BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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#247: Feb. 27, 2022
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On-Line Raffle for Svaroski Binocs Going Strong. |
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You're out fishing and notice that the angler just downstream or in the next boat is knocking 'em dead while you are wearing the old horse collar? And it is very annoying because the joker can't cast, sports a Walleyes Unlimited cap, has a gillnet worth of drag, but is catching fish after fish like an osprey. You conclude that it must be the fly, but no way are you going to ask them what they are using!
If you've been in this situation, and I suspect most of us, help is on the way! With a pair of Svaroski CL Companion 10X30, you'll stand a decent chance of not only being able to identify the fly pattern but also the tippet size, the type of knot, and if the fish are taking it dead drift or on the swing.
The virtual cool raffle for a pair of these Svaroski binocs with a soft case is live on the BRTU website. The winner will be announced at the March 17 BRTU meeting. All the proceeds will go to support BRTU programs, like the Bitterroot Buggers (see next story).
The tickets are just $40, and only 150 will be available. There is no limit as to how many tickets you can buy, but based on the interest so far, you better get yours soon. You do not have to be a TU member to join this raffle. Tickets are only available through the BRTU website .
About 1/2 of the tickets have been sold, so you still have ample opportunity to score some tickets and maybe score the binoculars! These binoculars retail for about $1400.00, so $40 a crack for a chance at a pair is a pretty good deal. I have bought my share!
Please contact BRTU Chapter President Dave Ward if you have any questions or have difficulties with the on line system.
The plan is to do several raffles before fishing season starts, and after the binoculars, the next prize will be....
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March 17 BRTU Meeting to Focus on Painted Rocks! |
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Water spills over the dam of a full Painted Rocks reservoir. |
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Another view of water spilling over the dam and the lake at full pool. |
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During the winter, a small pool of water is maintained in the dam to protect the outlet works when the water freezes. |
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A view of the dam outlet and low pool of water near the very end of an irrigation season. |
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Forty-nine people zoomed in to watch the February 17 BRTU meeting about the Upper Bitterroot and the West Fork (UBWF). MFWP Region 2 Fisheries Manager Pat Saffel and Jason Lindstrom, our MFWP Fisheries Biologist, summarized the data about fishing use of the UBWF and Jason followed up with the latest UBWF fish numbers as well as current and proposed responses to dead fish and hoot owl restrictions. There were excellent summaries of the meeting both in the Ravalli Republic by Perry Backus and the Bitterroot Star by Michael Howell. If you missed the meeting, I encourage you to read these informative stories.
The March 17 BRTU meeting will also be on Zoom. The program is titled "How does it work?: a panel on Painted Rocks Lake." There will be 4 speakers discussing different aspects of Painted Rocks Lake and its management.
- DNRC engineer Larry Schock will give an historical overview of the dam itself and how water is released from the dam. Hint - it is not as easy as turning on the water in a sink..
- Our new River Commissioner/Dam Tender JR Iman will talk about the crucial role of the River commissioner, how the water shares are called for and allocated, and how he plans to maintain equitable distribution among the various users.
- Roger Raynal will describe how the irrigators rely on their shares.
- Finally, MFWP Fisheries Biologist Jason Lindstrom will talk about the water releases from the perspective of the fishery and the angler.
Painted Rocks is a topic of perennial interest and contestatory discourse, so you won't want to miss this Zoom meeting. The Zoom worked very well last time. The actual meeting will start at 7:00 PM, although the link will go live at 6:30 PM. You must register to attend and once you register, you will receive additional information! This is the ZOOM link where you can register.
Please keep your video off to conserve bandwidth and stay muted if you are not speaking! It is very distracting to everyone if there is background noise! You are encouraged to sign on about 6:55 PM that evening. We are requesting that questions be submitted in the Chat Box during the meeting. A reminder will be sent to all registrants the day before before the meeting.
If you have difficulty registering, please contact me.
If you'd like to get more involved with our projects, the fish can sure use the help! Just send a note to BRTU President Dave Ward. And if you're not a TU member, consider signing up.
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Bitterroot Buggers Program Returns in March! |
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Buggers Coursemaster Greg Chester assists a beginning tier create a parachute fly. |
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Busy Buggers hard at work on tying flies a couple of years ago. |
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BRTU Board member Marlin Lewis assists a young Bugger size material for the fly she is tying. |
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Keystone Enrichment Program Director Joe Byrne explains the curriculum to an incoming class of Bitterroot Buggers. |
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After a 2 year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BRTU's flagship Bitterroot Buggers Program will kick off an abbreviated program on March 15. For more than 2 decades, BRTU has been offering this free program to Bitterroot kids aged 9 to 14.
