BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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#278: Feb. 19, 2023
Hovercraft & motorheads on the Bitterroot- comment before Feb. 22!
If the new petition to expand motorized use is accepted, hovercraft like this might add to your enjoyment of a day on the river. Source: Missoula Current.
A number of newsletter readers have already submitted comments on the proposal before the Montana Fish and Game Commission to expand the use of motorized watercraft on the Bitterroot and Clark Fork Rivers. However, the Commission meeting is on Feb 22, so there are still a couple of days to weigh in.

The last time that this bad idea made waves was in late 2019 and early 2020. This was when a proposal for hovercraft on the Bitterroot was presented to the Montana Fish and Game Commission. The proposal then unleashed a tide of comments, including a letter from BRTU, and the MFWP recommendation to deny the petition was accepted.

The fresh petition has slightly different wording, but is being presented to the Commission by the same individual for the February 2023 Commission meeting. The language might be different, but the intent is clear - open up the Bitterroot and Clark Fork to motorized craft like 13 foot wide hovercraft.

If you have a minute, please send a comment stating that your opposition to the petition to expand motorized use to our new Region 2 Commissioner, Jeff Burrows.
Corrected schedule for 2023 Bitterroot Buggers - helpers needed for orientation on February 21.
A group of Buggers and parents pay rapt attention at the weekly fly judging competition.
BRTU Board member and former Chapter President Jack Mauer shows a Bugger how it's done.
Buggers course master and former BRTU Chapter President Greg Chester peers through bifocals as he assists a Bugger with the fine points of technique.
For almost 3 decades, the Bitterroot Buggers has been teaching flytying, flyfishing and conservations to local kids between the ages of 9 and 14. The Buggers is BRTU's flagship youth education program and is coordinated with the Hamilton Middle School.

The location for all of the classes is at the Hamilton Middle School Keystone Enrichment center, and the entrance is on Madison Street between 5th and 6th Streets. Look for the blue door with the yellow flower.

The first session is orientation for students and will be this Tuesday, Feb. 21 starting at 6:30.

The subsequent flyting and casting classes also start at 6:30 feature tying and casting. The revised schedule follows:

Remember, the success of this program is absolutely dependent on volunteer helpers. It is not necessary to be a flytier in order to help with these classes. Please consider signing up to assist with the very worthwhile program. Contact Joe Byrne or Greg Chester.

All tying classes begin with a video demonstration of the particular fly being tackled. Then the students and volunteers head to the vices to put the lesson into practice. At the end of each class, flies are entered into a competition judged by an expert tier.

Each Bugger receives a manual with all of the fly patterns, and links to the on-line videos. Quality tools and materials may be purchased for a very nominal cost, or borrowed during the class. Rod and reel outfits are also available for purchase below cost. For information on purchasing, please contact Joe Byrne or Greg Chester.
Short casts
Fly Fishing Film Festival - reminder!
Alex Ocanas from the Bitterroot Water Forum has asked me to reminded folks that tickets are now on sale for the International Fly Fishing Film Festival, which will be back in-person this year on Friday, February 24.

Tickets are just $15 this year (super deal!) and we'll be screening films at the Mary Stuart Rogers Performing Arts Center at Victor School - they've got about the best audio/visual set up in the Valley. And finally, we'll have a pint night at The Hops in Victor where folks can gather and socialize (5-7 ish) before the films begin at 7 pm. Tickets can be reserved online.

The showing is hosted locally by the Water Forum and National Trout Unlimited is one of the presenting sponsors. 
BRTU Picture of the Week
This issue's Picture of the Week was submitted by Hamilton High School Math teacher and fishing guide Birch Fett.

At last week's BRTU meeting, Birch presented a program about fishing for Golden Dorado in the headwaters of the Secure River. This was a truly awesome presentation about some very technical small stream angling for some spectacular fish in a dauntingly remote area!

In addition to the jungle scenery, fishing shots and amazing fish, Birch shared some photos and stories about the fauna and flora, including spiders the size of your hand, toucans, fresh water sting rays, and poisonous moths. One stunning photo was of the beautiful butterfly shown above. The official name is Philaethria dido, or the scarce bamboo page butterfly. It is hard to imagine that something with that beautiful coloring is real!

Please send me any fishing or conservation related photos to be considered for the "Picture of the Week." Make sure that the files are less than 5 mB in size. Note that in most cases I plan to not to use "grip and grin" photos, but rather pictures of fish in the water or net.
BRTU Puzzler
There were no correct answers to this BRTU Puzzler.

Seth Cooley had hiked north from the parking lot on the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge until he was across from the Bass Creek Access. Then he shot this photo looking north across the river. Nary a fish, but this sure looks like a terrific spot.

The closest guess was from Scott Zins who lives in Lolo. Scott thought the photo was from Poker Joe Access.

There will be a new BRTU Puzzler in the next BRTU E-News.

Please send entries to BRTU Puzzlemaster Marshall Bloom. The first correct entry will be the winner.

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 than big online giants?

The winner will be able to collect their gift card by stopping in at the book store.

If you have a cool fishing, outdoor activity, 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.















Monte Dolack BRTU prints 
now available at Joe's Studio.

 
A very few Publisher's Proofs of the limited edition "Bitterroot River-Lost Horse Bend" by Monte Dolack are still 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 BRTU sponsor, is located in Hamilton at 220 Marcus Street (961-4586, joesstudio@aol.com)

For additional information, please contact Marshall Bloom (drtrout@mtbloom.net, 363-3485)


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.

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                                                             
Greg Chester, Past-President; E-mail: gchester55@aol.com 
Dave Ward; President; E-mail: dward451@comcast.net
Donna Haglund; Vice President; E-mail: haglunddonna@gmail.com
Marissa Sowles, Secretary;  sowlesm@gmail.com
Vacant, Treasurer;

BOARD MEMBERS 
Charlie Harris; E-mail: hmgharris@gmail.com
Jack Mauer; E-mail: banjojack@wapiti-waters.com
Peggy Ratcheson: E-mail: pratches@gmail.com 
Marlin Lewis; E-mail: Lewism@hsd3.org
Shelia Bryan; E-mail: shoe6561@gmail.com
Vacant; (student board member)


GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER

Dr Trout (Marshall Bloom); E-mail: drtrout@mtbloom.net