LATEST SACRED WATERS CO BLOG POST - UPDATES/INFO on OUR PROGRAMS, EVENTS, DONOR INFORMATION AND OF COURSE COVID-19 & DROUGHT CONCERNS.

Conservation Advocacy Rehabilitation Education 

Hello All,

Unfortunately, with great sadness & much regret we have temporarily shut down Sacred Waters CO again. With all the newest Covid concerns with ever escalating amounts of cases here locally, especially bad with our closest neighboring counties in SW CO and N NM as well as extreme hot spots/highest caseload areas from our main largest tourist/client bases of TX, OK, NM, AZ, & CA. "I hope we didn't jump the gun on this reopening date as stated in my last two email newsletters & blog posts we have been monitoring the Covid situation here locally and were waiting to see a decline in Covid cases which was improving till of course "Murphy's Law" prevails..."  ​ We at SWCO delayed opening back up till June 10th well after the state of Colorado started opening back up, and loosening restrictions as of April 27th. We monitored all covid data from April 27 to June 9th  while also putting in covid protocols in our donor/client guided fishing contracts & liability waivers even with all these precautions & covid data research Covid cases/issues continued to escalate as we suspected would happen especially with other counties &/or states varying drastically on how they handled or continue to handle this pandemic.

We were extremely excited downright surprised by the positive response from Donors, Clients, & Charity groups when we did reopen with many donations coming in daily and guided trips being booked up within a week of a somewhat late reopening & uncertain future. Even with the possible Covid, economic, wildfire, &/or drought concerns/issues by donors, clients, & charities we booked up every day from June 19th to July 15th with myself booked up solid everyday and a couple other guides booked up a few days each week too. But, many of you who follow my blog, receive our email newsletters, and/or follow our FB & IG Social media pages may have noticed a lot of news about Covid, Drought, Wildfires with a major lack of fishing & guiding reports or photos & videos well because we haven’t been guiding or even personally fishing too much. **(Please feel free to reference our SWCO FB Page or my/ Joe's Personal FB Page for all this Covid, wildfire, & drought news & the reasoning of our latest temporary closure/shutdown.)** Even with all our due diligence with our Covid concerns as we continued to monitor covid data as well as our current drought & wildfire situations we felt it was best to reschedule & cancel all these guided trips and charity events till we seen improvements in covid, as well as weather & water conditions from April 27th to present but everything just continues to get worse so after some emergency board & guide discussions over all this the past week we had decided to officially close back down for the foreseeable future. Thank you Donor members that paid that have been offered refunds with much thanks to you all, most did not even want refunded or only partial refund at most from the Sacred Waters CO, Inc. Fly-fishing Conservation Club dues for guide services which will definitely help towards recouping our expenses from required permitting, bonds, insurances, etc. that were due and paid throughout Jan.-April 2020, and also help with our future success be it in the short-term if everything does turn around and improve during this 2020 Season or in the long-term that we can keep paying the bills and be here for you all next year. Thank you, thank you for your continued support and understanding we do have some wonderful, generous, selfless, people in the Sacred Waters Community.
Not all is lost though please feel free to contact us anytime via telephone, email, social media messages via FB or IG, or on our website booking platform because we can Not predict the future we may at some period be able to justify possible early morning half days, high country/backcountry trips, at extremely strict Covid protocols and at a very limited capacity, with the right to refuse services at any time due to prospective clients not meeting or agreeing to our covid protocols or due to drought/water & weather conditions. As many of you who know us in the Sacred Waters Family we take pride in and hold much higher standards than most all outfitters and businesses in the area which is usually more with proper fisheries conservation, management, and protections but the same holds true and goes for protecting ourselves, our families, our friends, our donors/clients, our charities, and our Community. At best case scenario at present that we can see or predict at the moment any guide services at SWCO in 2020 will be on the Bronze Level #2 Donorship for High-country/Backcountry Public Land Trips as we already shut down all lower elevation, larger rivers/lakes locations about a week ago anyway due to low, lethally warm water conditions pretty well following in suite with the 2018 drought almost to the day. Those who may have been interested in Higher Level Donor Memberships in 2020 Plat., Gold, Silver, Bronze #1 Levels please be aware that we already shut down our Private Conservation Waters/Ranches about a week ago and cannot guarantee any private land trips will be possible in 2020, but as stated above we may do a few higher elevation  colder water guide trips on the National Forest/Wilderness Areas if we are comfortable with the Covid protocol agreements and fishing conditions at the times you may be interested in a guide trip. You will still receive the same donor gifts, same amount of allocated guided trip usage days, and tax-deductible receipts.  

"As stated in my last two blog posts & email newsletters our Donors have been AWESOME through all this mess with unsolicited donations coming in, 2020 Donor Member Renewals, and support all around. THANK YOU ALL! It means so very much to all of us here at SWCO, and too all we serve Thank You…. "
As for your personal fishing we strongly suggest for you to get outdoors, go fish, and have fun with all that’s going on in the world may be the best thing you can do for your mental & emotional well-being as well as your own health get out there enjoy some beneficial sunshine, fresh air, exercise while being smart and safe about it be it Covid protocols of social distancing, regular hand washing, and/or wearing face coverings/masks. If you do decide to get out trout fishing soon, please be smart and safe with the fisheries/fishes too. We are in what looks to be another looming record drought comparable to the record drought of 2018 if you want to trout fish please use a thermometer regularly at least every hour to monitor water temps and please stop trout fishing if water reaches 68F. Focus your efforts on higher elevation high-country/backcountry streams & lakes, bottom release tailwaters, early morning short trips, or as we at SWCO do regularly maybe #thinkoutsidethetrout by trying out for the 1st time or focusing your fishing more towards #warmwaterflyfishing trips for Bass, Carp, Catfish, Musky/Pike, Walleye/Perch, and/or Sunfishes/Panfishes instead of fishing for cold-water fishes like Trout or Salmon. You may open a Pandora’s Box of newfound excitement and adventures for years to come. Feel free to contact us for any advice on warmwater fly-fishing techniques, locations, etc… we will get you on the right track to successful multi-species angling. More details on water temperature monitoring, finding the proper ethical guide services, and other drought issues/concerns please refer to these former Blog posts from the 2018 drought linked here.

Donor Member Info/Updates: 
*In addition to everything stated above.*
Newly added Covid-19 Protocols. Please read the New 2020 Donor Contract and if 1st time Donating or renewing your annual Donor Membership please follow instructions in Contract, print out as double-sided/both sides as this is how contract is formatted to be printed and will reduce the use/waste of paper thank you.

Donor Gifts: Most all Donor Gift Packs had been mailed out and most of you should have received your gift pack months ago. If you had not please contact me and I can track the shipment. I did not send 2 Plat. donor gift packs due to the Covid shut down some products are still backordered will get them to you ASAP when I receive the last products. Did have 1 return to sender from an undeliverable address but too will get it to you when I see you all.

Weather Forecasts/Outlook: Click Links 
Present week's forecast

8-14 Day Extended Weather Outlook​​

Water Conditions:
https://dwr.state.co.us/surfacewater/data/division.aspx?div=7

Colorado Drought Monitoring/Plan:
https://www.facebook.com/joseph.eichelberger1/posts/3312455158785755 

Charity Events 2020:   
Southern Ute/Ignacio Jr. High SoCoCaa Events Schedule for 2020.
January 2020
1/18/20 – Ice fishing Field Trip
1/22/20- Fly-Tying Class
February 2020
2/8/20- Ice Fishing Day Trip
2/19/20- Fly-Tying Class.
March 2020 –
3/21/20-3/22/20- Overnight- XC ski trips, Chaco Canyon tour, &/or Fly Fishing Trips- CANCELLED!
April 2020
4/15/20- Knots/Rigging & Fly tying - CANCELLED!
4/18/20- Fly Fishing Day Trip- Location TBD on Water & weather Conditions - CANCELLED!
May 2020
5/2/20- Whitewater Rafting- Location- San Juan River Pagosa Springs, CO. - CANCELLED!
June 2020- No Events due to Covid restrictions, concerns, and protocols.
July 2020
07/14/20- Fly Fishing Day Trip- Location TBD on Water & weather Conditions. On Schedule/Calendar
The rest of 2020 SoCoCaa Events To be Determined…. CANCELLED! 
August 2020-
Mid- late August- ( date to be determined)  Possible Multi-day camping and fishing trip TBD on Covid concerns, and water/weather conditions.  

Pagosa Springs Girl Scouts Troop:
Scheduling delayed due to current COVID-19 concerns. In discussions as of July 2020 of future scheduling.

Veterans Groups/Events:
​PHWFF of DFW- To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.
PHWFF of Ft. Hood- To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.
Patriot Anglers of N. TX & S. OK - To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.
Dark Horse Marines- To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.
Please​ review the FB & IG Social Media Pages and our Websites. I hope it can help show you all more easily and clearly the Efforts and Accomplishments SWCO has put forth with you and other donors’ generous donations. These Social Media Pages are updated with the most up to date need to information almost daily.

Donate Today and help us protect our local fisheries and provide the healing benefits of outdoor therapy to as many people as possible. We can't really predict or control/change the weather, but we can provide the best fishing at the best times and protect our waters and fishes at the worst times. We can only accomplish this with your generous donations.  

​We want to hear from you. Email us at admin@sacredwaters.co​
or give us a call (970)444-2187 or (970)731-1443
and we’ll be in touch! Thank you for your interests & support of SWCO.

(* Sacred Waters CO, Inc. and Sacred Waters CO Foundation are Equal Opportunity Employers and Service Providers working through Special Use Permits from USDA San Juan National Forest Pagosa District and the State of Colorado. Licensed/Permitted, Bonded & Insured Outfitter in Colorado #OUT.0003217 *) ​
​

Thank You, Tight Lines;

Joseph Eichelberger   
Founder, President of Sacred Waters Co
Professional Angler, Custom Fly Tyer/Designer
Freelance Outdoors Writer, Photographer, & Fisheries Consultant

Conservation Advocacy Rehabilitation Education 

Hello All,

 Well we did Officially Open yesterday but due to some technical issues with the website I'm two days late on getting this Blog posted.  But the way things are looking here locally at present we will continue our 2020 operations of Sacred Waters CO. started as of 6/10/2020. I hope we didn't jump the gun on this reopening date as stated in my last email newsletters & blog posts we have been monitoring the Covid situation here locally and were waiting to see a decline in Covid cases which was improving till of course "Murphy's Law" prevails with recent protests in the San Luis Valley had caused an outbreak of cases for our neighbors over the divide in the SLV. We're going to remain open, but we will follow this news closely and with all of our required as well as additional Covid Protocols in place we are as safe as we can be and much safer then most daily activities we all have to participate in.  I had updated/edited the SWCO Donor Contracts for the 2020 season, we are offering Awesome Discounted prices for 2020, snow-melt run-off is about over, and insect are hatching with well rested, happy hungry fishes on the feed. I am going to try to keep this as short & sweet as possible we are open for 2020 and ready to get you on the water.

I am not going to lie the current state of the world as well as some things here locally and personally it has been really tough to get motivated to push too hard with fundraising, my writing of Blogs, newsletters, social media posts, etc.… Plus, the mandatory cancellations of all our Charity events & Guide Trips by the pandemic/government shut downs made things worse for all of us here at SWCO, especially me not only is this our jobs, our income, our lifestyle, but most importantly it is “What We LOVE!” I know personally speaking my mental & emotional well-being is reset every time I do a Charity Event or guided trip and just around 4 months of mainly being indoors & unemployed was rough to say the least. Then with the mental & emotional set-back of my very dear close friend’s (practically family) tragic unexpected death did not help any at first but too was a kick in the butt to snap out of my funk. After receiving the bad news of my friends passing I shot out that brief newsletter & blog post and took a much-needed break from reality and technology disappearing to the woods & waters to do some hiking, rafting, fishing, camping with our Sacred Waters’ Family, then I re-read our Testimonial’s Page a couple times this morning and am significantly better with a new lease of life per se and ready to get back to my life, the Sacred Waters CO Mission, and the “New Normal” whatever that may be.

As stated in my last blog post & email newsletter our Donors have been AWESOME through all this mess with unsolicited donations coming in, 2020 Donor Member Renewals, and support all around. THANK YOU ALL! It means so very much to all of us here at SWCO, and too all we serve Thank You….

Donor Info:
​Most everything is the same as our last few years other than some huge discounted prices and newly added Covid-19 Protocols. Please read the New 2020 Donor Contract and if 1st time Donating or renewing your annual Donor Membership please follow instructions in Contract, print out as double-sided/both sides as this is how contract is formatted to be printed and will reduce the use/waste of paper thank you.

Donor Gifts: 
Most all Donor Gift Packs had been mailed out and most of you should have received your gift pack by now. If you had not please contact me and I can track the shipment. I did not send 2 donor gift packs due to the Covid shut down some products are still backordered will get them to you ASAP when I receive the last products. Did have 1 return to sender from an undeliverable address but too will get it to you when I see you all.

How to get involved &/or donate. –
New or Renewing Donor Fishing Memberships: 
 ​Interested in #flyfishing #sacredwatersco or #fishing  in the #pagosasprings area all while Helping the Environment, Disabled Peoples, US Combat #veterans and local #youth. Check out Sacred Waters CO, Inc. & Sacred Waters CO Charity Foundation. Donate, Join, receive Tax-Deductions, Free Gifts, and/Guided Fly-Fishing Trips on awesome waters with some of the best, most ethical experienced Professional Anglers as your guides.

Donation amounts for 2017 Charter Donors are set for Life at the discounted rate if renewed annually as shown in your emails & member agreements/contracts packets.

2017 Charter Donors that have not renewed annually will not get the 2017 discounts in the future.

For New/1st Time 2018, 2019, &/or 2020 Donors/Members their rate will be set for 3 years at discounted rates listed below. It is to your benefit to renew annually if we ever must raise the rates in the future.
Thank You past & present Donors & Donor Fishing Members for making this all possible for the last 3 years…

Early Bird- Discounted Rates for 2020: 
​
Was originally at a lesser Discount and originally expired on July 2nd, 2020. These New Highly Discounted Rates will go into effect today 6/9/2020 and will remain at these prices until December 31st, 2020. Please do not miss out on this offer for 2020 being the lowest prices ever offered at SWCO and will remain your price for up to 3 years or more if renewed annually. Original rates will go into effect 01/01/2021

Fishing Report:
The Sacred Waters CO Family have been out and about scouting, fishing, practicing somewhat through this Pandemic & Quarantines as you can see in the photo/video slideshows above and below this text, fishing is getting better daily but we are way more excited to get you all our Donors & Charity Groups out on the water now. Fish did well through the winter and through our recent snow-melt run-off and waiting for you to come visit. 

Moving waters here locally are dropping rapidly at present, clearing, warming, insect hatches starting, and fishing is getting better daily. 2019 was the year of the Float/raft Trip can not say the same for 2020 we may be able to squeeze in a few float/boat trips but cant promise anything, but if so these trips will have to happen very soon like the next week or two at the best case scenario if even at all. Please contact us immediately if interested in a Guided Float Fishing Trip. Unfortunately most of our float trip season was only like 3 weeks this year and about over unless we get some more rain & snow soon, which is possible snowed a tad up top the other night, well too last year it snowed like 2 feet on the first day of Summer 2019 so ya never know what could happen here. Pray for snow and rain please...  Thanks

We are just recently starting to see Salmonflies around our waters here locally most at the standard first to hatch places, like Williams creek for about a week now, the Mesa Canyon/Bass Ranch area of the San Juan downstream from Pagosa Springs , and the lower Piedra near the hwy. We had March Browns for awhile now but about done & gone in most lower elevation areas, starting to see more and more caddis of a few species starting too pop out too.

Techniques mainly Nypmhing & Streamer fishing in the recent past, but dry fly fishing is improving daily with newly hatching insects, lower, clearer, warmer, waters. Fly Patterns: #2-6 Streamers, Large Dark Stonefly nymphs & dries, brown, black, orange-  sz.#4-8, March Brown mayfly nymphs & dries #10-14, egg patterns, worm patterns, Caddis larva, pupa, & dries (vary match the hatch).

Water & Weather:
We had a slightly below average Winter & Snowpack for 2019-2020 Snow year. We started 2020 in a drought so far, got to Severe Drought status but some unseasonable cold fronts, rain and snow has helped a tad and really helped slow down the last little bit of snowpack melt that’s left throughout the last week or so. This will help extent the insect hatches/activity a little longer and maybe possibly give us a few more days of be able to boat/float the San Juan Proper. Does look like tomorrow through the next 7-10 days the weather will stabilize some to more seasonally average conditions other than some chances of rain this weekend which is not normal as June is the hottest driest month here normally, but hey what normal anymore….

Weather Forecasts/Outlook: Click Links 

 Present week's forecast

8-14 Day Extended Weather Outlook​​

Water Conditions:
https://dwr.state.co.us/surfacewater/data/division.aspx?div=7

Charity Events 2020:   

We'd like you to meet One of Sacred Waters CO Newest Partners please check them out, show your support, & let's keep working for the Greater Good... 


Southern Ute/Ignacio Jr. High SoCoCaa Events Schedule for 2020.
January 2020
1/18/20 – Ice fishing Field Trip
1/22/20- Fly-Tying Class
February 2020
2/8/20- Ice Fishing Day Trip
2/19/20- Fly-Tying Class.
March 2020 –
3/21/20-3/22/20- Overnight- XC ski trips, Chaco Canyon tour, &/or Fly Fishing Trips- CANCELLED!
April 2020
4/15/20- Knots/Rigging & Fly tying - CANCELLED!
4/18/20- Fly Fishing Day Trip- Location TBD on Water & weather Conditions - CANCELLED!
May 2020
5/2/20- Whitewater Rafting- Location- San Juan River Pagosa Springs, CO. - CANCELLED!
June 2020
TBD
July 2020
07/14/20- Fly Fishing Day Trip- Location TBD on Water & weather Conditions. On Schedule/Calendar
The rest of 2020 SoCoCaa Events To be Determined….
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/188331375834648

Pagosa Springs Girl Scouts Troop:
Scheduling delayed due to current COVID-19 concerns. In discussions as of June 2020 of future scheduling.

Veterans Groups/Events:
​
PHWFF of DFW- To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.
PHWFF of Ft. Hood- To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.
Patriot Anglers of N. TX & S. OK - To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.
Dark Horse Marines- To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.

Fisheries Management/Landowner Info:
Another Corona Quarantine Project I was working on that really snowballed into a much bigger project that looking to be a 50+ page peer reviewed white-paper eventually. But I did get a shorter version 7 page without all the references, charts, graphs, illustrations, etc. finished and may be useful information for you to check out.  As well as added some more fisheries/landowner type documents, info, etc to the Land Stewardship page. 

Hello All,

 As many of you may know we here at Sacred Waters CO. hold to a much higher standard than most Outfitters’ here locally and will continue to do so well into the future. While sticking to our SWCO C.A.R.E Mission not only in Conservation: Protecting & preserving the environment, Advocating: for our fisheries, Rehabilitating: of damaged ecosystems as well as peoples, and Educating: as many as possible, this too relates directly to our thoughts & actions with the protection & safety our community and all peoples.

First off, sorry for the lack of communication the recently I believe you all can understand considering the state of the world right now. Not going to lie it been scary & stressful here seems like every time we turn around the next thing surprisingly jumps and kicks ya in the gut. I had lost a very dear friend pretty much family member here yesterday and will be out of touch for a few days, but I will write up a more detailed newsletter and blog post with fishing, water & weather conditions, hatch reports etc.. as well as have updated contracts & Covid protocols by next week at the latest, please hold tight and thank you for your patience and understanding. Sacred Waters CO is still here and will be operating soon enough, we are all paid up, legal, and ready to slowly get back to business. Everything is the same here with SWCO other than addition of Covid Protocols added to the way we will have to operate. When will we do our first guide trip or charity event, I do not know 100% at this time……? Soon Enough!  But yes, we are here for 2020 and if all goes well for many years to come too. We generally need to generate around $44-$50,000.00 to operate as we have the last 3 years and more to grow and do more charity work & events. I was concerned on that not being easily possible this year due to well you know our current pandemic, recession, economic uncertainties, now protests, riots, drought, and whatever else the universe decides to throw at us. But so far even through all this you, our generous donors have continually donated all throughout the last 4 month of chaos and now with our fishing season maybe starting any day Donor Member Renewals & interests coming in more daily as well as Bronze level day trip inquiries. As of April 27th, 2020, Outfitters were permitted to start operating we at SWCO decided to wait a couple few weeks to see if Covid cases flatlined or preferably declined over that timeframe before making decisions on future operating plans/procedures. Since 4/27/20 Covid cases have declined but continue to show spikes in cases as other governmental re-opening standards had relaxed and then the Memorial Day weekend rush came through, which I must say unfortunately was the craziest, busiest May I have ever seen in 12 yrs. of living here. This too as Colorado started reopening and relaxing some restrictions New Mexico was totally shut-down and all the Reservations closed to non-tribal members - (no fishing, no boating, no camping, parks, forests, trails, campgrounds all closed!) somewhat forcing our neighbors in NM to flock here in droves, hard to blame them too much but still very concerning. As well with the high number of cases escalating in San Juan County, NM. (Farmington, Dulce, Navajo Nation) as a Covid Hotspot lately continues to keep us concerned. After each change in Covid protocols has happened we had set in place a 14-day observation period before deciding our new moves but each week since these Covid rules have changed extending our observation period out farther and farther. We receive emails weekly from the Feds & the state also with new covid protocols for Outfitters and had to add said Covid protocols to our permits & operating plans. The latest Covid rules email I received from the Feds & the state has public opinion surveys & comment sections especially for outfitters, camps. Group events, etc. these responses are due tomorrow 6/3/20 so hopefully have some more information and answers more Covid rules here shortly. I will update the SWCO Donor Member Contract for 2020 with said Covid Protocols/Requirements within the next few days.
​
Thank You All, Hope all is well enough, take care, be safe, stay healthy. 

Please​ review the FB & IG Social Media Pages and our Websites. I hope it can help show you all more easily and clearly the Efforts and Accomplishments SWCO has put forth with you and other donors’ generous donations. These Social Media Pages are updated with the most up to date need to information almost daily.

Donate Today and help us protect our local fisheries and provide the healing benefits of outdoor therapy to as many people as possible. We can't really predict or control/change the weather, but we can provide the best fishing at the best times and protect our waters and fishes at the worst times. We can only accomplish this with your generous donations. 

Thank You, Tight Lines;

Joseph Eichelberger   

Founder, President of Sacred Waters Co
Professional Angler, Custom Fly Tyer/Designer
Freelance Outdoors Writer, Photographer, & Fisheries Consultant 

​We want to hear from you. Email us at admin@sacredwaters.co​
or give us a call (970)444-2187 or (970)731-1443
and we’ll be in touch! Thank you for your interests & support of SWCO.

(* Sacred Waters CO, Inc. and Sacred Waters CO Foundation are Equal Opportunity Employers and Service Providers working through Special Use Permits from USDA San Juan National Forest Pagosa District and the State of Colorado. Licensed/Permitted, Bonded & Insured Outfitter in Colorado #OUT.0003217 * ) ​

LATEST SACRED WATERS CO BLOG POST - EXCITING NEW PROGRAMS, EVENTS, DONOR INFORMATION AND OF COURSE COVID-19 CONCERNS.
Conservation Advocacy Rehabilitation Education 

Howdy All,

Spring has Sprung here in SW CO and COVID-19 sprung up here too. What's going to happen? What's in the future for the Pagosa Springs Area? When is SWCO going to start Guiding Trips? Well I do Not know any of these answers... But, what I can tell you now is Sacred Waters CO is still here and Thank you, for making this all possible, always understanding and supporting the Sacred Waters CO Mission we could not do this without you.

We are excited as we can be about going into our 4th year/season here for Sacred Water CO. Inc. & Charity Foundation. We have survived these last 3 years of late & unplanned start-up, droughts, floods, a few other hiccups along the way and now the start of our 4th year a pandemic, quarantines, economic uncertainties, etc. with the COVID-19 (corona virus) outbreak. We've been through Hell & High Water and everything in between and we're still here. We’ve done this all too with 100% Donor Financing by generous people like you and are only growing let’s keep it that way…… We're in the business of making Memories & Mission Goals not money! But that being said money is a necessary evil in this day & age. For example it costs us a minimum of about $6000.00 (in government red tape of permits, licenses, bonds, insurances, & communication expenses) just to legally operate annually most of all of these bills due between Jan.- April which is still a good month to two months before the peak fishing/guiding season ramps up. We are paid-up, legal, and ready but we need YOU to keep us going well into the future. We understand in these crazy chaotic times of uncertainties that you may be just as confused or worried as we are but for sure certainty is we have and can do great things for our environment, our veterans, our kids, and for you & yours'. And a Huge Thank You, Past, Present, & Future Donors.  

We hope you all receive and read our Email Newsletters, Blog Posts, &/or can check out our social media pages on Facebook & Instagram to see what’s going on at Sacred Waters CO daily. But if you hadn’t, we are really expanding our Free Youth Programs & Events through the “off-season” AKA: Late Autumn, Winter, Early Spring. We have had (4) very successful and ridiculously fun Fly Tying classes, a fly casting class, and (2) full days of Guided Ice fishing clinics & BBQ’s with the Jr. High Kids from the Ignacio/Southern Ute Afterschool program, with many more classes, events, and trips schedule from now through May 2020. All on the SWCO Calendar on the websites, on our social media pages as well as in our last newsletters, and blog posts. As of present unfortunately all large group events & SOCOCAA Youth Events are Postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety precautions. I had been in contact with the teachers about our free youth events schedule and at present 3/21-22 camping/fly-fishing trip has been cancelled, with 4/15 Fly tying class and 4/18 guided fly-fishing field trip on a TBD status for the moment. Our ultimate Goal by 2020-2021 School year would be for us to have these programs, classes, and events in every school district here locally (Ignacio, Bayfield, Durango, Pagosa Springs, & Dulce) we can only do this with you and other donors selfless support. With new classes/events being planned with a Pagosa Girl Scout Troop in the works just this month but yeah too delayed due to our current situation with COVID-19. I’m not going to write a detailed breakdown every Mission Goal accomplishment in the last 4 years because that’d be an even longer read but as always you can find tons of information on our websites and social media pages.

