BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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#231: Aug. 14, 2021
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Dave Campbell teaching casting at the BRTU booth at a Ravalli County Youth Expo. Source Perry Backus.
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Dave at the USFS Interpretive Display at Nez Perce Pass honoring Senator Frank Church and long time BRTU Board member Doris Milner. This display was a cooperative project with BRTU and the Bitterroot National Forest.
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Volunteer for Dave Campbell West Fork River Boat Launch Project on Aug 21.
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This is a reminder that we need volunteers next Saturday for our latest project. From 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 21, we will be working with the Bitterroot National Forest staff at the West Fork Boat Launch Site.
The impetus for this project was to create a tribute for former West Fork District Ranger Dave Campbell who died suddenly in March 2019. After retiring, Dave became a BRTU Board member and his matchless natural resource and recreation management expertise were huge assets for the chapter. Dave participated in the 2018 Bitterroot River Recreation Advisory Committee and was a forceful advocate for the sound plan that is now the successful Upper Bitterroot and West Fork Plan. Because Dave was so dedicated to the West Fork and was such an avid river and trout advocate, it was decided to improve the West Fork Boat Launch and install a plaque recognizing the native fish in the West Fork and Dave's contributions.
The Chapter submitted and received a grant from the Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee to underwrite the project. The project includes improved trails, a picnic table and benches to view the river as well as several handicapped accessible features.
Krista Kaarre from the BNF scheduled the August 21 workday and we will be working on the handicapped accessible gravel trails to riverside benches.
Please plan to meet at 9:00 am on August 21 at the West Fork Boat Launch. Work day will last until 4:00 pm (members are invited to join for any portion of the work day if they're unable to attend the whole day). The site is on the south side of the West Fork Road just across from the West Fork Ranger Station (6735 West Fork Road). If you cross the bridge, you went too far!
Volunteers should bring water, sunglasses or eye protection, and a pair of work gloves. The Forest Service will provide hard hats and all the tools. BRTU will be providing lunch and drinks for all volunteers.
If you are able to come and help out with this great BRTU project that will honor Dave Campbell- either all day or part of the day - , please let Mark Rogala know right away. Mark needs a headcount for the lunches and drinks. Mark's email address is flyingRwoodworks@gmail.com.
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A photo of the Bitterroot River at Bell Crossing from the 1980's before the current release program was secured. Flow was about 50 cfs or less that summer. Water for Painted Rocks helps prevent low flows like this.
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The back face of Painted Rocks Dam is exposed as water is allocated for recreation and irrigation. For several reasons, the lake cannot be completely drained.
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Painted Rocks Update!
DNRC Engineer Larry Schock provided the following update on the water releases from Painted Rocks Lake on August 10.
PAINTED ROCKS REPORT AUGUST 10, 2021
STORAGE:
Water Elevation: 4708.94 ft. Down 8.26 ft. from 7/26.
Storage: 22862 AF Down 4477 AF from 7/26.
OUTFLOW:
Before gate adjustment: 275 cfs
After Adjustment: 331 cfs Increase of 56 cfs Irrigation Contract Water.
INFLOW:
Blue Joint 19.52 cfs Down 3.68 cfs. from 7/26.
West Fork 42.63 cfs Down 5.07 cfs. from 7/26.
Overwhich 8.40 cfs Down 6.10 cfs. from 7/26.
Slate 3.80 cfs Down 5.20 cfs. from 7/26.
Total 74.35 cfs Down 17.15 cfs. from 7/26.
CONTRACT WATER DELIVERED THROUGH AUGUST 10
Delivered Remaining Rate of Release Days Remaining at Current Rate
FWP 7512 AF 7488 AF 132 cfs (261 AF/day) 29 days
PRWUA 1,961 AF 8,039 AF 81 cfs (162 AF/day) 50 days
Earlier this summer, J.R. Iman replaced the venerable Al Pernichele as the River Commissioner. We owe Al inestimable thanks for doing such a superlative job for many years and his hard work and dedication have benefited all the water users as well all the various aquatic species. J.R., a multi-generational rancher and former County Commissioner, has long been involved with Painted Rocks and was head of the Painted Rocks Water Users Association. He will bring considerable knowledge to the job. In fact, J.R.'s dad, Jack Iman, a life-long rancher and Supervisor on the Bitterroot Conservation District, was instrumental in helping BRTU forge the cooperative Painted Rocks agreements between the irrigators and MFWP.
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BRTU Meetings to Resume in January 2022.
