BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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#254: May 7, 2022
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Learning the Way of the Trout.
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The 2022 Hamilton High School Trout in the Classroom graduating class. The trout in the aquarium in Vanessa Haflich's class are ready for the park in Hieronymus Park. Source: Dave Ward
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The Corvallis High School students in Jeff Kaiser's Trout in the Classroom class preparing to release their trout into Hieronymus Park. Source: Dave Ward.
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As the fish are moved from the classroom aquarium to the pond, great care must be taken to maintain proper water temperature to avoid shocking the little fish. Source: Dave Ward.
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Each little trout is weighed and measured before release. Source: Dave Ward.
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Trout are exceptional teachers and we can learn a lot from the way of the trout.
Otto Teller, one of the founders of Trout Unlimited and founder of the Teller Wildlife Refuge, famously said "Trout are like the miner's canary." In this sense, trout tell us about the quality of a stream and the associated ecosystem. If a native or wild trout population is thriving, it is likely the ecosystem is doing well. In other words, they are a very sensitive early warning system for a host of troubles.
Anglers have to learn the way of the trout if they are to be successful. What does habitat look like? What are the types of aquatic and terrestrial insects that trout want? How does water flow around a rock. And of course the trout teach us humility when we can't catch them!
Thanks to BRTU's Trout in the Classroom (TIC) projects - now finishing its 3rd year-, students in several local high schools are watching how trout develop from eggs into small fish and learning important lessons about water quality as well as conservation. Within the last few weeks, the trout from Jeff Kaiser's class at Corvallis High School and Vanessa Haflich's Hamilton High School were released in the pond at Hieronymus Park. The TIC trout are teaching these students a lot and hopefully they will become good stewards of the natural world.
BRTU is committed to TIC as a key element of its youth education effort, and is underwriting the program in 4 valley high schools, with plans to expand it next year.
The world today is full of YouTube videos and film festivals about trout fishing, some even with a conservation message, but all with a lot of flashy editing, blaring soundtracks, 7 league casting, exotic locations, outsize fish, and panache. What do these videos actually teach us about trout? They are in stark contrast to what I consider to be the most elegant trout conservation video ever produced - The Way of the Trout.
The Way of the Trout was produced by Trout Unlimited in 1969; it's about 30 minutes long and if you have never watched, you should. It is a tonic for the frantic world today. The filming techniques then were not as sophisticated as those today, but the message is thoughtful and gleams brightly. A link to the video and a brief description are found on the TU website.
And by the way, if you are interested and concerned about the impact of climate change on our rivers and streams, BRTU Secretary Marisa Sowles provided this very cool video which follows a drop of water from the headwaters all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
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A scene of a nearly empty Painted Rocks Lake, similar to the April work day.
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Once the lake fills, water will go over the spillway until the water level lowers.
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The May 7, 2022 Montana SNOTEL Map. The recent snow, rain and cool weather have improved the water outlook for much of the state. Source: NRCS.
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Painted Rocks Report and Video!
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Even on a cool and rainy weekend, now is the time of year when anglers, guides and irrigators start looking at snow pack and streamflow levels anxiously. The recent cool temperatures, snow and rain have increased snowpack and elevated prospects for a good season for most of the state, except some of the Missouri River basin. However, that optimism could fade rapidly if the spigot turns off and the heat turns on. So, let's hope for continued rain and cool weather.
As was described at the March BRTU meeting, we are particularly fortunate to have Painted Rocks Lake and the ground breaking agreement between DNRC, MFWP, the Painted Rocks Water Users Association (PRWUA) and anglers. As part of the agreement, DNRC engineer Larry Schock issues periodic reports relating to the water levels in the lake as well as inflows and outflows.
Larry sent out his first report on April 27:
"Hello Everyone,
"Spring may be finally coming to the basin above the reservoir. The average inflows have started to increase over the past couple of weeks, so hopefully larger inflows will be coming, if we continue to get some warmer days!
"The reservoir is currently at 16481 AF, or about 50% full. Outflows are being regulated to ensure that the reservoir fills at a slow rate until the ice covering has melted. As of Wednesday 27th most of the snow around the dam has melted and the ice cover on the reservoir has started to melt as well.
"Weekly adjustments will continue to be made based upon reservoir ice cover and inflows.
"The DNRC would like to take this opportunity to thank the Painted Rocks Water Users Association (PRWUA) for organizing the debris clean up at the reservoir. The clean-up was well attended by the Association. We would also like to thank the MT FWP, USFS, the crew from the Trapper Creek Job Corps, West Fork Volunteer Fire Department, and folks from the fishing community/general public, for showing up to help out."
