Fishing at Swift Ponds with Chase Swift
Hey fishing buddies!
In 2015 some of you came out to Swift Ponds to fish with Chase. Can you still do that? Well yes and no. No because the requirements have changed from just coming out at 6am. Yes, because CYO wants to have some faithful supporters with some volunteering. Read on to fully understand why I just can continue as I have.
In 2003 my dad died and in his will was the directive that Swift Ponds was to be given to a non-profit, one that mirrored dad's vision of ensuring that kids and adults that did not have the opportunity to experience the outdoors would be able to do so.
Colorado Youth Outdoors contacted me in January of 2004 and there were lots of hurdles that we had to overcome, but in January of 2008, Colorado Youth Outdoors became the owner of Swift Ponds.
Since that time, CYO has done an exceptional job of not only maintaining Swift Ponds, but expanding the property to include many improvements. The entrance gate was the first major project, but soon the Erion Pavillion with bathrooms was built (see photo below), a 5-station trap and archery range, improvements to the docks, and then most recently Richardson Hall, an 8500 sq. ft. education facility that features (3) 50-person multi-use classrooms with floating partition walls that open to one large meeting space.
CYO's fundraising events consist now of a two-day sporting clays event called the Maverick, and in 2016 they raised over $330,000!
Suffice to say that CYO has far exceeded my dad's expectation by a long way and they continue to make Swift Ponds a premiere facility.
For many years I have taken friends to Swift Ponds to enjoy a morning of fishing. The vision of Swift Ponds was shared by me, of course, but now CYO deserves the right to fully run Swift Ponds, and while I do volunteer my time and support CYO financially it is time for me to honor CYO by not getting special privileges to bring friends to fish.
Introducing CYO Sportsmen (and women)
That said, there are still opportunities to fish and enjoy Swift Ponds, and that is by being a part of the 'CYO Sportsmen,' which meets weekly at 8:30am on Tuesday mornings at Richardson Hall. We have a breakfast burrito (bring $3-5) and coffee. These awesome CYO volunteers learn about upcoming events at Swift Ponds which need volunteers to support the groups that visit Swift Ponds. After the hour meeting, CYO Sportsmen, with plenty of good stories throughout the meeting, are free to fish at the Ponds and you can even come early to fish before the CYO Sportsmen meeting.
And check out the fun we’ve had in years past...
The 'recipe' for success!
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David Urano with a lunker!
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