Yampa Valley Fly Fishers (YVFF)

and

Yampa Valley Stream Improvement Charitable Trust (YVSICT)

History and Achievements

Scholarships – Since 2009, YVSICT has awarded $26000 in college scholarships to Routt County students.

Chuck Lewis Project – The Chuck Lewis Project involved over one million dollars of river improvements over a period of 10 years fo fundraising and river work on the stretch of the Yampa River through the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area, just south of Steamboat Springs.

Pleasant Valley Project – This year the Yampa Valley Stream Improvement Charitable Trust completed the Pleasant Valley/Hubbard Cabin Project on property owned and managed by BLM on the Yampa River. The Project enhanced a very unique section of the River between Sarvis Creek and Lake Catamount, a section of river that naturally supports the Harrison Hofer Rainbow trout population. Seven years of planning, design and implementation has finally been completed.  The time spent working with our partners, including the FlyWater/Stillwater Team, BLM, CPW, Yampa River Fund/TNC, Healthy Rivers Fund, Colorado Water Plan, Fishing is Fun and the Yampa Valley Community Foundation has been well worth it and will benefit the community for years to come. See more about the Pleasant Valley Project.

Also see the Ken Proper article about the revival of the Yampa River. 

2021 YVSICT is awarded a $40,000 grant from Fishing is Fun and a $34,560 grant from the Yampa River Fund for the construction of the Pleasant Valley Project. Construction on the Pleasant Valley Project is completed in the fall of 2021.
2020YVSICT and YVFF donate $25,000 to the Yampa River Fund. The YVSICT was awarded grants through the Yampa Valley Community Foundation Covid Relief program, from the Atha Family Foundation and Ski Corp. Environmental Fund in the amounts of $1,000 and $2,000 respectfully.
YVSICT is awarded a $20,000 grant for the Pleasant Valley Project from the Healthy Rivers Fund.
YVSICT is awarded a $30,000 grant for the design phase of the Pleasant Valley Project from Fishing is Fun, as well as a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Water Plan Environmental Fund for the Yampa River Habitat & Recreation Improvement Project at Pleasant Valley project, in the amount of $117,990.
2019Golf Trout Tournament raises over $28,000 for the Pleasant Valley Project, YVSICT enter into contract with FlyWater, inc. for the design build of the Pleasant Valley Project and enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the BLM for the project.
2018Golf Trout Tournament raises approximately $28,000 for the Pleasant Valley Project and other Yampa Valley river projects.
2018YVSICT commits $6000 in college scholarships for the SSHS class of 2018.
2017YVSICT commits $6000 in college scholarships for the SSHS class of 2017.
2016YVSICT commits $6,000 in college scholarships for the SSHS class of 2016, donated almost$5000 to the Burgess Creek Cutthroat Restoration Project, and continued to work towards the Pleasant Valley Project .
2015YVSICT invested additional $25,000 towards design plans for the Pleasant Valley Project and commits to $6,000 in college scholarships for the class of 2015.
2015YVSICT invested additional $25000 towards design plans for the Pleasant Valley Project and commits $6000- in college scholarships for the class of 2015
2014Golf Trout Tournament raises $45000 for new Pleasant Vally Project and other Yampa Valley river projects. YVSICT has invested over $20000 towards the Pleasant Valley Project in 2014.
2013Received $158000 in matching Fishing is Fun grant from the State of Colorado for completion of PHase III of Chuck Lewis.
Golf Trout Trournament raises $55500 for completion of Chuck Lewis and new Pleasant Valley Project. Trousils/Humble Ranch donation of $21000.
2012Golf Trout Tournament raises $32500 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
2011Yampa Valley Fly Fishers joins Trout Unlimited as chapter 929.
Golf Trout Tournament raises $30500 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
2010Golf Trout Tournament raises $37750 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
2009Golf Trout Tournament raises $36450 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
2008Golf Trout Tournament raises $60000 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
2007Golf Trout Tournament raises $48000 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
Phase I of Chuck Lewis completed.
2006-2007 Wayne Swanson, the Swanson family and friends donated approximately $25000 to the YVSICT.
2006Golf Trout Tournament raises $38000 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
Over $100000 expended for materials, work and equipment for Chuck Lewis. Humble Ranch donation of $15000 for Phase II
2005Golf Trout Tournament raises $28000 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
Fishing is Fun grant of $150000 to the City of Steamboat Springs for Chuck Lewis Phase I.
