BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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November 29, 2020
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Corn and Sockeye pardoned!
What do Corn the Turkey and the Bristol Bay sockeye have in common? Both were granted a reprieve by the Trump administration in the waning weeks of the current presidential term.
Corn was granted the usual Presidential Thanksgiving pardon by the President and First Lady and will be allowed to live out his days at the turkey equivalent of Sun City.
The wild salmon of the Bristol Bay region have been freed from the spectre of the massive gold and copper Pebble Mine in the headwaters of that watershed. The final blow to the mine was when the Army Corps of Engineers concluded that the "proposed project is contrary to the public interest." An earlier environmental review had seemed to lay the groundwork for the mine's approval but subsequent evaluation concluded that irreparable damage would occur, and Alaska's congressional delegation opposed to the project.
Ominous reports had also surfaced this summer of some high level high jinks when some mining executives were recorded in flagrante delicto bragging about connections with state and federal officials and regulators. This is another sterling (pardon the pun) example of Janus-faced mining company executives extolling the open and virtuous efforts on the one hand while conniving in smoke filled board rooms and corridors of power.
Stopping this ill-conceived project has been a National TU priority since its inception and after the projects cancellation Trout Unlimited President and CEO Chris Wood issued a statement that read in part:
“The Corps’ denial of the permit for the Pebble Mine is a victory for common sense. Bristol Bay is the wrong place for industrial-scale mining, and we look forward to working with the people of the Bristol Bay region, Alaska’s Congressional delegation, the state, and other partners to permanently protect Bristol Bay and its world class fisheries.”
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Changes on the Madison?
After a very fractious effort to involve all the stakeholders and address crowding and overuse on the Madison failed last year, the Montana Fish and Game Commission directed MFWP to come up with a plan and to present it to the Commission. Fish Chief Eileen Ryce gave the initial presentation at a Commission meeting earlier this month.
The proposal as well as the background and public comments, which you can find here, seemed to raise as many questions as were answered. Suffice it to say, nobody seemed to be very happy. It seems likely that the final plan is still elusive as commercial and private interests collide on this river.
The story on the Madison also made National news in a November 23 New York Times story referred to the current situation on the Madison as Rivergeddon. The perennial crowding on the Madison as well as all our State parks was exacerbated as pandemic weary denizens flocked to Montana to enjoy a socially distanced recreational haven.
BRTU anglers of all stripes should be grateful that the recreation plan that was implemented on the West Fork and Upper Bitterroot several years ago addressed many of the problems that are still raging on the Madison River.
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This week's picture was submitted by BRTU Vice President Dave Ward. Shown are some newly hatched trout alevins that Dave is presently caring for. As mentioned in earlier newsletters, BRTU will be supporting Trout in the Classroom in Hamilton and Corvallis High Schools.
These alevins will demonstrate to the students how trout develop from the newly hatched alevins with still visible egg sacs, through the many stages
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The photo is a famous aquatic insect. If you can provide the common name, the proper Latin binomial title and why this bug is famous, you will win the BRTU Puzzler.
Submit your entries to BRTU Puzzlemaster Marshall Bloom. If you are the first person to correctly identify the location, province and country, you will be the next BRTU Puzzler winner.
Chuck Stranahan has generously offered a prize to all winners of the BRTU Puzzler. The winner will be able to can claim a 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 Jeremy Anderson. 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 Jeremy. 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
BOARD MEMBERS
Gavin Marston (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
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