Southern Ute/Ignacio Jr. High SoCoCaa Events Schedule for 2020.
January 2020
1/18/20 – Ice fishing Field Trip
1/22/20- Fly-Tying Class
February 2020
2/8/20- Ice Fishing Day Trip
2/19/20- Fly-Tying Class.
March 2020 – TBD
3/21/20-3/22/20- Overnight- XC ski trips, Chaco Canyon tour, &/or Fly Fishing Trips- CANCELLED!

All TBD at present due to COVID-19 safety precautions.
April 2020
4/15/20- Knots/Rigging & Fly tying
4/18/20- Fly Fishing Day Trip- Location TBD on Water & weather Conditions
May 2020
5/2/20- Whitewater Rafting- Location- San Juan River Pagosa Springs, CO.

Pagosa Springs Girl Scouts Troop:
Scheduling delayed due to current COVID-19 concerns.

Veterans Groups/Events:
PHWFF of DFW- To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.
PHWFF of Ft. Hood- To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.
Patriot Anglers of N. TX & S. OK - To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.
Dark Horse Marines- To Be Determined due to COVID-19, and possible economic uncertainties.

Important Donor Info:  2019 Donor Members you should have received your Donation receipt from 2019 Season for your possible tax-deductions via USPS Mail in January 2020.  If not our if another copy is needed please feel free to contact me joe@sacredwaters.co , (970)731-1443 and I can mail out another or email you a copy.

Those of you who Donated to SWCO via Facebook Donate Button or through any of our Facebook Fundraisers we do not have access to that data from Facebook as those donations are listed as anonymous donation. To get your Donation receipt from Facebook for possible Tax-Deductions Log-in to your Facebook Account and follow these instructions below.

1. Click the arrow in the top right of Facebook and select Settings.
2. Click Payments in the left column.
3. Click a payment to view and print your receipt.

Donor Gifts: Most all Donor Gift Packs had been mailed out and most of you should have received your gift pack by now. If you had not please contact me and I can track the shipment.

Fishing, Water, Weather Report:  Ice out and the start of the Spring/2020 open water fishing season for the most part in the last few weeks. We went from Winter to Spring like overnight and a little early with most everything icing out in about a week or so period of time. At present we have got some bump ups of flows here & there lately with some rain and snow and daily warm up & nightly cooldowns. Those of you that may take advantage of some fishing opportunities or the trend of #socialdistancing here locally at present or throughout pre-runoff season here’s what’s going on currently and what to expect throughout the Spring months. We do have some Baetis/Blue-winged Olive Mayflies hatching when conditions are right for them to hatch and of course at this time of year the nymphs are always more active and available to the fishes. Of course, there’s always midge activity daily. Egg patterns starting to pick back up due to pre-spawn & start of spawning of rainbows, cutt-bows, and cutthroats egg patterns have been producing better daily and will continue to as the fishes will get used to eating eggs and looking for them now.  Best fly patterns for myself and the other PA’s have been Baetis/BWO type nymphs #16-22, #14-18 egg patterns, #10-14 stonefly type nymphs are producing as well as midge larva & pupa patterns. All dependent on water conditions of course on the colder, lower, clearer water days all the smaller sized fly patterns mentioned above are best but a bump in flow & added color from rain, a warm-up, snowmelt up sizing those flies, darker colored, flashier variations will produce better than smaller more natural patterns and now too streamer fishing is getting better. We’re starting to see a pickup of activity on larger stonefly nymphs #2-8 producing better, as real live stonefly nymphs are getting closer to maturity with Early Blackstone/Needle flies hatching, then Skwalas any day, early brown stones, and finally Salmon Flies. And with boost in flows and/or added turbidity worm patterns can be extremely productive at these times too. 

Most all moving waters are free of ice now and some lakes are opening up in areas (inlets, outlets, springs, highly sun exposed, low elevation). Most days lately we have fairly average flows and good color in the streams but on a few of the rainier &/or warmer days we are getting full-on blown out especially lower down the river systems. Just normal Spring fishing conditions…...

The weather on the other hand is much more unpredictable, nothing too strange about this simply Springtime in the Rockies. We’ve definitely seen a lot of far from average, nothing of normal weather & water issues especially in the past 5 years. One trend that seems to be continuing, showing a pattern and becoming the norm has been the majority of our yearly snowfall arriving later in the Winter or early Spring with at least ½ or more of our total snowpack falling from March through May. So, on an optimistic note as this is looking to be the trend this year too we may see closer to average or hopefully above average snowpack/water for those who may have been concerned of low snowpack reports.

Weather Forecasts/Outlook: Click Links 
 Present week's forecast
8-14 Day Extended Weather Outlook​​


What is Sacred Waters CO? Sacred Waters CO is comprised of two non-profit organizations. Sacred Waters CO Inc. is a 501©7 Fly-fishing Conservation Social Club and Sacred Waters CO Foundation Inc. is a 501©3 Charity Foundation.

SWCO Paying Back…...Giving back to Disabled US Military War Veterans that have sacrificed so much for All of us. Helping our local environment, fisheries, & their fishes that bring us so much enjoyment, a clean healthy place to live, and sustainable careers.

SWCO Paying it Forward…... Not only helping our local environment, fisheries, & their fishes that bring us so much enjoyment, also a clean healthy place to live & hobby, and sustainable rewarding careers. But for Future Generations.

But, What about the Children? Paying it forward for future generations of anglers, but also future conservationist, environmentalist, and to grow up with a healthy lifestyle in the great outdoors. And hopefully to keep passing on & protecting our outdoor traditions & heritage to their children, grandchildren and beyond …

How do we accomplish these goals?
1.) Through our selfless generous Donors Donations. We are in our 4th year now and have been 100% Donor Financed since day #1. Even through one of the worst droughts in recorded history in 2018 to one of the biggest snowpack/water years in over a decade in 2019 we not only survived but preserved, protect &/or enhanced 100+ miles of streams & lakes. Provided memorable therapeutic educational outdoor experiences with Sacred Waters CO. 
300+ local & visiting anglers have enjoyed what we have to offer here at SWCO in the past 3 years we have served around 150+ adult male anglers & 50+ female anglers and these 200+ men & women had financed our budget to proudly serve 70+ children 2yr old-17 year old, and 30+ men & women US Armed Forces Disabled Combat War Veterans for Free. Not only in free guided fishing trips, but fly-tying classes, free gifts &/or fishing/fly-tying gear for them all, and the budget to lease 12+mls of private waters, afford all proper permitting, licenses, bonds, insurance, and all other general operating costs.
We are in the business making memories & mission goals not making money…...
2.)  Conservation- We strive to preserve, protect, and enhance our local waterways and environment not only because it provides us with enjoyable quality fishing experiences and some of us very rewarding careers. But because we all only have one Earth and we all must live here don’t we all want to live and raise our children in a healthy environment.
3.) Advocacy- We advocate for our area fauna, flora, & water with local, state, and federal agencies for better regulations and protections for our local ecosystem. As well as advocating for education of area anglers, outfitters, & outdoor enthusiast to hold the highest standards of outdoor ethics & morals.
4.) Rehabilitation- We do as much as possible to rehabilitate the damages done to our area be it natural causes or man-made. Doing conservation & rehab work by cleaning up litter, planting trees & native grasses, stocking the proper fishes the proper ways, stream-habitat improvements, etc.… But to rehabilitate ourselves as well as many other who may suffer &/or struggle be it socioeconomically, disabilities, trauma, abuses, addictions, etc. through outdoor therapy.
5.) Education- teaching the general public, our donors, local youth, veterans not only top-notch fishing skills & techniques through our Charity Events, Classes, & Clinics and professionally Guided trips. Which in-turn provides not only survival skills, but an entire skill set on which to catch many fish if not many trophy sized fish providing fun, therapeutic qualities, and much much more… But too we believe those who enjoy the outdoors and fishing will have a passionate desire to protect what they love now & well into the future.

How to get involved &/or donate. –
New or Renewing Donor Fishing Memberships:  ​Interested in #flyfishing #sacredwatersco or #fishing 🎣 in the #pagosasprings area all while Helping the Environment, Disabled Peoples, US Combat #veterans and local #youth. Check out Sacred Waters CO, Inc. & Sacred Waters CO Charity Foundation. Donate, Join, receive Tax-Deductions, Free Gifts, and/Guided Fly-Fishing Trips on awesome waters with some of the best, most ethical experienced Professional Anglers as your guides.

Donation amounts for 2017 Charter Donors are set for Life at the discounted rate if renewed annually as shown in your emails & member agreements/contracts packets.

2017 Charter Donors that have not renewed annually will not get the 2017 discounts in the future.

For New/1st Time 2018, 2019, &/or 2020 Donors/Members their rate will be set for 3 years at discounted rates listed below. It is to your benefit to renew annually if we ever must raise the rates in the future.
Thank You past & present Donors & Donor Fishing Members for making this all possible for the last 3 years…

Early Bird- Discounted Rates for 2020: (if paid by July 1st, 2020, will go back up to original rates on July 2nd, 2020.)
Pre-season/Early Bird Rates for New Donor Levels for 2020:
Bronze Level #1: (Private Waters/Lands & Floats) Was $150.00. Now Only: $100.00 tax-deductible donation once annually to SWCO Foundation, Applicable Guide Fees Apply and less (-) $25.00 on total Guide Fee on Bronze Level Donor Trips for all your trips in 2020 up to December 31st of 2020.
*(An Additional Discount -20% Off All Bronze Level Fees for Active Duty & Honorably Discharged US Military Members & Veterans with Military I.D. &/or DD-214 form.) *
Bronze Level #2: (Public Waters/Lands): Any donation amount of $25.00 or more tax-deductible donation once annually to SWCO Foundation and standard fair market Guide Trip fees per day/trip.
*(An Additional Discount -15% Off All Bronze Level #2 Fees for Active Duty & Honorably Discharged US Military Members & Veterans with Military I.D. &/or DD-214 form.) *
Silver Level: Was $3500.00. Now Only: $3400.00, Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest Guide Fees for all trips in 2020. $2040.00 tax-deductible donation to SWCO Charity Foundation and $1360.00 Private Conservation Fly-fishing Club Membership fee to SWCO, Inc.
Gold Level: Was $5500.00. Now Only: $5200.00, Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fees per person per trip for all Trips in 2020.  $3120.00 tax-deductible donation to SWCO Charity Foundation and $2080.00 Private Conservation Fly-fishing Club Membership fee to SWCO, Inc.
Platinum/Corporate Level: Was $10,000.00. Now Only: $9500.00. Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fees per person per trip for all of 2020. $5700.00 tax-deductible donation to SWCO Charity Foundation and $3800.00 Private Conservation Fly-fishing Club Membership fee to SWCO, Inc.

*(An Additional Discount -10% Off All Silver, Gold, & Platinum Level Fees for Active Duty & Honorably Discharged US Military Members & Veterans with Military I.D. &/or DD-214 form.) *

For more Details or to become a Donor Fishing Member please review SWCO Donor Contract, Rules, Regulations, and Procedures Booklet by visiting our Join Us / Donate Pages or www.sacredwaters.co .

*Please keep in mind if you do donate at the early/preseason Discounted Rate in 2020 this will also be your membership renewal level for up to 3 years if you consecutively renewed annually. *

(*After July 1st of 2020 all Donor Member Level Packages will go back up to Original Pricing, Guest/s Fees will also return to original pricing, and all level prices are subject to increase as we expand through the future. *)

Please​ review the FB & IG Social Media Pages and our Websites. I hope it can help show you all more easily and clearly the Efforts and Accomplishments SWCO has put forth with you and other donors’ generous donations. These Social Media Pages are updated with the most up to date need to information almost daily.

Donate Today and help us protect our local fisheries and provide the healing benefits of outdoor therapy to as many people as possible. We can't really predict or control/change the weather, but we can provide the best fishing at the best times and protect our waters and fishes at the worst times. We can only accomplish this with your generous donations. 

Thank You, Tight Lines;

Joseph Eichelberger   

Founder, President of Sacred Waters Co
Professional Angler, Custom Fly Tyer/Designer
Freelance Outdoors Writer, Photographer, & Fisheries Consultant 


​We want to hear from you. Email us at admin@sacredwaters.co​
or give us a call (970)444-2187 or (970)731-1443
and we’ll be in touch! Thank you for your interests & support of SWCO.

(* Sacred Waters CO, Inc. and Sacred Waters CO Foundation are Equal Opportunity Employers and Service Providers working through Special Use Permits from USDA San Juan National Forest Pagosa District and the State of Colorado. Licensed/Permitted, Bonded & Insured Outfitter in Colorado #OUT.0003217 * ) ​

LET'S BE BUDDIES

Southern Ute/Ignacio Jr. High Events Schedule for 2020.
January 2020
1/18/20 – Ice fishing Field Trip- Location TBD on Ice Thickness/Safety
1/22/20- Fly-Tying Class-
February 2020
2/8/20- Ice Fishing Day Trip- Location TBD on Ice Thickness/ Safety
2/19/20- Fly Fishing Day Trip (San Juan Quality Waters, Navajo Dam, NM.)
March 2020 – TBD
3/21/20-3/22/20- Overnight- XC ski trips, Chaco Canyon tour, &/or Fly Fishing Trips- All TBD at present as of 12/10/19
April 2020
4/15/20- Knots/Rigging & Fly tying
4/18/20- Fly Fishing Day Trip- Location TBD on Water & weather Conditions
May 2020
5/2/20- Whitewater Rafting- Location- San Juan River Pagosa Springs, CO.

*At present the Outdoor Activities ( Fly-fishing, Ice Fishing & Rafting are at TBD (to be determined) Status depending on weather, water, &/or ice conditions at that time. If any planned Outdoor Events have to be rescheduled due to condition we will have Fly-Tying, Knots/Rigging, Fly-Casting Indoors on those dates and will update rescheduled events on our SWCO Calendars on our (2) websites, in Blog Posts, Email Newsletters, and SWCO Facebook Events Calendar.   *

*ATTENTION: Important Donor Information-* As we are inching closer to the New Year please make sure we have all your most current contact information so we can Mail &/or E-mail you your Tax-Deductible Donations Receipts and Free SWCO Donor Gifts.

Please click this Link and fill-out the contact information this is Page #12  of form and choose your Free Gift/s based on your 2019 Donor Level/Amount you can print this form choose print page#12 only and mail it to us at Sacred Waters CO 135 Country Center Dr. F 166 Pagosa Springs, CO. 81147 or download & fill out pg.#12  electronically and e-mail it back whatever’s easiest and most convenient for you. This must be completed by January 7th at the latest so we can get you all your Tax-Receipts in a timely manner prior to IRS deadlines. Thank you.

In closing as always you can join or renew at Sacred Waters CO, Inc. Fly Fishing Conservation Club anytime for 2020 Season. We accept tax-deductible Donations for Sacred Water CO Charity Foundation daily via our two websites or Facebook page for our Charity Mission Goals including but not limited to our Conservation & Advocacy efforts, and our Rehabilitation & Education for the disabled, disadvantaged, our US Military Veterans and local Youth programs & events. Finally, always feel free to share our Newsletters, Blog Posts, Social Media Posts with all your friends & family we can only keep growing with your help of expanding our Donor base and adding more locations to our Conservation Waters Program. 

#GivingTuesday Time, Time to Give Back &/or Pay It Forward...
​
We C.A.R.E. @ SWCO.... 
Conservation. 
Advocacy. 
Rehabilitation. 
Education. 

Howdy Y'all, 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday from all of us at Sacred Waters CO. We sure are Thankful we are finally getting some rain and snow lately helping get us out of the surprising flash drought that we didn't really see coming. Thankful for having another successful year thanks to all of our generous donors. Thank You.... We have been able to protect, preserve, and enhance our local fisheries, introduce the sport & therapy of flyfishing & flytying to many people over the years, purchase flyfishing & flytying equipment for our US Disabled Veterans, and local youth. As well as monetary donations to our like-minded partner organizations such as Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Patriot Anglers, National Veterans Hockey League, Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, & more. So on this Giving Tuesday we would like your help giving back to the fisheries that give us all this enjoyment, pay forward to protect & enhance these fisheries for future generations. Give back to our Veterans who have given so much for us. 
Sacred Waters CO is 100% Donor financed 501c3 nonprofit organization and we can only do this 
 
There are two ways to Donate on this #GivingTuesday here at Sacred Waters CO.
 
First is through our Facebook Page here below on this Giving Tuesday Facebook is matching dollar for dollar today only till they reach their limit of $7 million dollars. There are plenty of Nonprofits taking advantage of this program and it is a first come first served basis so if interest in donating through FB please do so ASAP. Facebook is also not charging processing fees so 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to Sacred Waters CO Foundation, your donation amount will be doubled by FB if made before their $7 mil target is met so if you give $5 SWCO will receive $10 from FB, and FB will send you a tax receipt. 

​The other way to donate a tax-deductible donation is directly on our websites, this is not matched/doubled donation but another option especially for those that are not on Facebook. You can do so by Click Donate Button here, at the top of this post or anywhere on either of our websites. www.sacredwaters.co or www.sacred-waters.org we will contact you for a mailing or email address if needed to send you a tax receipt for your tax-deductible donation. 

​

​

Weather & Water Report:
What to expect here…
With Monsoon Season now in full swing first expect to get rained on most days. Be prepared with rain gear and quickest/easiest exit routes/strategy in mind. Mornings are the best weather & water conditions this time of year with Monsoons building and producing by the afternoon. We hope with this being a wetter cooler pattern and still having decent amounts of snow in the high country that water flows will remind full & cool all Summer. We were still able to do float trips on the San Juan River “proper” and with some added boosts of water from Monsoons it may last even longer we’ll see.

Flows are getting about perfect at present for wade fishing, yes higher than you are used to but full, cool, good insect activity, and much easier fishing than usual stealth mode summer conditions. Once you adjust & improve your techniques as per the conditions you see how easy and how good the fishing really is in these conditions.  For example my favorite flows for around here and relates to other streams that may not have streamflow gauges/monitoring is 300-600 CFS on the San Juan River “proper” which at present has held at mid-300’s-600 cfs the last two weeks and the Piedra River system I prefer 175cfs-275cfs with the last 2 wks. holding between 300cfs- low 200’s cfs. Navajo & Blanco River drainages, my preferred flows 100-200cfs with both getting to these exact flows this week. This in turn reflects on all the smaller tributary streams that feed our larger rivers. Most of you rarely seen these flows or experience the fantastic fishing opportunities we have at these flows most years by now. But as many of you have probably heard me say time and again late-July through mid-Sept. is the worst fishing in this area and over the years, I have been fortunate enough to condition many of people to adjust their fishing trips to the best times. But this year is different for sure (what it used to be many moons ago) where unless something super abnormal happens an excellent rebirth of our fisheries and the very best Summer fishing season in a long time. For example these snowpacks, water flows/reserves are recalculated every 20-30 yrs. depending on area & monitoring agency within most of our lifetimes this average has fallen in most of the western by 1/3 to ½ of what is was in the past records as to has our total global temperatures has risen every year. So, all & all this is the real/old normal, this is the environment and fisheries of back in my day, the great grandpa stories, the good ole days. Water is Life! If weather patterns & history repeats itself, we should see a few more of these snow/water years with then a level/stable period closer to new average, then possibly another drop off towards drought this may take 12-18 years to cycle through again.

Click Links below for two week weather forecast & climate outlook:

https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/
​
https://www.nws.noaa.gov/wtf/MapClick.php?CityName=Pagosa+Springs&state=CO&site=GJT&textField1=37.24&textField2=-107.03&e=0&lg=ep

Recent observations &/or concerns:

With the large push of water this year you will notice many streams have changed. New stream channels old pools gone, new pools created, and the like. Most recently we had noticed much better fish numbers in the original stream bed/pools and more fish shifting around within the last week more into the newly created habitat as the flows are slowly dropping &/or more stable in some drainages.

Cutthroats are Spawning! Being a colder later start of Summer especially in the high country there are still plenty of cutthroats spawning lately. Please Mind the Redd and leave these fish be to do their thing and help repopulate our fisheries. (Information on how to identify & avoid spawning fishes mentioned in all past newsletters, blogs, & social media posts for last 10 yrs. for reference.)

Brown Trout Flourished! As the Drought of 2018 came to an end in the end of Sept.2018 with heavy rains and snow through the entire Fall and Winter our brown trout spawn was more successful than some years. Many of mixed species fisheries are showing higher populations of browns especially smaller/younger fish then the other trout species. Hypothesizes Brown trout do much better in warm water then other trout species with last years drought killing off some numbers of other species and full cool waters in the Fall and winter when Browns spawn gave these fish an advantage of more successful spawn and fry survival. The lack of the Fed or State restricting much fishing here locally and lack of most outfitters and anglers not restricting their guiding or fishing also may have drastically affected/hurt the rainbow, brookie, and Cutt population worse especially in our lower elevation waters than the hardier Brown trout. Some recent observations are showing this to be the case on our more easily accessible, more heavily fished/guided waters public or private as we fished/guided some of these areas at Ice out and recently as run-off has settled down more. But in those very few secret places left, the private lands managed by SWCO, it has been business as usual. No obvious signs of population loss no major dominant species changing, nothing much on the negative side at all, other than some relearning of some changes to the habitat and how to properly fish this new habitat. Which I know personally and some anglers & guides I associate with find it to be exciting change of pace and new learning curve keeping us on our toes.

On that note public waters especially at lower elevation have lower populations of trout at present than normal. Not all is lost, still good enough numbers just less than normal and with good water flows and cool water fish are migrating around and reestablishing in these areas. With good spawning of browns and brookies last year and most likely this year too, as well as rainbows and cutthroats having a good Spring & Summer so far this year wild trout numbers should only increase the next few years.

Concerns:
#1.) Waterways have changed, some ignorant people may not understand or like it… With a lot of private waters that have had poorly designed &/or even illegal stream habitat work done on them over the years this year’s run-off changed, rerouted/rechanneled streams. Concern some of these people wanting to “Fix” their sections of streams, get their favorite pool back.
Concern heavy equipment in our waters, and when!
With a good head of water this year we had some slightly better than and longer periods of insect hatches, repopulating the aquatic insect populations which had suffered because of all the stream work done around here way too often, improperly, or illegal over the last 10-15 years.

• Can’t remove and run over/crush the substrate of the river and its insect to build a manmade pool and expect fish to relate to a nice pool that lack insect (FOOD).
• Disturb and distribution of sediment by equipment in the streams. As work is being done generally at the lowest water of the year the sediment that flows and settles downstream into what was perfect habitats or areas for our different insects that are established there changes their optimal habitat needs. Can suffocate some species, bury some that aren’t equipped as burrowers to dig out to hatch and so forth. Same with the fishes/trout, lower flows, more turbidity, in turn can suffocate fishes, lower flows & murkier water can heat up faster to dangerous temperatures.
• Spawning fishes same goes with the eggs and fry of currently or post spawning fishes as in examples A & B.  As well as need spawning habitat, fishes and their eggs & fry need specific conditions & habitat to successfully reproduce this is Not large deep pools but shallow gravel bars, tail outs of pools, side channels & tributaries. So yeah to the anglers consistent pool to pool ratio is easier fishing, less walking or work, but not always the best for the overall health of the fishery as a whole.

#2.) Planting/stocking of full sized domestic/hatchery fishes believing to be helpful to fish populations.
Wrong, yes proper species and fingerling size at the right time & location can adapt more and be fairly wild as they grow, more apt to survive once full grown and better possibly of spawning.
Many fully-grown fishes, especially if it’s too many for allowable capacity of a fishery it is way more harmful than helpful. I refer to it as a snake eating its own tail…
Why?

• 1st. A full-grown catchable size fish is older &/or overfed.

As a fish is raised in captivity, their DNA genomes literally start to change with 1 year. Their survival/wild animal instincts start to fade as time goes by, spawning success diminishes, and aggression levels rise.

• 2nd Hatchery raised trout are more aggressive! As they are raised in tight quarters fed pellets, they must feed more aggressively to compete with all the hundreds to thousands of other fishes in the trough or pond just to get a bite to eat. When placed in a wild trout fishery they will tend to out compete the wild / native fishes and with the wild fishes having survival instincts many will just leave to find areas with less competition, more food and/or to just survive more peacefully. In turn if this location that had been stocked with hatchery fish is your private fishing area you pushed out the wild & native fishes to other areas as for public waters or possibly private waters that aren’t properly managed or regulated and those true survivors, the truly wild parents of the optimal species/sub-species for the particular habitat/fishery may just get killed by other anglers and never reproduce, never return to their favorite home waters, of your property, etc..

Some people see aggression as a positive and yeah it can make fishing way easier at times, but this also relates to lack of fear response to not avoid predators, anglers, and even eat items that are not even food or digestible. Plus, it’s just Not Real Fishing!

• 3rd. As Seasons and water conditions change these domestic fishes may not have the survival instincts to adapt properly to changing conditions. We have a drought and they don’t know to migrate to deep pools, cooler headwaters or springs, and the like get trapped and die. Same goes for Winter or Run-off, wild born fishes or even planted small young fishes that grew up in a waterway know where to go as per the conditions. Many of you may have heard me over the years speaking of Wintering Pools, Summer runs/pockets, Sanctuary waters and such.
• 4th. Spawning/reproduction. Many hatchery fishes lose the ability to successful spawn especially the longer they are domesticated. Some are purposely sterile. Some hatcheries only sell just females, or just males. Some are just so totally inbred, crossbred, just plain old genetically inferior all around. This to if some do successfully bred/spawn with existing native/wild fishes it is watering down the gene pool and passing on inferior traits and genetics throughout the fishery.
• 5th. Diseases! Like most closely contained, overly dirty, feed strange unnatural or contaminated food, domesticated animals tend to be more apt to catching and transferring diseases. Good example 2 of our 4 hatcheries have been shut down out of business over the years because of outbreaks of diseases, parasites, etc… Like Whirling Disease! This is highly monitored and regulated but not 100% effective that it can’t be spread through our fisheries by total accident.

So put all these factors together and you have a Never-Ending Cycle of buying and stocking inferior fishes year after year. As this cycle continues throughout time the recovery on the fishery will only take longer and longer if you want to try to be self-sustaining and wild ever again. And the odds of something like disease, overpopulation of 1 sex or another, lack of successful spawning, the list goes on and on… A Snake Eating its own tail……

I'll leave this with the last example that has been understood by most people after I came up with it.

