The first day of spring means different things to different folks, but for many it’s forever linked to hope. Especially after a winter as harsh as this one.
Where many states still relegate trout fishing to sometime after April 1, Colorado is fortunate to enjoy a year-round fishing season. Still, many anglers don’t dust off the rust from their casting arm until sometime after the vernal equinox, when the hours of daylight begin to outpace the shorter nights, and sun-splashed streams come to life with the trickle of melting snow.
There is never more hope or anticipation for what the season might hold than during this period of renewal. Those disappointing days of frustration when the bite went cold are long forgotten, replaced with visions of limitless triumphs to come. Long hours of winter work are exchanged for warm summer evenings on the water, for the moment still in your mind’s eye.
But that’s the hook. You know it won’t be long now before the mountain snows give way to summer’s splendor. Even sooner for those who favor the outdoor bounty of the high plains. And certainly that’s not relegated to fishermen.
Colorado turkey hunters are frothing with anticipation of the April 9 opener of a season with potential to be among the best ever. With wild turkeys now living in 53 of the state’s 64 counties, the birds are more abundant than ever before.
Likewise, participation in spring turkey hunting is on the rise. A recent study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has the number of turkey hunters increasing at twice the rate of growth of the U.S. population since 1991. Locally, those numbers are reflected by the increasing number of applications for limited licenses in Colorado each year.
Not to be left out, the enthusiasm for big-game hunting is on the upswing as the April 5 deadline date for limited license applications approaches. Recently announced numbers showing growth in last year’s deer, elk and pronghorn harvests offer increased optimism across the board.
But that’s a fall game. No sense in getting ahead of ourselves as spring doesn’t officially arrive until sometime after 5 p.m. today. There’s plenty here and now to occupy the time.
If you haven’t yet, dig that rod out of storage. Check the line for dirt and damage, then clean or replace it as necessary. Oil the reel, sort through the flies and tackle, patch the waders and renew your license before the end of the month.
Make a list, if you must, of all that stuff that needs doing in order to turn all that optimism into reality. Then get out there and do it.
If you time it right, you may even catch the first evening hatch of the season. After all, hope springs eternal. And spring offers an eternity of hope.
Footnote.
Spring also means the bears are waking up. As bear encounters with humans continue to escalate in Colorado, the Division of Wildlife is looking for volunteers to join the Bear Aware team assisting their district wildlife manager in educating community members on how to coexist with bears and other wildlife. Volunteers are particularly needed in the Douglas County communities of Sedalia, Larkspur and west of Castle Rock; in southwest Littleton; the mountain communities west of Boulder, Longmont and Loveland; and Clear Creek Canyon. Mandatory training is scheduled for April 2 in Evergreen or April 9 in Loveland. Flexible availability and some travel are required. Contact Mary McCormac at 303-291-7328 or mary.mccormac@state.co.us by Friday.
Scott Willoughby: 303-954-1993 or swilloughby@denverpost.com
