After 2 years, the Kids Learn to Fly Fish Program is back in 2023. Founded by Dick Shinton more than 10 years ago, this program has introduced more than 100 youth to the lifelong joy of fly fishing. The program teaches fundamentals of fly tying, trout foods, trout habitat, fly casting and fishing skills. It introduces students to basic conservation awareness as it pertains to trout and water quality. Kids Learn to Fly Fish is truly a unique program for angling parents (or interested in angling) and their children. Most parents/guardians sit alongside their kids through the program.

If you are a fan of water and rivers, Lyons Elementary is a pretty special school. Among all the pressures that modern-day schools face, they somehow found the path to putting St. Vrain Creek at the center of much of their learning. For a number of years, the students have been monitoring the health of the river and learning about stream ecology among other subjects by doing so. The school uses their monthly short-day curricula to develop citizen science and leadership initiatives, where students work side-by-side with scientists to solve authentic problems. They have also cared for 2 Trout in the Classroom aquariums raising rainbow trout from eggs to fry for release in the river for the past 5 years. With all this focus on caring for the rivers, the teaching staff asked themselves the question, how can we introduce our students to new ways to enjoy the river?

I want to thank the chapter membership for welcoming me as Education Chair. I volunteered for this role because I am passionate about the next generation of anglers, and I believe that education volunteerism and participation are a great doorway to increasing member engagement. I’ve been involved in Youth Education programming for a number of years, and in addition to the chapter position, I serve as Headwaters Youth Programs Committee Chair for the state council, I’m co-director of the state River Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp, and state director of the STREAM Girls program. I’m excited by the prospect of growing St. Vrain Chapter’s education programming by expanding existing programs and adding new ones.

The conservation committee continues to be busy in many long-term planning activities, but on the ground efforts are also picking up and opportunities for volunteerism are opening.