I close the door on my car, the sun barely cresting the eastern horizon. I can still hear a dull roar from I-25, but above it all I can hear better things. I hear the Arkansas River singing away between pool, riffle, and run as it migrates downstream from the Pueblo Dam. Wind pushing through the willows and cottonwoods create an applause along the river banks. A great horned owl provides me with some disinterested criticism as I rig up my fly rod.  

I’m here to fish. I like to start my days here nymphing—fishing flies that mimic bugs in their larval or emerging life stages, the stages when they are still underwater instead of on top of it. My most productive nymph, a teeny midge, sits below a weighted attractor pattern and bobber on my line (if you are a fly angler and hate that I call it a bobber, we can argue about it sometimes—make a donation and I will gladly hear you out).  

This little midge is part of why I find fly fishing so fascinating. As long as I am out on the river, casting consistently, this truly tiny fly ties me into some of the larger trout this river has to offer. I contribute something so small, and over time, it leads to something spectacular: a gorgeous, hard-fighting trout.  

Small things done consistently achieve large results. That is why RMFI is launching a monthly giving program this summer.  

Now, at this point, you may be rolling your eyes at my rough segue. I am aware that I’m not much of a writer. I am prone to forced metaphor and hitting my point a little too on the nose (much like I try to hit a trout with my fly, but there I go again, forcing metaphor).  

In all seriousness, I do hope you see the similarities. Through RMFI’s membership program, you set aside a relatively small amount of money every month. These contributions, made consistently over time, empower significant stewardship work.  $15 per month qualifies you as a Bedrock member and helps us reseed half-an-acre of native grass. $25 per month qualifies you as a Foothill member and pays a field technician for a day. $50 per month qualifies you as a Summit member and mobilizes over $2,500 worth of volunteer work in places like Bear Creek, Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak.   

Membership also comes with benefits for you, the contributing member. In addition to discounts at local breweries and gear stores, members will receive invites to members-only events, such as educational hikes at sites that RMFI works hard to steward year-over-year. At a time when our public lands are under threat, we hope this opportunity provides an occasion for a bit of joy—joy because we can do something about it, and because membership events will be meaningful, community-oriented, and flat-out fun. 

If you find yourself in a position to give this summer, and if you care about our public lands, we invite you to join as an inaugural member of RMFI! Be a part of a shovel-ready community that supports our public lands every month, because again, small things done consistently achieve incredible results. 

Sam Hinkle 
Marketing and Development Director 
sam@rmfi.org 
 
Find out more about our membership program here!