This year's program will begin with orientation on March 15th and classes will run through April 19th. The Buggers meet every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:00pm and subsequent classes will feature flytying, casting and conservation education. As noted, March 15th will be the Orientation session. Then the classes on March 22nd, April 5th, April 12th and April 19th will feature flies of progressive complexity and breakout sessions for casting. Due to Spring Break, there is no class on March 29.
All classes will be held at the Keystone Enrichment space at Hamilton Middle School, corner of 6th and Madison Street (blue door with yellow flower). A special on-the-water day will be held on a weekend in late April or early May with the date to be determined by the weather.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? This program is free because of generous contributions of time and money. Bitterroot Trout Unlimited will have rods and tying kits available for purchase at a greatly reduced price. Loaner equipment will also be available for any participant. All the materials will be provided by BRTU through a special partnership with Grizzly Hackle in Missoula.
Equipment and materials are made available during the course, but many choose to purchase their own fly tying kits. BRTU makes quality fly tying kits available during the program at the greatly reduced price of $30.00. Complete rod/reel combinations are also available at a greatly reduced price of $45.00.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF STUDENTS? The success of this program depends on the continued support of our volunteer instructors. Because of this we expect our participants to arrive each week ready to learn and enjoy themselves with attitudes that are respectful of everyone involved. Participants must be between 9 and 14 years old. The registration materials must be completed for each student.
Every child will be expected to help with cleanup and treat the materials and equipment with respect. If a student’s behavior is disruptive to the program or dangerous to themselves, volunteers or other students, parents will be notified immediately, asked to pick their child up and the student will no longer be welcome in the program. This is to ensure the happiness and well being of all program participants.
At the outset of the program, masks will be REQUIRED during the classes to help insure the safety of all of the volunteers and participants of the program. Masks will be provided to all students and volunteers by the Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF FAMILIES? Because we are staffed entirely by volunteers it is essential that you do not drop your child off before 6:30 or pick them up after 8:00. We want your children to always be safe so please notify us in advance if your child will be walking home or someone other then those listed on the registration will be picking-up. We love to have parents participate with their child but please assist your child to follow the directions given by the instructor. Everyone has different methods and techniques they use in tying but the curriculum has been carefully developed to allow for a continuity of techniques.
For additional information, contact Joe Byrne at 406-381-2815.
And there is always a need for adult volunteers to assist with the classes. You do not need to be a good tier to be a great help, so please consider volunteering. Contact Greg Chester for details.
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BRTU Caps Available Soon!
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The BRTU caps all sold out last summer and they are no longer available.
However, despair not. A new batch is on order and will be for sale at the first in person BRTU meeting. They will only be available through BRTU.
Thanks to all for helping us sell out so quickly!
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This issue's Picture of the Week was submitted by Jerry Kustich.
After decades of years making bamboo rods at RML Winston and then starting Sweetgrass Rods with Glenn Brackett, Jerry moved out east to upper Maryland. He still does some work for Sweetgrass Rods and reps the rods at shows in that part of the country. Jerry is also an excellent writer and, in addition to his columns in the lovely Sweetgrass Newsletter, has written a number of books, including the very intimate Holy Water.
Recently Jerry has been fishing the upper reaches of Chesapeake Bay in a kayak looking for some of the interesting fish there as well as going after the trout in upper Maryland. The fish in the photo is a tidal largemouth bass from the Upper Chesapeake Bay. Success for these fish requires a detailed knowledge and understanding of the tide patterns. Jerry caught this one on a chartreuse Clouser minnow using an 8'3" 7 wt bamboo rod. He notes that the kayak helps compensate for waning stability while wading.
Please send your photos and stories to me. Your picture might end up as the Picture of the Week! Any photos related to fishing and conservation are welcome. We prefer pictures of released fish in the water rather than in the hand, but won't turn down a great photo.
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This week's BRTU Puzzler was submitted by my good friend Kristin McNally. The angler is her husband Tim Rybicki and the photo was taken while they were on holiday in Ziahuatanejo, Mexico. You can usually find Tim in the Blodgett Canyon Cellars Tasting Room where he cooks up a terrific pork verde to go with the great wines.
The Puzzler is to identify the fish that Tim caught while fishing with a very well known guide named Armando. To win you must supply the common name as well as the Latin binomial designation.
Now that Check Stranahan has closed his shop, I am looking for a new sponsor.
If you have a cool fishing or conservation related photo, consider submitting it to BRTU Puzzlemaster Marshall Bloom for the BRTU Puzzler. We prefer photos of actual fish in the water rather than in the hand, but won't decline any.
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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 Clayton at 406-543-0054.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BRTU board meetings are usually being held 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
Donna Haglund; Vice President; E-mail: haglunddonna@gmail.com
BOARD MEMBERS
Charlie Harris; E-mail: hmgharris@gmail.com
Ty Balser; (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
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