BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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May 2, 2021
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Trout to Graduate from Hamilton High School!
The Hamilton High School Class of 2021 is set to graduate on Sunday, May 6. However, a special group from Vanessa Halflich's science class is scheduled to graduate about 10 days early. And while most of the graduates will be tossing their mortarboards in the air and talking about college, this special group will be heading straight for Hieronymous Park. And these youngsters have probably taught more to their classmates than they learned.
In case you haven't guessed, these are the trout that have spent the last semester in an aquarium in Vanessa's Hamilton High School classroom as part of BRTU"s Trout in the Classroom program. They are now about 3 inches long and ready to graduate into the wet and wild world.
TIC is one of National TU's most enduring and successful youth programs. And the BRTU Education Committee, led by Dave Ward and Greg Chester, worked hard over the last year to make TIC a reality in Hamilton and Corvallis High Schools. TIC is a logical extension of BRTU's flagship Bitterroot Buggers program, providing continued conservation and environmental education opportunities for Bitterroot students.
As part of the TIC curriculum, the students in Vanessa's class had the opportunity to
- Raise trout from eggs to fry.
- Monitor tank water quality and temperature.
- Engage in stream habitat study.
- Learn to appreciate water resources.
- Foster a conservation ethic.
- Grow to understand ecosystems.
- End each program by releasing the trout in a state-approved location.
Graduation for the Hamilton High School TIC is tentatively scheduled for Monday, May 24 at Hieronymous Park in Hamilton when the trout will be released into the pond. Details for the TIC in Jeff Kaiser's Corvallis High School classroom are still pending. Additional information will be provided in a subsequent issue of BRTU E-News.
And the program was so successful that next year Florence and Darby High Schools will join Hamilton and Corvallis. Greg Chester has already secured a mini-grant from Montana Trout Unlimited to help underwrite the program.
If you would like to help BRTU make Trout in the Classroom an enduring program, please consider making a donation to BRTU.
If you would like to learn more or become involved in TIC, please contact Dave Ward.
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Woody Debris Task Force Hits the Water!!
As described in previous newsletters, the Bitterroot Woody Debris Task Force was established to create a pro-active mechanism to evaluate the woody debris in the river and to identify situations where some legal mitigation under the 310 Law might be warranted. The woody debris in the Bitterroot drainage is a key component of prime habitat, but in some instances it may pose inconvenience or challenges for floaters.
As noted in previous newsletters, earlier efforts of the Task Force have been thwarted by illegal cutting of wood before they could assess or recommend mitigation. BRTU has been a forceful advocate of the benefit of woody debris and a staunch opponent of illegal cutting, which is a patent violation of the 310 law.
Last week the Task Force floated the West Fork in rafts to assess the amount of wood in the river all the way from Painted Rocks Dam to Hannon Fishing Access site. MFWP Region 2 Fisheries Manager Pat Saffel and Bitterroot Conservation District Supervisor Kent Myers joined other stakeholders, including BRTU Chapter President Dave Ward and Ravalli Republic Associate Editor and Reporter Perry Backus. Five of the 6 rafts were provided by local guides or outfitters, including Jack Mauer and Jenny West.
BCD Supervisor and Task Force Coordinator Kent Myers sent this brief report and the 2 photos to BRTU E-News:
The survey floats by the Woody Debris Task Force went well and accomplished our primary goal of documenting the pre-runoff woody debris hazards on the upper Bitterroot River. There were a total of five rafts, two of which covered the stretch from Painted Rocks dam to Canoe, while the other three floated from Applebury to Hannon. A survey app, developed by Christine Brissette and a TU colleague, was used to document the woody debris hazards observed during the floats.
Predictably, most of the potential woody debris hazards were located on the upper West Fork. Some of these channel-spanning logs were relatively small and will likely be moved during high water, but there were also two very large ponderosa pines (one with a double trunk) across the river by the Rombo campground that will almost certainly still be there after run-off. One tree is located at the lower end of the campground, and the double tree is about 3/4 mile downstream.
There was also a lot of wood in the river on the lower stretch, but there were no hazards that required a portage. Evidence of recent cutting was observed on both stretches. The task force will meet again in mid-May to review the findings from the survey floats and to discuss future plans.
Perry Backus had an excellent story on the float and the woody debris issue in the May 1 Ravalli Republic.