If I gave you your perfect dream home worth millions of dollars, most beautiful perfect place you could ever dream of, whatever you want.
Except in this deal, you aren’t allowed to buy, grow, or kill food to eat. Not able to have sex, reproduce grow your family.
Then to make it worse every so often a large group of strange, crazy, hyper, hungry teenage boys get thrown in the house with you just total mayhem.
How long would/could you want to live there, if you weren’t allowed to leave how long you survive or what legacy would be left?
The majority answer is “Not very long…” & “None”!
Same goes with the fishes & insects… In improper stream work and stocking of hatchery fishes.

Things around here are only getting better daily, fishing is productive, and we thank you all for your support making this all possible.

We have some limited availability for a few high-level Donor Members left just a couple of each level. Plenty of Bronze Level day trips available for you to learn more about Pagosa Springs, experience our local waters with the most experienced Professional Anglers around, and learn more about Scared Waters CO, Inc. & Foundation.

We are getting booked up on Guided trips and everything is fishing better daily. Please keep a look out for more reports via this newsletter & blog posts. As always, follow us on Facebook & Instagram for the most up to date information posted almost every day. Thanks, Enjoy!

Charity Events on the Books so far for 2019:
At present we have 3 Veterans Charity Fishing Events already on schedule for 2019.
 
The Dark Horse Group, 5-6 Combat Marines who were the frontline in Fallujah, Iraq. These Marines are from all over the country. It is scheduled for Sept. 5th -9th 2019. **(With this group, any volunteers or donations, housing options, cooking/food, or money to help with travel expenses would be greatly appreciated.  Please feel free to contact me to discuss details, make donations, or to volunteer. Thank You!) **
 
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Group of Fort Hood, TX. 6 Veterans Scheduled for Sept. 18th -23rd, 2019. (PHWFF is a national nonprofit group we have worked with for 5-6 yrs.). Prior to and after starting SWCO we hosted chapters from Dallas, Ft. Hood, & Colorado Springs over the years. *(Of course, any volunteers and/or donations are welcome and appreciated. Housing is already booked, but monetary, fishing gear, and/or food/cooks always welcome and helpful.) *
 
Patriot Anglers of N. TX & S. OK. 6-8 Disabled Combat Veterans scheduled for Oct. 21st -25th, 2019. This group is a nonprofit of disabled combat veterans from all around Northern Texas and Southern Oklahoma. We had worked with this group since their start as a PHWFF Chapter before branching out on their own. We hosted them on trips here at SWCO in 2017, 2018, as well as joining them in Texas, Oklahoma, other locals in Colorado for events, fundraisers and such. *(Of course, any volunteers and/or donations are welcome and appreciated housing is already booked, cooks & food already taken care of but monetary, or fishing gear always welcome and helpful.) *
 
*Anyone interested in volunteering &/or donating for any of our Charity Events please feel free to contact us anytime via telephone, email, or contact forms on our 2 websites. Those of you who may have a group interested in what SWCO can offer, feel free to contact us too. *
 
New or Renewing Donor Fishing Memberships:
 
​Interested in fly fishing Sacred Waters Co or fishing in the Pagosa Springs area all while Helping the Environment, Disabled Peoples, Veterans and Youth. Check out Sacred Waters CO, Inc. & Sacred Waters CO Charity Foundation. Donate, Join, receive Tax-Deductions, Free Gifts, and/Guided Fly-Fishing Trips on awesome waters with some of the best, most experienced Professional Anglers as your guides.
 
For New/1st Time 2018 or 2019 Donors/Members their rate will be set for 3 years at discounted rates listed below. It is to your benefit to renew annually if we ever must raise the rates in the future.
​
Thank You past & present Donors & Donor Fishing Members for making this all possible for the last 3 years…
 
Discounted Rates for the late start of 2019:
Rates for New Donor Levels for 2019:
 
Bronze Level #1: (Private Waters/Lands & Floats) Was $150.00. Now Only: $100.00 tax-deductible donation once annually to SWCO Foundation, Applicable Guide Fees Apply and less (-) $25.00 on total Guide Fee on Bronze Level Donor Trips for all your trips in 2019 up to December 31st of 2019.
 
*(An Additional Discount -20% Off All Bronze Level Fees for Active Duty & Honorably Discharged US Military Members & Veterans with Military I.D. &/or DD-214 form.) *
 
Bronze Level #2: (Public Waters/Lands): Any donation amount of $25.00 or more tax-deductible donation once annually to SWCO Foundation and standard fair market Guide Trip fees per day/trip.
 
*(An Additional Discount -15% Off All Bronze Level #2 Fees for Active Duty & Honorably Discharged US Military Members & Veterans with Military I.D. &/or DD-214 form.) *

Silver Level: Was $3500.00. Now Only: $3400.00, Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest Guide Fees for all trips in 2019. $2040.00 tax-deductible donation to SWCO Charity Foundation and $1360.00 Private Conservation Fly-fishing Club Membership fee to SWCO, Inc.
 
Gold Level: Was $5500.00. Now Only: $5200.00, Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fees per person per trip for all Trips in 2019. $3120.00 tax-deductible donation to SWCO Charity Foundation and $2080.00 Private Conservation Fly-fishing Club Membership fee to SWCO, Inc.
 
Platinum/Corporate Level: Was $10,000.00. Now Only: $9500.00. Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fees per person per trip for all of 2019. $5700.00 tax-deductible donation to SWCO Charity Foundation and $3800.00 Private Conservation Fly-fishing Club Membership fee to SWCO, Inc.
 
*(An Additional Discount -10% Off All Silver, Gold, & Platinum Level Fees for Active Duty & Honorably Discharged US Military Members & Veterans with Military I.D. &/or DD-214 form.) *
 
For more Details or to become a Donor Fishing Member please review SWCO Donor Contract, Rules, Regulations, and Procedures Booklet by Clicking this link or visiting our Join Us / Donate Pages.
 
*Please keep in mind if you do donate in 2019 this will also be your membership renewal level for up to 3 years if you consecutively renewed annually. *
 
(*After January 1st of 2020 all Donor Member Level Packages will go back up to Original Pricing, Guest/s Fees will also return to original pricing, and all level prices are subject to increase as we expand through the future. *)
 
Please​ review the FB & IG Social Media Pages and our Websites. I hope it can help show you all more easily and clearly the Efforts and Accomplishments SWCO has put forth with you and other donors’ generous donations. These Social Media Pages are updated with the most up to date need to information almost daily.
 
 Donate Today and help us protect our local fisheries and provide the healing benefits of outdoor therapy to as many people as possible. We can't really predict or control/change the weather, but we can provide the best fishing at the best times and protect our waters and fishes at the worst times. We can only accomplish this with your generous donations.
 
 
Thank You, Tight Lines;
 
Joseph Eichelberger  
 
Founder, President of Sacred Waters Co
Professional Angler, Custom Fly Tyer/Designer
Freelance Outdoors Writer, Photographer, & Fisheries Consultant
 
Contact Us:
​http://www.sacredwaters.co
http://www.sacred-waters.org
 
(970)-444-2187
(970)731-1443
 
Sacred Waters CO, Inc.
135 Country Center Dr F 166
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
 
joe@sacredwaters.co
Sacred Waters CO Facebook
Sacred Waters CO Instagram
 
(*Sacred Waters CO, Inc. 501(c)7 and Sacred Waters CO Foundation 501(c)3 Tax-Exempt Non-Profit Organizations are Equal Opportunity Employers and Service Providers working through Special Use Permits from USDA San Juan National Forest Pagosa District and the State of Colorado. Licensed/Permitted, Bonded & Insured Outfitter in Colorado #OUT.0003217 *)

New or Renewing Donor Fishing Memberships: 

​Interested in #flyfishing #sacredwatersco or #fishing 🎣 in the @pagosasprings area all while Helping the Environment, Disabled Peoples, 🇺🇸 #veterans and #youth. Check out Sacred Waters CO, Inc. & Sacred Waters CO Charity Foundation. Donate, Join, receive Tax-Deductions, Free Gifts, and/Guided Fly-Fishing Trips on awesome waters with some of the best, most experienced Professional Anglers as your guides.

Donation amounts for 2017 Charter Donors are set for Life at the discounted rate if renewed annually as shown in your emails & member agreements/contracts packet that were mailed out with your Free Gifts. 
2017 Charter Donors that have not renewed annually will not get the 2017 discounts in the future.

For New/1st Time 2018 or 2019 Donors/Members their rate will be set for 3 years at discounted rates listed below. It is to your benefit to renew annually if we ever must raise the rates in the future.
​
Thank You past & present Donors & Donor Fishing Members for making this all possible for the last 3 years… 

Discounted Rates for the late start of 2019: 
Rates for New Donor Levels for 2019:

Bronze Level #1: (Private Waters/Lands & Floats) Was $150.00. Now Only: $100.00 tax-deductible donation once annually to SWCO Foundation, Applicable Guide Fees Apply and less (-) $25.00 on total Guide Fee on Bronze Level Donor Trips for all your trips in 2019 up to December 31st of 2019.

 *(An Additional Discount -20% Off All Bronze Level Fees for Active Duty & Honorably Discharged US Military Members & Veterans with Military I.D. &/or DD-214 form.) *

Bronze Level #2: (Public Waters/Lands): Any donation amount of $25.00 or more tax-deductible donation once annually to SWCO Foundation and standard fair market Guide Trip fees per day/trip.

 *(An Additional Discount -15% Off All Bronze Level #2 Fees for Active Duty & Honorably Discharged US Military Members & Veterans with Military I.D. &/or DD-214 form.) *


Silver Level: Was $3500.00. Now Only: $3400.00, Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest Guide Fees for all trips in 2019. $2040.00 tax-deductible donation to SWCO Charity Foundation and $1360.00 Private Conservation Fly-fishing Club Membership fee to SWCO, Inc. 

Gold Level: Was $5500.00. Now Only: $5200.00, Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fees per person per trip for all Trips in 2019. $3120.00 tax-deductible donation to SWCO Charity Foundation and $2080.00 Private Conservation Fly-fishing Club Membership fee to SWCO, Inc.

Platinum/Corporate Level: Was $10,000.00. Now Only: $9500.00. Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fees per person per trip for all of 2019. $5700.00 tax-deductible donation to SWCO Charity Foundation and $3800.00 Private Conservation Fly-fishing Club Membership fee to SWCO, Inc. 

*(An Additional Discount -10% Off All Silver, Gold, & Platinum Level Fees for Active Duty & Honorably Discharged US Military Members & Veterans with Military I.D. &/or DD-214 form.) *

For more Details or to become a Donor Fishing Member please review SWCO Donor Contract, Rules, Regulations, and Procedures Booklet by Clicking this link or visiting our Join Us / Donate Pages.

*Please keep in mind if you do donate in 2019 this will also be your membership renewal level for up to 3 years if you consecutively renewed annually. *

(*After January 1st of 2020 all Donor Member Level Packages will go back up to Original Pricing, Guest/s Fees will also return to original pricing, and all level prices are subject to increase as we expand through the future. *)

Please​ review the FB & IG Social Media Pages and our Websites. I hope it can help show you all more easily and clearly the Efforts and Accomplishments SWCO has put forth with you and other donors’ generous donations. These Social Media Pages are updated with the most up to date need to information almost daily.

 Donate Today and help us protect our local fisheries and provide the healing benefits of outdoor therapy to as many people as possible. We can't really predict or control/change the weather, but we can provide the best fishing at the best times and protect our waters and fishes at the worst times. We can only accomplish this with your generous donations.


Thank You, Tight Lines;

Joseph Eichelberger   

Founder, President of Sacred Waters Co
Professional Angler, Custom Fly Tyer/Designer
Freelance Outdoors Writer, Photographer, & Fisheries Consultant

Contact Us:
​http://www.sacredwaters.co
http://www.sacred-waters.org 

(970)-444-2187
(970)731-1443

Sacred Waters CO, Inc. 
135 Country Center Dr F 166
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

joe@sacredwaters.co
Sacred Waters CO Facebook
Sacred Waters CO Instagram 

(*Sacred Waters CO, Inc. 501(c)7 and Sacred Waters CO Foundation 501(c)3 Tax-Exempt Non-Profit Organizations are Equal Opportunity Employers and Service Providers working through Special Use Permits from USDA San Juan National Forest Pagosa District and the State of Colorado. Licensed/Permitted, Bonded & Insured Outfitter in Colorado #OUT.0003217 *)

​C.A.R.E. Report/Recap: 
First off, THANK YOU Donors!!!

Sticking to Sacred Waters C.A.R.E. Mission we had Advocated and Educated Conservation and
Rehabilitation as much as possible through the last 3 years. I can’t easily breakdown each of our CARE
Mission Pillars of Conservation, Advocacy, Rehabilitation, & Education because they all do tend to go
hand and hand while overlapping greatly. But below are some accomplishments of our Mission so far
over the last 3 years and many are always ongoing hopefully well into the future.

​We have also started an Interest growing savings account in 2018. A Tax-Deductible Conservation Fund
from Guest Fees and Donations that can carry over unlike most Non-profit Accounts to build a fund for
future Conservation Efforts Only.

​Fortunately, we did get in a rescheduled Patriot Anglers Disabled Combat Veterans Charity Event here from Oct.
21st-27th 2018 that was a Great Success! To see photos from that event they were posted on Sacred
Waters CO Facebook & Instagram Social Media Accounts and in attached photos on this Blog Post above on
our websites. Somehow my last Blog Post of Nov. 2018 did not save or post. 

As always, all our Charity Participates have all gone home with some Free Gifts from Sacred Waters CO
and a Partner / Pro Staff Fishing Companies ranging from anything from Free rods, reels, lines,
leader/tippet, tools/accessories, nets, flies, hats, t-shirts, and/or decals/stickers.

We have a change of the guard going on this year with many New Board Members, Officers, and
Professional Anglers joining the Sacred Waters CO Team. Adding a much-needed diversity of
backgrounds, experiences, talents, &/or ideas to the organizations. You may have noticed this on our
websites About Us Pages and our social media pages, with more being added over the next few weeks
as the Board & Professional Angler Staff grows and changes through our next few board meetings.

We are now in our third year with a solid annual donor base for Donor Members and Charity Donors
keeping the lights on per se. Which has financed not only all our initial startup costs, everything we’ve
accomplished so far with our Mission Goals, and charity events. Even in one of the worst droughts ever
and now highest water/flood year in a long time. As always thank you all for being selfless and generous
understanding, supporting SWCO, our Mission, and seeing the bigger picture… But we are limited to only
15 High Level Donor Memberships (5 of each Level) and semi-limited/conditional availability on Bronze
Level Trips till we grow, and we can’t grow without you the New Donors and Members.

We had added a New Testimonials Page on both the SWCO Websites and had been shared also on our
Facebook Page. These pages don’t just warm our hearts with the wonderful words shared about Sacred
Waters CO and me personally but in turn will show many people who we truly are and what we
have/are accomplishing here. You will also see a Comment Submission Form on Page to add your own
comments too.

We have been working on Grant Applications throughout this Spring to generate more funds for not
only to help provide more Charity Events in the future here. But as well as to finance bigger better
environmental, conservation projects we had planned on since day #1 of SWCO and have slowly been
able to work on as time and money have allowed. As mentioned last year major data collections of our
fish and aquatic insect populations and habitat evaluations by our Fisheries Biologist and two
Stream/Habitat specialists will be much easier to accomplish if we do receive some of this funding from
Grants. We originally planned on bi-annual evaluations and annual follow up work we put them off last
year because of the drought, so far could not do anything in 2019 because of the flooding, hopefully we
will be able to get back on track with this major long-term project starting this Summer or Fall.

We had just finally received a US Forest Service Permit for Guided Fishing trips in the San Juan National
Forest. This opens more locations and fishing opportunities from the continental divide of Wolf Creek
Pass to the East the whole way through the Pagosa District to the Piedra River drainage to the West.
These guided trips are available to ALL Donor Levels and will especially benefit the Bronze Level
(Daytrip) Donors/Clients and the public. We hope this too will not only help SWCO get more exposure to
the general public, up our revenue with monies outside of guide pay going to our growth and the
greater good of the SWCO Mission. Having so many more locations to choose from too will help us to
continue to spread out fishing pressure even more, have a choice of different waters to always have
options of the very best locations, in the best fishing conditions, and much greater variety of waters,
landscapes, fishes, &/or new adventures for our Donors, Clients, Charities, etc.… Much of the same or
better benefits as we explained in 2018 emails and blog posts about adding fishing to the Bronze Level. These guided trips will be priced the same as our Bronze Level Fees, with day-trips, overnight/multi day backpacking, or horseback available. Multi-day backpacking/hike-in & horseback fees based on location & number of days (please contact us for details & pricing).

The San Juan River Cutthroat Discovery. Recently Colorado Parks and Wildlife had discovered some
populations on a sub-species of Cutthroats unique to this region that had been thought to be extinct for
100+yrs. We had shared this information on our SWCO & Personal Social Media Pages. If you had not
seen or heard about it, we have attended meeting with CPW, USFS, & TU discussing these unique rare
fish, where they have been found so far, the steps and plans of cultivating stocks/populations of them,
and recovery projects to repopulate them. This is an amazing discovery and project, possibly the biggest
thing in fisheries science to or that may ever happen in our lives. We at SWCO had reached out in said
meetings to help however we can so in the future here (current scope of work on project is 6-year
process) so far. With this being said as thing move forward with this project, we may be soliciting you for
volunteer time, donations, etc.… to help SWCO, USFS & CPW to work on this project. The other exciting
news about this discovery and these rare unique fish is we have some of the locations they currently live
in and are planned to be repopulated in with of USFS Outfitting Permit so we can not only have a
possibility of catching these fish but also having these areas we can monitor these fish, shut down at
least guided fishing in these areas when conditions aren’t good for the fish and so forth. I could go on &
on for pages on all the details, plans, excitement but I’ll keep it short. Anyone wanting to learn more
though please feel free to contact me and I share what I know and find out in the future.

We are also opening lines of communication and putting feelers out with some new ranch owners in the
area. As well as revisiting with some other ranch owners on working out lease contracts to expand our
Conservation Waters/Ranches here locally.

The Year of the Float Trips… One of many good things to come out of this large snowpack and high-
water year is the extended Float/Boat Trip Season. We should see more fishable floating conditions
soon enough probably in the next week or two. Many of those who know about Mesa Canyon/Bass
Ranch Floats on the San Juan know it’s usually a really short season sometimes a few weeks, sometimes
only a few days and know it can be one of the Best Floats & Fishing Trips you can have in the entire
Country. The float trip season on the San Juan Proper usually ends by the first week of July at best most
years this year it may not even get started till then. This has always been a hard trip to schedule due to
its short somewhat unpredictable window. This year being forecasted to be a wetter than normal and
cooler than average Summer and with a high-water equivalent well above average deep snowpack it
may last for a long time this year. If interested in Float trips on the San Juan Proper this is the year, my
thoughts at present are we should have clearer water above town any day may be within the next week
and floatable & fishable conditions probably into the second week of July or so. Boat fishing below town
could start to be good by the second week of July or so and only get better till it gets too low to float
which may not be till August.

Charity Events on the Books so far for 2019:
At present we have 3 Veteran’s Charity Fishing Events already on schedule for 2019.

The Dark Horse Group, 5-6 Combat Marines who were the frontline in Fallujah, Iraq. These Marines are
from all over the country and not any kind of nonprofit group scheduled for Sept. 5 th -9 th 2019. (with this
group any volunteers &/or donations of housing options, cooking/food, &/or money to help with travel
expenses would be greatly appreciated and please feel free to contact me to discuss details, make
donations, or to volunteer. Thank You)

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Group of Fort Hood, TX. 6 Veterans Scheduled for Sept. 18 th -23 rd ,
2019. (PHWFF is a national nonprofit group we have worked with for 5-6 yrs. Prior to and after starting
SWCO with chapters hosted from Dallas, Ft. Hood, & Colorado Springs over the years.) Of course, any
volunteers and/or donations are welcome and appreciated housing is already booked, but monetary,
fishing gear, and/or food/cooks always welcome and helpful.

Patriot Anglers of N. TX & S. OK 6-8 Disabled Combat Veterans scheduled for Oct. 21 st -25 th , 2019. This
group is a nonprofit of disabled combat veterans from all around Northern Texas and Southern
Oklahoma. We had worked with this group since their start as a PHWFF Chapter before branching out
into their own new, different program and group in 2016 hosting them on trips here at SWCO in 2017,
2018, as well as joining them in Texas, Oklahoma, other locals in Colorado for events, fundraisers and
such. (Of course, any volunteers and/or donations are welcome and appreciated housing is already
booked, cooks & food already taken care of but monetary, or fishing gear always welcome and helpful.)

With some of our recent changes here within and out of our control we have stopped operations on some of the
Pine/Los Pinos Tailwater Conservation Ranches/Waters for the moment. This river had been underutilized the last two years due to it overall mismanagement of water flows and tough fishing conditions. Not being favored by our Donor
Members and Charity participates. With one ranch owner going through a divorce and both our leased
ranches recently going up for sale recently we could not work out a good plan for this season and not all
that big of a loss considering all the factors. Most of you have heard me express my love for this fisheries
and opinion of it being 1 of the best big trout waters in the country which I still believe and can be even
better with actual proper management. We will revisit the ideas of leasing or purchasing some
waters/ranches on this river in the future as we grow, but at this point in time we just are not big
enough or have a large enough budget to influence Pine River Irrigation District to properly manage this
rivers flows to benefit the fishery &/or anglers nor can be benefit ranch owners financially speaking if
people can’t get enough good fishing condition windows on these ranches. And at this point and with
our current donor base its unfavorable compared to our other waters/ranches.

We do still have the same amount of Private Conservation Waters/Ranches as we did our First year of
2017, technically more than last year 2018 because we had to shut most of them down prior to and
after the main busy fishing times because of the drought, and in 2019 with all the New National Forest
Waters on our new permit of 100+ miles of water and not having to worry about shutting down to fishing due to
waters/ranches getting too low, hot, lethal and unethical to fish this year we actually have the most
water ever available here at Sacred Waters CO.

With some ongoing contract/lease negotiations it may be even more soon enough too.

New or Renewing Donor Memberships:
Donation amounts for 2017 Charter Donors are set for Life at the discounted rate if renewed Annually as
discussed annually and in your emails & member agreements/contracts packet that were mailed out with your
Free Gifts. 
2017 Charter Donors that have not renewed annually you will not get the 2017 discounts in the future.

For New/1st Time 2018 or 2019 Donors/Members their rate will be set for 3 years at discounted rates
listed below benefiting them to renew Annually if we ever must raise the rates in the future.

“The future depends on what you do today.” -Mahatma Gandhi
Discounted Rates for 2019:
Rates for New Donor Levels for 2019:
Bronze Level: Was $150.00. Now Only: $100.00, Applicable Guide Fees Apply and less (-) $25.00 on total
Guide Fee on Bronze Level Donor Trips for all your trips in 2019 up to December 31st of 2019.

Silver Level: Was $3500.00. Now Only: $3400.00, Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest Guide Fees for all trips in
2019.

Gold Level: Was $5500.00. Now Only: $5200.00, Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fees per person
per trip for all Trips in 2019.

Platinum/Corporate Level: Was $10,000.00. Now Only: $9500.00. Less (-) $25.00 off for Guest/s Guide
Fees per person per trip for all of 2019.

Much more Details or to become a Donor Member please review SWCO Donor Contract, Rules,
Regulations, and Procedures Booklet by Clicking this link or visiting our Join Us / Donate Pages.

*Please keep in mind if you do donate in 2019 this will also be your membership renewal level for up
to 3 years if you consecutively renewed annually. *

(*After January 1st of 2020 all Donor Member Level Packages will go back up to Original Pricing, Guest/s
Fees will also return to original pricing, and all level prices are subject to increase as we expand through
the future. *)

  Sorry for the radio silence the last couple months, I was on the standard of “ if you don't have anything good to say don't say anything at all.” As stated in our last blog post around the beginning of August it was a lot of Doom and Gloom along with some personal issues I was dealing with.  Which lead to a lack of content during that period. Things continually got worse here in Southwest Colorado through August and September, a total lack of Summer monsoons, continually dropping water flows, with rising air and water temperatures. Threats of a few monsoons in September which never really came to fruition but cloud cover in cooler temperatures did provide a few opportunities for decent enough fishing on our waterways that were ethically safe to fish. The one problem we experience here was as these weather events unfolded many of our lesser ethical outfitters over promoted guided trips and fishing during the short periods of what normally would be good weather conditions, but ignorantly or greedily too soon, for too long, some in fisheries that were truly suffering or just completely unethical to be fishing. This in turn harmed many of our fish in local fisheries due to the extreme stress that have been put on them all year. This being said if you watched the river flows on the USGS or DWR streamflow gauges you would have noticed continually dropping water flows as well as rising temperatures even with cloudier cooler air and somewhat wetter weather. Because time and time again, everytime it seemed like we were going to start coming around with cooler, wetter weather a heatwave of abnormally hot, dry, and even worse extremely windy weather patterns would follow making any relief we did get null and void because it would be even worse than before within a few days, mostly due to extremely high evaporation rates.

