The TU Costa 5 Rivers program is proof that the next generation of anglers is a conservation force to be reckoned with.
As the national network of conservation-focused college fly fishing clubs, 5 Rivers hosts four rendezvous events each year. They provide students an opportunity to engage with the TU mission, connect with other college anglers and collaborate with fellow club leaders.
At a recent rendezvous, clubs from the University of Utah, Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming met in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Steamboat is an ideal location with plenty of fishing, multiple successful TU projects and campsite capacity for nearly 80 college students. That’s right, from just these three clubs, nearly 80 anglers showed up for the event.
Students arrived Friday afternoon, and with rain in the forecast, they quickly set up their tents. Once camp was built, students hit the river near camp and found quick success with the willing local cutthroat trout. As nighttime rolled around, they lit a fire, smores appeared and college rivalries were thrown to the wayside as people who met hours ago became best friends.
Saturday kicked off with a visit to the completed Lost Dog Creek TU project, which protects and preserves seven miles of native Colorado River cutthroat habitat through the construction of two fish barriers. The project is a resounding success, and students appreciated seeing the work of TU firsthand. After visiting the project site, students explored the Steamboat area with an afternoon of fishing and trash cleanup.
Everyone returned that evening with countless stories of fish caught, fish missed and wild pieces of trash they found. One of the best stories of the trip came from a group of six lady anglers that fished together. A car drove past them as they were rigging their rods. The driver saw them, and quickly turned around. As the car approached, the group’s nerves rattled, wondering if they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their worries quickly dispersed when a woman in waders jumped out of the car with a huge smile on her face. She was a local fly fishing guide and just felt the need to stop and tell this group of ladies how “bad ass” it was to see a group of female anglers fishing together.
As the groups returned to camp, raffle items were passed out with gifts from Costa Sunglasses, Simms, Yeti, TroutRoutes, Turtlebox, onWater and Umpqua. A huge thank you goes out to all these groups that make 5 Rivers events possible.
When Sunday morning arrived, the group cleaned up camp and sat down for a breakfast discussion about the state of coldwater conservation. With much learned, new fishing friends gained and less trash on Steamboat’s waterways, they considered the weekend a success.
These students are the future of America’s coldwater resources, and the future is bright with them on rivers and at college campuses across the country.