

The

Roan Plateau

Decades of Conservation, a New Challenge by Colorado TU Staff

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

he Roan Plateau – specifically, the portion northwest of Rifle that was part of the one-time Naval Oil Reserve before being transferred to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – is one of the hidden treasures on Colorado’s public lands. The Plateau towers hundreds of feet above the Colorado River valley floor, providing relatively undisturbed habitat for fish and wildlife amidst a sea of drilling and gas development around the Plateau and the Piceance basin. As a bonus, the Plateau’s streams are ideally situated to protect native trout habitat from the impacts of downstream non-native fish, as they perch above 200-foot waterfalls that plunge from the Plateau to the canyons below. In the 1990s and 2000s, Colorado Trout Unlimited (Colorado TU) and the Grand Valley Anglers (GVA) chapter engaged heavily on efforts with BLM to conserve and protect native trout habitat on Colorado’s Roan Plateau northwest of Rifle. Volunteers from

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

GVA and other Colorado TU chapters held workdays and weekends atop the Plateau, helping to install riparian fencing to protect sensitive stream habitats, planting willows and cottonwoods to stabilize banks and provide shade, and installing habitat features to maximize holding water during low flows. Initial work focused on Trapper and Northwater Creeks on the northern portion of the Plateau, where native cutthroat trout persisted. In the early 2010s, Colorado TU and GVA expanded efforts to the East Fork of Parachute Creek including installation of a large fish barrier that helped break the watershed into two more manageable pieces that could be treated to remove non-native brook trout and then be used to restore cutthroat trout. Following TU’s work to set the stage, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) worked with BLM to complete the non-native fish removal and then to reintroduce a unique strain of Uncompahgre

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cutthroat trout from the nearby Roan Creek. Fish in Roan Creek were in decline due to warming water temperatures and other pressures on habitat. The East Fork is an ideal refuge habitat for native trout due to its elevation, groundwater spring-fed systems that help maintain some key stable areas of habitat, and the dramatic falls that protect it from migration by downstream non-native fish. CPW’s reintroduction of Roan Creek fish into the East Fork was completed nearly 10 years ago – and www.HCAezine.com

the results have been phenomenal, with the East Fork of Parachute Creek now counted among the most important Uncompahgre lineage cutthroat habitats in Colorado. The population has shown consistent and successful reproduction, including strong numbers of fish recruiting each year. Even in challenging drought years like 2026, portions of the stream maintain solid holding habitats, benefiting from spring sources, the presence of beaver in portions of the watershed, and the pond created upstream of the TU-installed fish Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

minimum to include stringent conditions with the leases that would ensure no harm to the cutthroat habitat and fishery. We are now awaiting a final Environmental Assessment and leasing decision from the BLM. The Roan Plateau has been one of Colorado’s great wild places, a haven for big game and native trout and a unique recreational experience for the hikers, hunters and anglers who venture into its rugged backcountry. Thanks to the work of Colorado TU and its conservation and agency partners, it remains a backcountry jewel – and with continued diligence, we will work to keep it that way. barrier located midway through the reach atop the Plateau. Given the quality of this habitat and its importance as a native trout recovery water, Colorado TU staff and volunteers collected water quality data that supported a 2024 designation of the East Fork Parachute Creek and its tributaries above the fall as an “Outstanding Water.” This designation by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission grants the area the strongest possible antidegradation water quality protection – prohibiting any permitting that would reduce the existing high-quality condition of the stream. The price of conservation success, however, is continued vigilance. This year, the BLM announced that it was considering new mineral leases for drilling atop the Roan Plateau, in areas that contain portions of the East Fork Parachute watershed. Trout Unlimited, along with conservation partners including the Colorado Wildlife Federation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, have filed comments urging BLM to defer leasing of the parcels atop the Roan, or at 28

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

TO LEARN MORE To learn more about this and other stories, visit coloradotu.org.

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2026 Colorado Trout Unlimited Fall Rendezvous November 6-8 Hotel Colorado - Glenwood Springs Learn More

Join Colorado TU members and partners for a weekend of conservation, connection, and learning.

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

River Education in Action by Colorado TU Staff

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

olorado Trout Unlimited's STREAM Program, part of the Headwaters Education initiative, kept youth engaged throughout July with hands-on lessons focused on rivers, watersheds, and aquatic ecosystems. STREAM is a STEM-based river stewardship program that also incorporates Recreation and Arts to help young people connect with nature through watershed exploration, trout education, and river conservation activities.