Sticking to Sacred Waters C.A.R.E. Mission we had Advocated and Educated Conservation and Rehabilitation as much as possible about water temperatures their stresses on trout through our loaner thermometer & temperature chart program as well as Advocating with the U.S. Forest Service about Outfitters not being proper stewards of the forest, abusing fisheries, and misleading tourist and local anglers alike on improper fishing ethics and etiquette, Thankfully the USFS did address these issues & Outfitters which hopefully in turn educated the ignorant ones and let the immoral ones know they're being watched. This also may have helped educate their prospective clients, area anglers and saved a few more fish lives .
We had also as many of you know shut down most of our Conservation Waters/Ranches anywhere from late June into early July from all guiding and fishing to Conserve and Rehabilitate these waters and their fishes till about last week. After receiving recent boost in water flows we are seeing higher quantity & quality of trout on said Waters/Ranches due to these efforts. Which would not have been possible without the Sacred Waters CO business model or generous contributions from are selfless donors and donor members. To all Donors, Thank You. I cannot say enough thank yous’ to our donors and donor members as should everyone who may fish here locally or future members. We have accomplished a lot here in our Sacred Waters and it has not only benefited our Ranches but has benefited our local fisheries public or private as a whole. Thank you again, Sacred Waters Donors & Donor Members for making this all possible. So should anyone else who is not a Donor, Donor Member, Guest, Charity participate, always remember well into the future as you fish around here the quality of fishing be it on Sacred Waters Conservation  Waters or waters affected by and influenced by our Conservation Waters that these 2017 & 2018 Donors & Donor Members made this possible. Sacred Waters CO will continue doing the best we can to save what we can. But everything above or below our Conservation Waters we don’t have any control over. On the bright side for many is fish don’t have boundaries so the fishes protected in all our waters will help repopulate everything else that gets abused & destroyed every year. This is our reality every summer just a lot worse this summer. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Many of you may know we have gone through an extreme drought in Southwest Colorado in 2018. This has become one of the worst droughts in recorded history until just recently. It has finally turned to Autumn here in Southwest Colorado we have received rain and snow throughout the last two weeks which has brought most of all closer to average flows for this time of year. Being stated in my last blog post as well as talked about throughout this year if history repeats itself we should be perfectly fine. To explain, weather patterns tend to be very cyclical in nature and within recorded history these extreme droughts have happened almost on schedule every 15 years. History shows after a drought such as this one, we have normally experienced earlier, longer, and heavier snowfall Winters for 2 to 3 years after. Optimistically speaking we are already getting there, snowing daily in the High Country, raining below 9,000' or so and much more forecasted here in the near future currently.

As titled is it the end of the season or just the beginning?

On an Extremely Positive Happy Note. We are still here! We survived our first two years, and worst craziest years at that, we are only stronger now and growing. Things continue to look great and into the future Sacred Waters CO will continue to gain momentum, to say the least.

With recent weather rain and snow we are seeing a boost of water in our streams getting & holding out much closer to average with a lot of movement of trout moving in Fall migrations to either spawn or to find wintering pools to survive the ice of winter. Our fishes here are on a heavy feeding period after a long hot dry summer in preparation to spawn and or to migrate to wintering polls in fatten up for the long icey winter.

Speaking of migration and spawning fishes some of you who follow us on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram may have noticed other Advocacy and Education topics such as careful wading, not fishing over spawning fish, etc this time of year and promoting Redducation movements such as mind the redd #mindtheredd , no redd raping #noreddraping , not a spawner #notaspawner ,  #carefulsteps #conscientiouscasts #forfuturegenerations , #leavespawningtroutbe , #redducation #reddawareness .

https://flyfishtie.com/blog/f/spawning-trout--stay-off-redds-dont-fish-to-them 

https://www.troutprostore.com/class/how_trout_spawn 

https://mindtheredd.org/

https://www.facebook.com/mindtheredd/

https://www.instagram.com/mindtheredd/?hl=en

As our season continues here through the Fall some of you who follow us here, on social media, and/or during guided trips will notice us pushing this message forward all throughout the Autumn and then again in the Spring/Early Summer when the Rainbows & Cutthroat Spawn. As Donors, Members, or followers of Sacred Waters CO you have embraced ethical fishing, so if your on social media please don’t be afraid to help us drive this message using the hashtags mentioned above.
So on that note:
ATTENTION: "Please Do Not Fish for Spawning Fish!”
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Kokonee Salmon are in pre-spawn, full spawn or just entering post-spawn. If you see two generally trophy sized trout parred up on a redd just admire their size & beauty and walk away. Ultimately you are saving the lives of possibly hundreds - thousands of fish you will have the chance to catch in the future by leaving those two fish to continue to finish their spawning ritual.
"Please be careful wading around too much this time of year, especially in easy to wade shallow gravelly side channels, tailouts and heads of pools or fishing in such areas, these are usually places fish make redds and spawn. If you see clean depressions in the gravel, or what looks to be a pile or pit of clean gravel please avoid wading through it."
NOTE: There is NO Snagging of Kokonee Salmon Allowed in the Williams Creek Drainage!!!
If a guide or friend is putting you on redded up/spawning fish, may want to question this, it is not illegal in Colorado, but does not make it right or ethical. It is illegal in some places, some sections of fisheries, some time frames, etc. Please do some homework and be aware of such laws, closures, etc.
Examples:
A Redd or referred to by some as a bed. Is a pile or depression of clean sand or gravel.
Spawning fishes, signs:
1. Sitting on a redd.
2. Will not leave an area or if they do spook off they come right back.
3. Two fish of the same species but not always same species very close together or touching, or erratically turning sideways, slapping their tails on the bottom, and the obvious the sight of sperm &/or eggs being deposited. Or discharged upon handling after being caught.
4. Most to All the fish are in shallow waters, side channels, very heads or tails of pools.
5. If it's Springtime and you are supposed to be fishing in a primarily Rainbow &/or Cutthroat trout fishery. Or it's Autumn and you're supposed to be fishing a primarily Brown Trout or Brook Trout/Char fishery.
If it's a fairly mixed species fishery and your guide has you fishing areas stated above in #4 and especially if most of your fishes being caught are that time of year's species to spawn.

Thank You

We are currently in the best fishing in the year of 2018!
On warmer days when it hasn't stormed or in between waves of storms through the day we're catching a lot of trophy size fish on dry flies & during colder, stormier times or murkier/higher water conditions doing the same tons of big fish just on nymph rigs as well as on streamers.

As for the future:
Currently we are still experiencing wet weather with good light steady rain and snow with our local waterways remaining full and cold at around near average or slightly above average streamflows. This should hold strong this way due to most rain has been fairly light and steady really soaking in and filling up the aquifers as well as the snow up high slowly melting into the system and most nights getting below freezing slowly the melt this should all hold out till full on Winter to the benefit of our fisheries.
Current forecasts show this trend to continue short-term to long range as of present. What this means to us anglers though is one; my main concern as we started approaching Autumn was if we didn't get a good boost of water and it did quickly turn to winter and got cold that we would have major ice events/issues and a bad winterkill of our survivors (fishes) now a total relief that this is no longer a concern.
Secondly if the long range projections are correct another benefit is since they are currently showing above average precipitation and above average temperature all throughout this whole Winter which is normal for an El Nino year which is what we are finally coming into now. We not only will be able fish even longer and more often through this Fall, Winter, and Early Spring we should also have exactly what I hoped for and mentioned since this drought started a good water year next year and well hopefully the next few years, if history does repeat itself. Which should also really boost the health of our fisheries for years to come.
Finally, if this is the case and predictions are becoming fairly accurate again I should, could, and would be able to as in the past predict our future weather, water, hatches, and fishing conditions much better as I"ve always done in the past and help plan & schedule events and guided trips farther out and more accurately. Unlike this years weather curveballs that were thrown at us (even the professional meteorologists couldn't accurately predict) and my optimism (& maybe the professional meteorologist too) that we’d come out of this drought sooner which we did not till now.

Now for the Fishing Report:
Well, you all know weather, water, and actual fishing all go hand and hand so it’s an all of the above report but I'll try to not get too weather nerdy on you here.
We had Awesome Fishing the last two weeks first off the cooler weather and cloud cover before it actually started raining and snowing definitely made the fish way happier and active feeding heavily especially on dries. We had excellent dry fly fishing with comfortable air temperatures not only for us humans but preferred comfort zone temps for all our trout, char, & salmon species as well as optimal feeding/highest metabolic rate temps. As the rain & snow started, our streamflows rose and got muddy-murky a little more than normal due to the lack of flow since Nov of 2017, including a lack of a full-on real snow run-off season this past Spring allowing an overabundant amount of sediment collecting in our waterways. Now, not so much we had a big push of water come through the San Juan went from around almost all-time record low flow of 11-12 CFS to around 300 cfs in about 48 hours, then another quick drop funneling the water & bedload of sediment down even more in about 24 hrs from 300 cfs to about 60 cfs, then the wet weather came back with another big wave of water blowing out the rest of the river junk gaining around 65 cfs in 24hrs for around 60cfs to around 125cfs, and now has held fairly well and steady right around average other than a few bump ups during heavier precipitation events which has really helped moving most of that bedload through the system and is holding out much clearer waters now. All this hydrological movement had even given us a few new or better pools in some areas.
Days that we personally fished or guided at those murkier to muddy water conditions fishing was still great just more on the nymph or streamer bite, but as soon as we would get a window of clearer water &/or warmer sunnier times the fish would go right back to keying in on dry flies again. Our daily average air temps of 50f-mid 60’s the last two weeks other than the last few days of colder snowier weather but should return later on this week into next week which is awesome and perfect. This could keep the dry fly fishing good enough but all and all, all fishing will remain great till we get shut out by full on consistent below freezing Winter weather icing up our waters.
We experienced fantastic terrestrial insect dry fly fishing recently due to a phenomenon I have explained to many of you in past conversations or writing but to explain again. Generally in the late Summer or Early Fall we tend to have not only some of these drastic cool downs, but also normally these rain/snow storms which tend to start as high winds before it hits and high winds following the storm out. What happens during such events is terrestrial insects (landbased bugs) grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, ants, flies, ladybugs, etc. get blown into the water more often and in high quantities than during normal day to day. Other phenomenons happen too with these drastic swings in temperature the these terrestrial insects can be stunted or frozen in flash freezes/frosts at night and they can not hold on to the trees, grasses, etc. and uncontrollably fall into the water more often. The other phenomenons are with flying ants and ladybugs. Some of you may of heard of or seen these winged ant or ladybug hatches/migrations locally anywhere from late August into early October which does get a lot of press on the San Juan Tailwater in NM with the ants. This does provide some fantastic fishing opportunities when it is happening, but other strange things most people don't realize is with these intense swings in weather we can create uplifts/lofting of air from ground level up into the atmosphere which in turn carries terrestrial insects from lower elevations &/or warmer climates up into our mountain fisheries also with said uplift/lofting events it can also freeze some of these flying/winged terrestrial insects/bugs when they get to high enough altitude they become stunted or even die and they drop helplessly into the water becoming easy meals for the fishes at a time of year that we do not tend to have much aquatic insect activity/hatches. And finally, it’s what we’re used to, as for the fishes are used to… By late Summer through the Autumn we have very little to sometimes no aquatic insect activity most days and if we do have any they tend to be smaller aquatic insects (size #22 or smaller- Baetis, Tricos, Midges) which sometimes is not worth the effort of larger fishes to target. But the fish have in this time frames mostly been eating terrestrial insects and as that source becomes even more abundant and easier to capture as stated reasonings above or the total opposite they become lesser & lesser due to the change of Season/Weather the fish had become very familiar with this food source and are looking for this food even harder as it becomes more scarce as well as with the lack of much other food sources this time of year.
What we can possibly look forward to here in the near future, of course all of this I just explained. But as for other possible dry fly fishing opportunities and hatches. We could still see some Tricos around after these storms move out, definitely will continue to see Baetis & Midge hatches all Fall, Winter, and Spring, and our last chance larger aquatic insect hatch is the October Caddis. These are the largest of our Caddis species ranging from size #6-12 and a very underutilized hatch/fly. Generally most anglers have never even seen our Oct. Caddis because they tend to hatch late in the evening and at night and with it getting somewhat uncomfortably cold as the sunsets this time of year many anglers pull off the water before the caddis even start hatching, other than that the effects of this hatch can last throughout the day same as stated above with the terrestrials they been eating them all night and/or nymphing with Oct. Caddis larva or pupa can produce very well when all else seems to be a lost cause because these insects are active, moving about and hatching making them accessible to the fish. Of course if the dry fly bite does totally turn off as it gets too cold, go to nymph rigs they will always produce as usual, flies such as The Turd (rubberlegs, girdle bugs), other stonefly nymph patterns being not only some of our largest insects & protein sources but some of our most abundant and accessible food sources year round. With this add moisture and some flooding worm patterns are & will produce even more. Also with Fishes such as Brown trout, Brook Char, and Kokonee Salmon just starting to spawn or will be spawning very soon egg/spawn patterns are starting to produce and will continue to well into the future. Finally the cold weather classics of midge larva & pupa and Baetis type nymphs are/will continue to produce till next Summer.

East Fork of the San Juan, (EFR): The East Fork Ranch held out all throughout this drought never breaking lethal water temperatures all Summer. Now the water was extremely low & clear making for tough fishing all Summer till just recently. Stealth mode sight fishing with dry flies or dry/dropper rigs was the name of the game, producing well during the dog days of drought. Now with boost of more water, good color, and cooler temps fish have really turned on. Dry flies are still producing but on days that are colder &/or water is up with a little too much color nymphing is actually possible now with high numbers of trophy size fish being caught more easily and regularly. In the upcoming weeks fishing should remain excellent on the EFR two concerns in the future is too much snow and possible road closure of the East Fork Road for the Winter and spawning fish safety. As of present we have a lot more brookie and browns moving about the ranch and being caught more regularly than normal on prespawn feed up and have yet to witness any fishes spawning or any redds. We have experienced on the EFR when these fishes do get more and more into fullon spawn mode is we can normally avoid these fishes and their redds by selectively targeting certain sections of the Ranch that doesn't have as much spawning habitat, only fishing dry flies to avoid accidentally catching spawners. The only concern or problem we could see on the EFR is if the forecasts are off some and the water drops and clears too much and being that the EFR is one of the main spawning areas of the entire San Juan River system.  If the water does get too low and crystal clear with so many fishes spawning in the EFR by full-on spawning time that most every tailout, riffle, gravelly place will have spawners on them. One problem with this we have experienced is when it gets to that time and if water is low & clear we maybe doing everything in our power to avoid sections with a lot of spawning habitat but so many spawners on the ranch even the biggest, fastest, deepest pools will have spawners on the tailout and as we approach a pool and those spawners possibly scatter off and rip around the pool depending on the water conditions they tend to spook all the other fishes. Second if low, clear water conditions do persist and we can not avoid spooking off spawners in all sections of the EFR we will just Shut it down completely to allow them peace to do their thing and make us more fishes for the future.

Weber Ranches, (-W4): Upper San Juan River Proper three of the 4 Weber Ranches did have a rough & tough Summer but through the Sacred Waters Mission they have survived and are actually thriving waters. We shut down the 3 lower Ranches by June 29th due to lethal water temps. These three sections got down to flows as low as 11 CFS by the worst of this drought (mainly due to mismanaged irrigation pull offs between the Upper Ranch and other 3 ranches) photos above show it at the lowest as well as after we finally received some rain here. The Upper -W4 stay with safe water temps throughout the Season only touching 66-67F a couple times on the hottest afternoons, we had and continue to have excellent dry fly fishing in this section of faster pocket water all season as some of you may have noticed in photos above &/or on our social media pages. When walking the lower 3 ranches the amount of trophy size fishes that took sanctuary in these section was almost unbelievable and SWCO model kept them safe and unabused during the worst drought in 16 yrs. After receiving our first big blow out of rain/water I ran through quick 2 hour scout run only 3 days after the rain started in brown water and again could not believe how fast these fishes spread back out throughout the ranches and how healthy & fat they actually are after such a rough year(also pictured above) a lot of nice fish landed in brown water in a short period. As the water started dropping and clearing with only 2 days of no rain ran a full day guide trip through the same section and the fishes had spread out even more and were feeding heavily with a lot of trophy size trouts caught on dry flies and nymphs. All four -W4 Ranches are fishing extremely well still lots of dry fly fishing and nymph or streamer fishing. While having a lot of big deep pools &/or fast bouldery pocket water these ranches will provide good fishing opportunities through the season till the river freezes with little worry of spawning fishes. there are 1-3 spawning areas on each ranch that we can easily avoid by walking around and not having to wade through or near and not disturb the spawning fishes at all with plenty of good water to fish for non spawning fishes. 

Fairway Ranch: San Juan Proper below downtown Pagosa Springs. This ranch has been shut down to fishing and guiding for almost an entire year. When we first started Sacred Waters CO the Fairway Ranch did not really fit into our original model, nor at the beginning could I justify a lease at my first budget projections. So we allowed another Outfitter to have that lease for our first season/last year and wow you'd be amazed on even with catch and release flyfishing how an unethical, greedy guide service can abuse and almost completely destroy a fishery. When approached by ranch owner in the Fall of 2017 that he still wanted to work with us and not the other outfitter as well as some other ranch owners we decided to create the Bronze level to help fit these ranches into the SWCO model. This ranch generally experiences some termal issues every Summer due to it's elevation, further downstream, as well as below the hot springs the unethical fishing and overguiding by the other outfitter did way more damage than ever even imaginable. We took over in Sept. 17 had a few early fall storms and blow out fish did start migrating back into the ranch waters also with it being warmer water with deep pools it tends to be a highly concentrated wintering area. But, when Nov.17 hit the drought started to worsen as the water dropped extremely low and clear a lot of fish evacuated in addition we had a lot of bird kill all throughout the winter so we continually decided not to guide this ranch till it recovered fully.. Again in the Spring as our somewhat of a run-off happened we seen fish movement into the ranch and started fishing much more like it used to, then the Summer Drought hit hard so we shut it down again around the 1st of June due to hot water temps. (All explained in other posts in the past also.). We are now again seeing fish repopulating the ranch and if everything holds true for this Fall, Winter, and Spring we will have good fishing All year into next year on Fairway. This is a year round location due to it does not freeze in the Winter so any of you looking to extend your fishing and fish the best times of year Fairway will help you accomplish that. There is very little to almost no spawning activity ever on the section due to mainly larger deeper pools and larger boulder waters as well as possibly the hot springs influence so great all year location. 

Pick_Bar Ranch and Wommer Ranch: Los Pinos/Pine River (Tailwater) fished great all year due to it is a bottom release tailwater fishery and being that most of its water is for irrigation purposes it stayed full and cold with average flows of 500-600 CFS all Summer. Our two ranches on this river were also mainstays of our guiding during the drought of 2018. We did shut them both down on August 25th due to PRID shutting down the flows with Vallecito Reservoir almost drying up and irrigation demands tapering off. As the water slowly drop fishing was great much easier wading and fishing at lower flows but without having/knowing a deadset plan for flows from PRID with them stating that they would push anywhere from 30cfs down to 5 cfs depending on the reservoir level and still being hotter weather we were concerned for one of the only times ever that we have termal issues on the Pine as well as the last few trips through the Pine fish were getting much more skittish with the bright skies and low, clear water. Luckily they never got to a point in the lake that the Pine dropped below 20 cfs since the slow down of flows and now with the wetter weather they are pushing more fishable flows of 80cfs or more. Generally we wont guide or fish the Pine below 70 cfs so this is a major positive not only for more locations to fish but with reasonable flows still in place the overall healthy of the fishery is less of a concern at present.   


​Events:
Sadly but necessary we had to change the dates of a Veterans Fishing Events with Patriot Anglers & Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Groups all throughout this year and ended up Cancelling most all of them due to the conditions. We really planned and had scheduled at least one charity group event for each month this Summer but the weather had other plans this year but hopefully this wouldn’t happen again for at least a few more years. Fortunately we do have a rescheduled Patriot Anglers  Event coming up here soon from Oct. 21st-27th. We are also trying to find a good window of weather to get another Pagosa School District Special Needs/Disabled Kids Group Event out before it gets too cold and wintery.
Volunteers/Donations:
​Anyone interested in helping during or to prepare for these events please feel free to contact us.

As of present we may need help cleaning up the lake areas of willows & weeds for better/easier access and less things to get line tangled around.
We have one fence ladder that may need repaired soon or completely replaced we’ll see when we get on that, I had band-aid repaired it a few times now. May need some lumber and heavy duty outdoor screws or bolts.
Anyone having an extra large SUV or Van that holds 7 or more people, a large gas or charcoal grill, a gas generator (for electricity), a pop-up canopy/tent (that can fit 2 sets of tables & chairs), a folding table, lawn or folding chairs, and/or portable picnic table you don't mind letting us borrow for a day up to a week or we will take off your hands permanently as donations to Sacred Waters.
Anyone interested in providing food or cooking food, we provide hot meals at lunch being that it may be colder than usual and a warm meal will be a lot nicer than our standard coldcut sandwiches or cold fried chicken guide trip lunches. Looking to do some BBQ grilling, or have crock pots/slow cookers of BBQ, stews, soups, chilis, etc.

Anyone interested in Guiding/assisting guests we are good for now on guides but please feel free to contact us in case we have a guide get sick, have something come up, or have a guest that may need more full time 1 on 1 assistance. Plus for future reference we can add you to our list.

Please Contact Us through the website by clicking this Contact Us link provided or via email or telephone as soon as possible about Volunteering or Donating for these upcoming events. We will accept anything throughout this next week or by the 18th of Oct. So we can adjust, plan, and purchase accordingly. Thanks

Partnerships & C.A.R.E.ing: 
​Veterans Outdoor Recreation Therapy Project 
V.O.R.T.P. is to help you and your family to reconnect with yourself and community through the great outdoors. V.O.R.T.P is an organization inspired and operated by Veterans, for Veterans. 
https://vortp.com/ 

Huge Congratulations to Our Wonder Woman and Vallecito Lake's Citizen of the Year Award Winner Michelle Wagner 
Michelle not only is our Secretary, & Professional Angler here at Sacred Waters CO. She as selflessly Volunteers with many Charities as well as a Officer &/or Board Member of other nonprofits such as Vallecito Service League, Vallecito Sporting & Conservation Association, Silver Spruce Academy, Braided (womens flyfishing group), and more. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone as caring and hardworking as Michelle. Congrats Michelle 



New or Renewing Donor Memberships:
Donation amounts for 2017 Charter Donors are set for Life at the discounted rate if renewed Annually as discussed last year and in your emails & member agreements/contracts.

2017 Donors that have not renewed by December 31st, 2018 will not get the 2017 discounts again in the future. *Please keep that in mind former Donors from 2017 other than possible promotions in the future 2017 Charter Donor Lifetime Donation Level Discounts will not be received unless renewed Annually.* Donor Member fees will only increase in the future as we are growing.

Being that we are now just getting into the Best Fishing of 2018, it looks like it may last a little while longer and most all existing Donor Members are done or almost done with all their fishing days for the Season of 2018 we are still accepting New Donor Members for 2018 and willing to take 2017-18 renewal memberships that held out so far this year. We still have almost 3 whole months until 2019 Membership Season Starts and being that late Fall, Winter & Early Spring  Fishing are very underutilized times even though they tend to be the very Best Times to fish here, we are willing to extend this year's current memberships and any New or Renewed 2018 member benefits till June 1st 2019.

For New/1st Time 2018 Donors/Members their rate will be set for 3 yrs at discounted rates listed below benefiting them to renew Annually if we ever have to raise the rates in the future. *FYI: Discounted 2018 Rates below will be set for 3 years if renewed annually these rates will return to normal or only increase as we are growing.*

Starting January 1st 2019 All Donor Level Rates at minimum will go back to the Original Prices or possibly increase after our next board meeting discussions & decisions for the 2019 Season.

Discounted Rates for New Donor Levels for 2018 :
Bronze Level: Was $150.00. Now Only: $100.00, Applicable Guide Fees Apply and less (-)$25.00 on total Guide Fee on Bronze Level Donor Trips for all your trips in 2018 up to December 31st of 2018. *2018 Discount Saving of (-)$75 to $125 depending on number of anglers Only till 12/31/2018.*
Silver Level:   Was $3500.00. Now Only: $3400.00,  Less(-)$25.00 off for Guest Guide Fees for all trips in 2018 up to June 1st of 2019 if paid by 12/31/2018. *2018 Discount Saving of (-)$100 to $175 depending on number of anglers Only till 12/31/2018.*
Gold Level:  Was $5500.00. Now Only: $5200.00, Less (-)$25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fees per person per trip for all Trips in 2018 up to June 1st of 2019 if paid by 12/31/2018  . *2018 Discount Saving of (-)$300 to $375 depending on number of anglers Only till 12/31/2018.*
Platinum/Corporate Level:  Was $10,000.00. Now Only: $9500.00 . Less (-)$25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fess per person per trip for all of 2018 up to June 1st of 2019 if paid by 12/31/2018.  *2018 Discount Saving of (-)$500 to $575 depending on number of anglers Only till 12/31/2018.* 

*Please keep in mind if you do donate in 2018 this will also be your membership renewal level for up to 3 years if you consecutively renewed annually.*
(*After January 1st of 2019 all Donor Member Level Packages will go back up to Original Pricing, Guest/s Fees will also return to original pricing, and all level prices are subject to increase as we expand through the future.*)  

Please​ review the FB & IG Social Media Pages and our Websites. I hope it can help show you all more easily and clearly the Efforts and Accomplishments SWCO has put forth with yours and others donors generous donations.

Your Support of Sacred Waters is even More Crucial than ever..... And if you want to get some of the best fishing anywhere in a 100 miles of Pagosa Springs, CO in the future here. Donate Today and help us protect our local fisheries. We can't really predict or control/change the weather, but we can provide the best fishing at the best times and protect our waters and fishes at the worst times. We can only accomplish this with your generous donations.


Thank You, Tight Lines;

Joseph Eichelberger   

Founder, President of Sacred Waters Co
Professional Angler, Custom Fly Tyer/Designer
Freelance Outdoors Writer, Photographer, & Fisheries Consultant

Contact Us:
http://www.sacredwaters.co

(970)-444-2187

Sacred Waters CO
135 Country Center Dr F 166
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

joe@sacredwaters.co

Sacred Waters Facebook
https://d.facebook.com/Sacred-Waters-CO-1917334878523234/?__tn__=%2As-R

Sacred Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/sacredwatersco/?hl=en

Hello All,
​
Over the last few months I have published C.A.R.E. Report emails & Blog Posts broken down of Conservation, Advocacy, Rehabilitation, & Education Categories of our accomplishments, on-going projects, and future projects/plans. As I sit here trying to write this for the last two weeks and for the 4th time, not only in a somewhat depressed state due to our current uncontrollable problems of the weather and water conditions around here. Which I am assuming unless you've been completely disconnect for reality, off the grid or living under a rock you know about the Extreme record breaking to almost record breaking heat & drought we've been in since last fall, the low, hot water conditions, wildfires, and so far a lack of normal average Summer Monsoon Storms. But I have also been in the hospital, doctor’s appointments, dentist appointments, being in extremely poor health due to an infection that had spread through my body and be heavily drugged to kill it before it killed me. This has taken a toll on my body and it's not only been painful, the limited liquid diet, the drug side effects I have been completely exhausted  and could not properly organize my thoughts as I would  normally, hence writing this four times. As horrible as the last few weeks were on a more positive note this all happening at the worst possible fishing conditions we’ve had here in 16 years I wasn’t missing much in the last few weeks. I am feeling better as of about a week ago and even better daily so decided to try to work the last few days and even accomplished some outside electrical work before the Monsoons rolled in throughout the week. So on a brighter note it’s raining here a little more lately.  

