Making the Big Thompson Even Better

Posted by Samantha on February 4th, 2010 in Conservation, Trout Magazine

Brown trout/Chris Anderson

In the winter issue of Trout magazine, David J. Tough wrote asking what he could do to help conserve Colorado’s Big Thompson.  He has observed more fishing pressure between Loveland and Estes Park, Colo.

Two local chapter presidents got in touch to give us the scoop on conservation efforts and concerns on this stretch of the Big Thompson. Thanks to Trigg White, president of the Alpine Anglers Chapter, and Lee Evans, president of the Rocky Mountain Flycasters, for helping answer this question for us.

My chapter, Alpine Anglers in Estes Park, is focused on the greenback cutthroat recovery program in Rocky Mountain National Park. Much of that is in the headwaters of the Big Thompson, but not directly related to the section between Estes Park and Loveland. The only thing we do in the lower stretch is an annual river cleanup, often in partnership with Rocky Mountain Flycasters.

Having said that, I’ll give you my thoughts. The Big Thompson below Estes Park is not viewed as being especially threatened from a conservation perspective and, to my knowledge, is not the object of any significant conservation efforts at the present time.  It’s a case where we should have been there 100 years ago. The river is almost completely channelized by U.S. Highway 34 that goes up the canyon–rarely more than 10 to 20 yards from the river–and the riparian area is already extensively developed by cabins and some commercial resorts for most of the 22 river miles. This is not good, but at present no one is trying to make it any worse because there’s almost no private land left to be developed.

One of our biggest problems here in the West is the diversion of water from the rivers for agricultural and municipal use to the point that fisheries are threatened. Ironically, the Big T is the beneficiary of much of this re-plumbing since it is the conduit for delivery of approximately 250,000 acre feet of water that is diverted annually from the Upper Colorado river on the west slope via the Colorado-Big Thompson project to east slope water users. As a result, both water quantity and quality in the Big T are good, and the river has a healthy population of brown and rainbow trout.

So what to tell someone who wants to  know how to help protect his favorite river?

Here are some thoughts:

1. Be vigilant and engaged. Involvement with TU at the local level is an excellent way to stay on the front line and be aware of what’s happening with the river. We’ve got about 800 TU members in the Fort Collins/Loveland/Estes Park area ready to respond should the need arise. We could use your readers’ help on many fronts to keep that organization strong and prepared.

2. Take proper steps to prevent the spread of invasive species that could damage the fishery and the fishing. The Big T has actually fared pretty well during the whirling disease scourge that hit Colorado rivers. We still have a healthy population of wild rainbows. It would be great to keep it that way.

3. Certainly, step up and help with the annual river cleanup along the Big Thompson. Litter is a huge problem because of the highway.

4. While keeping an eye on his favorite stretch of the Big T, participate with fellow TUers in other projects to protect other nearby rivers and to restore native trout species. For example, the Frazer and Upper Colorado rivers, whose headwaters are just a few miles away, are truly threatened by further diversions. TU needs financial support to continue to work with water interests for a better solution.

We have an ongoing program in Rocky Mountain National Park to protect and restore greenback cutthroat trout.  And a draft (thought not yet final) proposal by the U.S. Forest Service would extend the greenback recovery program by adding almost 45 river miles near Long Draw Reservoir in the headwaters of the Poudre River. These programs need extensive volunteer help. Visit our chapter website to learn  more.

Also, Boulder Flycasters chapter has a program to enhance habitat in sections of Boulder Creek. Visit their website to learn more about those efforts.

Trigg White

President, Alpine Anglers Chapter

Lee Evans adds the following.

Trigg is right when he talks about the amount of building, both commercial and private, that exists between Loveland and Estes Park.  For this reason, we believe we need to protect all public access for use by future generations.  In 1976, a huge, devastating flood scoured the lower canyon on the eve of Colorado Day.  Hundreds of lives were lost and the road and much of the development was also washed away or damaged.  Larimer County decided to take some of the parcels of land that were in the floodplain and hold them as public property in perpetuity.  Land owners were compensated, but many were not in agreement.

Recently, “perpetuity” ran out and the county has decided to put many of these parcels up for sale.  They state reasons of cost of upkeep, etc. Our TU chapter believes we must fight to keep those parcels that have river access in the public domain.  This particular issue seems to be the biggest threat to the river and where we must always be vigilant.  Friends of the Big Thompson River is a coalition of conservation groups that address this issue.

Some of the parcels were made into small parks for use by the public.  For many years, some of these parks remained closed because of budget cuts at the county level.  Rocky Mountain Flycasters has adopted the Narrows Park and we meet a few times a year to mow, clean, etc.  It is possible we might adopt another park, as we discuss our volunteerism after the first of the year.

A couple of years back, the Colorado Department of  Wildlife, with encouragement from our chapter and many others, designated the Big Thompson River from Waltonia upstream to the dam at Olympus Lake in Estes Park as catch-and-release, flies and lures only.  Our chapter installed the signs to that effect, and are probably due to replace and maintain those signs.

The river always fishes good and sometimes is excellent for browns and rainbows.  Many years ago, our chapter built a handicapped fishing area and the ramp and platform are still being used.

Trigg’s numbered suggestions are right on the money.  We appreciate a chance to speak to the issues and are very gratified to find people who want to help conserve this beautiful river.  Our chapter would welcome their membership and willingness to help out.

Thanks,

Lee Evans

President, Rocky Mountain Flycasters

Have you fished the Big Thompson lately? What do you think are the biggest conservation issues on that river?

Share your stories, pictures and suggestions in the comments.