BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
Hi, you're receiving this email because either you are a member of Bitterroot Trout Unlimited or you have expressed an interest in BRTU. Don't forget to add drtrout@mtbloom.net to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! We make very effort to make sure this list is current. If you are receiving it by mistake, please let us know right away! Please feel free to forward on to friends and have them contact me if they would like to receive the BRTU E-News.
Permission is herein granted to forward or to use the content and photos in this newsletter. A credit would be appreciated. The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the publisher and may not represent those of BRTU or others featured in the newsletter.
You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.
#222 May 10, 2021
|
|
 |
The Whitewater Rescue Awareness 101 class poses with instructor Alan Burgmuller. Note the personal floatation devices! Photo by Jenny West |
|
|
|
Alan provides some helpful tips about techniques for swift water rescue. Photo by Jenny West. |
|
|
|
|
|
Putting training to practice in a strainer drill just downstream from the Lone Pine unofficial access site. Photo by Jenny West. |
|
|
|
Whitewater Rescue Awareness 101 Classes A Success!
In the April 11 issue of BRTU E-News, we noted that local outfitter Jenny West and Woody Debris Task Force coordinator Kent Myers had organized 2 one-day basic Whitewater Rescue Awareness 101 classes. The courses were taught by Alan Burgmuller, Lead Instructor at the Whitewater Rescue Institute in Missoula, and consisted of classwork complemented by practical training on the river. Both classes quickly sold out!
Jenny West provided the photos and sent along the following summary:
Spent the day learning about river safety, throw bags, knots, HeReThRoGoHe and z-drags. We all suited up and practiced on shore rescues and strainer drills. It was a great class, and hopefully this will be an annual event. We can never take our Bitterroot (or any river) for granted!
Thanks are due to Jenny and Kent for recognizing the need for this type of training and taking the time to organize it.
I am also hoping that Jenny will explain HeReThRoGoHe for us!
|
|
Native Trout Hijinks in Helena? Time Will Tell!
TU members statewide, native trout advocates, anglers and conservationists, as well as outfitters & guides, were justifiably concerned about the TU Action Alert that Montana TU Executive Director David Brooks sent out on May 4. The alert stated:
Defend Native Trout Restoration! Call Montana FWP Today!!!
Recently, the Director and Deputy Director of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks placed a hold on 25 on-going and imminent native trout restoration projects throughout the state. We need your help to show them that Montanans value our native and wild trout heritage above all else.
The Directors recently ordered a halt to all native trout restoration projects currently underway so they could "review native trout policy."
Putting a hard stop on 25 projects at the onset of the field season puts at risk millions of dollars in funding, delays important time-sensitive projects, and ignores the work of dozens of landowners, agency employees, funders, and restoration specialists and other stakeholders. These projects not only benefit native trout, but also increase stream flows for all water users, create jobs and economic recovery in our rural communities, and help create habitat for many other species, from bugs and birds to amphibians and wildlife. They also make fishing better for tens of thousands of Montana anglers and visitors!
FWP needs to hear that native and wild trout management should always be their FIRST priority. Please call or email the Director Worsech and Deputy Director Temple today and tell them to remove their hold on native trout restoration.
Director Henry "Hank" Worsech
(406) 444-3186
Deputy Director Dustin Temple
(406) 444-0358
We appreciate your help on this important issue. Remember, MTU will always stand up to conserve, protect, and restore Montana's trout streams and we're thankful to have the support of so many members and friends across the state. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
The fact that MFWP leadership had decided to drastically change how native trout projects are managed without public announcement or consultation is a significant worry.
David further noted that
Putting a hard stop on 25 projects at the onset of the field season puts at risk millions of dollars in funding, delays important time-sensitive projects, and ignores the work of dozens of landowners, agency employees, funders, and restoration specialists and other stakeholders. These projects not only benefit native trout, but also increase stream flows for all water users, create jobs and economic recovery in our rural communities, and help create habitat for many other species, from bugs and birds to amphibians and wildlife. They also make fishing better for tens of thousands of Montana anglers and visitors!
