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Ask people why they ski or watch birds or kayak or hike or run or hunt and often, the core of the answer is "to forget everything else." When you ask a fly fisher, she'll explain there's an art and science to the forgetting. "You can do it by yourself," says Karen Christopherson, a native Coloradan, geophyscist and Webmaster of www.coloradofishing.net. "It's one - on -one with nature. "I'm looking at the water, the fish, the wind. When you're on a river, you get exercise at the same time. I don't know about everyone else. For me, when I'm out there, I forget everything else." Christopherson isn't alone in her love for the sport. In 2003, the most recent year the American Sport Association conducted a survey, its economic analysis showed hunting and angling– they're grouped together —had a $1.3 billion impact in Michigan, employs lawyers, lobbyists and other professionals to work with law- makers at the state and federal levels. Its chapters are also active in conservation issues and work to influence water policy around Colorado. "Water management can be obvious," Christopherson says. "On the Dolores River below McPhee Reservoir, it's got- ten down to low flow. That used to be an incredible fishery. Irrigators were pulling water and the fish died. When you go there now the flow is low and there are practically no fish. "Because of things like this, TU is working with organizations like Denver Water, so we maintain flows for wildlife and people." Water quality issues may have slowed development on the Arkansas River, says outfitter Greg Felt. But after a mine waste clean up and improvements, fish are liv- ing longer and the Arkansas has become (river) system," Colorado Trout Unlimited Executive Director David Nickum says. "You're no longer a spectator. "There's an emotional connection. When you're out there on the water you get so focused on every ripple, every bug, that setting, that place. " Shane Birdsey agrees. A third gen- eration resident of Mineral County, his dad and granddad taught him how to wet fly fish on the Rio Grande when he was 13. "Fly fishing is not just throwing a worm on a hook," he says. "You have to read the water, check the wind, keep the fly drag free, mend the line. If you're tuned in, everything goes away. I tell people who really want to get into this that you gotta pay. They ask how much. I tell them: Time. You have to pay in time. It becomes almost an addiction." If it's an addiction, it's one that's pay- ing dividends to Colorado in more ways Shane Birdsey works on an orange simulater fly in his shop, the Ramble House. Fly fishers, center, float on the Arkansas River downstream of Salida. Water quality improvements in the Arkansas have also improved fishing for German brown trout, right. Colorado. In retail alone, people spent $6.9 million on gear and boats. Add in the cost of guides, hotels, food and fuel, and it's not just a pastime. A 2002 Colorado Division of Wildlife report stated that virtually all of Colorado's 64 counties reap benefits from wildlife - related activities, which support more than 20,000 jobs around the state. Outfitting for learning and visiting fish- ers is one facet of the industry. Anglers, along with the state's own Division of Wildlife, are also involved in protecting rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands. Trout Unlimited's intent, for example, is to protect and restore fisheries and watersheds. To that end, the organiza- tion, founded almost 50 years ago in a popular spot. "The Arkansas is a fishery on the rise," Felt said. "There are other marque rivers in the state. As fly fishing became more pop- ular, people ventured further afield. The Ark has 140 miles to fish, healthy brown trout and a lot of public access." All of the outfitters and anglers talk of their concern about maintaining flows and water quality. The issues, says Felt, are worrisome. "You feel like you're always losing this battle of a thousand nicks, you lose a little here, a little there and you wake up one morning and it's all gone," he says. Caring for the rivers and passion for the sport go hand in hand. "You're immersing yourself into the HEADWATERS I SPRING 2006 than one. Outfitters and long -time enthu- siasts have perspectives on the current and future state of angling. Birdsey owns the Ramble House, a sort of general department store for Creede– everything from hand -tied flies to souvenirs to housewares —along with Creede Guide and Outfitters. Located in Mineral County, the former mining town sits in one of the least populated coun- ties -831 permanent residents —in the state. More than 90 percent of the county is publicly owned. Birdsey offers beginning and inter- mediate fly fishing lessons, float trips and ladies -only clinics. His fly fishing school season starts at the end of June, just after runoff peaks on the Rio Grande 9 V, m J Ql N CS U 9-