Adams County 4-H

In early July, Colorado Trout Unlimited partnered with CSU Extension Adams County 4-H Youth Development Camp for a two-day exploration of two locations in the South Platte River watershed. On the first day, middle school campers gathered at Waterton Canyon and Lake Lehow near Littleton, where the South Platte River emerges from the mountains. Participants sampled aquatic macroinvertebrates and recorded water quality measurements, including temperature, turbidity, pH, and dissolved oxygen. The group identified stoneflies,

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

mayflies, caddisflies, damselflies, crayfish, and frogs, concluding that the river's cool, clear water supported good overall water quality. Two days later, the group reconvened in Brighton, where the South Platte River flows through the Adams County Fairgrounds after passing through the Denver metropolitan area. Sampling revealed a different macroinvertebrate community, including small mayflies, planaria, leeches, and bloodworms. Water temperature was warmer and turbidity was higher, indicating fair water quality and conditions more suitable for species tolerant of warmer water. Campers discussed the differences between the two locations and what the changes in water temperature, clarity, and aquatic life could tell them about river health. Comparing the sites helped participants see firsthand how conditions can change along a single river and how those changes affect the species that live there. The program also included the Greenback Cutthroat Trout Life Cycle board game and an introductory fly casting lesson, where campers practiced their casting

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skills by catching Velcro trout. Together, the activities gave campers a better understanding of how water quality, habitat, and aquatic life are connected throughout a watershed.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Colorado

In mid-July, the STREAM Program traveled to Steamboat Springs, partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Colorado and volunteers from the Yampa Valley Fly Fishers Trout Unlimited Chapter. Over two days at Fetcher Park, youth from Steamboat Springs and Craig participated in aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling and fly casting instruction. Although recreational use of the Yampa River was temporarily restricted due to elevated water temperatures, special permission was obtained for educational sampling activities. Campers discovered populations of caddisflies, mayflies, and midges, giving them an opportunity to learn what aquatic insects can reveal about river conditions, even during a period of drought and elevated water temperatures. Fly casting lessons and catching Velcro trout provided another hands-on way for participants to connect what they were learning about rivers and aquatic habitat with outdoor recreation. Many participants were already familiar with outdoor recreation and angling, but the program gave them a closer look at their local watershed and the ecology of the Yampa River. www.HCAezine.com

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Brighton Recreation Center Funshine Summer Camp

The final STREAM event of July took place at Vikan Middle School in Brighton in partnership with the Brighton Recreation Center's Funshine Summer Camp. Youth ages 7–11 participated in the Trout Survival Game, an interactive activity that follows a trout's journey from egg to adulthood. Each participant began with a cup of orange lentils representing trout eggs within a redd, or spawning nest. As they moved through the trout life cycle, campers encountered the natural and human-caused challenges trout face along the way. At each stage, participants saw their original number of "eggs" decrease, illustrating how relatively few trout survive from egg to adulthood and how water quality, habitat, predators, drought, and other factors can affect survival. 34

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A concluding discussion encouraged participants to reflect on what they learned about trout, river ecosystems, and the conditions aquatic species need to survive.

Building Future River Stewards

Throughout July, Colorado Trout Unlimited engaged youth from different communities through hands-on learning focused on river ecology, water quality, trout conservation, and watershed stewardship. From sampling aquatic insects and testing water quality to exploring the trout life cycle, participants had the opportunity to investigate Colorado's rivers for themselves. Along the way, they learned how water, habitat, and aquatic life are connected, and why understanding those connections is an important part of caring for Colorado's rivers and streams. www.HCAezine.com

TO LEARN MORE To learn more about this and other stories, visit coloradotu.org.

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

FIT TO BE TIED

•

BY J O E L E VA N S

Contrarian Stone

et’s talk about stoneflies. You say – Wait! This So in a somewhat contrarian fly selection, I fish is a fly-fishing magazine and it’s the fall issue stonefly nymphs in the off-season. Stonefly pattern and we should talk about stoneflies when they choice in the off-season has a lot to do with stream are hatching in the summer, not fall. And I say – Wait. size (small or large), stream flow (low or high), knowledge of what species of stoneflies are present, and if the species present has a one year or a multi-year life cycle. S U P E R F LY G O L D E N S T O N E The multi-year life cycle is an important factor. Some stones live and grow as nymphs over 3 to 4 years. This is important first of all because, although you may be fishing during a non-hatch season of the year, it means that there are nymphs present yearround, not just for a few months as they mature from egg to adult. Second, the nymphs can be of different sizes due to their different age class. Which is convenient as to pattern size selection, in that there are some of all sizes present at all times, even during a summer hatch. Which also helps explain why fishing a dry dropper or a full nymph rig during a hatch catches fish on the nymph – while the mature year class is fluttering about, the immature year class(es) is still hanging out in the bottom. There are others, but one example of a multi-year stonefly is the Golden Stone. Goldens are not universal in streams across the country, but common. Years ago, decades actually, I participated in a Colorado one-fly contest, a fundraiser for Trout Unlimited. Although I did not garner applause as the conYou are right, but ….. First, although most stoneflies hatch from nymph to adult in warmer spring to summer months, there are exceptions with some hatching in colder months. Second, even if the adults aren’t flying, there are nymphs hanging out at the bottom waiting their turn. Deciding what fly pattern to fish? Sometimes, often, actually, you follow the hatch, you look for what the fish are telling you, then fish the obvious. Sometimes, absent a happening-right-now-hatch, you follow the advice and collective wisdom of the fishing community. Sometimes, more often than we want to admit, we just guess, even if it is an educated and experienced guess. 36

