Hi Everyone,
I stopped by the COTU Booth at the show yesterday. One of the presidents from one of the Denver chapters was manning the booth. I'm sorry but I have forgotten his name. I gabbed with him for awhile, and asked him what he knew about COTU working for stream access, in particular, a Montana type access. He told me Sharon or Dave would be the folks to talk to about that, but they weren't around. However, he felt that would be a real long shot, and then he nodded towards the sign for COTU at the booth, and sure enough, it had a collage of COTU sponsers on it, and 3 Forks was one of them. I'll let all of you draw your own conclusions over this. Anyway, then he said, "I don't think those folks at 3 Forks would be too happy if something like that ever happened". We wrapped up the conversation, then I bought a 5$ raffle ticket and left. I stopped back by twice to see if Sharon or someone else might be there, but they weren't.

Allow me to make it clear that what 3 Forks does with their land is completely up to them, and I'm glad they have managed to create a superb trout stream. Whether it is for real, or it is supplemented by feeding, I don't really care about that either. They can do what they want. What bothers me (alot) is that COTU has chosen to get a little too cozy with them. I guess the message I'm getting (perhaps I'm too sensitive ) is that COTU may not have the Joe Schmo Weekend Warrior type angler's best interest's in mind. I feel it's elitism, to promote something very few of us could afford. Not to mention, if the fish at 3 Forks are pellet fed, doesn't that go against everything TU is supposed to stand for?

I'm putting in my request for a chair at the state board meeting next week.

MK

Thanks for the update Mark. I do find the 3 Forks - TU alliance(sponsorship) a bit strange. Good luck getting a spot at the head table and finding out more information on this issue. It would appear that a few of you in Colorado are working really hard to improve the access situation.

Paul

Mark, I was just reading about how CTU is also sponsoring a competitive fly fishing tournamet in Colorado. Apparently the tournament will also be held at Boxwood Gulch, another private stretch of water. Interesting to see all the relationships develop...

Mark,

In my opinion, there is an analogy here:

Three Forks Ranch is to Trout Fishing what prostitution is to love. Stick with me a bit here.

The Three Forks Ranch purchased land with a stream that had beaten to smithereens by ignorant, irresponsible cattle grazing in the riparian zone. The new owners pumped a bunch of money into "restoring" a section of river, then stocked it with pigs and supplimenting them with pellets. Then, for a mere $1000 a day, you can "rent" access to their stream, have a "guide" accompany you and "stalk" huge stupid pellet fed trout and have your picture taken with them. Ray Charles could guide the Three Forks!!

Bobby Knight endorses them with the following: I caught more 20+” fish at Three Forks Ranch in one day than anywhere I have ever been" Wow--ain't that SUMTHIN'!

It's like a guy going to Nevada, dropping a $1000 on a gorgeous call girl, having his way and his picture taken with her, and then showing everying body pics of his "girlfriend." It's just that artificial--and just that profane.

Sadly, money talks, and Colorado TU is in bed with the Three Forks Ranch. The negative effects of stocking streams is well documented, and COTU is most definitely contradicting itself for the love of money.

Oh Well...

Mark-

As soon as you do this please let me know so I can email everyone from Boulder Fly Casters and get some support for you. You are the man and I really hope you get the seat. CTU could really use a guy like you to get their stuff together.



JD

You will get my vote. I too do not understand why COTU would cozy up to 3 forks. Is it a boost to COTU or just an endorsement for 3Forks.

Its a scam and shame!

3 Forks is probably a large "contributor" to CTU. Something tells me it becomes politics when that much money is involved. I wouldn't be surprised if a complaint is sent to the national office.

I can definitely see why 3 Forks would want to latch their talons onto the CTU wagon - publicity!

Good analogy Kelly.

This issue is part of a disturbing trend I am noticing now with State Level Chapters of TU...

I recently relocated to CO from Michigan where the TU Chapters there have jumped onto another disturbing trend.

A bottled water company (Perrier/Crystal Geyser) applied for permits to pump nearly 1,000,000 gallons of water per day from the aquifer that feeds the Muskegon River watershed. Of course TU spoke up almost immediately and quite loudly. Once a 50K donation was made by Perrier to the State TU chapter, all opposition to the project ceased and TU members started hearing about how the state board thought Perrier had things in order and that that much water could be pumped out without appreciably affecting the riparian systems it fed. Right...and I've got a bridge to sell ya'.

In a second and more visible issue, Savoy Energy decided to exercise drilling rights on a piece of land donated to the State of Michigan by George Mason. Does the name Mason sound familiar? It should...it adorns the local chapter title of the first TU chapter (Mason/Griffith, Grayling, MI). The land was donated under the stipulation that it should remain a wilderness and be managed as such in perpetuity. The catch...the drill pad and collection facility would be placed within 1/4 mile of the South Branch of the Ausable River. Once again, TU spoke up...and curiously was quieted down after a Q/A session with Savoy officials. We've been left with a small, local organization called the Angler's of the AuSable barring the door in federal court.

In the past, I've noticed several folks writing in to the TU magazine about how TU has been running its affairs of late and the leadership consistently responds that in todays world, we should expect them to run the organization as a business.

In my opinion, that's not how it works. I started donating my money because I thought TU would stand up and do what was right whether or not it was economically or socially popular. The last few major cold-water issues I've watched have led me to conclude otherwise.

As a someone previously stated, money does talk...and mine's taking a walk down the street to talk to other environmental organizations until TU get's it's collective head out of its rear end. And believe me...the national organization will hear about it.

My $0.02,
Brian