Overview

The Colorado State University Student Sub-Unit of the American Fisheries Society is a nonprofit, student run organization. The mission of the CSU Student Chapter of the American Fisheries Society is to enhance the education and professional development of its members to help them become leading fisheries professionals dedicated to advancing the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems.  Officially, we are a sub-unit of the Colorado Wyoming Chapter and national organization of the American Fisheries Society. Our by-laws can be found HERE.

 

Join AFS! Our current members are a very social group and represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. Only minimal membership dues are required and students are welcome to join at any club event.  Benefits of becoming a member include updates and invites to AFS events, fishing tips, career networking opportunities, presentations from leading fishery industry professionals, and discounted membership in the national chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

Becoming involved with the American Fisheries Society is an excellent opportunity to meet new people with the same interests. AFS members can participate in exciting events including habitat restoration projects, group fishing trips, the annual College Lake fishing derby, snorkeling local river systems, Western Division of the AFS meetings, the Colorado/Wyoming AFS meeting, and community events.

 

CLUB MEETINGS:  Both undergraduate and graduate students that attend meetings can meet experts in every area of fisheries and aquatic biology, and acquire information about academic and professional opportunities.

MEETING TIME/PLACE: AFS CSU meets every other Thursday evening at 5:30 pm in Wagar 133. Pizza will be available for attendees.

FALL 2022 SCHEDULE:

  • September 1-September 15: AFS CSU T-shirts design contest open
  • September 8: Officer nominations and presentation by Dr. Kurt Fausch, emeritus professor, “The Power of Stories for Reaching Public Audiences with Science: relationships between people and rivers”
  • September 17: Tentative backpack electrofishing field trip to local stream
  • September 22: Officer elections and presentation by Dr. Tom Schultz, Denison University, aquatic entomology
  • Late September- early October: Overnight barge electrofishing trip to South Platte River for trout population sampling
  • October 6: Presentation by Matt Fairchild, USFS Arapaho Roosevelt Forest Fisheries Biologist, Greenback Cutthroat recovery, wildfire, and USFS fisheries work
  • October 8: Fishing Derby ticket sales
  • October 13: Fishing Derby Volunteer meeting
  • October 15: Kids’ Fishing Derby, College Lake, 7:00 am to 12:00 pm.
  • October 20: Presentation by Preston Freshwater Ecology lab student panel, Fire and food webs research
  • November 3: Presentation by Matt Kondrattief, CPW Aquatic Research Scientist, effects of stream habitat modifications
  • November 17: Presentation by Dr. Anna Lavoie, CSU Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Research on women’s involvement in subsistence and commercial Alaska fisheries
  • December 1: Tentative graduate student panel from Kanno Stream Fish Ecology Lab, project overview and graduate school planning

 

LIVE AQUARIUM DISPLAYS: CSU AFS manages four live aquarium displays to help raise awareness and improve education about aquatic species and their habitats. The aquariums are located in the Wagar Building at CSU and include a tropic community fish display, a Colorado native fish display, a Colorado native amphibian display, and a Colorado endangered species display. Check out our display education posters and stop by Wagar Building next time you are on campus.

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FLYCASTERS: For students that are particularly interested in flyfishing, feel free to check out Trout Unlimited’s Rocky Mountain Flycasters. RMF holds monthly meetings with fly tying demos and speakers, along with restoration and community outreach opportunities; all in which CSU AFS members are welcome to attend. For more information check out their website.

 

CONTACT

 US: Email: afscsu@gmail.com

Officers

Riley Dils (she/her/hers), President 

I am a double concentration in Conservation Biology and Fisheries and Aquatic sciences. I grew up along Lake Erie so my love for the water started there. Once at CSU I have had the chance to work in some really cool labs where my interest for fisheries began.  

 

 

Holden Stavney, Vice President 

I am a biology student with a minor in fishery biology. Being born in Eagle CO, I have established a love for high altitude trout fisheries. My interests in fisheries stem from my passion in fly fishing and conservation. 

 

 

Alex Brown (she/her/hers), Secretary 

I am a Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation biology student with a focus in fisheries science. I am from Aurora, Co. I developed a passion for fish from a snorkeling experience and ever since I have been hooked on freshwater species that I never knew I had around me while growing up. 

 

 

Chris Georgalos, Treasurer 

Hi! My name is Chris and I’m a 2nd bachelors student getting my degree in Fisheries Biology. In my spare time I love to fish, hunt, hike, ski, and go off-roading. This semester, I’m looking forward to improving my small bodied fish ID. 

 

 

Bella Bert, Student Liaison 

I am a fourth year FWCB student studying Fisheries Biology. I was born and raised in Florida and have grown up fishing on the coast, but have learned so much about freshwater fisheries since starting at CSU.  

 

 

SJ McMackin (she/her/hers), Aquarium Curator 

I’m a fourth year in FWCB with a concentration in Fisheries. I grew up in northern New Jersey fishing in both the rivers and ocean with my family, but fell in love with the biology and conservation aspects when I came to CSU. 

 

 

Preston Lim (he/him/his), Aquarium Curator 

I am a 4.5 year student in Conservation Biology and Fisheries Aquatic Science. I am from the Bay Area, California. I think fish are neat.   

 

 

 

Gray McCoy, Aquarium Curator 

I am a fourth year FWCB student studying Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. I was born and raised in Sacramento, California. Before CSU, I had never even been fishing. Now fish and fisheries science are one of my main passions! 

 

 

Dr. Yoichiro Kanno, Faculty Advisor
Hi all, my name is Dr. Yoichiro Kanno, I was born and grew up in Tokyo, Japan. I developed my enthusiasm for fish as a kid by going saltwater fishing and keeping tropical fish tanks at home. I received my B.A. (law) in Japan, M.E.S. (environmental studies) in Canada and Ph.D. in natural resources at the University of Connecticut. Prior to joining CSU in Fall 2017, I was a faculty member at Clemson University, South Carolina. I study stream fish ecology and conservation, with a broad interest in genetics,  behavior, population and community dynamics, and landscape ecology. My current research projects are located not only in Colorado, but also in the eastern USA and Japan. I have worked with undergraduate students on research projects and look forward to working with members of the CSU AFS Student Subunit on local aquatic research and outreach issues.

Upcoming Events

 

Stay tuned for more details here and on our Facebook and Instagram pages!!!

Facebook: American Fisheries Society Colorado State University

Instagram: afs_colostate

 

For more information, contact AFSCSU[at]gmail.com