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General meetings of Bitterroot Trout Unlimited came to an abrupt halt in the spring of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic made such gatherings unwise and frankly unsafe!
The pandemic also forced us to cancel the 2020 and 2021 annual banquets. Our online 2020 fall auction proved successful, but it just wasn't the same and the board is contemplating the best of time of year to resume having a banquet.
The BRTU Board continued to meet monthly on Zoom, and conduct chapter business, but they felt that virtual membership meetings would not be that productive or fun!
Now that the nature of the pandemic is better understood and many have received one of the extremely effective COVID-19 vaccines, we plan to start holding regular meetings in January. The current plan is to resume the meetings in January 2022 at the Hamilton Elks Club on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
The schedule is still being developed, but the January 20, 2022 meeting will be a panel presentation on Painted Rocks Lake and how the stored water in managed. MFWP Biologist Jason Lindstrom and River Commissioner J.R. Iman have already agreed to be panelists.
Later in the year, Montana TU Jefferson Watershed Manager Chris Edgington will be coming over to talk about "What's Up With President Jefferson's River." We also are planning an update from MFWP on the Upper Bitterroot/West Fork fishery that will include recreational use.
So please note January 20, 2022 on your calendar and watch the newsletter for details.
Conversations are also in progress about resuming Bitterroot Buggers which was another early victim of the pandemic. Watch for details on that, too.
Sadly, one tradition that we will not be able to restart are the terrific dinners at Spice of Life before our chapter meetings. Long time BRTU supporter Karen Suennen had to close Spice in the early stages of the pandemic, and that closure became permanent. This has left a huge gap in the culinary and social milieu of the valley.
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At long last and just in time for the 2021 fishing season, the new BRTU caps and drybags have arrived.
BRTU President Dave Ward reports that the new BRTU soft cotton caps are now available in 5 pleasing colors.
As you can see from inspecting our professional models, one size fits all. However, we were unable to perfect a canine version.
Included with each hat is a small Montana TU dry bag. The size is perfect for stashing your lunch and phone in the boat.
The price for a hat and a bag is just $20.
The hats may be viewed and purchased at Chuck Stranahan’ s Fly Shop in the Safeway parking lot in Hamilton. Supplies are limited, so don't wait too long!
Chuck has made it very easy! You can pay for your cap and drybag at his shop with cash, check or credit card.
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Colin Henderson and his guide Madi King with a nice cutthroat from Spotted Bear
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This week's picture of a beautiful westslope cutthroat was submitted by my new friend Colin Henderson from Cambridge, Massachusetts.
I had the pleasure of meeting Colin and his dad Greg when my wife, grandson and I spent a few incredible days at Spotted Bear Ranch on the South Fork of the Flathead. I am not a big believer of "bucket lists," but if you have the desire to fish for native westslope cutthroat in as close to a pristine setting as exists on the planet but still has indoor plumbing, you should hoard your ducats and go to Spotted Bear.
We chose to float the river with legendary guide Jesse Shively and pick huckleberries, but Colin and Greg spent a day with their wonderful guide Madi King wade fishing on the small Spotted Bear River which enters the South Fork just upstream of the lodge. In this unspoiled area, the water temperatures were good and, as you can see in the photo, the water clarity is truly astonishing - even on the South Fork itself. Of course, a big can of bear spray is haute couture on any outing.
This was Colin and Greg's first trip to Montana and their trout outing and I can attest that they have the fever! They returned to Boston where they are buying flyrods to use in Maine, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them back in Montana soon.
Please send your photos and stories to me. Your picture might end up as the Picture of the Week!
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This week's BRTU Puzzler was submitted by long-time BRTU supporter and local curmudgeon Whygin Argus.
The puzzle is to identify the anglers pictured, the type of fish bending the rod and river.
Chuck Stranahan has generously offered a prize of hand tied flies to all winners of the BRTU Puzzler. Chris can claim his prize of hand-tied trout flies by contacting Chuck.
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Monte Dolack BRTU prints
now available at Joe's Studio.
A small number of Publisher'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 Dave Ward. 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 the BRTU website. chapter number is #080. If you have a question about your membership, please call Clayton at 406-543-0054.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BRTU board meetings are usually being held on ZOOM. They are open to all BRTU members. Date and time vary, so please contact Chapter President Dave Ward 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
Donna Haglund; Vice President; E-mail: haglunddonna@gmail.com
BOARD MEMBERS
Charlie Harris; E-mail: hmgharris@gmail.com
Gavin Marston (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
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