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.
November 22, 2020
|
|
2020 on-line auction wins big!
The first ever BRTU on-line auction ran from November 12 though November 16. In spite of all the trepidation, it was a big success and a lot of people joined in for some fierce bidding. A hearty thank you to everyone who donated time, treasures or talent as well as to all of the participants. A number of us were glued to the website for the last hour to make sure that our bids prevailed.
The flies tied by Bitterroot Buggers Ty and Jadie Balser brought over $200, a record amount for Bugger flies. And the virtual Paddle Call raised over $1000. The dinners, trips, artwork and tackle also did exceedingly well. Interestingly, we had winners from as far away as Bainbridge Island, Washington and Breckenridge, Colorado. One successful bidder told me that she is usually out of town for the banquet and the on line format enabled her to score a case of wine and one of Dale Roos's raised gardens.
All the donors have been thanked and the winning bidders have all been contacted. Many of the premiums have already been delivered, and we hope to ship most of the out-of-state ones in the next week or so. If you haven't received your premiums yet, please be patient. We are exercising extra precautions due to the pandemic raging on our county.
This on-line auction was our only fundraiser this year to support our education programs, like Bitterroot Buggers and Trout in the Classroom. In addition, we will be able to support our conservation and restoration projects like the fish screens mentioned in next story. No one besides TU is doing such a broad suite of efforts in the valley, and your support has ensured that we will be able to carry on in this unusual time.
Next year, we plan to have a live event and already have several exciting premiums. So stay tuned............
|
|
A Bridge too Bizarre!
Just when you think about every bizarre thing has been proposed for the river, something new comes along. The latest is a private bridge across a channel of the river due west of the new Skalkaho Bend Park.
The stretch of river between Skalkaho Creek and the cemetery is one of the most dynamic reaches of any river. When I moved here in 1972, almost the entire flow ran down the westernmost channel where now the only water comes from Canyon Creek just above the cemetery. Now the bulk of the flow below Skalkaho runs down the easternmost channel along the park or a middle channel that joins that channel just across from Fox Lumber. The space between these 2 current large channels forms a large island that is part of the old Fetch Inn property.
And it is this island that the new owner of the Fetch Inn property wants to access with a new bridge that will supersede a present ford. Obviously, the island belongs to that property, but many of us are scratching our heads over the merit of putting in a bridge in a location where the river is so dynamic and has been all over the river bottom in just the last 50 years.
A permit application has been submitted to the Bitterroot Conservation District and the Board of Supervisors are being very diligent and perspicacious as they evaluate the proposal. However, they have a limited tool box to use. MFWP is also very concerned about this project and the fear that the bridge will entrain the river and disturb the natural channel migration that makes this part of the river so unique. BRTU and several other groups are tracking this issue.
|
|
Montana TU Executive Director David Brooks said it best in an article in the Helena Independent Record: "Paul refused to only work with like minded partners, and I can’t emphasize enough what a rare and courageous thing that is."
Paul died earlier this month at age 78 in his home near Lincoln in the valley in which he was born, lived, fished, giuded and helped restore and protect. His impact in this place cannot be overstated and he was a key figure in all the efforts that have made the Blackfoot what it is today. The details of his exceptional life are well described in this article.
Paul was a guide extraordinaire and his efforts to promote responsible outfitting and fishing rank alongside Bud Lilly. Paul Roos Outfitters became synonymous with quality. He helped established many of the Orvis guide programs and recruited members of the Perkins family to assist in stream protection and conservation efforts in he Blackfoot.
I got to know Paul when Montana TU and the new Big Blackfoot TU chapter were starting the campaign to stop the gold mine just upstream of Lincoln. The force of his personality and unflagging efforts were key in the success of that campaign as well as many others. Fittingly, Paul will be inducted into the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame.
|
|
The clue to this Puzzler was big as K-2! The give away words were Nepal and Tibet where you can find the critter pictured above - a yak.
So the correct answer is ................the Yaak River in northwest Montana, which is in fact less than 2 days travel from Missoula.
Stay tuned for a new BRTU Puzzler in the next newsletter if there is not a winner.
This week's BRTU Puzzler was submitted by angler and wanderer Yancy Wroble.
The photo is an overhead shot of someone fishing a small river from a driftboat. You might think this stream was in Nepal or Tibet, but that would be incorrect. It is less than 2 days travel from Missoula.
If you can successfully identify the country, province or state, and the river, 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.
|
|
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
|
|
Company Name | Phone | Address | Website |
|
|
|
|
|
|