Not going to lie there is a lot of gloom & doom in this post but that is the reality of the situation around here and unlike most people I don’t stick my head in the sand, I confront, change, and try to make the best of situations. The silver lining though is we are experiencing a little cooler weather with a little more moisture. Also as I have been discussing a lot recently with people ideas to help our mission in these tough times, we have great people involved in Sacred Waters who all share the “always find a way” mentality. Based on the cyclical  nature of our historic weather patterns, these kind of droughts, wildfire years through recorded history go on about 12-18 year cycles. My theory is this stuff has happened most likely since we entered this age even before accurate recorded history. Most of us know these forests have burnt for thousands of years and need to to be healthy. We know as well the USFS admits they mismanaged wildfire for most of their existence until recently. My theory is Nature has its ways whether we like it or not. Yes our wildfires are more intense and do more damage than good due to 75+ years of wildfire & forest mismanagement but I’m just considering this current state of affairs as a cleanse and yes the recovery time will take longer in some areas. The purge or cleanse of these wildfires, and drought conditions killing off some flora & fauna can also be viewed as a survival of the fittest and a the strong will survive is just another step forward in the evolution of our flora & fauna. As our plants and animals are thinned out by wildfire, lack of food & water, the strong will survive and eventually thrive creating  healthier, smarter, stronger class of genetics in our fauna & flora in the long run. Another light at the end of the tunnel is historically speaking and if history repeats itself after a year or two of severe drought we usually have 1-3 years of above average precipitation, then leveling off to right around average plus or minus just a little for another 10-15yrs. So not all is lost!

So here we go, since all of everything we do, try to do, &/or planning to do are very much interconnected between multiple or all the pillars of our Mission/CARE Goals I'm not going to break it all down this time per pillar.  

C.A.R.E. Report:​
We have of course limited fishing/guiding pressure on all our Conservation Waters. Weather and water conditions started becoming worse around the week of June 24th or so on the larger lower elevation waters, and starting reaching up further into the waters by week of July 8th with the worst of it affecting most anything under 8300 ft from the week of July 15 to present. Following suite we have completely or conditionally closed down some of our Conservation Waters to Fishing or Guiding. Including shutting down of 3 out of the 4 Weber Ranches -W4 (very limited & conditional fishing on the Upper Ranch), East Fork Ranch(staying below lethal temperatures but has got close & extremely low, clear, & glassy is also extremely difficult to successfully fish, conditional limited fishing), Fairway Ranch (Completely Shut Down), most all of our Public Waters of the Animas River and San Juan River and National Forest waters we guide through other USFS Permitted Outfitter partners. Which leaves us with our most fishable waters of the Pick Bar Ranch and Wommer Ranch on the Pine/Los Pinos bottom release tailwater running an average of 550-600 CFS Full & Cold, with a maximum water temp reaching 66-67F occasionally. Standing strong on our Mission please try to schedule your trips as far in advance as possible and please understand that we may need some flexibility on those days to not over-pressure these two locations, as well as fulfil some contractual obligations that limits the number of people &/or number of days we can fish each of these locations. Some high country/backcountry trips through our partner Outfitters. Also please understand and be willing to start very early in the morning, that the day may only be a half day trip(as per average conditions have been, and that we will call a trip short if the water becomes too warm to ethically fish.  We also have warmwater lake fishing on Vallecito Reservoir for Smallmouth Bass, Pike, &/or Walleye can not guarantee how long this will last due to they ever falling lake level if things do not change soon we may not be able to keep the boats slipped or have access to launch sooner than later. The word from VSCA a couple days ago though is Vallecito will shut down to boat traffic August 5th, 2018.

I would like to Thank as well as all our staff our Sacred Waters Donors & Donor Members for making this all possible. So should anyone else who is not a Donor, Donor Member, Guest, Charity participate always remember in the future as you fish around here the quality of fishing be it on Sacred Waters Conservation or waters affected by and influenced by our Conservation Waters that these 2017 & 2018 Donors & Donor Members made this possible. At least we have Sacred Waters CO doing the best we can to save what we can. But everything above or below our Conservation Waters we don’t have any control over. But fish don’t have boundaries so the fishes protected in all our waters will help repopulate everything else that gets abused & destroyed like every year. This is our reality every summer just a lot worse this summer.

Sadly but necessary changed the dates of a Veterans Fishing Events with Patriot Anglers & Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Groups. Currently in process/communication with PHWFF Group to change to a more warmwater/lake fishing venues, or figure out how to get everyone out on the best, coldest, most ethical waters we can which are few & far between nowadays with our possible upcoming event starting 8/8/18. But lets hope no matter what we will get in some good rehab & healing for this PHWFF Veterans group and make some new friends.

As some of you may know we started our CARE Campaign of providing Free Loaner Thermometers for people to use while fishing the Pagosa Springs, CO. Area at Let it Fly & Ski and Bow Rack. We've also handed out or emailed Fishing Water Temperature Charts to local businesses to not only educate them but for them educate their customers. Due to a lack of access to purchasing thermometers here locally we are loaning them out for now. I did get a connection to purchase more at a very good price once those are received we will distribute many more at as many places possible throughout Pagosa Springs, Vallecito, and Durango to take and keep for Free with optional donation jar available. We had also left charts explaining the different temperature ranges and thermometers at most of our Conservation Waters/Ranches for the Landowners, ranch hands, property managers to help us monitor conditions, &/or to use themselves or if family wants to fish. As well as if we (Your Professional Anglers) lose, forget, break, misplace our own.

We all have been posting daily on Sacred Waters CO Facebook & Instagram Pages as well as our own personal pages Alerts from the US Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Weather, Drought, Wildfire & Water Conditions Reports. As well as really advocating and honestly shaming the CPW, USFS, the town of Pagosa Springs and unethical Outfitters towards stepping up for what is right for our fisheries. Have actually seen some positive results too from this. Mainly in the fact of the other outfitters around know that we are watching, we know what they are doing and are not seeing some of their unethical behavior as offer or at all.

We have also planted some more small fishes 3”-9” where needed mainly our lakes/ponds on our Conservation Waters. Some being 7-9” Tiger Trout for population control of self sustaining naturally reproducing trout species that have/are getting overpopulated and showing signs of stunted growth rates.  Tiger Trout are sterile hybrid cross between a Brown X Brook Trout (meaning they do Not Reproduce, have hybrid aggression = eat more, easier to catch, fight harder & grow faster). and is a bonus exotic beautiful fish to catch.

Weather, Water, & Fishing Report:
On a more positive and optimistic note. It has been raining some locally and have somewhat of a normal Monsoonal storm systems cooling down the temperatures. Rains started July 3rd as usual right on schedule, problem at first were these weren’t normal Monsoonal storms they were very strange Northern or North-easterners which rarely ever happens in this micro-climate of Pagosa Springs so the amount of rain and isolation/concentration of where if deposited was not normal either. After that storm system had passed as predicted by my buddy Ollie and eventually by the pros our normal Southern or Southwestern Monsoons started rolling in, we did experience a uplift of sorts of extremely hot dry air under these storms which made it harder for them to really stack up and really dump a lot of rain or if so it was extremely isolated events. This may have been partially caused by all of the wildfires & their heat due to the fact when these storms hit land they hit fires from California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado having widespread intense wildfire activity. But with some added humidity and some decent precipitation it seems like the suppression of the these fires growth &/or total extinguish of some is helping these storms spread out more and drop more precipitation.

Long range Forecasts are currently stating an Above Average Amount of Precipitation/Moisture & closer to Average Temperatures for August.
Click:  NOAA Weather Outlooks

A few days ago my good friend Oliver from Hawaii called me with his personal forecasts. Some of you have heard me talk about Ollie being my personal meteorologist and much more accurate than most professional meteorologist. Ollie had been a fly fishing  guide in the Pacific off of HI longer than most any guides in that area so his knowledge of weather & ocean conditions are spot on, then becoming paralyzed about 6 yrs ago now he sits around watching the ocean & sky and as sad as it is became even better at predicting our weather since it all starts down there. Anyways Ollie stated we should be seeing more normal monsoonal storms with more moisture and spread out more across the area and he has been 100% correct so far, it has  just taken me too long to write this. His future outlooks he stated another heat wave & drier for 3-4 days which started 2 days ago and then another week of normal more widespread Monsoons with good moisture. Local Forecasts are all now stating the same, and we are finally starting to see somewhat of a cool down too.

As for our local waters and their fishing as stated in the beginning of this post things aren’t all that good around here and we have shut down a lot of our waters to guiding/fishing but do have some limited conditional availability on the Pine/Los Pinos Tailwater Wommer Ranch & Pick Bar Ranch, East Fork Ranch (EFR), #1 Upper Section of Weber Ranches (-W4), and backcountry small stream or alpine lake overnight, multi-day horseback or hike-in trips through our partner Outfitters. Seems like we may be getting somewhat past the worst of it if things continue to cool down and rain more as it has been and is predicted to do here through the next 3 months.

This has definitely been a season of “you should of been here yesterdays or  should of been here last weeks”, but sadly of present has been “you should of been here last month even 2 or 3 months ago.” June’s and 1st two weeks of July’s fishing had been good-excellent for our Donor Members, Guests, and Charities. Some great dry fly fishing! But, as I have been stating in posts on emails, Blogs, and Social Media as many of you know I am usually pretty darn good at predicting things as for future weather, water, hatches, fishing conditions and that this 2018 Season I wasn’t even going to try to too far out into the future cause this year Mother Nature has thrown us curve balls everyday since last November. This year has been anything and everything but normal or average. We ended May and started June with blanket hatches of multi-species of aquatic insect actually most all of them that should hatch on average all throughout June, July, and August but all hatching in about a 3-4 week period of time. The fishing was awesome but in many cases  unpredictable. One day we would catch tons of fish & trophy sized fish most all on dries all day long with a fish or 2 coming on a nymph here or there. Then the very next day we could fish a section of the same streams a few yards above or below where we fished the day before without any changes to the conditions and not get a single fish to even look at a dry fly but have excellent fishing on nymph rigs. Alex “Xenie” Hall said it best about this year so far is “the fish are being Moody” and hasn’t that been the truth so far. My regular quote to people through other this year so far has been “the only consistency we had this year is Inconsistency”. As for what to expect currently on our local waters is bottom release tailwaters like the San Juan at Navajo Dam, the Pine/Los Pinos, and other similar bottom release tailwater rivers is about as normal as we have this year being dam controlled and bottom releases they are full and cool with classic tailwater fishing. Hatches of midges, some caddis, PMD’s with some baetis & terrestrial activity. Fishing is good and will continue to be without any major changes to the flows if water flows drastically increase or decrease fishing conditions will drastically change too. As for the freestone streams as stated earlier nothing has been anywhere near normal. Places that are ethically safe to guide/fish are tough fishing but possible but as for hatches little to none cause most everything has already hatched earlier in the year. Terrestrial fishing should be good, usually is on hotter, drier years seem to be better terrestrial fishing Summers this year the grasshopper population so far is not too good yet hopefully that will change here soon. One thing I have been noticing in the streams that are staying cold enough though is the aquatic insect activity at present is similar to our others earlier in the year with bugs that should be hatching in Aug., Sept., & Oct. have been hatching some in July like, some terrestrials, Tricos, Baetis, micro caddis, etc…

Matt & I have  been driving around, horseback riding & hiking checking water temperatures around the Pagosa Springs area since we can't ethically fish & we can't be stuck indoors for too long. Multiple locations checked in the Piedra River drainage most daily with us being at Toner Ranch Outfitting often. Air temperatures low -mid 80's F partly cloudy to mostly cloudy afternoon towards dark. 2 Thermometers Standard & Digital average water depths 8-12" in Sun & in shade. Lower Piedra upstream of Hwy 160 around 6600' in elevation. Upper Piedra near Piedra Rd. 7600'. Williams Creek below reservoir 8000'. Middle Fork of the Piedra upstream of irrigation ditches 8200'. Please carry & use a Thermometer before & while fishing! Many people wonder up into the Piedra area and feel they are in the middle of nowhere, way up high in the mountains, and the small creeks up high have to be cool. The people I asked advice or what I read online says go into the highcountry, fish smaller mountain creeks, etc... Problem
#1. Here & also why we posted the elevations though it seems like you are climbing up into the mountain going up Piedra Rd the actual elevation is only about as high as most of Town(Pagosa).
#2. Irrigation water is pulled off of many of these streams so depending on location flow & temperature can be extreme differences.
#3 Williams Creek is a Spillover tailwater (not bottom release).
#4. All of these streams & their tributaries flows through a lot of wide open meadows being baked by the Sun all day. Best tips we can give, do your research, look at maps, get above irrigation pull offs, get above open meadow areas, look for areas near colder tributary creek confluences, get above 8600' in elevation, and please use a thermometer regularly…

Scary, scary... I can not wrap my head around it!!!
#1.) Why is the fishing closures voluntary & only in a few places?
#2.) How can USFS &/or CPW allow their permitted Outfitter's to still guide these waters & how could you so-called Guides/Outfitters continued to do so?
Please use a Thermometer! 

Average High Water Temperatures throughout the last 3 weeks.  
Lower Piedra 70-74F
Upper Piedra 78-80F
Middle fork Piedra 68-73F
Williams Creek 78-83F
San Juan up & downstream of town 70-75F
Weminuche Crk. 65-68F
Pine/Los Pinos Tailwater 58-66F
East Fork of the San Juan 58-62F

My Last Rant & things to Think about:
A highly respected Fishing Industry Professional recently posted online about the Voluntary Fishing Closures in this part of the world due to our current lethal weather & water conditions in our lower elevation larger rivers & lakes. That it does not mean you can not fish & hiring a Guide or getting local Fly shop advice you can still enjoy your vacation, get in some fishing, and help our local economies.

He is Correct for the most part, but here's the problem.

There are more Outfitter's/Guide Services that are way more concerned on taking your money than being proper ethical stewards of our forests & waters.

And many of you do not know who's who...

We are seeing guide trips being run on waters in Voluntary Closure after 12pm. Or 2pm. as posted in these areas.
We are seeing guided trips on the Animas that is currently having major fish kills not only due to high water temps, but also from the 416 burn scar ash run-off and now recently a Sewage Line break in Durango dumping raw sewage into the Animas.
We are seeing trips being done on waters we have personally got water temp readings well into the 70f's or more regularly.
We have seen & heard of fishless guide trips since Nov-Present on waters that have suffered since this drought has started.
We have seen plenty of social media posts & photos of Outfitter's claiming they have cold high country/backcountry trips with cold safe waters. Well most of us here at Sacred Waters CO have been Fishing &/or Guiding these waters longer then most of these so-called "Guides" have even been in business, guiding, fishing, &/or even alive on this earth. We tend to know most every landmark, rock, tree pool, etc on our local waters we aren't fooled all that easily. We do have a lot of lower elevation, front-country areas that look very remote, I personally have seen this claim on a post I knew exactly where they were & happened to have to go that way the next day so I took a little detour to temp the river it was 70-72F, just plain sickens me to the core.

When we started our last CARE Campaign of purchasing or acquiring Thermometers to loan out for Free. We went into &/or called Sporting Goods Stores/Fly Shops to acquire more thermometers. Here's some things we ran into.

#1.) Most gave us thermometers for free or at cost (wholesale).
#2.) Most had very few to no thermometers. Why? Because they are the worst, lesser selling fishing accessory of all the fishing accessories. I know this to be true also from a half a lifetime in this game. Lets Please Change this Fact!
#3.) While venturing around to Sporting Goods Store, Hardware Stores, Fly Shops looking to purchase Thermometers and push our Conservation/Education campaign. I went into a fly shop started talking to a kid behind the counter asking about thermometers & explaining our campaign. After a brief discussion and him reading our flyer he states "WOW Thank you I did not know all that, this is an awesome thing you're trying to do here." With the shop being out of thermometers (because, you know they don't stock many cause they don't sell well enough) he borrowed one of our loaners and himself as well as another young man who works there have been using them daily and has been a good resource of data for me now too. That right there makes me feel like "Mission Accomplished" we educated 2 young men just getting into the fishing industry and who will hopefully from now on  educate their customers and be better stewards for our fisheries. Stating the obvious though, The Problem Here: There were 2 young man (early 20's) working in a Fly Shop, Guiding, & personally fishing more than your average anglers that did not have thermometers in stock, did not own their own, and did not know about lethal thermal problems fishes face.
#4.) One store did not stock them at all & the man behind the counter stated we don't stock them they don't sale. I have just been sending everyone to the lakes.
Here's the issue with that. In a Stillwater/Lake you have what is known as the thermocline it is a layer of cold water hovering somewhere in the water column. Fish in this layer may be cool, happy, healthy, and hungry... The Big Problem is, when you hook, fight, and land these fishes you are pulling them out of that layer into ever increasing oxygen deprived waters temperatures as they come shallower towards the surface. As this happens these fishes are slowly suffocating, continually build up acids in the muscle tissue(cramping), long story short slowly dying...
Relative Human Example: Come here from a few feet above sea level, 1st day here exert yourself at 7000+ feet above sea level and see what happens! You'll be at minimum much more tired, winded/breathing-trouble, get dehydrated faster/worse, cramp up faster or worse, get what is know as altitude or elevation sickness, or even worse could die. Why? Lack of Oxygen! Same with Trout, Char, & Salmon, the warmer the water the lesser the dissolved oxygen level.
#5.) Had purchased all the thermometers in stock at their store. Explained our campaign and asked for a discount at minimum a Guide/Outfitter discount, the man behind the counter gave us 5% off also on thermometers that were at 100% markup. I been in this game a longtime I know MSRP & MAP Pricing as well as Wholesale Prices. Also every time I've been in a fishing store anywhere & asked for a guide discount at very minimum got 10% but on average 20% or more especially after showing a business card, outfitter registration card, etc... And considering what we are trying to do here that's just Sad... Why? Now this is an assumption but this store is also one that is continually guide some of the Voluntary Fishing Closure Areas and other marginally safe to unsafe areas. Also to add more fuel to the fire had a prospective client call about a trip on a marginal waterway and we did not book the trip. The next day I run across photos of said client on a guide trip with them on the same waterway...

The Sad thing is for many of you who may lack trout fishery/biology knowledge you may need some help and may depend on a Guide to provide this knowledge.

Only Tips I can give you is please do your research before hiring an Outfitter/Guide!
In a lot of places outfitting has little to no requirements, standards, or lacks proper regulations &/or enforcement of the sort. Please help police our Outfitter's, call your own trip early if needed, report violations, concerns, issues with an Outfitter/Guide to the local Forest Service Office, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Office, Colorado Dept. Of Regulatory Agencies.
Check out websites, blog posts, fishing reports, social media post, use your truth filter if it's not about bottom release tailwaters, the true high country, South of the I-70 corridor and everything is super positive fairy dust & unicorns that's what it probably is a fairy tale.
If the water feels warm to you it is probably to warm to fish for Trout, Salmon, &/or Char.
Buy, Borrow, Use a Thermometer!
Temp a waterway before booking a guided trip if that water is 68f or higher and they agree to doing the trip do Not book with them.
Carry & use a thermometer while fishing guide trip or not, police yourself, police your guide if the water temp hits 68f pull off the water.

The simple signs:
If you see more than the 1 occasional dead trout.
If the water's murky/dark from debris or ash runoff.
If making a drift is painfully slow.
If the fishery is a spillover tailwater.
If it's a Stillwater (lake\reservoir) below 9000' and the larger & more Sun exposed the worse.
Check the stream-flows & some gauges now have temperature readings too @ http://www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWater/Default.aspx  If it's breaking 68-70F+ daily, for extended periods of time, &/or greatly less than the 25% average be extremely careful & cautious of water temps throughout your day of fishing and again if the water feels warm its probably too warm to fish for trout.

Not relative to current time frame but a sign to look out for on the ethics of your guide in the future.
If a guide is putting you on redded up/spawning fish, may want to question this, it is not illegal in Colorado, but does not make it right or ethical. It is illegal in some places, some sections of fisheries, some time frames, etc. Please do some homework and be aware of such laws, closures, etc.
Examples:
A Redd or referred to by some as a bed. Is a pile or depression of clean sand or gravel.

Spawning fishes, signs:
1. Sitting on a redd.
2. Will not leave an area or if they do spook off they come right back.
3. Two fish of the same species but not always same species very close together or touching, or erratically turning sideways, slapping their tails on the bottom, and the obvious the sight of sperm &/or eggs being deposited. Or discharged upon handling after being caught.
4. Most to All of the fish are in shallow waters, side channels, very heads or tails of pools.
5. If it's Springtime and you are supposed to be fishing in a primarily Rainbow &/or Cutthroat trout fishery. Or it's Autumn and you're supposed to be fishing a primarily Brown Trout or Brook Trout/Char fishery.
If it's a fairly mixed species fishery and your guide has you fishing areas stated above in #4 and especially if most of your fishes being caught are that time of year's species to spawn.

You may want to be concerned or the ethics of your Guide/Outfitter.

Finally my personal opinion if a fishery is under our current Voluntary Fishing Closure it is for a reason please just go find something else to fish...

New or Renewing Donor Memberships:
Donation amounts for 2017 Charter Donors are set for Life at the discounted rate if renewed Annually as discussed last year. 2017 Donors that have not renewed in 2018 will not get the 2017 discounts in the future.

For New/1st Time 2018 Donors/Members their rate will be set for 3 yrs at discounted rates listed below benefiting them to renew Annually if we ever have to raise the rates in the future.

Discounted Rates for 2018:
Rates for New Donor Levels for 2018 :
Bronze Level: Was $150.00. Now Only: $100.00, Applicable Guide Fees Apply and less (-)$25.00 on total Guide Fee on Bronze Level Donor Trips for all your trips in 2018.

Silver Level:   Was $3500.00. Now Only: $3400.00,  Less(-)$25.00 off for Guest Guide Fees for all trips in 2018.

Gold Level:  Was $5500.00. Now Only: $5200.00, Less (-)$25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fees per person per trip for all Trips in 2018.

Platinum/Corporate Level:  Was $10,000.00. Now Only: $9500.00 . Less (-)$25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fess per person per trip for all of 2018.  

*Please keep in mind if you do donate in 2018 this will also be your membership renewal level for up to 3 years if you consecutively renewed annually.*

(*After December 31, 2018 all Donor Member Level Packages will go back up to Original Pricing, Guest/s Fees will also return to original pricing, and all level prices are subject to increase as we expand through the future.*)  

Please​ review the FB & IG Social Media Pages and our Websites. I hope it can help show you all more easily and clearly the Efforts and Accomplishments SWCO has put forth with your and others donors generous donations.

Your Support of Sacred Waters is even More Crucial than ever..... And if you want to get some of the best fishing anywhere in a 100 miles of Pagosa Springs, CO in the future here. Donate Today and help us protect our local fisheries. We can't really predict or control/change the weather, but we can provide the best fishing at the best times and protect our waters and fishes at the worst times. But we can only accomplish this with your generous donations.


Thank you, Be Safe, Tight Lines,​
Joe

If my 15 pages of rambling wasn't enough or if you were off the grid all July of 2018 below are local News Stories The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Let's be the Change with some C.A.R.E. ing.....
Conservation
Advocacy
Rehabilitation
Education  

C.A.R.E.  & Fishing Report 
Hello All,
From mid-May to 1st week of June I was in Texas & Oklahoma working on a Documentary Film to be called Healing on the Fly, with a group of Disabled Combat Veterans on the benefits on Flyfishing for people suffering for PTSD & TBI. Which is being filmed by another disabled combat Veteran with Grant monies, funding from Patriot Anglers Veterans Group, and from us at Sacred Waters CO. As well as product sponsorship from Companies like Abel Reels, Ross Reels, Fishpond, Flycraft, Let It Fly, Tailwaters Fly Fishing Co., Yeti, and Veteran Owed Companies like Rise Fishing, SemperFly Rods, Come & Take It Coffee, and Beard Commander. This is an ongoing project that will be going on for the next year of 2018 with hopes of Film release in 2019. This film project will not only help get the word out on the benefits of flyfishing with those struggling with mental or physical difficulties/disabilities, it will also help get exposure for groups such as Disabled Combat Veterans like Patriot Anglers of N. TX & S. OK and Sacred Waters CO Inc. & Foundation. We also got in a Fundraising Event with the Frisco Rough Rider Minor League Baseball Team benefiting Patriot Anglers Veterans Group which we raised almost $5000 from that Military Appreciation Night. I tried my best to email you all on updates from Sacred Waters CO while I was on the road and Thank You All for all your Support and Donations, and Memberships. Having to return to Pagosa Springs for our Fishing Event with Archuleta School District Special Needs Youth event at SWCO -W4 Ranch which was a great success and tons of Fun. Then we started the Guide trips for our Donor Members and has been fairly non-stop ever since, as we try to get in the best fishing before this years extreme drought causes us to start adjusting and closing down ranches due to low warm waters.  Photos in slideshow above are a little sample of what we been up to here at Sacred Waters CO lately. 

We have accomplished a lot in 2017 & moving into 2018 from Donations from our Original 2017 Charter Donors.

Conservation: We protected, preserved, and enhanced over 12+ miles of Waters in the San Juan & Pine/Los Pinos drainage's. One we Limited Fishing pressures/abuse in these waters to single digit percentages compared to what a Normal Commercial Outfitting business would put on the Fisheries. We also opened up access and fishing to these high quality waters not only to Donors, but to multiple disabled Veterans (16ppl total in 3 different veterans groups in 2017), 6 disabled/handicap children this Spring 2018, for few of the general public through our donations of Gift Certificates for Guided Trips not only helping expose SWCO & our CARE  Mission but to help raise, money for other nonprofit groups fundraising events like Auction Prizes of Guided Fly Fishing Trips with SWCO  for Vets for Vets of Archuleta County  at the Veterans Golf Tournament fundraiser, Veterans Memorial Park of Archuleta County in Pagosa Springs, CO.  Duck Unlimited Banquet for Wetlands Conservation, and course our Donors and their guests, that which would not be possible without the Sacred Waters Mission and business model.