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joel Evans lives in Montrose in western Colorado. He combines decades of fly fishing, guiding, and fly tying with photography and outdoor writing. He is a pro team member with several companies, is active in Trout Unlimited and Fly Fishers International, including the FFI Fly Tying Group.

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HOOK: NYMPH 10-2X BEAD: GOLD 3/32 BRASS OR 3.3 TUNGSTEN THREAD: YELLOW 6/0 DUBBING BALL: BROWN QUICK DESCENT DUBBING TAIL: AMBER GOOSE BIOT ABDOMEN / WING CASE OVERLAY: MYLAR TINSEL SIZE 10 RIBBING: BROWN MIDGE TUBING BODY: SULPHUR SQUIRREL BLEND DUBBING WEIGHT: LEAD FREE WIRE 0.020 LEGS: GRIZZLY GOLDEN BROWN SADDLE HACKLE

test winner, I did get my hands on new rod as the prize for the largest single fish. Yes, fishing a golden stone. This particular golden stone pattern is not unique from many other patterns you might find, but it is time-tested and tough. The contest, being a one fly, meant needing an exceptionally durable fly. So I tied it myself, with extra time and materials and steps in the tying process to increase durability. And I have fished it with high-success over the ensuing years. Further, in step with the multi-year life cycle, the re-

sultant multi-size nymph, and immature nymphs being ever present, the hook size can be varied small to large. The first year, the year of the contest, I tied it with a brass bead and an epoxy back. Material evolution has led to a tungsten bead and UV resin. I also tie the same pattern in general for other stones, but vary the color and size for other species such as a large orange salmon fly or a winter black stone. Tie it to match your stonefly tastes!

www.FlyShack.com Quality Fishing Flies Huge selection — Over 2000 styles of flies to choose from Rods, reels, tools, packs, and accessories from major brand names  Huge inventory of fly-tying tools and materials  Quality gear at honest prices  Free Shipping (Most items - Minumum purchase required)  Online convenience — small-shop service  Trusted by anglers for over 20 years  

Scout Small Stream Fly Rod www.FlyShack.com (800) 801-2318 info@@yshack.com The Fly Shack, Inc. 28 East Fulton St Gloversville, NY 12078 www.HCAezine.com

MSRP: $249.95  The Perfect Small Stream Rod  Available in 1wt - 3wt  1.8 oz - 2.4 oz  Includes Rod, Sock, & Tube

Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

PUBLIC

LANDS Celebrating America’s 250th

by David Nickum, CTU Executive Director

HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER • Fall 2026

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

arlier this month, the United States celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – the birth of our nation. While the Semiquincentennial was recognized in a host of ways including in Washington, DC, my wife and I decided to celebrate the occasion through visiting one of America’s most notable innovations: the establishment of protected public lands for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. We went to the Flat Tops and visited Trappers Lake, the cradle of wilderness. Some of you may know the story of Arthur Carhart. Carhart was a US Forest Service employee who in 1919 was charged with surveying the area around Trappers Lake for the purpose of designating cabin sites and a road that would provide access all around the lake. He completed his assignment, but in seeing 40

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the remarkable beauty of the area in its natural state, he submitted along with his survey a memo to his superior at the Forest Service – Aldo Leopold – suggesting that rather than developing the Trappers Lake area it should instead be preserved in its natural state. He wrote: There are great values of this type to be found in the several forests of the Nation, which in order to return to the greatest total value to the people, not only of the Nation, but of the world should be preserved and protected from the marring features of man made constructions. These areas can never be restored to the original condition after man has invaded them, and the great value lying as it does in natural scenic beauty should be available, not for the small group, but for the greatest population. Time will come when these scenic spots, where nature has been allowed to remain www.HCAezine.com