The Action Alert resulted in an outpouring of concerned comments directed at MFWP and an article in the media. Caught off guard by the controversy, MFWP is now stating that this was a long-standing procedural issue that needed to be addressed. That they were simply making sure that the Department followed all the laws correctly. It is worrisome that suddenly the process that had been used for decades is found wanting. Furthermore, as of several days ago, the relevant documents requested by Montana TU had not yet been provided.
The matter will be presented for discussion at the next Montana Fish and Game Commission meeting on June 24.
So was this correcting an error in process or something more nefarious? An honest oversight or a hand in the cookie jar? Montana TU will follow this issue closely and report back to all concerned. Stay tuned because there is more than one kind of cutthroat.
By the way, if you do not receive the Montana TU Action Alerts, you can sign up by contacting Clayton Elliott at the Montana TU office.
|
|
Painted Rocks Lake Status Report! |
It doesn't look quite like the photo yet, but it won't be long before Painted Rocks Lake starts spilling over the top.
Here is the May 4 report from DNRC engineer Larry Schock.
Hello Everyone,
Here is the current status of the reservoir as of today, and a public announcement regarding construction activities later this summer that will affect access to the area below that dam and modify fall flows in the upper West Fork.
While this spring has seen warm days followed by cooler days, over all it is warming up and we are starting to see a lot more warm days, which has started runoff in earnest. The reservoir is clear of ice and the reservoir level and the average inflows have increased over this past week.
The inflows have averaged approximately 1000 cfs above the average outflows of 450 cfs, and the reservoir has taken on an average of almost 1000 AF per day.
The reservoir is currently at 20004 AF, or about 62% full.
Outflows are currently set at 437 cfs and no additional adjustments are expected until the reservoir fills and begins to spill. As the reservoir fills the head pressure will gradually cause small increases in outflows (usually around 5 cfs each), so the outflows are expected to reach approximately 500 cfs prior to the reservoir spilling.
If the weather stays on its current warming trend, and the current rate of inflows are maintained, it is anticipated that the reservoir will fill and begin spilling in 7-10 days.
Larry A. Schock, CFM
Civil Engineering Specialist
MT DNRC WRD MRO
(406) 542-5885
|
|
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!
You can pay for your cap and drybag with cash, check or credit card. Make checks out to Bitterroot Trout Unlimited.
|
|
This week's picture comes from one of our most enthusiastic and ardent members. Les Korcala is an expert angler, tier and photographer.
Les described what was a magical March Brown day as follows:
Week ago, to my amazement I encountered one day by my house 6 different hatches going same time. I have never ever seen this happen that early in the spring!
I saw Midges # 22 , then Baetis size 18 Skwala #8 , March Brown Duns #12 , Nemoura # 14 and I believe there were early Mathers Day caddis , mass of them size 14
Trout were careful and sipping mostly March Browns, the most I ever saw on the lower water ( Florence ). I carefully tied old school Catskill style wing dry fly and was quickly into the first brown on March Brown dun, Next fish was beautifully marked rainbow, same fly same run , Next was hearty, big shouldered Westslope on same pattern. Now I was thinking about a Bitterroot grand slam, it was possible!
After several minutes and catching and releasing another feisty brown, I hooked fish that happened to be 'cuttbow. Wow, that sure made my day.
I fired up my pipe with famous tobacco and crossed the river happy! It was all within 200 yards from my house. I am so lucky to live by such peace of water holding all species of trout !
Lucky indeed!
Please send your photos and stories to me. Your picture might end up as the Picture of the Week!
|
|
This week's BRTU Puzzler is submitted long-time BRTU supporter Whygin Argus. Whygin says that he came across the picture on the National Public Radio website.
It shows 2 figures communing while prone in the bottom of a metal boat. The Puzzler is to correctly identify the figure not wearing the waders, red jacket and mask, and to describe what makes this photo so special.
If you are the first person to correctly answer, you will be the winner of the BRTU Puzzler.
Chuck Stranahan has generously offered a prize to all winners of the BRTU Puzzler. The winner will be able claim a prize of hand-tied trout flies by contacting Chuck.
|
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 now being held virtually 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
Vice President - OPEN
BOARD MEMBERS
Gavin Marston (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
|
|
Company Name | Phone | Address | Website |
|
|
|
|
|
|
