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Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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| 2020 BRTU on-line auction will be November 12-16! |
As has been noted in previous editions of BRTU E-News, we decided to do an on-line virtual auction this year after we had to cancel the banquet because of the on- going pandemic.
The date has been set and the actual auction will run from Thursday, November 12 through Monday, November 16. The auction website will go live in less than 2 weeks at which time it will be possible to view all the premiums.
The on line auction will be like a virtual silent auction so that people who register will be able to bid on the items of their choice, and they will be informed when their bid is upped. And just as is the case for a regular banquet, you won't have to be a TU member to participate. And this year, supporters who live out of state or can't be in town will have the chance to participate.
We have some very unique premiums this year including some special dining experiences, fine wines, trips on the Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Big Hole and Yellowstone area donated by the best guides in Montana, special selections of flies, exceptional woodwork, a special package of women's fishing gear, a vintage RML Winston 4 weight Stalker, historical photographs & maps, and art by some of Montana's finest artists. A novel premium is a "Bug Blitz on the Bitterroot" a lesson on how to collect and identify aquatic insects with world famous entomologist Diana Six. This is only a sampling, so keep your eyes out for more news in BRTU E-News and on the BRTU website.
Here's a couple of teasers. A fabulous dinner at Shire Morrissey with banjo music by the Bitterroot String Quartet. Another fabulous dinner featuring pizza baked in a wood-burning oven. A case of Rose wine from Blodgett Canyon Cellars. A bookbag of Montana history from the Montana Historical Society featuring books, cards and more. An original painting of your favorite fishing spot by Michele Kapor, a rare Grizzly Bear print by Monte Dolack, and an original painting by John Piacquadio, artist in residence at The Ranch at Rock Creek.
The banquets have been our only fundraiser each year to support our education programs, like Bitterroot Buggers and Trout in the Classroom, as well as our conservation and restoration projects like the fish screens mentioned in the previous story. So, we hope that you will continue to support us during this unusual time.
Stay tuned because more details will be forthcoming in BRTU E-newsletters.
Although we are just about finished with the auction website, if you would like to donate a service, item, or donate cash, here is the form you can complete. If you have any questions, please contact Marshall Bloom or Jeremy Anderson. |
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Picture of the Week.
This week's picture comes from a sad story in the Guardian. Believe it or not, some mental giant in Brooklyn released 2 big bags of Asian swamp eels into Prospect Lake, telling a shocked bystander, "I just want to save lives."
Evidently, these snake-like lovelies have been found in at least state. Local biologists think that they will be unable to survive a New York winter, but they are voracious predators and will like do some significant damage even if they do not survive.
Introduction of non-native species is a true plague on North American fauna and flora.
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The BRTU Puzzler.
This week's BRTU Puzzler was submitted by angler and wanderer Yancy Wroble.
The photo is an overhead shot of someone fishing a small river from a driftboat. You might think this stream was in Nepal or Tibet, but that would be incorrect. It is less than 2 days travel from Missoula.
If you can successfully identify the country, province or state, and the river, you will win the BRTU Puzzler.
Submit your entries to BRTU Puzzlemaster Marshall Bloom. If you are the first person to correctly identify the location, province and country, you will be the next BRTU Puzzler winner.
Chuck Stranahan has generously offered a prize to all winners of the BRTU Puzzler. The winner will be able to can claim a prize of hand-tied trout flies by contacting Chuck.
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Upcoming events of interest.
This short block is a new feature to BRTU E-News that will mention projects and events that other local groups have scheduled. If you belong or are affiliated with another conservation group or other worthy organization, please send me the details of your upcoming event and I will post a link here.
This week, I am pleased to provide a link to a great story about the Terry Badlands Wilderness Study Area in Eastern Montana. The story comes from the newsletter of  the Montana Wilderness Association. This is a pretty long drive from the Bitterroot, but the Badlands offer some amazing scenery including interesting geology, like hoodoos, coulees and expansive grasslands.
The MWA is best known for its long-time unflinching advocacy for wildlands in Western Montana, but their efforts extend all across the state. Every year for decades, they have offered a series of Wilderness Walks all across the state, although all the trips for 2020 had to be cancelled.
Our native trout fisheries depend on the headwater streams found in Montana's wildlands, so MWA is a group well worth joining.
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Monte Dolack BRTU prints
now available at Joe's Studio.
A small number of Pubisher's Proofs of the limited edition "Bitterroot River-Lost Horse Bend" by Monte Dolack are now available at Joe's Studio. BRTU commissioned Monte  Dolack in 2007 to create this iconic print of the Bitterroot River.
The remaining Publisher's Proofs are $375 and all proceeds support BRTU efforts to protect trout and streams.
Joe's Studio, a regular sponsor of our banquets, is located in Hamilton at 220 Marcus Street (961-4586, joesstudio@aol.com)
The "U" in BRTU
Unlike many groups, BTRU has no paid staff. We are an entirely volunteer organization. We are always looking for new members to get involved in projects or to join our board and assist with maintaining our focus on native fish, clean healthy streams and education. If you would like to help out, please contact BRTU Chapter President Jeremy Anderson. We could sure use your help!
In other words, how about putting a little "U" in BRTU?
If "U" are not already a member, "U" can join TU today by going to the BRTU website. Our chapter number is #080. If you have a question about your membership, please call Clayton at 406-543-0054.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemi, BRTU board meetings are now being held virtually on ZOOM. They are open to all BRTU members. Date and time vary, so please contact Jeremy if you would like to log in and learn what is going on.
The BRTU Mission statement is "To conserve, protect, and restore the Bitterroot River and it's watershed," directly in line with the Montana TU mission statement.
For your information, here is a tabulation of our current hard-working BRTU officers and board members.
BOARD OFFICERS
Dr. Jeremy Anderson; President; E-mail: mtwildtrout1@gmail.com
Dave Ward; Vice-President; E-mail: dward451@comcast.net
Marissa Sowles, Secretary (acting); sowlesm@gmail.com
Keith Mullan, Treasurer; E-mail: keithcmullan@hotmail.com
BOARD MEMBERS
Donna Haglund; E-mail: haglunddonna@gmail.com
Marlin Lewis; E-mail: Lewism@hsd3.org
Shelia Bryan; E-mail: shoe6561@gmail.com
Gavin Marston (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
Dr Trout (Marshall Bloom); E-mail: drtrout@mtbloom.net
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We're currently in the planning stages of our Annual Fall Event. This has historically been one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, and we could always use more help. To learn more about how you can volunteer, please email Rick Todd at email@constantcontact.com. . Learn More. |
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