“Just ask Buck” has been a mantra of Five Rivers Trout Unlimited (5RTU) since Buck Skillen reinvigorated the chapter in the late ’90s. Buck spent more than two decades responding to every, task, committee requirement, volunteer need, education and fundraising event, and so much more. He served as chapter president multiple times and has served as CTU Director at Large and Southwest Regional VP.
His accomplishments include: serving on the Animas River Stakeholders Group working to improve the Animas River water quality, the Animas River Task Force, an advisory group to the City of Durango Parks & Recreation Department, and participating in the Animas Watershed Partnership. He also played an instrumental role in the designation of the Hermosa Special Management Area to ensure protections for the native cutthroat trout reintroduction project in partnership with the San Juan National Forest and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Buck was especially dedicated to youth education where he engaged with children in and out of classrooms across the area. At Animas Valley Elementary, Buck helped with the Mindful Angler program developed by the school psychologist assisting with aquatic insect and casting instructions. At Durango High School, and Escalante and Bayfield Middle Schools, Buck taught many students the basics of fly fishing as well as the conservation efforts required to maintain cold, clean waters. He was also instrumental in bringing fly fishing and watershed knowledge to our region’s fifth graders each year during the Water Information Program’s Children’s Water Festival held each May.
Thank you, Buck!
Kara Armano, 5RTU President
Hesperus