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MFWP's Pat Saffel is quoted as saying "People should expect that there will be hazards in a river...These rivers are wild places...The expectation should be that it might be dangerous."
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BCD Supervisor Kent Myers is quoted as saying "We can't make the river safe for everyone...The onus is always on the person in the boat and their skill."
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Life-ling floater and outfitter Jenny West noted "No one wants to make this river a ditch...There are old logjams that have been here for a while and lots of new stuff coming in. We need all of that for habitat."
We all owe the task force a debt of gratitude for their hard work and desire to deal with woody debris in a pro-active manner. Please remember to obtain a 310 permit from the Conservation District before any beginning any projects in the streambed.
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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!
Please cash or check only. Make checks out to Bitterroot Trout Unlimited.
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This week's pictures of the week depict the latest in flyfishing wear by the streetware label Supreme. The Japanese indie Flyfishing label South2 West8 features fishing jackets, shirts, bags and hat and includes a Tenkara rod! Apparently you can even buy some this latest angling couture de riguer online at Nepenthes in New York City.
According to the article in the Guardian from which this photo was featured, the response among the more traditionalists has been predictable.
During the nearly 50 years that I have been flyfishing, I have seen the standard garb go from the Tweed jackets, necktie and pipe of Arnold Gingrich, to the understated khaki shirt, big cowboy hat and boots of Bud Lilly and finally to the current outrageously colored flyreels, 50 UPF hoodies and buffs of today's crop of "bro" types.
We all used to laugh at the site of Porsches and Maseratis parked in front of fly shops, and now we are surprised if there isn't at least one Beemer or Audi. So, who's to say what will dazzle us as we stand wading in the West Fork and watch the fashion show that floats by like so many models on the runway!
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The winner of the last BRTU Puzzler was Mark Wetherington who is with the Bitterroot Public Library.
Mark was the first to correctly identify the pack bridge across Rock Creek, which is the gateway to the Welcome Creek Wilderness. In his winning entry, Mark said:
I have a photo credit for a photo of that same bridge in the 2017 edition of "Best in Tent Camping: Montana" so it seems fitting this was the puzzler I won!
Welcome Creek Wilderness is one of the smaller wilderness areas in Montana, at just over 28,000 acres, and seems to have little to offer the angler other than its proximity to Rock Creek. There are no lakes to cast into in hopes of hooking trout and Welcome Creek is a small and often shallow stream that makes little sense to fish when you have to cross the blue-ribbon waters of Rock Creek to get to it. The history of the Welcome Creek area, however, is intriguing -- gold was discovered in the area in the late 1800s and a small boom in the area ensued. One of the largest nuggets of gold found in Montana, weighing around 1.5 pounds, was reportedly discovered in the area. As tends to happen, the boom eventually busted and the area was left to its own devices. Other than a few rusting relics, a dilapidated cabin or two, and scattered mine pits and adits there is little visible impact from the heyday of mining in Welcome Creek.
Mark also asked that I mention that on May 19th the library will be hosting an intro to fly tying workshop by Robert Prince. Here is a link to the event:
Mark added that the space is limited, and the event might be a bit too basic for most BRTU members, but it seems like a good thing to mention nevertheless. Folks with any questions can email community@bitterrootpubliclibrary.org for more information.
Chuck Stranahan has generously offered a prize to all winners of the BRTU Puzzler. Mark will be able claim a prize of hand-tied trout flies by contacting Chuck.
There will be a new puzzle in the next issue of BRTU E-News. Please send your entries to BRTU Puzzlemaster Marshall Bloom. If you are the first person to correctly answer, you will be the winner of the BRTU Puzzler.
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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
Citing personal reasons, Jeremy Anderson stepped down as BRTU Chapter President at the April Board of Directors meeting. Chapter Vice President Dave Ward has assumed the office of President.
Under Jeremy's leadership, BRTU moved to the next level in every aspect of the chapter's activities, from communication, to conservation projects and development. In fact, almost exclusively due to Jeremy's outstanding leadership, BRTU was named Montana TU Chapter of the Year.
In my estimation and experience, Jeremy is the best Chapter President BRTU has had since it was chartered in 1976. If you would like to thank Jeremy for his exceptional service, you can email him.
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
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