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Ross Reels is proud to partner with Trout Unlimited in an effort to restore native trout species throughout the U.S. As part of the Native Series, Ross Reels and Trout Unlimited strive to bring awareness and funding to the projects that support the revitalization of native trout species by releasing beautiful limited edition reels with designs inspired by the fish they seek to save.


Rio San Antonio Improvement Project:

Protecting the Rio Grande cutthroat trout

$75 from every special edition reel will be contributed towards the Rio San Antonio Improvement Project for restoring native Rio Grande cutthroat trout.

 

TU Reel

 

 

Rio Grande Reel with Cutthroat Trout

About the Rio Grande cutthroat trout:
  • New Mexico’s official State Fish and is also known as the New Mexico cutthroat trout
  • The Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus virginalis virginalis) historically occupied various cool streams throughout the Rio Grande Watershed. Today, they currently live in only about 100 headwater streams in Colorado and New Mexico (10 percent of their former range).
  • The yellow-green to gray-brown body is scattered with black spots, with a more heavily spotted tail section.
  • The species has declined in recent years due to competition from introduced Rainbow and Brown trout and challenges from climate and land practices.

 

Rio Grande Watershed

About the Rio San Antonio Watershed Improvement Project:
  • In 2021, Trout Unlimited identified a previously unknown population of Rio Grande cutthroat trout in the Rio San Antonio. These trout have survived against all odds.
  • 2023 saw the implementation of phase one of the Lagunitas Rio San Antonio Watershed Improvement Project.
  • The first phase saw efforts focused on the implementation of riparian and river restoration on 1.5 miles of the Rio San Antonio and Lagunitas Creek.
  • These initial treatments will reduce channel incision, increase floodplain access and deposition, expand flood-prone areas across the valley bottom to promote wetland vegetation, and increase pool depth and frequency.
  • Conservation efforts will continue into 2024 with plans to plant additional willows and riparian vegetation, along with wider efforts over the next ten years including: population surveys, genetic analyses, and fish stocking efforts; habitat improvement and flow manipulation; and policy development for the long-term protection of the species.

 

About the Rio Grande Reel:
  • The Rio Grande Cutthroat Reel is a special additional Colorado 4/5 reel.
  • With only 495 of these special reels available, each one will include a number of 1 to 495 as well as “Rio Grande” on the reel foot.
  • Unidirectional click-pawl drag with a crisp, audible sound.
  • Color is Rio Grande Green.
  • A novel, all -metal external clicker accentuates the back of the reel - complete with a hand painted cutthroat clicker plate, emphasising the inspiration of our limited edition

TU In the field

Clear Fork East Muddy Creek Project:

Protecting the Colorado River Cutthroat Trout

$75 from every special edition reel will be contributed towards the Clear Fork Muddy Creek project for restoring Colorado River cutthroat trout in their native area.

 

TU Reel

 

 
ABOUT THE COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT:
  • The Colorado River cutthroat has been called one of the most spectacular of the cutthroat trout and one of the most beautiful fish in North America.
  • They have a bright yellow-gold body with a brassy-green back and orange belly.
  • Colorado River cutthroat trout are spring spawners, although low water temperatures at altitude can push spawning back as late as July.
  • Restoration of CRCT habitat needs to address both habitat quality issues and issues of spatial limitation

 

ABOUT THE COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT REEL
  • The Colorado River Cutthroat Reel is a special addition Colorado 4/5 reel.
  • With only 495 of these special reels available, each one will include a number of 1 to 495 as well as "Colorado" on the reel foot.
  • Unidirectional click-pawl drag with a crisp, audible sound
  • Color is Fall foliage.
  • A novel, all -metal external clicker accentuates the back of the reel - complete with a hand painted cutthroat clicker plate, emphasising the inspiration of our limited edition reels.

TU In the field

Poudre Headwaters Project:

Protecting the greenback cutthroat trout

$75 from every special edition reel will be contributed towards the Poudre Headwaters Project for restoring greenback cutthroats in their native range.

 

TU PHP Hero

 
About the greenback cutthroat trout:
  • Colorado's official State Fish
  • Once thought extinct, one remnant population was found near Colorado Springs and recovery efforts have built from there.
  • The only native trout to the South Platte watershed in Colorado.
  • A protected species – where fishing is allowed it is catch and release only – do your part and safely return all greenbacks unharmed to the water!

 

About the Poudre Headwaters Project:

  • Located in the headwaters of the Cache la Poudre across Rocky Mountain National Park and the Roosevelt National Forest
  • Largest-scale trout restoration project in Colorado history; will span over 38 miles of streams and 110 acres of lakes and reservoirs
  • In the face of climate changes including increased floods and wildfire, large interconnected habitats are more important than ever in providing resiliency for native trout to weather those disturbances without the risk of extirpation. This project will give greenbacks a large stronghold habitat that can help them withstand those challenges and thrive for decades to come.
  • Learn more about the Poudre Headwaters Project
 
About the greenback cutthroat reel:

TU Reel

  • The Greenback Cutthroat Reel is a special edition Colorado 2/3 reel.
  • With only 495 of these special edition reels available, each one will include a number of 1 to 495, as well as “Greenback” on the reel foot.
  • A novel, all-metal external clicker accentuates the back of the reel - complete with a hand painted greenback cutthroat clicker plate, emphasizing the inspiration for this limited edition.
  • Unidirectional click-pawl drag with a crisp, audible sound
  • Shop the reel

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