YVFF volunteersinstall 40 new "catch and release" signs and posts provided by CDOW along the Yampa River from Walton Creek to the James Brown Bridge.
2004Golf Trout Tournament raises $23000 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
CDOW and YVSICT draft Memorandum of Understanding for the Chuck Lewis Project.
2003Golf Trout Tournament raises $18000 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
YVSICT comissions hydrology study for the Chuck Lewis Project.
YVFF receives $2500 River Beautification Grant fro riparian planting project completed that summer.
YVFF donates trout stocking at Fetcher Pond.
2002Golf Trout Tournament raises $12000 for the Chuck Lewis Project.
The YVFF commits to partnering the Chuck Lewis Project with the Colorado Department of Wildlife.
2000YVFF donates $6000 to the Yampa River Management Plan.
YVFF raises more than $7000 for stocking and facility enhancement at Fetcher Pond and Casey's Pond of the next two years. The CDOW was forced to eliminate stocking at both locations due to the impact of Whirling Disease on state hatcheries.
1999YVFF donates $5000 to purchase 3000 Tasmanian Rainbow and Soda Lake brown trout for stocking the downtown section fo the Yampa River.
1998After a two year campaign by YVFF, the Colorado Division of Wildlife grants "Catch and RElease" status to the Yampa River between Walton Creek and the James Brown Bridge.
With grants totaling $29000 for the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation, Norwest Bank, the Yampa Valley Community Foundatino, the YVSICT and the YVFF, eagle scout Nathan Proper completes the Butcherknife Restoration project.
1997YVFF completes the "Phase Eight" project on 1/2 mile of river behind the Super 8 motel. A solar irrigated tree nursary is part of the $25000 project made possible by private donations and grants from the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, the CDOW, "Fishing is Fun", kthe U.S. Forest Service and the YVSICT.
The YVFF receives a $7000 grant for the Steamboat Donations Committee to co-fund "Projecxt Transplant". Along with a $3000 donation for the Fly Fishers, a Vermeer tree spade was purchased for use by city crews on revegitation projects around town.
1996The YVFF receives a $8234 grant from the Steamboat Donations Committee for further trout habitat improvement on the Yampa River in downtown Steamboat Springs. YVFF contributes $9650 in cash and in-kind services and receives co-funding of $323877 for the CDOW "Fishing is Fun" program. Total project value $41762.
1994YVFF Yampa River Trafalgar Project receives the 1994 Steamboat Springs Chamber Beautification Award.
YVFF receives $7260 grant from the Steamboat Donations Committee for low water trout habitat improvements in downtown Steamboat Springs.
1993YVFF receives the Environment 2000 Shining Star award.
YVFF receives $14700 grant for the "Trafalgar Project" in downtown Steamboat Springs.
1992YVFF, Steamboat Donations Committee, CDOW, City of Steamboat Springs and the Nature Conservancy co-op funds and material to stabilize some 1500 feet of badly eroded riverbank. Over 5 days YVFF members and local volunteers donate over 800 hours to complete the project on city land purchase with Wallop Breaux funding fromthe CDOW "Fishing is Fun" program. Locations: Rotary Park - now the primary launching point for commercial tubing companies.
1991YVFF receives $8565 grant from the Steamboat Ski &* Resort Corporation to plant native trees and shrubs, install flood control structure and low water trout habitat improvements in 1/4 mile of the Yampa River in downtown Steamboat Springs.
1990YVFF are awarded "Sportsment of the Year" by the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado Wildlife Commission for their volunteer efforts in habitat restoration of King Solomon Creek, Service Creek, Pearl Lake, The MIddle Fork of the Elk and the Yampa River. The U.S. Forect SErvice follows with two like awards.
CDOW electro shocking studies produce 165 trout where just 17 were recorded in 1985. The Division imposes a 2 fish limit to protect the resource, the first special limit regulation in the area.
1988YVFF receives a co-funding grant from the CDOW's "Fishing is Fun" program for the volunteer restoration of spillway and bank erosion problems on Service Creek.
1987YVFF receives a grant from the Chamber Summer Marketing Committee in cooperation with the CDOW, the U.S. Forest Service and local anglerspublishes the first brochure of its kind in Steamboat Springs, "Making the Most of Your Fishing Vacation in Steamboat".
1986YVFF receives a grant from the Steamboat Springs Summer Marketing Committee for stocking fish and construction educational signage above the Yampa Habitat Improvement Project.
1985YVFF receives a grant from the Steamboat Ski Corporation to improve trout habitat through the town of Steamboat Springs. The YVFF and Friends of the Yampa completee a habitat improvement project in what is now Rich Weiss Park and down to the 5th street bridge. Colorado Division of Wildlife electro shocking study produces just 17 trout.