BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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#260: July 18, 2022
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Sweepers and Channel Changes Follow High Water. |
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A double sweeper in the main channel below Bell Crossing. Courtesy: Steve Davis. |
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A LIDAR image of present and past channels of the Bitterroot River between Victor and Stevensville. Source: Bitterroot TU website. |
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The Bitterroot River is often described as among the most unstable rivers in Montana. This is due to the river's tendency for channel migration back and forth across the valley floor. Past migration is amply demonstrated by the laser driven LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) map of the Bitterroot prepared by TU's Christine Brissette (shown above). This section of the map shows the innumerable channels that the river has used in the area between Woodside and Stevensville.
This geohydrological oscillation or channel migration has a number of effects on the river. It leads to the often high, cut banks that slough to create terrific habitat. It also leads to the recruitment of coarse woody debris as streamside vegetation, including large ponderosa pines and cottonwoods, fall into the water and either stay in place or float downstream until they lodge in the channel. This in turn creates hiding cover and scour pools which are also great trout habitat. However, they also create obstructions, called sweepers, that act like like strainers, and can partly or wholly block channels.
Therein lies the conundrum for floaters, anglers and conservationists. Several years ago, a number of interests including BRTU, conservation minded outfitters like Jack Mauer, a biologist from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and the Bitterroot Conservation District formed a Woody Debris Task Force. The purpose was to catalog these hazards and determine in advance which ones could be modified legally to provide passage within the provisions of the Montana Streambed Preservation and Protection Act or "310 Law." Of course, over the years a number of scofflaws have flaunted that law and removed sweepers and other woody debris without the careful analysis of the Conservation District.
2022 is proving to be a banner year for sweepers and channel migration due to the sustained high water. This will doubtless have positive impacts for the fishery and intrepid anglers, but it has also led to hazards and warnings to floaters about the channel obstructions. Some of these obstructions are evolving as the water recedes or as the wood migrates downstream. They are dangerous if not recognized or scouted and can be deadly! One "double sweeper" below Bell Crossing is pictured.
The current crop of sweepers and hazards have kept the Ravalli County Search and Rescue hopping, with close to a 1/2 dozen rescue call over the last weekend. Steve Davis has given BRTU E-News permission to use several of the drone videos he has taken. This video shows that same double sweeper that trapped a boat over the weekend. This one shows Search and Rescue in action to aid a recreational rafter that somehow managed to get into the middle of what looks to me an unpassable mess of stuff. And finally this one is a good view of the hazards between the Veteran's Bridge and Blodgett Campground.
I hope that Steve's videos reinforce the need to be cautious, be prepared to portage and to scout your route. As a friend told me yesterday, "The Bitterroot now is no river for old men!"
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Changes to Hoot Owl Regulations Being Proposed. |
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Dead cutthroat in the West Fork from 2021, likely a casualty of angling and excessively warm water. Source :Wade Fellin |
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Another dead cutthroat bleeding from the gills, likely hooking damage - 2021. Source: Wade Fellin. |
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As we approach the 3rd week of July 2022, it is hard to imagine that by this time last year, the stream flows were so low and the water temperatures so high that angling on some rivers was being closed and "hoot owl" restrictions were being imposed on others, including the upper Bitterroot.
"Hoot owl" restrictions are intended to limit fishing when the water gets too warm, and they have traditionally restricted fishing between 2:00 PM and midnight if the water temperatures exceed 73 F 3 days in a row. They are already in effect even this year in some locations, although the Bitterroot is not yet in that range.
However, in recent years, concerns have been raised by some anglers, conservation groups, like TU, and biologists that these restrictions were insufficiently conservative enough for high value native cutthroat waters and that the triggering temperature should be lower for streams like the West Fork of the Bitterroot. Recall that last year dead or moribund cutthroat were observed even before the hoot owl restrictions were imposed.
At the August 25 meeting of the Montana Fish and Game Commission, a proposal to lower the trigger point to 66 F for cutthroat streams will be considered. This proposal is due in no small part to efforts of our local Fisheries Biologist Jason Lindstrom and Region One Fisheries Manager Pat Saffel.
The specific language to be considered states:
Amend Angling Restriction and Fishing Closure Administrative Rules, 12.5.507 and 12.5.508, ARM
In 2008 the commission adopted an administrative rule for implementing angling restrictions or closures during periods of drought. The department is proposing to change these rules to incorporate criteria for cutthroat trout fisheries and to provide additional guidance for when a restriction or closure will be implemented or lifted. FWP data and other research has found that the current restriction and closure criteria for salmonids (daily maximum temperatures reach or exceed 73 degrees Fahrenheit any time of day for three consecutive days) exceeds the mortality threshold for cutthroat trout. The department has determined that adopting criteria at 66 degrees Fahrenheit for cutthroat fisheries would better reduce angling impacts to cutthroat during drought.
Other proposed changes are intended to avoid scenarios where restrictions or closures would be implemented or lifted over a short period of time before a closure or restriction would be re-implemented or lifted again (i.e., an on-again-off-again scenario).
The proposed rule language will be posted on July 8. Public comment will be taken until Aug. 5
This is a very pro-active move by MFWP to protect our native fish for the future and many of us welcome it. If you concur and want to do something, please consider submitting a comment on this proposal.
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Contest for New BRTU Logo. |
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The Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited (BRTU) has announced a contest to design a new logo for the chapter. BRTU is encouraging amateur and professional artists to submit logos for consideration by August 15, 2022.
