Over a year ago, Ross Reels partnered with Trout Unlimited in an effort to restore native trout species throughout the U.S. through an initiative titled: “The Native Series”. As part of the Native Series, Ross Reels and Trout Unlimited aimed to bring awareness and funding to the projects that support the revitalization efforts by releasing beautiful limited-edition reels with designs inspired by the fish they seek to save.
As the first iteration of the Native Series, Ross Reels unveiled the Colorado 2/3 Greenback Cutthroat Reel as a limited edition release in February of 2023. In July, Ross presented the Colorado Cutthroat Native Reel, and now releasing the Rio Grande Cutthroat Reel in a 4/5 click-pawl option.
After a successful launch, Ross Reels donated $31,125 to Trout Unlimited presented July 2023 in Denver at Trout Fest, with a step to revitalize and bring awareness to fisheries that might be in danger, in threat, and give these species an opportunity to recover and bounce back to what they once were. The donation was the first portion of a total giveback of $37,125 once all of the reels have been sold.
Given the release of the all-new Rio Grande Cutthroat Reel from Ross Reels, we had the opportunity to connect with Kyle Perkins, Colorado Communications Coordinator at Trout Unlimited to learn more about the Native Series and what it entails.
Flylords: What inspired this third – Rio Grande Cutthroat Reel installment of the Native Series? How many reels will be in the series?
Perkins: When Trout Unlimited and Ross Reels began looking at a Native Series Reel Project, we wanted to highlight and fund specific projects where TU was doing work in Colorado on the three major native cutthroat species native to the state. The first reel, the Greenback Cutthroat Edition, focused on the Poudre Headwaters Project, which is restoring native Greenback Cutthroat Trout (GBCT) in the headwaters of the Poudre watershed in northern Colorado. The second, the Colorado River Cutthroat Edition, focused on the Clear Fork East Muddy Creek Project in western Colorado where TU worked with partners to build a large fish barrier to protect native Colorado River Cutthroat Trout (CRCT). The third, the Rio Grande Cutthroat Edition, focuses on TU’s efforts to restore the Rio San Antonio, where a pure population of Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (RGCT) were discovered but were struggling to survive because of conditions.
While this might be the last Colorado Native Series edition, we all know there are native species across the United States where TU is working to protect and restore populations. You’ll have to stay tuned to learn what’s next with this partnership.
Flylords: Can you tell us about Trout Unlimited’s work on the Rio San Antonio Improvement Project to restore native Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout?
Perkins: TU’s work in the San Antonio began four or five years ago when we conducted a “watershed characterization study” in Northern New Mexico to identify places for improving or restoring RGCT, (Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout), populations. We looked at a bunch of different streams, and although we have pursued a few others, the Rio San Antonio rose to the top of our list quickly because of the pressing needs there and the potential to have some meaningful impacts.
Since then, we’ve worked with several partners to begin habitat restoration throughout the watershed. There are multiple populations of RGCT and other native fish in the basin. We have been able to prioritize this landscape within the land management agencies for future work and have lots of hopes for a long-term vision of restoration activities.
Specially, starting in the headwaters of the San Antonio, we have a multiyear project that has just begun to improve instream habitat, reconnect abandoned floodplains, replant riparian vegetation, and improve wetlands. All that work is really focused on the pure population of RGCT in that reach.
Flylords: The Colorado TU blog wrote that in 2021, TU identified a previously unknown population of Rio Grande Cutthroat in the Rio San Antonio, and that they have “survived against all odds.” What challenges did those trout face, and what is the project looking to aid towards those challenges?
Perkins: The largest threat to all Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout is genetic intrusion from non-native rainbow trout. We had heard there were cutthroat in the area, but more often than not, those fish that look like cutthroat turn out to be cut-mutts with significant portions of rainbow genes. Finding a “new” population of these fish is extremely rare, so right off the bat, when the genetics came back showing they were pure RGCT, that was a huge win.
After we knew they were of conservation value, that’s when the stream conditions became concerning. For a few years, we had been monitoring the area’s water temperatures, and we saw temperatures above 80 degrees (F) several times a summer. That water temperature is lethal to cutthroat if it persists long enough. Some days, we would be up there and visually see the trout struggling. Furthermore, there was very little refugia habitat for those RGCT to hide when it got too hot. No pools or shade to speak of – largely a product of a massive flood almost 100 years ago.
So, to keep those fish healthy and happy, TU has started tackling the habitat and temperature concerns in the upper San Antonio watershed. We began restoring the Rio San Antonio in 2023 by creating better refugia habitat in the stream and will return to the same site this year to plant riparian vegetation to provide shade. That was the first phase of several which will cover a few miles of headwater habitat, hopefully giving the RGCT a boost of colder water and the ability to stay in those waters for the next generation.
Flylords: Besides purchasing the reel, how can folks become more involved with projects like this?
Perkins: One of the best ways to help with these projects, outside of funding, is to volunteer. There are so many fun opportunities we offer, and there’s nothing like feeling the accomplishment of introducing native fish to your local watershed. You can always sign up through the state of Colorado at https://coloradotu.org/
Flylords: Finally, what are your personal favorite aspects of this reel?
Perkins: As with all three Native Series reels, these are the first at Ross Reels to have their specific color. They are also the first Ross Reels to have hand painted spots on the clicker plates.
Flylords: With this ongoing collaboration with Ross Reels, what’s been the most rewarding things you’ve seen, heard, or been a part of since the Native Series project started?
Perkins: I think the most special thing about these reels is knowing that each purchase directly helped fund a specific project where TU is actively working to protect and restore native cutthroat trout. The Ross Reels team has been active in these projects, as well as visiting the project sites and volunteering with efforts where help is needed. It’s also extremely rewarding to see a strong fly fishing brand such as Ross Reels show their dedication to Trout Unlimited and native species.
Each reel within the Native Series is manufactured in Montrose, Colorado at the Mayfly Headquarters. There will be 495 available units of the special edition Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Reel, with a number of “1 to 495” printed on the reel foot. Each purchase will include an introductory one-year Trout Unlimited membership card, entitling you (or a friend if you’re already a member) to an annual subscription to TROUT Magazine, membership in your local TU chapter, and more.
To learn more about the Native Series, the reels, and to get involved visit Ross Reels and Colorado Trout Unlimited.
Check out the articles below:
The New Colorado Cutthroat Native Reel from Ross Reels is HERE.