We had a fisheries study done on the EFR that showed us a lack of good wild rainbow trout reproduction which we then planted/stocked in replication of a batch of rainbow trout fry hatching & growing from what would normally be a spawn in the Spring of the year rainbow trout fingerlings 2"-5" (2 different age classes & genetics) fish in the tributary creeks & side channel of the East Fork of the San Juan last Fall 17 and another of a lesser quantity 250 and slightly older/larger rainbows 5"-12" this week with plans on an ongoing study of this project for years to come with a Fisheries Biologist and Stream-work Specialist to collect and build a historical data of our Conservation efforts, successes/failures, etc... To manage our fisheries as wild and healthy as possible.

We have also been able to open an Interest growing savings account Conservation Fund from Guest Fees that can carry over unlike most Non-profit Accounts to build a fund for future Conservation Efforts Only.

Advocacy: Still in the startup stage of things. We truly want to be a force for change for our local community as well as throughout the State and hopefully Nationwide. We do believe we do educate enough people's through our guided fishing trips and charity events to advocate for our environment, as well as many shared educational information through our websites, blog posts, and social media pages. To be honest I'm kind of a one man show here, doing most 75+% of everything SWCO related myself so advocating through meetings with government agencies for better regulations, better management of our waters, etc... Has taken the back burner for a short period. I spent almost 9 years pre-SWCO working on these efforts and will hopefully get back to that or have more/new board members dedicated to this Mission Goal as we grow.

Rehabilitation: Other than previously mentioned rehab of our waters through fisheries management changes such as limited fishing pressure/abuse and the start of our biological studies and project of the fingerling/fry stockings/plantings to best manage our waters.
We have helped human rehabilitation efforts through not only raising money for Patriot Anglers Disabled Veterans group, raise money for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Veterans Groups, Archuleta County Vets For Vets Group, and the Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park. We also got to help our US Disabled Combat Veterans with Flyfishing therapy by being able to host 3 (16 Veterans) Veterans Groups in 2017 and have scheduled 3 groups (of 16 or more) for 2018 veterans events with possibly 1-2 more veterans events in 2018. As this past May we hosted an event for the Disabled/Handicap Children from the Pagosa School District teaching them about fishing and get some happiness & healing through fishing. Also with the Healing on the Fly Film Project we hope to reach an even larger audience of the benefits of fishing in rehab of people struggling/suffering from many medical, social, economic difficulties.

Education: We believe every person we communicate with through our Guide Trips, Youth &/or Veterans Events, and through the internet on our Websites, Blog Posts, Emails, and/or Social Media posts we are Educating not only on fishing knowledge but of the therapeutic qualities of fly fishing & being in nature, proper management & respect for our environment, building future advocates for social change not only in fisheries management, but in helping others, respect for our military families, the handicap, and disadvantaged peoples of our community and beyond.

Other Accomplishments outside of the CARE Mission, Donations/Memberships helped achieve:
We had restructured into 2 Organizations for 2018 a 501c7 Non-profit Social Club and a 501c3 Charity Foundation. This in turn not only helps SWCO gets better tax breaks to make your donations go further it help the Donor receive the best tax breaks & charitable tax deductions. So with future donations 60% goes to the Charity Foundation to benefit our Charity work/ Mission Goals and only 40% goes to Guide Trip Fees and basic operating expenses of the Club. This did cost a lot of money in government application fees, attorney fees, and accountant fees.

We have also bought a second domain name/website for the Charity Foundation, post office box, and phone number to have proper arm's length separation of the 2 organizations as per IRS requirements.

We had also purchased catchable sized fishes for a few of our ranch ponds for our Veterans & Youth events to help give the best and somewhat easier fishing to those with greater disabilities who may not be able to handle the river fishing and/or struggling in the learning process to help keep action going and interest higher to learn the art of Flyfishing, and therapeutic benefit of Flyfishing with lesser difficulties.

Rental of Bathroom Facility at our Upper Weber Ranch Lake & River area where we hold most of our larger group events. Not only for the convenience for children, women, and disabled. But also help keep our environment clean in a more heavily used area that we can provide easily fishing as for accessibility, easier fishing, and room for larger groups.

Purchases of Fishing Equipment for our Events such as leader, tippet, and flies for our Free Charity Events, but Prizes to our Charity guests (Veterans/Youth/Disabled). As well as purchased some fishing gear for the Veterans Documentary Film Project.

Ability to Lease a few more properties/conservation waters for 2018. We had a few ranches we worked with in the past that wanted to continue working with us as Sacred Waters CO with donors generous donations in 2017 & plans of growth in 2018 we had been able to lease some additional waters that we did not feel would be possible last year when we were first starting out. Not only has this help conserve even more waters locally, it has given donors/members more variety of places to fish, more locations to spread out pressure &/or save the day if another location becomes unfishable, and more places to handle more & larger charity groups/events. As well as giving us the ability to offer a cheaper more accessible Bronze Level fishing package that not only exposes SWCO & Our CARE Mission to more people can be a little tester/teaser to generate more higher level donations in the future from those people.

Donations also helped us have the budget/funding to donate cash money to other Charity Groups such as Patriot Anglers, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Trout Unlimited, & Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

Finally the additional Free Gifts following suite of most Donor/Member Non-Profit Organizations we offer the Free Gifts like many of you 2017 Donors had received to help drive donations from as many people's as possible many of whom unfortunately may possibly care a little more about what they get than what they are truly giving to others.  

Another thing not mentioned above but also an expense last year's monies paid for is I had joined a few Non-profit websites that help match donors, volunteers, &/or board members to nonprofit organizations. Hopefully this too will help us diversify the board. I would love to have at least one person on the board that specializes in each area we are involved in, from environmental sciences, veterans affairs, youth, disabled people's, grants writing, non-profit organizing, public relations, internet/media marketing/advertising, and so forth.

Finally as for clarity of where donations are being spent outside of just fishing. I have always planned to send a regular email newsletter to donors and will do so as soon as possible just purchased an Email Newsletter Program. But as of present I updated our Social Media Pages most often every few days on Facebook and Instagram so those are 2 outlets you can receive most update happenings at SWCO followed by usually monthly updates our 2 websites www.sacredwaters.co and www.sacred-waters.org and most detailed easiest to find information on the Blog page of the websites.  

Fishing Report:   As our waters rose up into somewhat of a Run-off in early June we were still able to fish and fishing was very good with many a wild, holdover, and occasional pellethead immigrates migrating about the river systems. As the waters began to fall, clear, and warm up we started to get hatches of many different species of insects actually almost too many. We have had aquatic insects that should hatch all throughout late May, all June, & early July all coming off at once due to the extremely strange year we've had here this year because of the low snowpack and Hot Dry, Spring and Early Summer so far. We had fantastic dry fly fishing when we should of barely been able to streamer or nymph fish if it was a normal average year, but the downside of that now is we are getting into such extreme drought conditions now that we are starting to shut down some of our Conservation Waters due to high water temperatures sticking to of Mission, Rules, Regulations, & Procedures. Going on the ole' sayings sorry "you shoulda been here yesterday" or "a day late and a dollar short" our Donor Members had some epic dry-fly fishing all June with average catches of 20-30 fish per person and many trophy sized fishes on all our conservation waters. 
As we look into the future here locally, I am keeping my eye on all our Conservation Waters as much as possible to determine when to close or open waters to Guiding/Fishing. We are perfectly fine on the Pine/Los Pinos River Ranches due to it is a bottom release tailwater and irrigation water the flows are staying 500-600 cfs and cool. The only concern there is we are committed to our Mission and will not over-pressure this fisheries 2 Conservation Ranches, so please be patient and call or email us ASAP to so we can schedule accordingly. As of Present Fairway Ranch (Shut Down/No Fishing), 3 of the 4 Weber Ranches (Shut Down/No Fishing), East Fork Ranch (Limited Fishing, Early Mornings, Upper Sections of the Ranch, will pull off the Water as per Water Temp Readings), Pick Bar ( Open, Full & Cold) Wommer Ranch (Open, Full & Cold), Public Waters San Juan/Animas/ NF-(Closed/No Fishing), Vallecito Lake (Open to Fish). 
​On the Optimistic Outlook of things they are calling for an Above Average Monsoon Season this year, so what that means is starting hopefully any day now we supposed to get Monsoonal Storms more frequently and with heavier  amounts precipitation through out the rest of the Summer. Lets hope & pray they are correct on this forecast.  Long Range Forecasts Click: https://www.weather.gov/gjt/CPCJuly_Outlook 
If this holds to be true we should be in better shape and hopefully continue business as usual. 
We are still fishing/guiding just on a more limited basis, good dry fly fishing still on our waters that aren't too warm. Sorry most of you who know me and/or read my fishing reports, blog posts, newsletters over the past lifetime of living this Fish Life know I'm pretty darn good at predicting the future weather, water conditions, insect hatches/activity, and all the ins & outs of what our upcoming trips will bring us. Well sorry this year has been and continues to be so backwards and strange I'm not going to even try to predict the future this year anytime soon.   
As I stated in my last few Blog Posts and Emails this is only possible because of our Sacred Waters CO Donors that we can keep & properly manage these conservation waters for the future and Thank You ALL for all your help. Those of you who have not been involved or get involved in future her at Sacred Waters CO Please remember, respect and show gratitude for our 2017 & 2018 Donors because without them this would not of been possible. 

Renewing Memberships: Donation amounts for 2017 Charter Donors are set for Life at the discounted rate if renewed Annually as discussed last year.
For New/1st Time Donors/Members their rate will be set for 3 yrs benefiting them to renew Annually if we ever have to raise the rates in the future. 
Discounted Rates for 2018:
Rates for New Donor Levels for 2018 : 
Bronze Level: Was $150.00. Now Only: $100.00, Applicable Guide Fees Apply and less (-)$25.00 on total Guide Fee on Bronze Level Donor Trips for all your trips in 2018.

Silver Level:   Was $3500.00. Now Only: $3400.00,  Less(-)$25.00 off for Guest Guide Fees for all trips in 2018. 

Gold Level:  Was $5500.00. Now Only: $5200.00, Less (-)$25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fees per person per trip for all Trips in 2018. 

Platinum/Corporate Level:  Was $10,000.00. Now Only: $9500.00 . Less (-)$25.00 off for Guest/s Guide Fess per person per trip for all of 2018.  

*Please keep in mind if you do donate in 2018 this will also be your membership renewal level for up to 3 years if you consecutively renewed annually.* 
(*After December 31, 2018 all Donor Member Level Packages will go back up to Original Pricing, Guest/s Fees will also return to original pricing, and all level prices are subject to increase as we expand through the future.*)  

Please review the FB & IG Social Media Pages and our Websites. I hope it can help show you all more easily and clearly the Efforts and Accomplishments SWCO has put forth with your and others donors generous donations. 

 Your Support of Sacred Waters is even More Crucial than ever..... And if you want to get some of the best fishing anywhere in a 100 miles of Pagosa Springs, CO in the future here. Donate Today and help us protect our local fisheries. We can't really predict or control/change the weather, but we can provide the best fishing at the best times and protect our waters and fishes at the worst times. But we can only accomplish this with your generous donations. 

Why? What do you mean? You may ask...
We at Sacred Waters take our Mission and doing what's Best for the Environment Very Seriously! If we do not receive the proper amount of moisture this season we could see extremely low, clear, warm-hot water in some of our locally fisheries. Since we do Care deeply about our C.A.R.E. Mission and our local ecosystems we need to do what's Best to Protect our fisheries. We can do so by having the ability to continue our environmental protection leases of our Sacred Waters Conservation Waters/Ranches to have the funds to monitor, manage, and make improvements of these ecosystems to the highest standards which may include but not limited to limiting fishing/guiding pressure, planting trees, making necessary stream improvements, plant fingerling fishes to help sustain fish populations that may have suffered due to uncontrollable factors such as weather, water conditions on all our Sacred Conservation Waters/Ranches. 
As Donors of the Sacred Waters Foundation and/or Donor Club Members of Sacred Waters CO. Inc. you provide us this ability and funds to do so through your generous donations helping us accomplish this Mission. Our 2017 Donor Charter Members have made this all happen and with renewals of their memberships starting to come through recently I have faith that we will continue our Mission well into the future. 

As for you new interested parties we can not grow without you! 
We do have a Limited Total of 15 Donor Fishing Memberships at present structure (subject to expand as we grow). Our Platinum/Corporate Level (5ppl/Co.'s + their guest/s), Gold Level (5ppl + guest/s), Silver Level (5ppl. + guest) Level Donors that gets more Guided Flyfishing Access to even more Exclusive Private Conservation Waters/Ranches as well as a New Bronze Level Fishing Donor Member Level. 
Please Call or Email for Details or what Levels have openings we are getting more limited in availability in some levels currently.  
 
Thank you all for your continuous support, encouragement, and interest in Sacred Waters CO. 

Let It RAIN!,
Joseph Eichelberger 


​

You may ask, Why did we restructure the organization?
To benefit our Mission even more which in-turn benefits you our donors as well as everyone and everything here in Southwest CO. With the addition of our second 501(c)3 Nonprofit Charity Foundation we can offer not only higher tax deductions for our Donors and our organization we can also fund much more money towards our Mission Goals. The original Sacred Waters CO Inc. is still a nonprofit but now a 501(c)7 Social Club which will not only help provide only the highest quality Guided Fishing experiences to our Donor Members but too remaining a nonprofit will give us tax breaks and a better budget, organizational structure, and financial transparency than any for-profit Outfitting Business can accomplish. We aren't here to make millions of dollars for ourselves we are here to make every cent we can count to move our Mission forward.   

How did the nice, warm, sunny winter weather depress you, why, what happened?
Well long story short, we started the Winter Weather Season, cold yet very dry as waters started to freeze up higher slowing flows to the larger lower sections of our rivers as well as giving higher evaporation rates to unfrozen portions of the rivers the waters became extremely low and clear about 25% or less than average flows for most of the Winter Season. Also with such low, clear waters and mild winter weather our birds of prey (fish eaters) did very well this winter (Bald Eagles, Osprey, Blue Herons, Kingfishers, & Mergansers) did not migrate as far south actually many just migrated to Pagosa Springs and Bayfield area waters so we had a lot of fish kill in our waters that remain open through the Winter months. In addition with our ever growing human population here in Colorado most of our larger, open public waters have and are receiving much more human fishing pressure including from the “meat-hunters” at the worst timing & conditions. As well as from the also ever growing wannabe new and existing guide services and fly shops that seem to be popping up around every corner, most too which seem to care more about making a buck than being proper stewards of our fisheries and too don't seem to mind doing fishless trips.  As many of you have read in Newsletters, Blog Posts, &/or on my social media I've always held myself as well as any of my guides/professional anglers to much higher standards than most do in the fishing industry. We turned down every guide trip request from mid-Nov. to March because we do hold higher standards and again as you may of heard me state time and time again “We care way more about these fisheries and their fishes than we do about making money.” As you may know me and my professional anglers usually fish around 3-4 days a week but this Winter we barely fished more than an hour or two here and there about 35 days total in 5 months from Nov.-March many as quick population checks at prime times and not going to lie to get our much needed fishing fixes.

We here at Sacred Waters were extremely concerned about a lack of snow/water for the 2018 Fishing Season. But not all is lost, February brought us up on snow-pack/water to around 50% of average snow-pack, and March too brought some more much needed moisture too. On another positive note our waters started thawing out to wide open fish-able water higher upstream on our fisheries starting about the first week on March. As we went to scout out some of these headwaters fisheries we have noticed that we had not lost hardly any fishes on our waters that freeze probably due to the fact the iced over water protected the fishes not only from predators but also from over-fishing pressure for about 4 months. We are now seeing a boost in flows and good color in most of our local fisheries with many fishes migrating about from wintering waters to their favorite springtime areas and/or with our wild rainbows & native cutthroats preparing to spawn here in the next few months. Fishing has been great so far! Now we do have much more optimism for the 2018 Fishing Season if history repeats itself as the last 3 years weather trend we should hopefully receive more moisture in throughout the entire Summer. NOAA is reporting long range forecasts of above average precipitation for the Summer of 2018 so that has us all here in SW CO feeling much better about our future here.  The last 3 years we had received more significant precipitation snow up high and rain down lower in April and May more than average and more than most of the normal winter months precipitation bringing us back up to average moisture or slightly above average for the year, did get a little more in April & May 2018 but not as much as the last few years. Let's hope, pray, rain dance, keep our fingers crossed, whatever that this 2018 Summer season will end up cooler and wetter.....

So what's all this weather and water conditions talk mean to you as interested parties, supporters, donors, members of Sacred Waters CO Inc. and Sacred Waters Foundation?
Well, if recent historic weather/water trends continue or get even better is All Good, our Sacred Conservation Waters remain full of cool clean water and as we continue our Mission will everything only improve our fisheries as well as provide quality fishing, learning, and healing experiences to our charities, members, and the ecosystem alike. But, there is always the flip side of the coin, since the past 3 years weather trends did not really continue as well as we’d like this year and we stayed fairly average slightly warmer and drier through April & May means that Your Support of Sacred Waters is even More Crucial than ever..... And if you want to get some of the best fishing of the year in this year you might want to consider getting here sooner than later. We can't really predict or control/change the weather, but we can provide the best fishing at the best times and protect our waters and fishes at the worst times. But we can only accomplish this with your generous donations.

Why? What do you mean? You may ask...
We at Sacred Waters take our Mission and doing what's Best for the Environment Very Seriously! If we do not receive the proper amount of moisture this season we could see extremely low, clear, warm-hot water in some of our locally fisheries. Since we do Care deeply about our C.A.R.E. Mission and our local ecosystems we need to do what's Best to Protect our fisheries. We can do so by having the ability to continue our environmental protection leases of our Sacred Waters Conservation Waters/Ranches to have the funds to monitor, manage, and make improvements of these ecosystems to the highest standards which may include but not limited to limiting fishing/guiding pressure, planting trees, making necessary stream improvements, plant fingerling fishes to help sustain fish populations that may have suffered due to uncontrollable factors such as weather, water conditions on all our Sacred Conservation Waters/Ranches.
As Donors of the Sacred Waters Foundation and/or Donor Club Members of Sacred Waters CO. Inc. you provide us this ability and funds to do so through your generous donations helping us accomplish this Mission. Our 2017 Donor Charter Members have made this all happen and with renewals of their memberships starting to come through recently I have faith that we will continue our Mission well into the future.

As for you new interested parties we can not grow without you!
We do have a Limited Total of 15 Donor Fishing Memberships at present structure (subject to expand as we grow). Our Platinum/Corporate Level (5ppl/Co.'s + their guest/s), Gold Level (5ppl + guest/s), Silver Level (5ppl. + guest) Level Donors that gets more Guided Flyfishing Access to even more Exclusive Private Conservation Waters/Ranches as well as a New Bronze Level Fishing Donor Member Level.


What's New @ Sacred Waters?:

Donor Member Level Changes for 2018:
In our restructuring we have made the Bronze Donor Level into a Guided Fishing Membership Package too. The New Bronze Level is limited to some specific Conservation Waters/Ranches on a more day by day Guide Fee. Why did we add a Bronze Level Fishing Package? Well to stick to our truthful transparent ways we did so for a few reasons.

How does the Bronze Level Fishing Package benefit you the donor?
You can still help a good cause no matter your budgetary or time restraints.
We can now offer quality fishing to even more people which helps not only our Mission.
For those of you who would like to help, donate, etc but can not afford the higher level package prices this gives you the ability to give tax-deductible donations to great causes, receive some guided fishing trips on Quality Private and Public Waters with our highly experienced Professional Anglers.
Some of you who just don't have the time to do more than a trip or two a year in this area can still get some excellent guided fishing in on great waters and also can still be able to be Guided by some of your favorite Professional Anglers.
Offering this too will not only benefit Bronze level donors but all Donor Levels & Charity Events with helping extend everyone's fishing season with not only just more locations to choose from but also could save the day if weather or water conditions make your preferred booked location unfishable or a planned Charity Event from being canceled with more variety in more locals we can much more easily adapt to the conditions.  
Gets more people out on the water enjoying the zen like moments of fly fishing and being outdoors as well as the educational/learning, rehabilitating/healing experiences. As many of you may have heard me say the #1 reason I do what I do for a living is to bring new people into the sport of fly fishing because I believe the more addicted and passionate you become to fly fishing the more conservation minded you will become to help protect what you love. This doesn't only help you as a fly fisher, but benefits everyone with the higher quality fishing throughout our local river systems, cleaner, healthier environment all around and for future generations.   

How's the Bronze Package help Sacred Waters?
First off it helps acquire more Conservation Water Leases that we can help protect, enhance/improve, and provide even more locations to all our charities and donors alike.
Helps us afford Conservation Leases on properties that may not necessarily meet all our standards &/or requirements of what we classify as Sacred Conservation Waters. For example checker boarded out property lines/multiple owners which we can not properly manage 100%. Shorter river mileage that does not provide multi days or not even full days worth of fishing and/or mileage to proper spread out fishing pressure, lower quality &/or more seasonal fisheries where the property may be great fishing location for shorter periods of time or specific seasons.
Protection to waters that may suffer for thermal issues like too warm of water in the peak of Summer fishing season but great alternatives/options for other off-season times when access to some other locations may be closed for the season, frozen, or just not optimal for fishing.
The more smaller ranches/waters we can acquire the more ½ day trips we can offer, the more we can spread out all fishing pressure to All Donor Levels as well as our charities events, and the more small pieces of sanctuary waters spread out among our local river systems we can properly manage and maintain the more beneficial it will be to the entire river system public and private.
Helps us get better exposure to to a higher population of people, those out there who may want to see what we offer, what we do as land stewards/managers, what we do as Professional Anglers and a sort of stepping stone to test the waters (pun intended) before dedicating a whole lot of your time and money at the higher donor level packages.  
Can Save the Day, if uncontrollable factors such as water or weather conditions don't allow for good fishing and/or a charity group or donor wants to come out here and try some fishing at so-called off-season times just gives us more variety to adjust and accommodate throughout the entire year.  
Finally, let's be honest more revenue, the more we have to offer the more revenue we can produce to not only provide our Professional Anglers with steady work and a livable income but as we are structured totally different than any other outfitting business out there we can raise more funds to grow and complete all of our Mission goals sooner and better with lesser budgetary funding issues all throughout our area and hopefully eventually throughout the fishing industry in years to come.    

Donor Level Changes for 2018:    

Bronze Level (*Now a Fishing Package*) Donations of $150.00 or more to the Sacred Waters Foundation will receive a yearly/annual membership to Sacred Waters CO Inc. Club will have access to Guided Fly fishing trips on Bronze Level Ranches/Waters and Public Waters with a daily guide fee at standard fair market rates and only limitations to access of these trips would be based on weather, water, fishing conditions, &/or pressure.

Silver Level has stayed the same other than the addition of New Waters/Ranches becoming available for 2018.   

We had also lower the Gold Package Level Donor Package down to $5500.00 from $7500.00 but kept all the same benefits. As of today will have access to  a total of 6 Private Ranches and 4 Public Waters, which equals around 20 days of fishing without ever seeing the same piece of water twice as well as helping allow us to equally distribute fishing/guiding pressure even more which not only benefits you as an angler it benefits our fishes/fisheries, our ability to provide even more charity trips to our local youth and Veterans Groups. At present Gold Level benefits this would equal about 3 years of fishing completely different waters each time. With negotiations currently in the works for even more private waters/ranches we will only be able to offer more and complete even more of our Mission Goals.  

The Platinum/Corporate Level has stayed the same, other than with us growing and being able to obtain even more Conservation Waters/Ranches. All levels will received the benefit of More, New Waters to help protect as well as have provide fishing access to more charities as well as to You donor members. With that said Platinum Donors as of today will have access to  a total of 7 Private Ranches and 4 Public Waters, which equals about 30+ days of fishing without ever seeing the same piece of water twice that equals about 3+ years of fishing with our present locations and even more as we grow at the Platinum Level. With negotiations currently in the works for even more private waters/ranches we are only going to grow and do more as we move forward.

Original 2017 Charter Donor Members:
As promised you will be set a your Discounted 2017 Donor Level Pricing for Life and able to upgrade your Level at the 2017 Discounted Rate for Life (your discounted Guest/s Guide Fees will remain the same as 2017 for life too.) all for making this Dream a Reality. This information is in your 2017 Donor Contract if you have any questions always feel free to contact us anytime. (970)444-2187 or joe@sacredwaters.co

New 1st time 2018 Donor Fishing Members:
Anyone who donates to a Fishing Donor Membership Level in 2018 will be set at 2018 Donor Level Pricing for 3 years if renewed annually for those next three years. With our plans of only growing this could be extremely beneficial to you as more waters/ranches are acquired.

Platinum/Corporate Level Donors: Everything is the same as 2017 benefits other than New Waters being added.

All Gold and Silver Level Donors: You will also receive as the same as in 2017 (1) Orientation Day with your allocate number of daily guest/s on the East Fork Ranch (EFR) and (1) orientation day on any new waters/ranches as they become available.

NEW Bronze Level Donor Guided Fishing Package: As explained above not only will you receive the same Gifts as promised in 2017 Bronze Level you can now get some access to Private and Public Water Guided Fishing Trips. Bronze Level Donors of $150.00 or more to our Charity Foundation will be able to fish our Bronze Level Waters at our standard guide rates. Not only are you able to receive access to some of the Best Waters Southwest Colorado has to offer but you get to fish with the Best Most Experienced Professional Anglers as your Guides while helping  great causes.

*2018 Early Season Specials/Discounts* :  The Early Bird gets the Worm... Well sorta, we don't need any worms unless you're speaking of the San Juan Worm Fly Pattern. But the early angler will get the fish for sure.

On that note any New Donors for 2018 that Donate Before June 1st 2018 will do so at a Discounted Rate and the early bird will get the worm too with a Free ½ dozen San Juan Worm type fly patterns in addition to our normal donor level gifts and benefits.

Rates for New Donor Levels if paid by 06/01/2018 :

Bronze Level: $150.00   Now Only: $125.00 till June 1st,  2018 applicable Guide Fees Apply and less (-)$25.00 on total Guide Fee on Bronze Level Donor Trips for all your trips if pre-booked before June 1st 2018.  

Silver Level: $3500.00   Now Only: $3400.00 till June 1st, 2018 less (-)$25.00 for Guest Guide Fees for all trips pre-booked before July 1st 2018.