As Larry mentioned, April 27 was also the day of the annual debris cleanup at the reservoir. Volunteers, led by the PRWUA, collected large and small woody debris that accumulates against the dam face, and moved it to a location for burning. It can't be burned in place because the heat might compromise the integrity of the dam.
Due to the pandemic, this was the first cleanup since 2019. PRWUA president Roger Raynal had asked BRTU to put out a call for helpers. Of course, the offer of a BBQ after the work was done was added incentive. Roger reported that there was a nice turnout of helpers. BRTU is happy to assist the PRWUA and others to keep the dam in good operating shape.
Marrea Matthews was one of the helpers and took a great video showing how much work was involved and how it was done. In addition, the video has a cameo of dam tender and river commissioner J.R. Iman showing the guts of the dam and explaining how the water is released. Marrea has given BRTU E-News permission to share the link to the video, which is a tad over 9 minutes and very interesting.
E-mail Larry Schock if you'd like to receive his reports directly.
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[Bill Pfeiffer at 2021 camp. Source all photos: Dave Ward.]
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BRTU Fly-Fishing Day Camp set for June 11.
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For the second year in a row Montana TU's Education Director Bill Pfeiffer will be the instructor at a BRTU Sponsored fly-fishing day camp for boys and girls between 10 and 15 years old. Bill is a very experienced teacher and the response at last year's camp was very positive.
This year the camp will be held on Saturday, June 11 at the Hieronymus Park pond in Hamilton. Incidentally, this is the pond where the Trout in the Classroom trout were released last month.
The class will cover what trout eat, stream entomology, fly selection, fly casting and finish off with some fishing. Participants may bring their own flyrods, but there will be rods available for those that don't have a rod.
The class is limited to 10 students between the ages of 10 and 15, so people are encouraged to sign up soon! Permission from a parent or guardian will be required.
The cost is a recommended $20 donation. Lunch will be provided and there will be a few prizes.
Please contact Charlie Harris (434-962-6065) or Dave Ward (406-241-3903) to sign up, if you have questions or to volunteer.
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Flyfishing Exhibit at Ravalli County Museum!
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Over the last couple of years, BRTU Chapter President Dave Ward has been working with the Ravalli County Museum staff to develop an exhibit on flyfishing.
The room has been chosen and a lot of items, including tackle, books, and other gear have been collected. I contributed my old Russell canvas and leather felt-soled fishing brogues.
However, Dave is still looking for some vintage tackle. If you happen to have an old pair of hip boots, fishing vest, or some other relic, please contact Dave.
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This issue's Picture of the Week was again submitted by Seth Cooley. Seth submitted this lovely photo of a cluster of Spring Beauty flowers he spotted while hiking on Sweathouse Creek west of Victor.
The Spring Beauty or Claytonia virginica has a wide distribution across the US, but is not supposed to be common in Montana. The flowers like moist shady spots and grow from a tuber. The tubers were eaten by both Native Americans and settlers.
Please submit fishing, conservation and nature photos that you would like to see featured in the BRTU E-News Picture of the Week.
BRTU E-News will no longer publish grip and grin photos of native fish out of water but welcomes photos of actual fish in the water.
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This week's BRTU Puzzler was submitted by Dave Genter who sent in this picture from Costa Rica.
Dave snapped the photo of this puppy while out on a stroll. I am not sure the tail was wagging and this doesn't look like a solicitous play bow to me!
The Puzzler is to provide the common and binary designation of the animal. In addition, you have to name the name of the play and playwright who used this critter in the title. And for bonus points, provide the names of the stars that featured in the film version in 1964.
Send entries to the BRTU Puzzlemaster. The first correct answer will be the winner of this BRTU Puzzler.
The BRTU Puzzler now has a new sponsor - Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton. Chapter One is offering a $10 gift card to each winner but it must be picked up in person. The book store is a long time BRTU supporter and has an unbelievable inventory of books and magazines. If Chapter One doesn't have the tome you want, they can get it in a jiffy. Shouldn't we be patronizing local small independents rather the big online services?
If you have a cool fishing or conservation related photo, consider submitting it to BRTU Puzzlemaster Marshall Bloom for the BRTU Puzzler. BRTU E-News will no longer publish grip and grin photos of native fish out of water but will highlight photos of actual fish in the water.
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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 the Montana TU office 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
Vacant, Treasurer;
BOARD MEMBERS
Charlie Harris; E-mail: hmgharris@gmail.com
JuliAnne Thomas; E-mail: thomasjulianneh@gmail.com
Ty Balser; (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
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