Here's an update that really warmed my heart.  As you know, the  great outdoors writer Charlie Meyers passed away last month. Whether you knew Charlie personally or not, his work, which spanned a remarkable 43 years at the Denver Post, made a lasting impact for all of us who appreciate the wild outdoors.  Now the Colorado Division of Wildlife is proposing a worthy and permanent tribute--renaming a section of the Spinney Mountain Ranch State Wildlife Area, which contains one of the West's most popular trout fisheries we now call The Dream Stream, "The Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area."  You can see the proposal here (in .pdf form).

I'd say that's a slam dunk.  My hat is off to Colorado Division of Wildlife Director Tom Remington and his colleagues for doing the right thing for the right reasons.  I had the very good fortune to fish this water with Charlie often.  It is a place he held sacred.  And I get goose bumps thinking about the day I get to go back there and fish in "Charlie's River."  You know, Charlie didn't have the family fortune to will a vast ranch to Colorado.  But he left a very powerful legacy of advocating for fishing, and protecting places we now enjoy... one that can't be measured in acres.  I cannot help but think if you get a chance to fish in this area, you'll get exactly the impression of what Charlie Meyers was all about.

You can help to make this happen by voicing your support in an E-mail to wildlife.comm@state.co.us.  Thanks.

Deeter

So you know someone who wants to get started in fly fishing. Question number one (which I get asked a lot) is, what type of rod and reel should a newbie start with?

And my answer is, that depends on the person... how old they are, how big they are... whether they do a lot of fishing with conventional tackle, what they plan to fish for, and so forth.

For example, take my nine-year-old son, Paul.  I started him out with the Old Orvis 8-foot 6-weight that I started with (at the age of 18).  For kids, I think the number one criteria for a starter rod is  that it has a slower-to-medium action.  I've often thought that fast 
rods, while wonderful in many ways (and I prefer them myself now) can be a crutch that covers up casting flaws.  In my opinion, it's important to develop a feel for the cast, and instill a natural sense of timing and tempo, especially with younger anglers.  You can build up to fast rods once you have that feel.  Slower is better for starters.  I often dedicate days on the water to fishing with slower,  softer rods, just to polish my own casting during the season.  I also think 8-foot rods are plenty challenging for people who are only half that tall--no need to go with a 9-foot rod off the bat.

Another idea I have that runs counter to conventional thinking is to go lighter on the line weight with beginners.  A six-weight is the heaviest rod/line I'd start with, even if you plan on catching larger trout and bass.  The reason for this, in addition to the casting 
argument I just made, is that I want the beginner to really feel that connection when fighting fish.  If you get used to playing fish on a lighter-weight rod, you develop that aspect of your fishing better.

Reels. The least expensive, most durable model you can find.  I like to have beginners strip and let out line during the fight... again to develop that feel, and understand the need to keep a steady arc or flex in the rod when they're hooked up.  Again, this defies the conventional "get 'em on the reel" thinking, but it makes beginners tune into line management.

And as far as lines go, I want a weight-forward, floating fly line, in one of the hottest shades of orange or yellow I can find.  Fly fishing is a very visual sport, especially for beginners, and I like them to be able to see how their line behaves in the air, and 
especially on the water.  Neon colors help make that happen, and I'll trade a little line awareness for the risk of spooking fish with bright lines, any day.

How about you?  Any recommendations or theories on the ideal starter rig?  I'm all ears.

Deeter

Trout Unlimited has named Chris Wood, currently TU's chief operating officer, to fill the chief executive officer's position held by Charles Gauvin since 1991.  Wood will take over February 1.

Since Gauvin took the helm of TU at the age of 34, the organization's development has been nothing short of extraordinary.  According to a TU press announcement, back then,

"TU’s budget was $2.5 million and it had approximately 50,000 members. There was just one staff person who worked on conservation issues. Under Gauvin’s leadership, the organization has grown to 140,000 members with an operating budget in excess of $26 million and a professional staff of over 130."

TU is now, without question, one of the most influential conservation organizations in America, and the lead entity in protecting rivers vital to fly fishing.  Gauvin will remain on the organizations board of trustees.

Wood arrived at TU in 2001 after working as a senior policy and communications advisor to Mike Dombeck, chief of the U.S. Forest Service during the Clinton administration. His work in TU has helped the organization earn several important environmental wins for anglers.

"From a western perspective, I can tell you Chris is largely responsible for the conservation footprint TU is leaving throughout our region—his vision and leadership have resulted in the creation of TU’s Sportsmen’s Conservation Project, and he continues to support the excellent work of the Western Water Project," said Chris Hunt, of TU's Sportsmen's Conservation Project.

Trout anglers have a lot to thank Gauvin for, and a good reason to be optimistic that Wood will advance the TU cause even further.  Whether you are an avid angler or just a fly fishing dabbler, you should take a moment to learn more about Trout Unlimited and its mission, and consider joining if you are not among the 140,000 TU members already.

Deeter

Do you want to fish on twelve miles of private, world class trout water in the pristine Wyoming wilderness for three days with a guide? How about a $1000 shopping spree at the one of the best fly shops in Denver before you go? Do you enjoy lavish gourmet meals? What about flying there in a private jet?

If you answered yes to any of these questions - do yourself, Trout Unlimited and Colorado Youth Outdoors a favor. Purchase a $20 raffle ticket and help get kids re-interested in outdoor recreation and help Trout Unlimited raise a pile of money. It's a joint fundraiser that's helping raise money for National TU, their chapters and Colorado Youth Outdoors.

Oh, and did I forget to mention you get to bring three additional people with you if you win.

Just remember where you heard it first. Deeter and I just love flying in private jets to our trout water.

TR