Gold Level: $5500.00   Now Only: $5200.00 till 06/01/2018 less (-)$25.00 for Guest/s Guide Fees per person per trip for all Trips pre-booked before August 1st 2018.

Platinum/Corporate Level:  $10,000.00   Now Only: $9500.00 till 6/1/18 (-)$25.00 for Guest/s Guide Fess per person per trip for all of 2018.  

*Please keep in mind if you do donate by no later than June 01, 2018 this will also be your membership renewal level for up to 3 years if you consecutively renewed annually.* 
*Trips pre-booked by said date means prescheduling all your Guided Fishing Trips/Days for the Season NOT have to take trip by said dates.*
(*After June 1st 2018 all Donor Member Level Packages will go back up to Original Pricing, Guest/s Fees will also return to original pricing, and all level prices are subject to increase as we expand through the future.*)  

Current & Future Projects for Sacred Waters CO Inc.  in 2018:
As stated above we have expanded our river mileage of our Conservation Waters so far in 2018 and still in negotiations for possibly few more hopefully before the Season get into full swing.

As well as work in progress on offering Hosted Destination Travel Trips, more discounted Lodging Packages becoming available soon here locally, more activities such as whitewater rafting & kayaking, horseback trail rides, hunting and much more.

Newest Bronze Level Conservation Waters:  *Accessible By All Other Donor Level Members.*

Fairway Ranch on the San Juan River, Pagosa Springs, CO.- (Bronze Level Location.)
​The Fairway Ranch is the first Private Ranch just south/downstream of the town of Pagosa Springs. Excellent location for most all physical and fishing ability levels depending on water level. Being just below downtown very quick, easy access location great for ½ day Guided Fly fishing trips. At higher, fuller flows can be a Full Day worth of fishing with 1-2 people. Fairway Ranch has had some stream/habitat improvement work done that has made for faster deeper pools that in the Summer months help protect the fish from overheating thermal issues being just a mile or so from the Pagosa Hot Springs. This location is also one of the very few areas of any of our local river sections that does not freeze in the Winter month due to the Hot Springs influence and becomes a sanctuary for fishes in the Winter months. With deeper wintering pool and slightly warmer water temperatures in the colder month many fishes in the San Juan River drainage migrate to winter over on this property. This Ranch/ section of Conservation Water is available to all Donor Member Levels, but is one of our Bronze Level locations due to a few reasons. It's close proximity to town makes for ability to offer ½ day trips, easy access, open casting room, fairly easy walking/wading, just a really good location for beginners and to get new people into fly fishing. For example I have guided a 80 year old women on a Bucket List trip on this Ranch and had guided a 10 year old boy on his first ever fishing experience too, with no complications and everyone catching some trophy sized fish. While having slightly warmer water we do get a nice little bonus of some common carp that haunt the waters here. So you also have an opportunity to hook into a Golden Ghost and maybe see your backing for the first time.

Wommer Ranch on the Pine/Los Pinos River, Bayfield, CO.-  (Bronze Level Location.)
The Pine/Los Pinos River tailwater below Vallecito Reservoir is a fantastic fishery in our opinion one of the best trout fisheries in the state if not the entire country. Due to fact that the river is a bottom release tailwater river it is extremely fertile ecosystem with an abundance of food(insects) and because it is a bottom release tailwater the river stays at a steady cool temperature year-round. This river grows some of the largest most beautiful trout you find anywhere. Other advantage to this location being a tailwater without much for tributary feeder stream influence this river stays crystal clear most all the time and being dam controlled rarely ever blows out to none fish-able levels &/or color. This location is a little on the tougher side of fish-ability Average Summer flows hold at the 500-700 CFS from usually May- Oct. which can make for hard wading and slight better fly fishing techniques and skill to effectively present and work each pool and pocket, but the rewards of your effort can be well worth the hard work. Similar to our Pick Bar Ranch just downstream but Wommer's is offered at the Bronze Level as well as to any other Donor Level interested in checking out some different water.

ALL New Bronze Level Public Waters: *Accessible By All Other Donor Level Members too*
To expand our offerings to those of you that want to learn about fly fishing that may have more time &/or budget restraints. We offer some easy access, close to or in town guided fly fishing trips, while being public waters these fisheries are quality fisheries that we feel can offer a lot to our anglers. While sticking to CARE Mission Goals offering public water trips only helps advance these Goals forward.

Conservation:
As you are being guided by only the best Professional Anglers here in Southwest CO you will observe and be taught about the pros & cons of our Colorado Parks & Wildlife management and/or positive & negative effects of the Fishing Industry &/or Commercial Outfitting Industry  of these fisheries. How we are trying to help make any necessary changes to improve these fisheries. As well as the knowledge of what you can do to help while knowing that your Donations and Guide Fees are going towards conserving these Publicly accessible waters is not only for yourself but for everyone who enjoys fishing here in Southwest Colorado and future generation to come.

Advocacy:
This is a key Mission Goal that really goes hand & hand with our local public water fisheries. Our Advocacy Mission Goal is to be influential with state and federal management agencies in helping to move forward on better management of our local publicly accessible fisheries as things change here locally like the ever expanding higher tourist populations, growing new resident populations, water/irrigation rights issues, overfishing pressure, mismanagement of put & take/catch & kill attitudes, etc... that are already making a noticeable impact on our very few miles of easily accessible public waters that everyone should be able to enjoy.

Rehabilitation:
We discuss all throughout our websites, social media, emails, &/or on fishing trips with all of you the Rehabilitating effects, causes & reactions of Fly fishing on the human mind, how it has been shown time & time again be it University Studies, personal experiences, through groups like Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Patriot Anglers, Casting for a Cure, Sacred Waters CO and the like that fly fishing does help people overcome some obstacles that life has thrown them from PTSD issues, terminal illnesses, addiction problems, living with disabilities, stress, depression, etc., etc. Offering this easy access, close to town, public waters helps us provide guided fishing trips to everyone, our charities, &/or donors that may have more restraints is physical abilities, that may have issues that could cause a need for close immediate medical attention, to some of our disabled or disadvantaged youth that can sometimes shut down & need to leave at short to no notice. In addition the second part of our Rehabilitation Mission is the ecological/environmental rehabilitating that may be needed in certain areas and following our Advocacy Mission we can be helpful in the rehab of these public waters for all to be able to experience the great outdoors no matter their restrictions.

Education:
As most of our Mission Goals are all pretty intertwined Education falls right into each of them too. As you who know me have heard say that “I'm not a Guide, I'm a Teacher!” My most rewarding days aren't usually the most fish caught or the biggest caught by my clients or myself, but those times you see the spark, when you see the light bulb click on in someone's eyes, they got it, they're learning, be it the fishing bug/addiction, the cast, the drift, the hook-set, the lessons of the fights won or lost,  the understanding of the environment, the reasons behind the Sacred Waters Mission, and how we need to fix what we humans broke and protect what we still have. Those are my best days on the water usually! As we offer more variety of trips and pricing through the Bronze Level we will only be able to Educate more people and those people will want to practice better Conservation, Advocate for what's right & what's best for our communities human & wild, Rehabilitate not only the stresses of their own but hopefully others as well as their local environments & beyond. Finally of course “Pass it On! Keeping Educating others...

San Juan River, Downtown Pagosa Springs, CO.-  
What we term the San Juan Proper (meaning the real wild trout river in CO not the man-made tailwater end in NM.)
This river system is the home where our hearts are while we do hold most of our Conservation Leases along this river system we all enjoy the 2 miles of Public Water Downtown especially in the less touristy so-called off-season months. With the Pagosa Hot Springs flowing into the middle of this public water section of the San Juan River the river stays free of ice and warmer water tends to concentrate good populations of sometimes very large trout throughout the Winter and less outdoors traffic can be fantastic days fishing right in town. Nowadays the river can be pretty busy in the peak tourist seasons but early morning or late evening fishing can be awesome with less distraction. The whole length of town has had stream improvement work done creating a consistent pool to pool ratio so there's usually always a good pool to wet a line in. I had managed the fish planting/stocking through the town section through the Pagosa Quality Fishing Project and for those 5-6 years our budget to purchase fish continually got cut-down every year, but proper with stocking efforts as I managed it every year the State Biologist still continually got better population numbers. So yeah town does hold a lot of pelletheads/domestic farm fish, but at fish migration times Spring & Fall you'll notice a plethora of trophy holdover fish, wild & native fishes moving through town as well as the planted stockers. This too will show with how the proper management of Our Private Sacred Waters above & below the Public town section is improving the entire fishery as fish have no boundaries and will move about the entire river system as needed to spawn, to find colder or warmer preferred water temperatures throughout the season, for food, for proper seasonal pools, etc... We do prefer the off-season months to fish or guide town due to recent increase in growth here locally the last five years. But you can fish the San Juan downtown most everyday year-round.

Animas River, Durango, CO.-
The Animas river in downtown Durango is managed much better than many State managed public waters due to it's Gold Medal Classification, and Artificial Fly & Lure Only, (2) fish 16” or over bag limit on not only the Gold Medal Section but same Regulations in place on the Southern Ute Reservation Waters as well. The Animas is well known as a trophy trout river worldwide because it is, this fairly large river that happens to be also the longest free flowing river(no dams/reservoirs) in the United States. Some State Records Brown Trout have come out of this river over the years and holds high populations of both holdover & Wild Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout  as well as the occasional Cuttbow or Cutthroat of which many are of trophy size. This river can be a little tricky at times it fertile nature promotes weed & algae growth that can making wading slippery and even tougher due to it is a large river especially at higher water times. But with many miles of public access it can be accommodating to most angler abilities and physical abilities with many different areas and terrains as you can drive, bike or walk most of it via the roads around town or the 7 mile long paved Animas River Trail. Float or Wade Full and Half Day Trips.

Vallecito Lake/Reservoir, Vallecito/Bayfield, CO.- 
Vallecito is a fairly large man-made reservoir that is home to a variety of Trophy Game Fishes. With healthy populations of trophy size Brown and Rainbow Trout, including some State Record sized Browns being caught here, so have State Record Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass and some of the Walleye & Kokonee Salmon are getting close to state record class sizing. We offer boat and wade trips of half or full days on Vallecito for all species, this is also the Only Location we Allow Conventional Fishing Gear/Hardware, but Artificial Lures Only. Also a location where we may allow some selective harvest of certain species, at certain times, at slot sizes and limited bag limit. A day on the lake beats a day at work no matter what be it fishing or not. Great location for families, people with disabilities, or larger groups our Pontoon Boat slipped on the lake holds up to 6 anglers and since half of our Professional Anglers live at, have lived at and guided in Vallecito throughout our lives we hold this Little Valley dear to our hearts too. Those of you whom never tried fly fishing for warmwater species like Pike, Bass, Walleye this is a place to try or for you purist whom never tried fishing with conventional gear we can teach you a thing or two about that here also.

Public Waters in the Columbine & San Juan National Forests & Weminuche Wilderness:
We work with other Local Outfitters  in the area but due to Federal Laws we can not advertise specifics on Federal Land Trips. But please feel free to contact us and we can help you schedule a more off the beaten path Wilderness Fishing, hiking, horseback riding experience. We are all independent contractors as Professional Anglers so don't fret we can still be your Guides on these trips.


Discounted Hosted/Destination Trips:
Since all of us here have been in the fishing industry most our lives we've been fortunate to make some good fishing friends from all over. We are trying to work into our schedules and budgets some more travel to other destinations outside of Colorado.  In the slower, colder months when our local waters are mainly frozen or lesser to none accessible we can still get in on some fantastic fishing abroad when their fishing is at its best.

If you'd like an East Coast Adventure:  As some of you know our Sacred Waters PA Jon Oody from Tennessee. I've known Jon his whole adult life and we had worked, fished, guided together through a few Outfitters I've managed over the last 10 years. Jon grew up to be one of the best guides and anglers I know and in recent years has started Tennessee Valley Anglers at Guide Service in East TN. Specializing in some unique fishing opportunities on the fly as well as conventional, boat or wade, for species like Musky, Stripped Bass, Carp/Drum, Bass, as well as Trout Fishing Float & Wade Trips on everything from huge southern tailwater rivers to tiny creeks in the Great Smokie Mountains. If interested in exploring what Jon and Tennessee have to offer feel free to give us a call and we'll help you get your trip scheduled. 


We are currently hashing out some details and pricing on other trips and will update as things come together. But for a little teaser of where we may be able to book you a discounted fishing vacation or bring you along on a trip hosted by us. Other than Tennessee, we're hoping to have theses scheduled within the year.

SoCal fishing inshore and offshore in the Pacific Ocean on either a 24.5' inshore boat for the day, to overnight and multi-day trips offshore on a 35' cabin cruiser for Yellowtail, YellowfinTuna, Bluefin Tuna, Bonita, Blue Sharks, Mako Sharks, and more on the fly. Overnight or multi-day trips boat sleeps up to 6 people.

Multiple Hawaiian Islands not just for Saltwater fishes either, I have friends guiding not just some of the largest Bonefish you'll ever see, but Giant Travelly, bluefin travelly, peacock bass, large & smalmouth bass, as well as a multitude of other exotic tropical fresh & saltwater fishes and believe it or not even trout.

South Texas Trips in overnight, multi-day, or day trip floats for Freshwater for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Guadalupe Bass. On the Coast for Redfish (Red Drum), Black Drum, Speckled Sea Trout, and the occasional Tarpon.

Michigan Great Lakes Tributary Rivers for Salmon, Steelhead, and resident trout. Wade or float trips on some of the iconic rivers of American Fly-fishing history. From swinging flies on two-handed rods in huge rivers to bushwhacking smaller streams our friends in MI have a lot to offer.

Lodging Opportunities: 
We are working with some existing Lodgers here locally to offer discounted rates to our Charities and Donors alike who may need a place to stay when visiting Southwest Colorado. We will update you all with details as well as add a Lodging Page to our website as everything is finalized.

Other Exciting Lodging coming soon, through all of your generous donations, and our completely different business structure two of our Conservation Lease Owners are able to and starting to build some cabins on two of our Ranches, with planned completion hopefully by the 2019 Season we will have on-site lodging options to freely house our Charity Groups as well as even higher discounted lodging for our Donor Members.

Upcoming Charity Events and Mission Projects: 

We will be hosting as usual Veterans Groups from Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and Patriot Anglers throughout the 2018 Season.

We are working with the Archuleta County School District, High School and Jr High Special Needs Classes and hosting educational & fishing trips with these kids on our Sacred Waters throughout 2018 School year this Spring and Fall. We're trying to get some seedling trees from a few sources here shortly to have some tree planting days with a couple local youth groups during the somewhat boring run-off season and after we stop having frosty nights.

We are collecting even more environmental data starting this season you will notice a little more photos, measurements, accurate counts done by your Professional Anglers on all our Guided Trips from now and moving forward. We will also have a fisheries biologist and a stream work specialist visiting each Sacred Waters Conservation Ranch annually or more doing electro-shock surveys, fly-overs/Ariel photo mapping of all the ranches/waters, and possibly do some small needed tweaks of some of the rivers habitat work. We are going to monitor the waters and fishes extensively and build a detailed database annually to truly manage and adjust throughout the years to come. All data will be regularly published for all to see on both websites to help preserve and/or create the Best Wild Trout Fisheries we can on our Sacred Waters...

We will also be filming a lot this year on a Disabled Veterans' Documentary Film Project on the Benefits of Fly Fishing to those suffering from PTSD. Filming started in mid-May and will continue throughout the Fall of 2018. With planned completion/publication of the Film sometime in 2019.

We are also in process of organizing at least one or two Catch and Release Fishing Tournaments in Memory of our friend Rick Bartholomew who unexpectedly passed away in Jan. 2018 Rick loved fishing like many of us do and was a great friend to many here in Pagosa Springs. In memory of Rick we are creating a Scholarship Fund from the Tournament Proceeds for local youth. We'll keep you posted as it comes together, there's some Governmental Red Tape to deal with in holding tournaments and to stick to our Mission we are exploring many options on procedures to properly and safely manage everything.  

Exact dates will be posted on the Donor Member Private Booking Calendar on www.sacredwaters.co to help you Donor Members schedule your Guided Fishing Trips and Publicly on Sacred Waters Foundation Calendar www.sacred-waters.org for anyone to come out to volunteer or just to see what we do and learn somethings.

Any other charity groups looking to get involved with Sacred Waters CO Inc. or Sacred Waters Foundation please feel free to contact us anytime via our Websites, Social Media, Email, or telephone. Thank you for your interest and support. Hope to hear from you soon...

​Thank You, Tight Lines;

Joseph Eichelberger   

Founder, President of Sacred Waters CO Inc. & Sacred Waters CO Foundation 
Professional Angler, Custom Fly Tyer/Designer
Freelance Outdoors Writer, Photographer, & Fisheries Consultant

Contact Us...
http://www.sacredwaters.co
http://www.sacred-waters.org 

(970)-444-2187

Sacred Waters CO Inc. 
135 Country Center Dr F 166
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

joe@sacredwaters.co
Sacred Waters Facebook
Sacred Waters Instagram

Sacred Waters CO.: 2018 Membership/Donation Drive 2018 & C.A.R.E. Report

Spring has Sprung and Summer is right around the corner here at Sacred Waters CO

Our second year is here, and more than ever our CARE (Conservation, Advocacy, Rehabilitation, Education) mission is paramount. In order to execute another great year we have restructured our organisations and donation tiers.

Bronze Level Package $150.00 or more will receive a yearly/annual membership to Sacred Waters CO Inc. Club and will have access to Guided Fly fishing trips on Bronze Level Ranches/Waters and Public Waters with a daily guide fee at standard fair market rates.

Silver Package Level $3500 or more has 4 ranches and any bronze level waters, 3 donor fishing days, 1 donor float or an extra fishing day. One complimentary guest fee minus the conservation fee of $150 any other guest days will be priced with the discounted guide rate. And New Waters/Ranches becoming available for 2018.  

Gold Package Level $5500.00 or more As of today will have access to a total of 6 Private Ranches and 4 Public Waters, which equals around 20 days of fishing without ever seeing the same piece of water twice. This helps us to equally distribute fishing/guiding pressure. At present Gold Level benefits this would equal about 3 years of fishing completely different waters each time. With negotiations currently in the works for even more private waters/ranches we will only be able to offer more and complete even more of our CARE Mission.  

Platinum/Corporate Level $10,000.00 or more. 10 guided days of fishing, 1 complimentary guest minis $150 conservation fee. Guest fishermen fee is $75 less than Gold. Allowed a total of 3 guest per day. A custom Sacred Waters Abel Reel along with swag has stayed the same, other than with us growing and being able to obtain even more Conservation Waters/Ranches. Platinum Donors as of today will have access to  a total of 7 Private Ranches and 4 Public Waters, which equals about 30+ days of fishing without ever seeing the same piece of water twice that equals about 3+ years of fishing with our present locations and even more as we grow at the Platinum level.


The CARE Report
In order to keep you up to date with what’s happening in Sacred Waters, we introduce The CARE Report. This is designed to be a clear and condensed report for you our members.

Conservation
Through the generous donations of all our members we have been able to limit the fishing pressure on all our ranches. This has ultimately allowed us to see signs of a healthy developing habitat for the fish. Their undisturbed spawning areas are allowing for the best possible conditions given the worrisome weather & water conditions of Southwestern Colorado.

Advocacy
In the last year we have begun to address better management of our local publicly accessible fisheries as things change here locally such as expanding tourist populations and new resident population. We have also started the process to discuss locally; water/irrigation rights issues, overfishing pressure, mismanagement of put & take/catch and kill attitudes.

Rehabilitation
As we continue to negotiate new waters, we have studied the waters we do have which has allowed us to start developing plans to improve these fisheries ecosystem. We hope to soon have a fisheries biologist, a stream restoration specialist join our team.

Education
Every person we have guided in the last year has been taught the ethical practices on the water. We have also had the privilege to educate and introduce the sport of fishing to wounded Veterans, through various organizations such as Patriot Anglers and Project Healing Waters. As well as disabled children through the Archuleta School Districts Special Needs Program.

​I am sorry for the silence for most of the Winter Season to be totally honest myself and our board members had been extremely busy on a restructuring project of Sacred Waters CO Inc. and the creation of the Sacred Waters Charity Foundation, but also fairly depressed as many of you may have noticed we have had a very mild, warm, dry Winter Season. Which limited are ability to guide or personally fish hardly any fishing trips from about December 2017 to about mid-March 2018 and still effectively follow our Mission. These factors had us here at Sacred Waters CO. extremely stressed because we do hold higher standards than most Outfitters and our greatest donor benefits of guided fishing trips to raise funds for our Charities and Mission Goals may not of been possible if we did not receive the much needed snowpack to keep our rivers, full and cool through the 2018 season. But also the double edged sword situation of 2018 is this could be the most crucial year ever for Sacred Waters to exist to protect, preserve, and enhance our fisheries. Admits all this unpredictable and uncontrollable weather concerns, we had way too many horribly tragic events and losses starting 2018. With just a few last administrative details to be finished up and plans to launch the 2018 Season by the end of March 2018 just in time to start guiding primetime ice out season, the tragic hits kept coming. We are a small town and tight knit community here and are all connect in some form or fashion. Some of you know somethings about our community and all this and some of you may have seen or heard about the tragic events that conspired throughout the beginning of 2018 I'm not going to get into this too much here but please feel free to visit the Pagosa Sun Newspaper for details.

​But, February did come in with great winter weather and continue to snow the majority of our total snowpack throughout the month really boosting everyone's spirits as did March, April, and May with much needed snow & rain. March, April, and beginning of May were great fishing and we were completing last minute administrative work with all our newest projects and changes, the weather was wetter and fishing was excellent giving us much more future water and optimism. Our rivers started to ice out and open up to fishable conditions and as we scouted out our newly opening waters we found awesome fishing and no real loss of fishes.
Even though 2017 ended and 2018 started fairly strange and honestly a little scary. We are still here and have some New Changes and a positive optimistic outlook on the future of Sacred Waters and our local fisheries.  After much work by our Board and Financial Planning Group over the Winter & Spring, we have restructured Sacred Waters CO Inc. and added the Sacred Waters Charity Foundation and working on a New Scholarship Fund. For more details on all the changes and latest happenings at Sacred Waters CO keep an eye on we will be adding Blog Posts as frequently as possible explaining in more details.

www.sacredwaters.co

www.sacred-waters.org

https://www.facebook.com/Sacred-Waters-CO-1917334878523234/

https://www.instagram.com/sacredwatersco/

Thank You, Tight Lines;

Joe

www.facebook.com/events/1730298567278929/
 

#givingtuesday @ Sacred Waters Co.
Happy #givingtuesday!
In celebration of Giving Tuesday Sacred Waters Co is Giving Away a Free Guided Flyfishing Trip to 1 out of every 20 Donors will be drawn randomly for a trip on one of our Private Conservation Waters/Ranches who Donate $25 or more. 
Donors donating $50-$75 will receive a Free Sacred Waters Co Hat.
Donations of $100 or more will receive a Free Sacred Waters Co Hat & T-Shirt. 
All Donors will receive a Certificate of Recognition/Appreciation...
Donations must be received by midnight Pacific time tonight Tuesday 11/28/2017   As well 25% of your donation will be placed in our Conservation Fund dedicated to conserving & enhancing our local fisheries & other 75% in our general fund that Supports our CARE Mission 
Please click the link below to Donate Today!
http://www.sacredwaters.co/donate.html via PayPal
If link above does not work for you please log on to www.sacredwaters.co and click the Donate Button on any of the web pages.
Good Luck!!!
Disclaimer: Donating more money does Not increase your odds of winning. All free donor trips from this promotion will be drawn at random. Your Professional Angler will choose the Conservation Water/Ranch for your trip, all based on weather, water, &/or fishing conditions. Trips can be scheduled anytime from day of drawing 11/30/2017 to 12/01/2018. Free Guide Trip Certificate is valid for 1 year 365 days from drawing on 11/30/2017. 

Fall Fun with Sacred Waters CO.

What's going on here at Sacred Waters, the Fishing and such....

Things are just starting to wind down here at Sacred Waters Co. The Fun Never Ends here at Sacred Waters CO. but Winter is Coming.....
Don't fret, Fall Fishing has been Awesome to say the least. Just as the waters were getting to slightly below average we have received rain and snow up high boosting the flows back up, slowing the ice growth on some of our waters that do freeze up, giving fishes more water to easily migrate about, and a little more color than usual low & clear conditions of Autumn. We are currently experiencing Indian Summer with forecast of clear sunny skies and high temperatures in the 60F's. This too should only help keep the waters full with good color as snow slowly melts and trickles down into the aquifer. We have many fishes moving about our rivers here in our Sacred Waters. Currently brown trout, brook char, & kokanee salmon are in prespawn, spawning, or post spawn and rainbow, cuttbow, cutthroat trout following to gorge on high protein eggs and/or all species migrating to finding good wintering pools to survive the winter.
(ATTENTION: "Please Do Not Fish for Spawning Fish!!!
Brook Char, Brown Trout, and Kokanee Salmon are in pre-spawn, full spawn or just entering post-spawn. If you see two trophy sized trout parred up on a redd just admire their size & beauty and walk away. Ultimately you are saving the lives of possibly hundreds to thousands of fishes you and many more will have the chance to catch in the future by leaving those two fish to continue to finish their spawning ritual."
"Please be careful wading around too much this time of year too, especially in gravelly side channels, tailouts and heads of pools, these are usually places fish make redds and spawn. If you see clean depressions in the gravel, or what looks to be a pile or pit of clean gravel please avoid wading through it." 
NOTE: There is NO Snagging of Kokonee Salmon Allowed in the Williams Creek Drainage!!! )

Many of you have heard me speak of trading Quality Over Quantity of fishes when it comes to cold weather fishing of Late Fall, Winter, &/or Early Spring fishing, we aren't there yet, we are in a perfect period of Quantity of Quality with lots of fishes of all sizes being caught daily. I have also noticed after many years of fishing and guiding these Rivers/Ranches with the advent of Scared Waters and our management plans the lessen fishing pressure and well distributed fishing pressure significantly better fishing than all the years in the past. Fall can be one of the best times of year to fish this area or most anywhere. But in the past with retail outfitting churn 'em & burn through attitudes by Autumn even though the fishing improves because of the a fore mentioned factors. The factor of the fish being beat on on a daily basis does make them more skittish and well hell just smarter and usually the lowest, clearest, colder water of the year and clear sunny weather can make the fishing even tougher with no margin of error for these smart, skittish, wild fish. Not the case anymore!
As stated in my last blog post My Professional Anglers', my personal & ranch availability to our Donors, Guests, Charities, and Ranch Owners has made scheduling quick and easy. As well as looking into the future booking extending our fishing season to the truly "Best" times to fish this area. Yes, July and August are Not the only times to fish around here actually they can some of the Worst times. I have been pushing this through retail tourist outfitting for years and have taught a lot of people this but through Sacred Waters it's made it much easier and everyone is only loving every minute of it, as well as learning more on becoming more well rounded anglers... And it's just the start of the So-Called "Off-Season”..... reminder to, those of you who have not booked up or used all your guided fishing days we do fish year-round as you know, but some Ranches availability or access could be in question moving into Autumn & Winter Seasons due to snow, road closures &/or freezing waters. So in order the East Fork Ranch on the East fork of the San Juan River is accessed by a Forest Service Road that will close when the USFS feels it's time usually Nov. which could be any day now, Weber Ranches on the Upper San Juan River upstream of Pagosa Springs are accessible till the river freezes usually Nov.-Dec. and little to no worries on Pick_Bar Ranch the Pine River/Los Pinos River Tailwater open year-round but flows can get extremely low at times in the Fall & Winter. Just keep that in mind..... And that all that information is on the Conservation Waters Page.
(Reminder Our PA's will NOT let you fish for bedded up spawners.)

