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<br />User Groups
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<br />As previously discussed, there are three primary user groups - paddlers, fishennen and tubers. Commercial
<br />use by these groups is controlled by penn its that include the guidelines presented in Appendix B. These
<br />guidelines are based on a City ordinance and were derived through lengthy discussions among local river
<br />outfitters, the Trails and River Advisory Committee, and City staff. These guidelines help ensure compliance
<br />with relevant ordinances, provide a quality recreational experience for all users, and help protect the rights
<br />of private landowners and residents who live along the river. The guidelines are also intended to minimize
<br />potential conflicts between the multiple recreational uses occurring on and around the river, Elements
<br />addressed in the guidelines include:
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<br />Use Limits
<br />River Flow Restrictions
<br />Access Points
<br />Customer Education
<br />Identification
<br />Rules and Etiquette
<br />Safety
<br />Litter Control
<br />Use Log, Fees, and Reporting
<br />
<br />Commercial use on the river is predominantly tubing, followed by kayaking, rafting, fishing and canoeing.
<br />Commercial operators are required to pay 5% of gross revenues received from rental of flotation devices or
<br />other river recreation equipment to the City.
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<br />Private users are not subject to all the guidelines outlined in Appendix B. However, private tubers are
<br />encouraged to follow the rules regarding etiquette, quiet zones, safety, litter control, etc.
<br />
<br />I a. Fishermen
<br />This section of the Yampa River includes a high quality trout fishery. People travel
<br />from all over Colorado, as well as the rest of the country, to fish this outstanding
<br />resource, Undoubtedly, other primary reasons for high angler use levels include
<br />the exceptional scenic quality of the area, easy accessibility and the availability of
<br />fishing guides. The primary method of fishing is fly fishing. Habitat improvement
<br />projects completed by the Yampa Valley Fly Fishers (YVFF) and Friends of the
<br />Yampa (FOY) over the last decade have contributed significantly to an improved
<br />fishery.
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<br />
<br />Fly fisher above 5th Street Bridge
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<br />Most fly fishennen are private users, however, others contract the services of commercial fishing guides.
<br />Guiding services are provided On the river and other areas outside the City. Fishennen tend to use the upper
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<br />portions of the river (from the 13" Street Bridge upstream) due to its scenic quality, isolation and high quality
<br />fishery. Concentrating in this area also avoids conflicts with other users concentrated downstream,
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<br />Fishing guides authorized to provide services on the Yampa River within City limits are presently limited to
<br />the five listed below:
<br />
<br />Straightline Sports
<br />Blue Sky West
<br />Bucking RainbowfHigh Adventures
<br />Steamboat Fishing Company
<br />Elk River Outfitters
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<br />Each pennitted fishing guide service is allowed four (4) clients per day on the downtown river corridor. There
<br />are no plans to increase the number of commercial guide outfitters.
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<br />I b. Paddlers
<br />Paddling activities include rafting, kayaking and canoeing. The City of
<br />Steamboat is known for having some of the best kayaking in Colorado. New
<br />"playholes" for kayakers have increased the quality of this recreational resource.
<br />In the upstream areas, the flow is Class I, transitioning into greater than Class II in
<br />downstream areas. Several area outfitters rent kayaks and offer lessons. The City
<br />of Steamboat's rafting outfitters also offer guided trips on the Yarnpa River. Trips
<br />range in difficultly, depending on water flow. Canoeing, especially whitewater
<br />paddling, also occurs on the river. Other canoeing activities are associated with
<br />lessons. Currently, the only restrictions on paddling activities apply to commercial canoeing and rafting, in
<br />the fonn of maximum boat length as a function of flow levels and use of designated access points.
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<br />Several summer events center on paddling, including the Yampa River Festival and the Fat Eddy's Fat City
<br />Showdown Kayak Rodeo, Interviews conducted in 2003 indicated no overall overcrowding conditions
<br />related to paddlers. However, key playholes are becoming increasingly popular, resulting in parking
<br />problems, a high concentration of users at these location, and related demand for services such as restrooms
<br />or changing facilities.
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<br />Private tubers a1 Weiss Park
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<br />Ie. Thbing
<br />Tubers comprise the largest single user group on the Yampa River. The average
<br />annual number of tubers who made commercial trips was approximately 15,000
<br />during the period 1997 - 2003. Use numbers peaked at more than 25,000 in
<br />1998 and dropped sharply during the extreme dry year of 2002, when the river
<br />was closed to all fonns of recreational use from early July through August,
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