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

unmarred, will be some of the most highly prized scenic features of the country. Leopold and the US Forest Service accepted his recommendation, and for the first time in its history the US Forest Service set aside an area to be protected in its wild, untrammeled state. More than 40 years later, the Wilderness Act was adopted as law and the concept of wilderness protection began proliferating to other largely pristine areas. Today, more than 3.7 million acres of Colorado are protected as designated Wilderness – including the Flat Tops Wilderness, centered around Trappers Lake and the landscape that inspired Carhart’s visionary proposal. Whether you are fishing for cutthroat trout in Trappers Lake, paddling on it in a canoe or kayak, or hiking the scenic Carhart Trail that encircles the lake, this corner of the Flat Tops remains an inspiring place a century after Carhart’s momentous visit. It reflects both the beautiful landscapes and great ideals of our nation, and was for me a perfect place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. I’m proud to be associated with Trout Unlimited and all of you who are part of our TU community that celebrates, and works to protect, such remarkable places and the fish that call them home.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR David Nickum is Executive Director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. You can reach him via the CTU website at www. cotrout.org.

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Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER

Advocacy Update: Protecting Roadless Areas BY T I M GA B L E H O U S E • C O L O R A D O T U A D VO CA C Y C O M M I T T E E C H A I R

ne of the key functions of the Advocacy Committee is to review and comment on proposed regulations and legislation. We do this routinely, and Committee members are provided with background information and an opportunity to express their views. We welcome new members and hope that all chapter members with advocacy responsibilities or interests will participate. We anticipate the 2027 legislative session in Colorado will be very active. Many of the bills introduced will fall outside Colorado Trout Unlimited’s mission, while others could directly affect water, wildlife, fisheries, and conservation. Important to us will be water rights legislation designed to address conservation needs on the Colorado River. Near-term conservation programs, where water rights users may be compensated to temporarily leave water in the river, are expected to be the topic of legislative discussion. Protection of instream flows and other factors important to river and native trout conservation will be reviewed, with information provided to the Committee and, in turn, to chapter members. The Committee makes recommendations to the Board on bills to support or oppose. As di44

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rected by the Board, Committee members have testified and will continue to testify during hearings on these bills. We hope chapters will consider relevant legislation and evaluate whether they should participate as well. We want to encourage engagement in advocacy from all interested chapters and members. There is also a critical and immediate matter at the federal level that needs the attention of chapters and members. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service are proposing to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For 25 years, that rule has provided a durable framework for conserving some of the least-disturbed lands in the National Forest System while still allowing appropriate management activities. Rescinding it would remove consistent protections from nearly 45 million acres currently governed by the national rule and shift future decisions to forest-level planning. Roadless areas are especially valuable because intact forests and soils protect headwaters, filter drinking water, sustain cold-water habitat, and provide refuge for fish and wildlife. Trout Unlimited notes that these lands support exceptional hunting and fishing and contribute to lowww.HCAezine.com

cal recreation economies. New roads and associated development can fragment habitat, increase sediment and other impacts to streams, and add pressure to watersheds that native trout and salmon need to withstand a changing climate. USDA has cited wildfire mitigation as one reason for rescinding the rule, along with timber production and returning more decision-making authority to local Forest Service officials. Trout Unlimited believes repeal is unnecessary to address wildfire risk because the current rule allows appropriate forest-health and fuels-reduction activities. The agency should focus limited resources on treatments near communities and on maintaining its extensive existing road network rather than creating costly new infrastructure in undeveloped backcountry. Colorado’s situation is different. Colorado and Idaho have state-specific roadless rules developed with the federal government, and those rules are not part of the proposed rescission of the national rule. Colorado’s rule governs more than four million acres of inventoried roadless lands in the state. That important distinction does not reduce the need to retain strong protections for roadless areas elsewhere. Watersheds, fish, wildlife, wildfire risks, and recreation economies cross state lines, and Coloradans rely on public lands throughout the West. www.HCAezine.com

I ask you to comment on this matter and urge the agency to preserve the national Roadless Rule while maintaining Colorado’s existing protections. TU has provided a helpful link that may be used to submit comments. https://www.tu.org/conservation/ action-center/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f139299%2f Respond Regardless of whether you use this link or submit your comments directly via https://regulations. gov referencing Document - FS-2025-0001-223869, please comment. Our roadless areas, and the fish and wildlife they sustain, need all of our voices. Comments are due October 6, 2026.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tim gablehouse is a board member for Colo. Trout Unlimited. For more on this issue, go to cotrout.org

Fall 2026 • HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER