Greenback Backers

The Alpine Anglers Chapter has been a leader in efforts to conserve and restore greenback cutthroat trout in Rocky Mountain National Park. The park is a stronghold for restoration of the native fish, listed as a “threatened species” under the federal Endangered Species Act. Past recovery efforts have restored the trout to a number of lakes and streams in and around the park, as well as in other waters in both the South Platte and Arkansas drainages.

The Greenback Backers program allows volunteers to help in two main ways: by helping on the Lily Lake Patrol and by assisting with fish sampling in the park’s waters and backcountry.

The Lily Lake Patrol is made up of volunteers who meet with visitors to Lily Lake, the most accessible and highest-profile greenback water in the park, and let them know about restoration efforts and regulations (barbless flies, catch and release). Volunteers aren’t expected to enforce regulations, just educate visitors about the unique greenback fishery.

The fish sampling effort involves volunteers who join U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff in sampling specific waters around the park, including some that involve significant hikes into the backcountry. While time-consuming, the program offers the opportunity to visit (and fish!) some areas of the park that most never see … and to help provide the information needed to ensure the continued success of greenback restoration efforts in the park.