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Colorado's Arkansas River – Gold Medal Trout Waters

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1/10/2014
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is pleased to announce the upper Arkansas River as the newest addition to the statewide list of Gold Medal Trout Waters.
The Gold Medal reach is 102 miles long from the confluence with the Lake Fork of the Arkansas River, near Leadville, downstream to Parkdale at the Highway 50 bridge crossing above the Royal Gorge.
The designation has been 20 years in the making, and although anglers have enjoyed the improved conditions for years, it is an official acknowledgement of the myriad efforts undertaken by state and federal agencies to turn an impaired river into one of the most popular fishing destinations in Colorado.
“The upper Arkansas River fishery is the best it has been in over a century thanks to the efforts and hard work of many agencies and individuals that have recognized its great potential,” said Greg Policky, CPW Aquatic Biologist. “I am very pleased that this outstanding river has received the Gold Medal designation and is now ranked among the elite trout fisheries in Colorado.”


Colorado Parks & Wildlife LogoIn order to receive a Gold Medal listing, a body of water must consistently support a minimum trout standing stock of 60 pounds per acre, as well as consistently support a minimum average of 12 quality trout – trout larger than 14 inches – per acre.
In the last 20 years, the upper Arkansas River has undergone a habitat transformation. Fish populations in the area were impacted by heavy metal pollution from mining in the Leadville area. Because of the pollution, trout could not live in the area, and they did not live beyond three years old further downstream.
Today, trout are living up to ten years old due to habitat restoration, improved water quality and creative fishery management. The present-day fish population has benefited from these habitat efforts and has met the Gold Medal designation since 1999 for both the quality of trout per acre and the standing crop.
The Arkansas River ranked as the favorite fishing destination for residents of Colorado, according to a 2012 angler survey. Angler use reached a significant milestone in 2012 when an estimated 100,000 anglers fished the river throughout the year between Leadville and Parkdale. More than 65 percent of the river stretch is open to the angling public via federal and state-owned land and numerous state-controlled fishing leases and easements.
With the addition of the Arkansas River, total Gold Medal stream miles in Colorado increases by 50% to 322 total miles. It will also be the longest reach of Gold Medal water in the State.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, more than 300 state wildlife areas, all of Colorado’s wildlife, and a variety of outdoor recreation. For more information go to www.cpw.state.co.us

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Browns Canyon Rafting - A Colorado rafting company wishes you a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

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>Browns Canyon Rafting wishes you a Happy New Year! Colorado snow pack is looking good! The 2014 Colorado rafting season should be awesome. We hope to share a rafting adventure with you this summer.
Thank you for being the most important part of our family!

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We value your business and you as our guest, we look forward to taking you on another adventure soon.
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Purchase a gift certificate today and share the gift of Colorado’s Rafting and outdoor activities with your friends and family! Gift Certificates are an excellent gift for any occasion, Birthdays, Graduations, Weddings, Anniversaries, Farther’s Day, Christmas and Holidays. We offers Gift Certificate for all our activities and trips. *Use fee’s are not included in gift certificates…
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Browns Canyon Rafting - A Colorado rafting company wishes you a Happy New Year!
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Browns Canyon Rafting, a Colorado Rafting Company is now on Google+!

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Follow us or add to your circles. We will be offering great rafting experiences in Colorado. We have many different outdoor activities to offer as well.
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Browns Canyon Rafting Is a Colorado Whitewater Rafting Outfitter and outdoor adventure company. We provide guided rafting trips on the Arkansas River and Clear Creek River. In addition to rafting we offer many outdoor activities like Inflatable Kayaks, Rock Climbing and Stand Up Paddle Boards. We are also partnered with other providers to offer Zip Lining, Horseback Rides, ATV Rentals, Mountain Bike Rentals and Natural Hot Spring passes. We look forward to sharing in your next adventure.

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Browns canyon rafting is being featured on TV! Check the latest episode of Outside Explorer on Root Sports! TOMORROW on Outside Explorer! Horse lovers won’t want to miss our visit to Rancho Oso, tucked away in the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains, in Santa Barbara, CA. From there we head to the Florence, OR, on the Pacific coast, to take on sand boarding at Sand Master Park. And finally, what would a trip be without experiencing world-class rapids with Browns Canyon Rafting, Colorado Whitewater Rafting, in Buena Vista Colorado!
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