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Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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In mid-June, BRTU President Jeremy Anderson obtained photos of 2 local guides illegally cutting a tree in the West Fork near Rombo and submitted a
complaint
against 2 local guides to the Bitterroot Conservation District (BCD) as well as the Board Of Outfitters. At the June 30 BCD meeting, the
complaint was accepted
.
At the July 14 meeting of the Bitterroot Conservation District, the Board of Supervisors discussed the complaint and decided to send a letter to the guide who had been rowing the boat. Although a copy of the letter is not yet available, at the meeting one of the supervisors said that the guide needed to "man up" and write a letter to local media acknowledging that he had broken the 310 law. BRTU also sent another letter to the BCD recommending some sanctions.
Messages of support for BRTU's advocacy on behalf of wood in the West Fork and adherence to the 310 Law continues to roll in. The Bitterroot Protective Association has weighed in by sending letters, too. In addition, a fisheries biologist not involved in the  issue told me yesterday "It is about time somebody did something about this." And a newsletter reader castigated the individuals who illegally cut the tree. On the other hand, a local outfitter wrote me to complain that BRTU had abandoned its message by pursuing this issue and was threatening stream access. In spite of claims to the contrary by some, no BRTU chapter funds were used to obtain the photos and landowner permission was obtained to place the cameras. Scofflaws should be advised that similar surveillance efforts are not restricted to the West Fork.
In a sad development, stickers advocating illegal cutting of wood - "Keep Calm and Saw On" - and defaming Chuck Stranahan are being left on vehicles at fishing access sites, and one was used to deface one of the signs that the BCD has posted at the Wally Crawford fishing access site. I wonder if there was a camera pointed at that sign, too?
BRTU is accumulating a good library of research attesting to the value of wood or woody debris for salmonid habitat, especially bull trout. Here is one brief but illuminating article.
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Trout in the Classroom.
For many years, the National TU program "
Trout in the Classroom" has made it possible for students to watch the development of trout from eggs to adult fish.
Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a nationwide environmental education program designed for students in grades K-12. Teachers tailor program curricula provided by TU to fit his or her specific needs making each program unique. TIC has interdisciplinary applications in science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, fine arts, and  physical education. A tailored set of aquarium equipment and methods are used to grow and house trout from eggs to adult fish.
Well, Trout in the Classroom is now a reality in the Bitterroot!
BRTU was recently awarded 2 grants, including one from the local Rapp Family Foundation, to implement TIC in 2 classrooms for the 2020 and 2021 school years. Vanessa Haflich and Jeff Kaiser, teachers with Hamilton and Corvallis High School respectively, will initiate TIC in their classrooms beginning a new era in environmental and conservation opportunities in the Bitterroot.
Once established, TIC is very inexpensive to maintain requiring only fresh chemicals and measuring equipment to support follow on classes. Additionally TIC is a natural extension of BRTU's outstanding Bitterroot Buggers providing continued conservation and environmental education opportunities for Bitterroot students.
Following the TIC curriculum, students will
- Raise trout from eggs to fry.
- Monitor tank water quality and temperature.
- Engage in stream habitat study.
- Learn to appreciate water resources.
- Foster a conservation ethic.
- Grow to understand ecosystems.
- End each program by releasing the trout in a state-approved location.
The BRTU Education Committee is responsible for securing this initial program offering. The team consists of Greg Chester, Dave Ward, Donna Haglund and Marissa Sowles with invaluable assistance from Christine Brissette and Leslie Nyce. For more information, please contact Greg Chester.
Additionally, Lynae Axelson of the Madison-Gallatin Chapter of TU generously offered insight and guidance from that Chapters many years of experience deploying TIC for their schools.
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| Fish screens to benefit native trout. |
BRTU is getting ready to partner up on another major project to benefit native trout - our first fish screen installation this summer!
Christine Brissette with TU National was in the upper West Fork earlier this month staking out the site
of one fish screen,
construction of which is slated for early  August.
This project is located in a known spawning reach for Bull Trout and Cutthroat trout. Once complete, this project will reconnect 39 miles of Bull Trout Critical habitat and will keep thousands of fish out of an irrigation ditch over its life.
Fish entrainment is one of the primary challenges we face where fish and agriculture share water resources. Each year, hundreds of thousands of fish are inadvertently diverted into irrigation ditches where they usually perish. These are fish that would otherwise be in our rivers and streams. Fortunately, the solution to this problem is fairly simple.
Fish screens are a tool that we use to keep fish in stream, while ensuring that irrigators can access their water. The technology is quite simple:  Water that is diverted passes through a metal screen. Screened water continues down the ditch for use, while any fish or debris that was accidentally diverted is re-routed back to the stream. On the West Fork, we'll also be replacing the headgate and diversion to make water management easier.
