Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
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"I got bored with only chasing big fish. Now I like coming here, to my roots. It is about being on the river and listening to the water tumble over the rocks." —ANDY MILL downstream but on every mile of every Western river. If there were ever a time for the old Western adage "Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting" to be proved true, today could be it. L ast fall, Aspen endured a toxic debate over a proposed hydroelectric plant that pitted environmentalists against themselves and neighbor against neighbor. Water shortages and the politics of water fracked the community in two. As demand continues to grow, more such conflicts will most definitely follow. But on this one sunny afternoon in April, Andy and I remain focused on a challenge simpler yet often equally daunting. We are not trying to figure out Western water. We are just trying to convince Old Sam—the mythical, ever- wise, and ever-growing brown or rainbow trout—to bite our prince nymph and its miniature barbless hook. After seeing the explosion of water and color before us, I am thinking we might have actually finally done it. The fat rainbow on Andy's line is fighting like an old bull. I walk downstream, clumsily weaving and stumbling like a drunkard thanks to the wet rocks (we saved the beers for after fishing). I am hoping to position myself for an underwater photo of this monster. As the battle grows in intensity, the line quivers. "Don't lose him!" I holler. The fish is a beast. If anyone can get Old Sam, it's Andy. Then, just as I'm ready to look Old Sam in the eye, pop! The line suddenly snaps. The drama ends. My trout legend will live to swim another day. I am sure Andy, the fishing legend, will fish another day, too. I listen to the orchestra of water flowing all around me and watch Andy go back to work, tying a fly and then casting again. There are always more fish to catch in these waters. I'm inspired once again to stop and watch this pro, not on skis going downhill at 80 mph as I did as a boy, but on the river, going zero. Catching fish is fun. That's the point. And, most argue, bigger fish equal more fun, but neither of us frets too much about the fish count. The act of fishing itself isn't half bad. Andy reminds me when explaining why he quit competitive fishing: "I got bored with only chasing big fish. Now I like coming here, to my roots. It's about being on the river and listening to the water tumble over the rocks." "I don't catch as many fish as you, so I must listen to a lot more water," I quip. We laugh. But for those who spend long hours by moving water, there is some truth to the power of rivers. Any excuse to sit by one, or stand in one, is good. It clears the head and makes you feel young. After just a few hours, Andy and I joke about feeling like kids again. A recent study calculated the economic value of recreation on the entire Colorado River, including all its tributaries, like the Roaring Fork and the Frying Pan. The number was staggering. These flowing rivers produce $26 billion annually from fishing licenses, rafting trips, picnics, and more. Apparently folks are willing to pay a lot to feel like kids. For perspective, if the Colorado River were a company, that number would put it on the Forbes Top 200 list, ahead of Progressive Insurance and US Airways. In light of the many demands for water—irrigation, consumption, storage, and energy—that our rivers fulfill, it's good to remember the value they offer when they simply flow. "Ya know, Pete," Andy says, as much to himself as to me, between casts, "all the great decisions I've made in life…." He pauses, then casts again. "They've happened on the water…. It's the best place to hear your inner voice." I let the thought float downstream a bit and glide over a rapid. "When we're both back in June, let's fish again, then drink beers at the Tavern," I say, looking downstream. "Good thinking," he agrees. AP Water Works As rivers dry, these change makers seek to preserve our most precious resource. IN APRIL, American Rivers, a top US river conservancy, named the Colorado River as the most endangered in the country. With droughts and climate change affecting diminishing flow, the recreational economy, water supply, and wildlife and are all at risk. "The current trends of water supply and demand are not sustainable," explains Matt Niemerski, director of western water policy for American Rivers. "If we don't begin planning for the future and managing water, the Colorado River and its system will break." Fortunately, these organizations are calling for action. American Rivers. Founded in 1973, this Washington, DC–based group has helped preserve and protect more than 150,000 miles of river. Perhaps most critical is its annual release of the country's 10 most endangered rivers list. Considering more than half of all Americans get their clean drinking water supply from rivers, the research alone is crucial. 202-347-7550; americanrivers.org Colorado Water Trust. Located in Denver, this nonprofit transacts water deals for conservation benefits, a market-based strategy that helps protect and preserve Colorado's watersheds. All of its projects are voluntary, and its innovative solutions to water rights are quickly getting noticed. 720-570-2897; coloradowatertrust.org The Nature Conservancy. The Colorado River Program, launched in 2008, is raising awareness around consumption versus preservation and water management. Of particular note is its Basin Study, focused on the imbalance of supply and demand. The Colorado River Basin spans seven states, so its impact is far-reaching. 703-841-5300; nature.org To view Pete McBride's video on the plight of the Colorado River, visit aspenpeakmagazine.com/colorado-river-conservation. ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM 122-129_AP_FEAT_Outdoor_SUM_Fall_13 copy_V2.indd 129 129 5/6/13 11:10 AM