Exciting News too we have been expanding our waters/ranches, also we can use our Private retail waters/ranches on the San Juan River “Proper” and on the Pine River / Los Pinos River Tailwater if needed due to seasonal conditions that may limit access to our Sacred Waters Only Ranches.

Newest Ranch/Water added to the mix some of you know of as the Fairway Ranch on the San Juan River just downstream from Pagosa Springs. Due to its location below the Hot Springs it rarely freezes for more than a day or two at our coldest winters so fishes most all year-round. This location is easy wading with large, slow, deep, warmer wintering pools so fish tend to stack up on this ranch in the winter months. I had been resting the waters on Fairway since bringing it into Sacred Waters program due to it's ability to fish well when other locations are inaccessible or frozen.

As always I update my personal & Sacred Waters Social Media more often than the website cause I can from my cell phone. So please check those Instagram & Facebook pages to see up to date happenings in our area and with Sacred Waters. Please feel free to call us or email for any up to date fishing conditions, reports, to book a guided trip &/or upcoming events/volunteer opportunities.

Recent charity events had gone off without a hitch. We hosted a second Patriot Anglers of North Texas Disabled Veterans Group Trip Oct. 24-27th . Great Times with Great People with tons of Fishing Fun, Free Gifts, & Good Food! Special Thanks to Buck of Buck Frisbee Landscaping for fly rod/reel combos he donated as well as grass/brush clearing of our lakes and Mark “Pops” Miller of Let it Fly for donating free flies for the event.
(Photos of our Patriot Anglers of N. TX. Trips in Slideshow below)

​We recently donated a 2 person Full-Day Guided Flyfishing Trip to Ducks Unlimited for auction, to raise money for wetlands conservation. Sorry for not getting this posted sooner it has already been bought at the auction.

We are also in process of some other really big life changing charity work, will fill you all in as we move forward on that project.

As promised, after a long wait we have finally received all of our complimentary gifts for our Donors and Charities of Sacred Waters Co. Stickers, Hats, T-shirts, Fishing Shirts, and Custom Abel Reels. Some of you may have seen these gifts posted on our Sacred Waters Facebook &/or Instagram Pages. Because of our your generous donations we were able to order a few more and in multiple colors than originally planned so please contact me joe@sacredwaters.co or (970)799-4957 on what color hat or t-shirt you want and if you'd like me to ship them or if you'll prefer to pick them up personally.
Please keep in mind the 7 colors of Hats & 4 colors of T-Shirts to choose from, let us know if you'd like to purchase any additional products. Thanks
Holding to our conservation mission our Sacred Waters Hats are from E conscious are made from 70% Organic Cotton and 30% Recycled Polyester and our T-shirts from Hanes EcoSmart line 50% Cotton and 50% Polyester made from recycled plastic bottles.
Fishing Shirts from DriDuck in 3 colors super light 2.2 oz. tough 100%, rip-stop Polyester convertible sleeve fishing shirt with UPF 40+ sun protection that blocks 97.5% or more harmful UV rays, Teflon™ Shield+ fabric protector, repels water and oil based stains, vented back with mesh lining, industrial strength, heat resistant buttons that test twice as strong as a standard shirt button, and other unique features & accessories pockets.
Sacred Waters CO. Custom Abel Reels Black Solid Back with White Logo and Name Engraved. Made in Montrose, Colorado USA.
​
​Please feel free to contact us if you'd like to purchase any of our Sacred Waters products or non-profits that would like some gifts donated to your charity events/fundraisers.  

Any interested in donating for the remainder of 2017 or 2018 we can do so at anytime and start fishing anytime. Thanks ​

​Thank You, Tight Lines;
Joseph Eichelberger   

President of Sacred Waters CO.
Professional Angler, Custom Fly Tyer/Designer
Freelance Outdoors Writer, Photographer, & Fisheries Consultant

Contact Us...

http://www.sacredwaters.co

(970)-444-2187

Sacred Waters
135 Country Center Dr F 166
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

joe@sacredwaters.co

Sacred Waters Facebook

Sacred Waters Instagram

Hello All,

Hope you all have had a Great Summer so far!  As you may have noticed in the slideshow above, our Sacred Waters Donors sure are!  I must say, for someone who doesn't have a "Real Job", I've sure been busy. We've had some Awesome Dry Fly fishing going on, all through August and most of September so far. 

What's been going on at Sacred Waters Co? 
Other than some fantastic dry fly fishing for Trophy Sized Wild Trout a lot has been going on. As for with myself I am no longer employed at the Ski and Bow Rack,  Now I have all my time and energy wrapped up in Sacred Waters Co. and the Charities we support. So if you need to get in contact with me please call (970)444-2187 or email joe@sacredwaters.co .

I would like to take this moment to Thank all of our Donors for the support that helped make this Dream a Reality and help give us the opportunities to start fulfilling our Mission goals.

We are experiencing some of the best "real" dry fly fishing you could ask for by fulfilling the Mission of spreading out pressure through our 10+miles of rivers and lakes on our Ranches and the fishes are happy & healthy.

My Professional Anglers', my personal & ranch availability to our Donors has made scheduling quick and easy. As well as looking into the future booking extending our donors fishing season to the truly "Best" times to fish this area. Yes, July and August aren't the only times to fish around here actually they can some of the worst times. I have been pushing this through retail tourist outfitting for years and have taught a lot of people this but through Sacred Waters it's made it much easier and our donors are only loving every minute of it, as well as learning more on becoming well rounded anglers... And it's just the start of the So-Called "Off-Season". 

We have been able to Donate some Guided Fly Fishing Trips to Local Charities and other Non-Profits to provide Quality Fishing, Learning, & Healing Experiences to others in our community as well as help raise monies for their organizations. None of which was easily or at all possible with overbooked, over pressured Retail Guided Waters or for over worked, under paid Guides in the past. I would like to Thank everyone who made it to the Veterans Memorial Park of Archuleta County Golf Outing last month thank you for helping raise money for a good cause.
 
We have had some fishery surveying done on our Sacred Waters/Ranches, and started hashing out plans on how to improve our waters even more.  For you, for everyone, and for the future of every fishery. What we do to improve our waters improves the whole ecosystem. Quality headwaters upstream enhance all waters downstream, plus fish don't have boundaries... We are working on tweaking some stream habitat work to improve spawning. sanctuary side channel waters should boost wild fish reproduction and survival through the entire river system, since a majority of our Sacred Waters Ranches are in the headwaters. As well as bank stabilization and cooling/shading from long, on-going willow planting.  This slows silt distribution downstream as well as keeping water temperatures cooler. We had planted/stocked a few small hatchery raised rainbow trout fingerlings and will continue to do so through next Spring/Early Summer on an experiment to boost Wild Rainbow Trout Reproduction in the San Juan River Drainage. Reasoning behind this is a fisheries biomass/diversity survey stated we were below expected average of juvenile wild rainbow population. So my plan is in effect.  Small stocking of different age classes of rainbows as well as different genetic biodiversity, by varying sized of 9-13" fish in small quantity, then 3-4" fish in higher quantity, then 5-7" fish in slightly less higher quantity over the next two years, and finally leave it be for a few years with the hopes of varying ages of fish, different strains/subspecies &/or parents/genetics, and being in the Wild at an early age should increase survival rates, chances of natural reproduction, and at worst case scenario have some beautiful healthy semi-wild holdovers for years to come. So to my Donor Members and guest you all know I try to mange everything as Wild as possible so if we happen to catch a few of these little guys that may look different then your used to seeing in the San Juan Drainage this is why. Reasoning I could go on for days, but long story short we as humans have screwed a lot of things up and we as humans now a responsible to fix the screw ups of the past.  Maybe I'll elaborate more later.....

Our United States of America Disabled Veterans Groups and Events have been wonderful experiences for all involved from our Professional Anglers, to our Volunteers, to our Veterans. To give back to those who've sacrificed so much for all of us as citizens of this country is so rewarding it's hard for me to explain in written word. All I can say is I have been doing these events for a long time now and this year's because of Sacred Waters was even better to actually be able to dedicate all of my time before, and during, to the event.  Being able to personally Guide everyday, to provide Professional Anglers to our Vets, to provide well rested high quality private waters to our Vets, PA's, and Volunteers. To be able to hang out and socialize with everyone. To stay up all night listening to peoples stories, being able to share my knowledge of the environment, of fishing, of life without prior work related obligations pulling me away. Since I can't really express it as well as I feel it I do plan on adding a Testimonials Page to the site as soon as I can and maybe those involved in these events can say it for me or at least better than I can.
We had Hosted two Groups recently Patriot Anglers of North Texas and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing of Ft. Hood, TX. we had a beautiful log cabin right on the San Juan River with semi-private fishing access provided by the McEacharn Family at San Juan River Village and other lodging with our regular annual volunteer guide Sherman Winters.  Plenty of delicious food cooked by our Volunteers Michelle Visel, Bonnie Weathers, Carol & John Frakes, Lesley & Greg Burroughs, Joni & Shawn Felts. The Money Donation from Archuleta County Vets for Vets. Finally, of course all the Volunteer Guides & PA's, thank you Dennis Davis, Stan Zuege, Michael "Feathers" Moats, Sherman Winters, Doug Hampton, and Richard "Big Dick from Wolf Crick" Baldwin.
Special Thanks to Mark "Pop's" Miller at Let it Fly for donating all the Fishing Licenses, waders, and Flies for the event, Doug Dragoo Chairman of Mayfly Outdoors for yet another year of donations of Abel Reels & Ross Reels USA products & reels for door prizes,  Jeff Abel of JTA Products/ The Measure Net for donating a Free Net for every Veteran. Thank you all for these donations not only did it make for a fun, rewarding, and exciting bonus to the event you did help provide these men & women of our US Armed Forces the ability to continue fly fishing and healing well into the future. Thank You.....
This year's event was missing one thing though Mr. Joseph "Russ" Weathers, Russ had been a volunteer Guide for all of our Veterans Events here in Pagosa Springs over the years as well as a Marine Veteran himself. Russ had passed away this year and was missed by all whom had known him this year. 

We are hosting one more Patriot Anglers Group of Veterans Oct. 25-26th 2017, so Donors please keep that in mind and it is on the Calendar. There will be somewhat limited availability of Professional Anglers & Ranches for that time-frame. This is a smaller group and shorter stay than most our events in the past so we do have some of our PA's and waters still available.  

(* Photos in slideshow below of our Veterans Events also many more on Sacred Waters Instagram & Facebook Pages* )

Sacred Waters Charter Donor updates:
We have had a ton of fishing fun so far this year and still much more to come in the next few months, Thank you for your support.

Those of you still having any troubles with your Private Log-in for the Booking Calendar please call or email us so we can help walk you through it or to schedule your guided trips.

The Sacred Waters Stickers, Hats, T-Shirts, Fishing Shirts, and Custom Abel Reels are in production and hope to have them soon, I'll keep you updated, I do have your sizes but will be in contact because I do have some variety of color combinations.

A quick heads up too those of you who have not booked up or used all your guided fishing days we do fish year-round as you know, but some Ranches availability or access could be in question moving into Autumn & Winter Seasons due to snow, road closures &/or freezing waters. So in order the East Fork Ranch is accessed by a Forest Service Road that will close when the USFS feels it's time usually Nov. also depends on Brown & Brook Trout Spawning season(I will shutdown EFR for the Spawn), Weber Ranches are accessible till the river freezes usually Nov.-Dec. the river is large enough that our fishing & strategic wading won't effect the spawn(reminder Our PA's will NOT let you fish for bedded up spawners , and little to no worries on Pick_Bar Ranch open year-round.  Just keep that in mind.....

As always I update my personal & Sacred Waters Social Media more often than the website cause I can from my cell phone. So please check those Instagram & Facebook pages to see up to date happenings in our area and with Sacred Waters. Please feel free to call us or email for any up to date fishing conditions, reports, to book a guided trip &/or upcoming events/volunteer opportunities.  

Lastly, we did restructure the lay out of quantities of donor fishing levels, since we did not fill every level quantity this year we did open more Silver Levels just for 2017, any one interested in donating at a Silver Level we do have 3 1/2 months of the 2017 left. Anyone interested in renewing, or donating for 2018 we can do so at anytime. Thanks 

​   

Hello all,

July and August so far had been a busy time for the team here at Sacred Waters CO. Sorry I have not been able to write much lately but it’s been busy busy. Who’d of thought managing a retail sporting goods store & outfitter, working with four charities and the ramping up of Sacred Waters would be so time consuming?

First off I would like to Thank all our Charter Donor Members who have made this Dream a Reality. Many of their photos and adventures on Sacred Waters Co's  Conservation Waters were on the Slideshow at the top on this Blog Post. Without YOU and your generosity None of this would be possible. Thank You .....
(Sorry if I missed some photos everyone has waterproof cameras & smartphone nowadays didn't have everyone's photo on hand.)


Meet our Founding Donors:

Doug Dragoo Chairman of Mayfly Outdoors owners of Abel Reels, Ross Reels, and Charlton Reels. Longtime Donor, Friend and Client. Special Thanks for the Custom Sacred Water’s Signature Abel Reels and all of your Donations of Ross Reels for our Veterans Events over the years.

Greg Wambolt of Wambolt Wealth Financial Planners and Fly of the Month Club. Donor and Client.  Special Thanks for being a part Sacred Water’s Financial Planning Team.

Randy Cottingham of Texas & Pagosa Springs, CO. Donor and Regular Fishing Client.
“Joe, I want to take this moment to tell you how much I appreciate your passion for your sport as well as for giving back to veterans.  As is so often the case, those who don't have the most resources are oftentimes the ones willing to give what they do have away in order to serve a worthy cause; I am sure that is something from your upbringing coming out in you.  I admire your persistence and to be quite honest, see my joining your organization really as an investment in a young man more than fishing or veterans.  I hope you are encouraged by the knowledge that I believe in you and am thankful to have the opportunity to help you take your next step in your developing career in resource management.  Take care.” - Thanks, Randy

Curt Grindal of Pagosa Springs, CO. Donor and Longtime Regular Fishing Client.
“I believe in you and your vision,  I'm looking forward to 'being on the team” - Curt

Greg Burroughs Donor, friend, client,  longtime Supporter & Volunteer of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and Patriot Anglers of North Texas from Pagosa Springs, CO
“I would love to be a part of this!”

Dr. Greg Evans of Texas, a Veteran of Foreign Wars,longtime Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Member/Participate  and Member/Participate of Patriot Anglers of North Texas.

Skip Tangner, of Oklahoma. Donor, regular fishing client, and hardcore fly angler

Dave Nordstrom of Pagosa Springs, CO. Donor, and longtime regular fishing client.
“This looks like a great project and a great idea. I believe that Joe Eichelberger is a good honest guy, and you’re truly trying to do something good for all, fishes, vets, kids, and landowners.” - Nordy

Dr. Edward “Joey” Artnak of Austin Texas. Donor, friend, and regular fishing client.
"This sounds like a wonderful plan of action and I am so glad that you are doing something great to keep the fisheries alive and healthy.  I just donated to your organization. Thank you so much Joe!  I can't tell you what it means to have a friend of your caliber to help us make an annual fishing trip possible....I can promise you that once I get financially set in my life, I will be bringing everyone to you and guaranteed yearly members!!!” - Joey

Mirrel Kephart long term donor, friend, Veteran of Foreign Wars, Retired Marine, Host & Volunteer of PHWFF & Patriot Anglers of North Texas Events of Pagosa Springs, CO.
“Joe, Great job. Sorry I can't give more right now. Hope it helps.”- Mirrel

John Bearrie Vietnam Veteran, donor, friend, and longtime regular fishing client.


​What’s been happening with Sacred Waters the last few weeks:

Those of you who may not be in the area or been watching our weather daily, July had started hot and dry with everything becoming more fishable daily as runoff snow melt season tapered off. Then the Monsoon Season began towards the end of the first week of July and first week of August had been extremely rainy with most streams in our area blowing out high and muddy every few days.

We are fortunate enough to have a variety of different waters available to get some guiding done though in that time-frame. I am extremely grateful too, to get a lot of children and women on my retail trips this July as well as a few Veterans and Sacred Waters Donor Trips out in July and early August so far. Photos and reports from trips have been posted on our Sacred Waters Facebook and Sacred Waters Instagram Pages regularly please check them out by clicking the links above. The weather and waters are calming down and stabilizing more daily fishing should only get better daily everywhere. But, remember we have plenty enough waters between Sacred Waters Conservation Waters and our partner retail businesses that there’s always something to fish around here daily/year round. Please call (970)444-2187 or email joe@sacredwaters.co for most detailed up to date conditions and fishing reports.
All Donor Fishing Members should have received a Private Login Link via email to set-up login & password to the Private Pages and Calendar. Please contact us if you had not received that email or need help logging in or booking a Guided Fishing Day. Thanks 

Special Thanks to Jim Easley and John Hudson Winners of the Archuleta Vets 4 Vets Golf Tournament Auction of a Free Guided Trip with me on the EFR on July 18th. Fun Times! Thank You for your Support of our local Veterans.

Congratulations to our Archuleta County 4H Kids for all your hard work on your County and State Fair Exhibits and Ribbons. Thank you Archuleta County 4H for letting me Judge the Exhibits for so many years and your support of our local youth.


Exciting News and things in the works at Sacred Waters:

This is all only possible because of Donors like you and the Sacred Waters Mission.

Additional Discounted Lodging Opportunities for our donor members, volunteers, and event participates. We are in process of securing up to 3 Lodgers with Private Fishing Access before the end of 2017 season or by 2018 season. (As we continue to fulfill our Financial Goals & Mission which will benefit All Donor Levels, volunteers, & event participates.)

As well as up to 5-6 Additional Conservation Waters/Ranches also may become available before the end of 2017 season or by 2018 season. (As we continue to fulfill our Financial Goals & Mission which will benefits All Donor Levels, volunteers, event participates, and the local environments/fisheries.)  


Latest upcoming event:  

The Veterans Memorial Park of Archuleta County Golf Outing on Saturday August 26th 2017 from 9am-2pm. Sacred Waters will be Sponsoring a Tee Box for Event. As well as Donating Another Free Two Person Full Day Guided Fly Fishing Trip on one of our Conservation Waters for the Auction a Value of: $1500.00 Come on by and have some Fun, while supporting a great cause. Details click here: Veterans Memorial Park Golf Outing 2017

We at Sacred Waters CO are in support of Petitioning Colorado Parks & Wildlife and 1 other
Prohibition of Bowfishing for Nothern Pike in Colorado
Click Here to Sign Petition & Donate: Colorado Pike and Trophy Sportfish Coalition


Website Updates:

You will notice some more details on the Conservation Waters Page. I had added more description of our conservation waters/ranches. I recently added descriptions of Physical/Wading Ability Levels and Angler Experience/Ability Level recommendations per Ranch &/or sections of Ranch. Also added Real-Time Water Flows & Weather Forecasts Links per Conservation Water/Ranch.
(Please keep in mind if planning a trip the average recommended flows, if you click on the real-time stream flow gauge and see a drastic spike/rise in flows on EFR or Webers even if it is within recommended range the water may get murky to muddy. Not much of a factor on Pick Bar. Please call or email for most up to date conditions.)
 
Newest Partner Organizations:   Please check them out and show your Support to those we support and support Sacred Waters CO & Our Mission. Thank You.
Ethical Angler 
EA on the Web
EA on Facebook
EA on Instagram

Colorado Pike and Trophy Sportfish Coalition 
CO Pike & Trophy Sportfish on Facebook
and petition on change.org 

In Addition we should have Our Non-Profit and Testimonials Webpages Finished Soon, so look forward to that on Sacred Waters CO Website Soon.


​Thank You, Tight Lines;
Joseph Eichelberger 

President of Sacred Waters CO.
Professional Angler, Custom Fly Tyer/Designer
Freelance Outdoors Writer, Photographer, & Fisheries Consultant

Contact Us...
http://www.sacredwaters.co

(970)-444-2187

Sacred Waters CO
135 Country Center Dr F 166
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

joe@sacredwaters.co

Sacred Waters Facebook

Sacred Waters Instagram

Hello all it's Joseph Eichelberger Founder, President, and Professional Angler of Sacred Waters CO. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram probably been wondering why I'm only posting 1 or 2 fish photos every few days of a carp or a bass from our local lakes. That's because I been working on this project the last three months, but as you know I still need my daily fishing fix. This project has been a learning experience to say the least due to the fact none of us involved are non-profit organizer, attorneys, or accountants, just a bunch of professional anglers, whitewater guides, fisheries/ranch managers, wranglers, and geologists. But now we are totally legal and ready to start operating starting earlier this past week.

I'd like to personally invite you to our organization that is only possible because of people like you. Sacred Waters will provide you with even more exclusive private access to our conservation waters of the East Fork Ranch on the East Fork of the San Juan, the Weber Ranches of the Upper San Juan that you probably fished with me over years and loved also while helping a great cause that will only make these fisheries even better than you've ever seen in the past. In addition a fabulous fishery of the Pic Bar Ranch on Pine/Los Pinos Tailwater you've never seen because it has never been guided by anyone ever in the past, I may have showed you photos some of the beautiful trophy wild trout we've caught there our the years, but now due to the formation of Sacred Waters and our Mission they have opened it up to a few select people like you.

I am sorry for such short notice darn legal governmental red tape takes some time but pretty sure the Fish Gods were in our favor as our waters have just became more fishable as of last week and will only get better daily. I'll be posting an updated Fishing Reports on Sacred Waters Blog to keep you posted on our local weather, water conditions, hatch activity, etc...

After much work from my board of directors and I, we are finally proud to announce the formation of Sacred Waters , a fisheries and headwaters conservation non profit based in Pagosa Springs, CO. Our focus at Sacred Waters is preventing the destruction of local fisheries, educating youth, and helping disabled veterans enjoy angling. We recognize the limited resource we have in our waters and strive to improve our local fisheries by working with landowners, anglers, guides, news media, and land management agencies.

Sacred Waters’ donors benefits include wade and float access to gold medal waters, educational seminars, field workshops, preferential lodging reservations, and backcountry experiences arranged by our staff. Donor benefits are dependent on your contribution level. Here’s a link summarizing the recommended donor levels and benefits available:
http://www.sacredwaters.co/donate.html

​Sacred Waters donors provide local youth and disabled veterans with free educational fishing opportunities led by professional anglers and protection for critical fish habitat.

For more information on experiencing world class fishing opportunities while supporting rural youth and disabled veterans contact Sacred Waters through our “Contact Us” page or contact me directly. Thank you, we only have a limited amount of Donor Memberships available please feel free to contact us anytime.

Tight Lines!

Sincerely,
Joseph Eichelberger,   President of Sacred Waters
http://www.sacredwaters.co
(970)-444-2187
joe@sacredwaters.co 
Sacred Waters
135 Country Center Dr F 166
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Many of you that know me well enough have probably understood all you've read so far on the Sacred Waters website those of you have not let me elaborate.

My latest inspiration for finally spearheading this project came on a day that just kept replaying in my mind, feelings that at least for me am incapable of putting into words.
June 2015: 
​I was guiding with a young man 9 yrs of age (solo as preferred to teach children or any loved one you’d like to learn and enjoy what you love).
This young man was very eager to learn and asked tons of questions on our short drive. He expressed a strong interest in catching a sucker fish (which he and his grandpa seen in the river the previous day) so that was a conversation starter on the role sucker fish fit in the ecosystem. The facts that they are one of just a few of truly Native Fishes here as well as an endangered species. For me, his interest touched a nerve of the innocence and non prejudice nature of children.
Long story short, we went through all the ins and outs of fly fishing. He did awesome catching a few suckers, smaller trout and the Big 20" Bow pictured here 100% all on his own. Afterwards, I dropped him off with his Grandpa discussing the day’s events with such enthusiasm and smiles. It was just a wonderful feeling that is hard for me to explain in words.
​

Afterwards I proceeded to my next event for the day which was a Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Event we were hosting here in Pagosa Springs.
I arrived at the event in time to help a few of the disabled veterans at a neighborhood pond while waiting for dinner to get finished.
Again, those who have open-minds wanting to learn are inspiring to me. We commenced through all details of fly fishing. Seeing the excitement as people made good casts, caught fish, hearing the stories of their day fishing with our volunteer guides; their stories of how the sport of fly fishing has helped heal them being physically, emotionally, &/or spiritually.  
How it has Helped Save Their Lives, it all just hit home deep in my soul. 


As the evening progressed I gave a little speech and presented gifts to the Veteran group donated by Ross Reels USA. Once again to see the excitement, appreciation, gratitude from all these people and being able to give them all free rods, reels, fly lines, leaders, flies, and the ability to keep on Healing through Fly Fishing.
I remember speaking of my morning’s event and how grateful I was to be able to do all of these things for everyone.
How I wish I didn't have to work for a living so I could do all this for free everyday. 

Fishing makes us less the hostages to the horrors of making a living. It is a time warp we may step into for a little peace.​

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