Risers 4 Rett Spring 2021
Recap from Brad Billingsley
I think we all returned to Almont a little more grateful this Spring. After a rough 2020, the Risers faithful descended upon 3 Rivers with excitement to rekindle friendships, catch a few fish, eat some world class BBQ and support a cause that’s near to our hearts.
And we were thrilled to welcome several new members to our Tribe, as first timers had the enviable opportunity to experience the magic of a Risers weekend for the first time.
As we rolled in Thursday afternoon, the massive tents welcomed us with coolers full of Oskar Blues beer, the infamous margarita machine, and several commercial grade heaters in an attempt to stave off the remnants of winter. It was chilly this year. Snow spit down on and off throughout the weekend, and at times tested our fortitude. But even challenging days come to an end and with it, the promise of food, drink and music. There’s something special about sipping a cocktail after a day on the river, layered up in Simms and Howler fleece, hanging with your buddies around the campfire. To complement the space heaters, propane firepits were placed around the perimeter of our basecamp, providing some warmth and stoking the spirits while we told stories that likely embellished the length of that brown that no one else got to see firsthand. Thursday night is always laid back, with easy conversation, no agenda, and lots of laughs. We were treated to a home cooked feast of pork loin burgers and hot links from our good friend Justin Brunson with River Bear Meats. One constant at a Risers weekend is the tireless cooking efforts by Mike Shelly (Moe’s Original BBQ), Ed Kammerer and their band of culinary wizards – these guys show up early, cook all day, serve us amazing grub by night, and whoop it up til the sun comes up. It’s a beautiful thing. A little different this year thanks to Covid protocols – rather than the chuck wagon approach we usually take, they hand delivered boxed dinners to each of us to enjoy as the sun set over the East River. Then Kory Montgomery and Andy Strauss tuned their guitars (pretty sure Andy was cranking on a mandolin…how cool!) Then they turned up the speakers and jammed for the rest of the night. They played a mix of Red Dirt country, bluegrass and rock, and kept us all going strong. True to form, around 10 o’clock the parting of the tribe occurred – with us old guys heading back to our bunks while the young guns (and of course everyone staying at Cabin 18), howled until the wee hours.
Friday morning was brisk, with promises of snow throughout the day. Folks started showing up for steaming hot black coffee and breakfast burritos around 6:30am. There were a few more “old timers” at the early breakfast shift. As the morning went on, more and more bleary-eyed fishermen and women made their appearance. Hanging out at Cabin 18 around the campfire til the early hours is a ton of fun while you are doing it, but dang…it sure makes for a foggy morning… Guides started showing up to pick up their sports – with some racing off to claim a top beat on the public waters, while others slow-stepped it to wait for the weather to hopefully warm up. As the guides rolled through, each dropped off their top two favorite guide flies for a special auction that was to occur later that night. It was fascinating to see the flies chosen. Many streamers – in blacks, tans, yellows, and whites – and a ton of small nymphs. And one of the valley’s most respected guides – we’ll leave him nameless – contributed a glass bead, a hook and a San Juan Worm. Ah yes, the famous bacon and eggs setup, or better known as the Guide’s Best Friend. And so folks scattered – some heading up the Taylor to favorite spots, some hit private water on Ohio or Tomichi Creeks, a few hit the lower Gunny near Blue Mesa (it was on fire) and half the troops jumped into drift boats and floated the Gunnison from various launches.
Fishing was tough on Friday. The weather treated us to a schizophrenic mix of fleeting sunshine, gusty winds, and snow the size and consistency of Dipping Dots that you find at the ballpark. Hoods were up for most of the day and casts were simple, quick, and forceful. Trying to lay out your best shadow cast surely meant a 60mph gust would knock your loop back into your face and cause a new set of problems. Many opted for heavy streamers and sink tips as a strategy to punch through the “W”. Yet the fish just weren’t keyed to the streamers and so nymph rigs were tied on in an effort to figure out the bite. Later in the afternoon, a midge hatch occurred, and a few ambitious chaps chose to switch over to dries. As noses poked the surface, size 18 and 20 Parachute Adams landed softly just upstream. And the fish ate…. One rainbow that ate a dry and ripped line off into the backing, measured 20” and brought praise from the guide, commenting to the angler with a smile from ear to ear “Now that’s a special fish. I’m going to remember that one for a long time….” As the afternoon drew to a close, we had mixed feelings – wanting a little more time on the water to figure these fish out, but also a bit relieved to put on some warm, dry clothes, have a drink, and huddle around the fire pits.
Friday night is a big night – we have our auction and raise the funds that fuel the Rett Clinic at Denver Children’s Hospital. R4R Chairman Pat Callahan welcomed the group, shared some heartfelt comments about what Risers means to him, and thanked us all for making it possible to support the Clinic. Then he introduced Dr. Benke, who leads the Rett Clinic. What a stud. The man has dedicated his life to healing those fighting Rett Syndrome – both patients and families alike. He shared that we’re making progress in fighting this disease. That patients are living much longer. Longtime committee member Ed Kammerer then talked about having a child with Rett. This was a powerful moment during the weekend. We all have so much fun during Risers, and there is so much camaraderie, food, drink and hooting and hollering. Though for 10 minutes while Ed spoke, we each connected with what it must be like to devote your life to your little girl, who faces challenges every day. We saw the love of a father for his daughter, committed to supporting and loving her. And we each committed to new resolve to be part of the solution to fighting Retts.
The auction was a blast and most took home something they were excited by. The kickoff item was an old railroad tie that was worked on by a blacksmith to make the head into a R4R logo. A very unique item and what a perfect start to the auction. Many trips were donated and raised thousands of dollars for the cause. There was a float trip down the Rio Grande during the salmonfly hatch in June, “The Overnighter” float trip on the South Fork of the Snake, Lee’s Ferry, and the granddaddy of ‘em all – a 3-night trip for 4 to 3 Forks Ranch in northern Colorado. There were bamboo fly rods, purple Hatch R4R engraved reels, custom built nets and countless other quality items. There were many smiles around the tent when the auction closed – both because we raised approximately $145,000.00 for Risers, and because many took home something they were really excited about.
Saturday was a little kinder from a weather perspective. Seems folks might have hit the sack a little earlier last night as the breakfast area was a little fuller a little earlier. Maybe not, maybe people just got up, shook off the fog and were excited for the day. By now, new friendships were solidified. Smiles were everywhere. We’d had two nights to get to know some new people, and the conversation came easy. Guides rolled in, picked up the sack lunches for the day and teams headed out for Day 2. Seems the fishing picked up as well. As the camera and film crews rolled through the valley, capturing shots for a future video, smiles abounded and many rods were bent. Water was low, so finding pods of fish in the deeper holes proved to be the ticket.
That evening we held the awards ceremony and handed out some sweet schwag – including Fishpond nets, sling packs, and other gear.
Winning team - Jack Hoyt and Ben Anderson – took home this year’s custom made trophy designed by John Volek.
Chris Clevenger and Andrew Robert’s had the biggest rainbow at 23”.
Nathan Blaskowski and Gabe Trujillo had the biggest brown at 19.5”.
Once the awards ended, Andy and Korey fired up the band and we all whooped it up in a big farewell. Saturday night is always bittersweet – the friendships are so strong by that point, but you’re also saying goodbye until the next Risers event six months out. We all were thankful for the opportunity to be together again and for a little “normality” in this new world we live in. And we each are counting the days until we can get back together again in late September…
Thank you to our main sponsor Hensel Phelps and all other supporters. We couldn’t do it without you! Check out more pictures on our “What a Catch” page and make sure you are on our newsletter list to hear about future events > See sign up box in footer.