TROUT AND TRASH TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE RULES PRIZES AND STRATEGIES

ALL TEAMS GATHER AT THE GUNNISON RIVER PLEASURE PARK AT 8AM SHARP FOR ORIENTATION, SIGNING OF RELEASES, SAFETY TALK AND GIFT BAG/RAFFLE TICKET HANDOUT.

IF YOU MISS THIS MORNING MEETING, YOU CAN STILL JOIN IN THE CLEANUP AND WILL STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE RAFFLE. THOSE THAT MISS THE MEETING WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR WINNING THE TOP PRIZES.

LAUNCH TIME IS ASAP AFTER THE MEETING AT 9AM APPROX. TAKEOUT AT BOTH CONFLUENCE PARK AND DRYSDALE IS AT 3PM SHARP. ALL CONTESTANTS MUST CHECK IN WITH ALL TRASH AND PHOTOS BY 3:45

The object of this contest is to see how much trash a team can collect, and yet still be able to catch a sizeable single measured fish on a single dry fly.

Here’s how it works:

All scoring will be done in bags. We will provide the bags and you will fill the bags with as much trash as possible until said bag is FULL.

Objects that are too large to fit into a bag will be scored also. IE a tire will count as four bags and voluminous trash such as wire, plastic, steel etc will count as three bags

One of the ways to score bags also is by magnet fishing with the magnets provided. Place this trash into a separate bag as different and unusual magnet fished metallic items will have their own separate prize.

Recovered complete or semi complete fishing rods and reels with grip will score 2 Bags. Tip sections or fishing rod blanks guides and parts will score 1 bag. Reels will score 1 bag. Fishing accessories such as Hemostats are one bag and fly/tackle boxes are one bag. Cellphones will be one bag. Other less predictable finds will usually be one bag. Judges reserve the right to award extra value to items of historical or cultural interest.

One Trout caught on a single dry fly will be scored. You may catch multiple fish per team, scoring solely the largest. 0-16 inches counts as 1 bag, 16 inches and over counts as two bags. These fish MUST be photographed with the tape measurer provided at the morning meeting. Carp and suckers, regardless of size, will count as a single bag only.

REASONING: There will be substantial river use on the day of the tournament, and this with super skilled local anglers. Rather than catch hundreds of fish, we are looking to mitigate our impact while simultaneously providing skilled anglers a true challenge. The single dry accomplishes this. If there is a significant weather event that depresses the potential of a dry then that situation will be addressed on tournament day. So far it looks like the river is going to be pretty muddy, and we are keeping this in mind.

CARP AND SUCKER EXCEPTIONS: Single Carp and suckers may also be scored, and may be targeted with a single wet fly. All trout caught on the wet fly may not be scored. Carp and suckers NEED ALSO BE SCORED WITH A CLEAR LENGTH TAPE PHOTO. Carp or suckers of any size will count as a single bag . Measure those fish in case of a tie.

NOTE: Some of the lower sections of the river have the potential to score both Carp and Trout and this evens out the lower trout count relative to the upper river.

What it means: This means that all anglers or potentially just one can be fishing at all times or you can work on filling bags with trash nonstop and pick your fishing moments and spots. Most will probably mix it up and fish and collect opportunistically.

THE CONTESTANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING TO COMPLETE SCORING OF CAUGHT FISH.

1. SAFELY NET THE FISH
2. PHOTO OF FISH IN NET SHOWING THE DRY FLY IN ITS MOUTH
3. PHOTO OF LENGTH OF FISH ALONG RULER PROVIDED.

AS NOTED, CARP MAY BE SCORED AND NEED ONLY HAVE LENGTH PICTURED ALONG PROVIDED TAPE. NO FOULHOOKING!

In this tournament, fishing is important, but it’s picking up trash and de littering the lower Gunnison that is going to likely win the most prizes. EXAMPLE: A Tire will likely score higher than any fish you might hook.

The big fish prize cannot be won without scoring at least two bags of trash for the boat. With the dry, any fish over sixteen inches could be a real contender for big fish.

STRETCHES TO BE FLOATED OR DRIVEN, HELPFUL ITEMS TO BRING AND STRATEGIES

The river will be broken up into two sections. Floating from the GRPP down to Drysdale and floating from Drysdale down to Delta.

Rowing the weir and diversions of both the upper and lower sections are straightforward, but please have the more experienced rowers handle this, and in compliance with river regulations life jackets must be worn at all times.

STRATEGIES:

The upper section will have more Trout, but the lower section more trash. The magnet fishing from both should be pretty even. My own observations and recent experience indicate that most people will float from the GRPP down to Drysdale, but the contest will likely be won on the lower stretch from Drysdale to Delta.

For the fishing itself, the river is probably going to be muddy, and the fish that get caught will likely be tight to the bank or in backwaters. Peacock bodied flies that have a touch of color such as a Royal Pmx or Royal Chubby in sizes 10-18 would be a solid choice. Should the Baetis or Midges begin to pop, an Adams Parachute, Adams Wulff, Rio Grande Trude, Renegade or other standards will all work, just one at a time please. Single dries only.

Lastly, mouse flies, Gurglers and panfish poppers do count as dries and might prove handy for finding a larger fish.

Carp and suckers are also eligible for scoring and these fish needn’t be targeted with a dry. They do not count as much as a larger trout in this contest but may be sighted wiggling around in any of the rivers backwaters below Orchard and Gunnison River Farms.

Teams not floating but using cars and wading may roam up and down the entire stretch and gather trash from the river around the Pleasure Park as well as BLM roadways and campsites near Cottonwood and Orchard, and also around the shorelines down at Cory bridge or the Gunnison shore along Confluence park in Delta.

TIME CONSTRAINTS:

Takeout by 3, 3:20 at the and return to the GRPP by 3:30Whichever section of the river that you choose, this will be a long steady float downriver with stops at key spots. Keep it moving and use your time wisely. As with a guide trip, plotting your approach and key spots to focus with the magnet fly rod and shore party is a big part of your plan. Think about places where things might get dropped into the water such as ramps and swings and popular spots to fish. This is where the river gets cleaned and the points scored.

TO BRING.
As with other April days on the river:

• Lifejackets!
• Gloves for using the magnets and handling and gathering trash
• Sunscreen
• Layers of clothing that include a sturdy shell
• Two fully Charged phones with photo capability
• Change of clothes should they get wet or dirty
• A good attitude towards helping our river and spending time with great people
• Make sure to thank our companies and volunteers in the marketplace and on Saturday by the river!