Stay tuned for updates on this project and our next fish screen, to be installed up the East Fork this fall.
BRTU has been a major partner and financial supporter of both projects, along with Bitterroot National Forest, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Montana Trout Unlimited and Jackson Contractor Group.
For more information, please contact Christine.
Photos:
Screen fabrication: Fabrication of the headgate and fish screen box is well underway at a local shop in Corvallis.
Marshall Creek install: A completed fish screen installed in Marshall Creek last year by BRTU and Westslope Chapter volunteers and Jackson Contractor Group.
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Painted Rocks Lake update.
DNRC Water Resources Division Civil Engineer Larry Schock recently sent his annual reminder about the management of Painted Rocks Lake.
The extended spring runoff is almost over, and there are no significant rains forecast for the near future that will keep the flows elevated. However, there is  plenty of hot weather predicted. Therefore, I expect the river and stream levels will continue to rapidly decline. Normal late July flows should be reached within the next couple of weeks, and irrigation will probably be picking up.
In preparations, the DNRC will begin making a series of small gate adjustments in order to slowly convert the reservoir outflows from the spillway controlled status that it is currently in, to low level outlet control, in anticipation of contract deliveries. The first adjustment was made yesterday and weekly adjustments should be anticipated.
The dam will be operated in a manner to insure that the outflows match the inflows, and a small amount of water will always be flowing over the spillway. However, the bulk of the water will be coming out of the low level outlet.
This status will remain in effect until contract water deliveries are called for by the MT Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP), or the Painted Rocks Water Users Association (PRWUA).
I want to take time to remind everyone how Painted Rocks Reservoir is managed, and how releases are made.
- The DNRC does not determine when contract water is delivered. The DNRC insures that the reservoir is filled in a timely fashion and kept full until water is requested by the contract holders. Whenever possible, gate adjustments are made mid-week, however, releases are conditions/contract delivery dependent.
- Decisions regarding the timing and size of the contract water releases are made by:
- Fisheries Water: Jason Lindstrom, FWP, 363-7169, Jason.Lindstrom@mt.gov
- Irrigation Water: JR Iman, PRWUA President, calljriman@yahoo.com
Here are this week numbers (July 16).
Painted Rocks Status
Outflows:
431 cfs (down from 676 cfs on 7/9)
Reservoir Data:
Slope: 61 ft.
Elevation: 4725.98 ft.
Storage: 32695 AF
Inflows:
Blue Joint 75.99 cfs
West Fork 255.6 cfs
Overwhich 14.13 cfs
Slate 25.04 cfs
Ltl. Boulder 5.00 cfs
Total Inflows 379.46 cfs (down from 629 cfs on 7//9)
Thank you for your time in attending to this matter. Have a nice weekend.
Larry A. Schock, CFM
Civil Engineering Specialist
MT DNRC WRD MRO
(406) 542-5885
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Picture of the Week.
This week's picture was submitted by long-time BRTU supporter Louise Massie.
Louise's grandson Torin has really gotten hooked on flytying and flyfishing. In fact, we featured a photo of him diligently tying a few months ago.
Well, this photo was taken on a recent float trip here in the Bitterroot. Torin caught this chunky cutthroat on a Purple Haze that he had tied himself. Louise says this was his very first cast with a fly he tied himself. I think the smile tells the whole story!
Please be sure to send me any photos that might be suitable for the Picture of the Week. I promise not to divulge locations.
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The BRTU Puzzler.
This week's puzzler is again submitted by BRTU member and supporter Les Korcala. Les, who has traveled the world fishing. As a master tier and photographer, he has accumulated a veritable cornucopiua of gadgets.
The first person to correctly identify this gadget and explain its use will win the next BRTU Puzzler! Please send your entries to BRTU Puzzlemaster Marshall Bloom.
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
.
Please feel free to submit any ideas and photos for the next BRTU Puzzler to Marshall Bloom.
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October 2020 BRTU banquet cancelled!
The BRTU Board of Directors has made the hard decision to cancel our 2020 banquet that was scheduled for this coming October. Uncertainties about status of the COVID-19 pandemic at that time and possible reluctance of people to come together in large groups were 2 of the factors.
Plans are being made to have a virtual auction and we have already lined up some exceptional premiums. As soon as more details are available, we will share them.
This would have been the 41st annual fundraiser and this decision was not made easily.
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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.
Board meetings are typically the last Monday of every month at 6:00 PM. They are open to all BRTU members. Location varies, so please contact
Jeremy if you would like to come by 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.
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Learn More.
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