For several decades, BRTU has used a logo based on the venerable Montana Trout Unlimited logo which featured three of Montana's native trout species - the westslope cutthroat, the bull trout and the artic grayling. The current logo is featured in the header of our newsletter. Recently, the BRTU Board decided that it was time to have competition for a new logo tied more closely to the Bitterroot Valley.
Amateur and professional artists are invited to submit entries. There is no fee to submit artwork for the contest, and the artist of the winning submission will receive a $350 award. Anyone interested in submitting a logo for consideration should visit BRTU’s News & Events website page for more specific details about the contest. Artists may submit up to two logos and must sign an acknowledgement form that BRTU will own and have full rights to use the winning artwork.
“We’re excited to have a new look for the Bitterroot TU Chapter,” said JuliAnne Thomas, BRTU board member. “There are so many talented artists in the valley and the surrounding regions, and we look forward to seeing new concepts presented for our logo. We ask those who are interested in submitting artwork to read the rules on our website carefully! It will help them in designing a quality logo.”
The BRTU board members will review the submissions in late August and will notify the winner in early September. The new logo will be unveiled at the BRTU banquet on October 21, 2022 at the Bitterroot River Inn.
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Water flowing over the spillway at Painted Rocks Lake. |
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DNRC engineer Larry Schock sent the following very detailed report on Painted Rocks about a week ago.
The reservoir is currently spilling, however the inflows are starting to steadily recede. The National Weather Service is currently predicting above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation over the next month.
With the inflows to the reservoir dropping off daily, we will probably be down into the base inflow range of 75-100 cfs within a month. Fortunately, this year these lower flows appear like they will be happening a couple of weeks later than normal.
Therefore, in preparation for the lower inflows we will begin making a series of gate adjustments within the next few weeks in order to gradually transition the reservoir from spillway control to low level outlet control. The first adjustment may occur this Friday, 7/15.
Currently about 65% of the outflows are coming out of the low-level outlet and 35% is flowing over the spillway. As the inflows continue to recede the percentage of water going over the spillway will decrease and the percentage of outflows from the low-level outlet will continue to increase.
The dam will be operated in a manner to ensure that the outflows match the inflows, with only a small amount of water flowing over the spillway, and the bulk of the water coming out of the low-level outlet. This will ensure that the West Fork will always be receiving a good supply of cold water.
The “inflow equal outflow” status will remain in effect until contract water deliveries are called for by the MT Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP), and/or the Painted Rocks Water Users Association (PRWUA).
At this time I want to remind everyone how Painted Rocks Reservoir is managed, who the primary stakeholders are, and how water releases are determined.
1. Painted Rocks Reservoir and Dam is a State Of Montana water storage facility. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) regulates the reservoir thru the Water Resources Division’s State Water Projects Bureau. The DNRC ensures that the reservoir is filled in a timely fashion and kept full until water is requested by the contract holders. The water within the reservoir has been sold under a contract to two principal entities: the MT Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP), and the Painted Rocks Water Users Association (PRWUA). The DNRC is charged with filling the reservoir and managing it in such a manner as to be able to fulfill the contractual requirement to release the stored water when requested by the contract holders. The DNRC does not determine when contract water is delivered. Whenever possible, gate adjustments will be made mid-week, and releases will generally be made in 50-75 cfs increments. Contract deliveries are dependent upon weather and river conditions.
2. Decisions regarding the timing and size of the contract water releases are made by the contract holders in consultation with the Ravalli County District Court appointed Bitterroot River Water Commissioner. If questions arise regarding the timing or quantities of the releases of contract waters from the reservoir, they should be directed at the individuals listed below:
b. Irrigation Contract Water: Roger Raynal, PRWUA Vice President, 369-1730, ttcr@chsmgt.com
If you have any questions regarding this email or you wish to have your name added/removed from this email distribution list please contact me.
Thank you for your time in attending to this matter.
Larry A. Schock
DNRC MRO WRD
Civil Engineering Specialist
406 542 5885
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Bitterroot River Cleanup - August 13. |
Every year the Bitterroot Water Forum coordinates a cleanup of the Bitterroot from "stem to stern."
This year BRTU is proud to be one of the groups sponsoring the cleanup. You can read about the cleanup and find out how to sign up and help here. The site has some great photos of treasures that previous cleanups have netted. |
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A permit in hand. Source: Dr. Neil Ku |
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This issue's striking Picture of the Week was provided by TU supporter and ardent angler, Dr Neil Ku from Billings.
Neil finally took some time off from his day job as an Infectious Disease Specialist in Billings, and headed south over the Bighorn, the Arkansas and the Platte for a week in Belize doing some saltwater fishing. He hooked this terrific permit on his trip.
He added "I just spent a week in Belize. I hooked 4 tarpons (>100 lbs) but haven’t been lucky enough to land them. I will try again next month in Mexico. Enjoy the photos!"
Please send me any cool fishing or conservation pictures. Send in a file that is less than 5 MB. I don't use "grip and grin" photos of native fish out of water anymore, but ones of fish being released or in the water are mighty fine!
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I can't believe no one has gotten the correct answer for this BTTU Puzzler! Enough readers are from the West Coast that someone must recognize this scene!
This BRTU Puzzler was submitted by long-time BRTU member and supporter Otis B. Driftwood. Mr Driftwood encountered the photo in a climate change story he read on his way home from a night at the opera.
The challenge is to identify what is in the photo Mr. Driftwood supplied and how does it relate to climate change. Please submit your entries to BRTU Puzzlemaster Marshall Bloom. The first correct entry will win a $10.00 gift card from Chapter One Book Store.
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.
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
Vacant; (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
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