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Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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#223: May 17, 2021
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Hamilton High School 2021 Trout in the Classroom Valedictorian. Photo by Dave Ward. |
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The Class of 2021 Trout in the Classroom rehearse Commencement Procession. Photo by Dave Ward. |
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Commencement Details for Trout in the Classroom!
The final details for the 2021 Hamilton High School Trout in the Classroom graduation have been announced. The trout that were raised from alevins in the class of Vanessa Haflich will literally take the plunge later this month.
According to BRTU President Dave Ward, the trout will be released into the pond at Hieronymus Park at about 10:15 AM on Monday, May 24. Officiating will be MFWP Fisheries Biologist Jason Lindstrom and MFWP Fisheries Technician Leslie Nyce.
Trout in the Classroom (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.
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.
You can help BRTU make Trout in the Bitterroot Classrooms an enduring program by 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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Bitterroot Conservation District Handles Problematic Diversion Structure!
Newsletter readers may recall the April 18 article about the outrageous shed constructed by YC Properties over an irrigation pumping station in the west channel of the river just across from Skalkaho Bend Park. The diversion was one aspect of a large project that included plans for a bridge spanning that channel to provide landowner access to the large island.
The project received permits from the Bitterroot Conservation District for the bridge and a structure over an existing diversion. On April 14, the ever observant Bob Miller filed a 310 complaint with the BCD noting that the structure greatly exceeded the permit conditions.
At its April 27 meeting, the BCD approved Bob's filing as an a valid complaint after 2 supervisors inspected the site. The BCD had already communicated with YC Properties's representatives informing them that the structure had to be removed. So, at the meeting, the district approved a 310 permit to remove the structure and mitigate the unpermitted riprap that had been installed. The BCD determined that removing the riprap would lead to more damage than leaving it. So the landowners were instructed to plant native vegetation in the riprap above and below the pumping station, and reminded that a 310 permit was also needed for the vegetation planting.
Credit is due to Bob Miller for his vigilance and also to the Conservation District for dealing with the violation so forcefully. It is unfortunate when applicants grossly exceed the conditions of their permits.
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Painted Rocks Lake Status Report! |
If you find the politics in the Bitterroot too tame to be interesting, you might chat with DNRC Civil Engineer Larry Schock and Water Commissioner Al Pernichele about the contestatory discourse associated with managing the water from Painted Rocks.
Thanks to agreements dating back to the 1980's and decades of collaboration between BRTU and the Painted Rocks Water Users, the river enjoys about 25,000 acre-feet of water from the lake for irrigation and in stream flow supplementation. DNRC manages the dam and the lake but the releases are agreed upon by the irrigators and MFWP, acting on behalf of the sportsmen, and are monitored by Al. To say this water is a boon to the Bitterroot, especially in dry years, is an understatement.
Al can shake his head and regale you with some of the complaints he receives. On the same day he will get a complaint from one outfitter that he needs to release less water because the water is too high and from another that he needs to release more water because the water is too low.
Larry's update for yesterday stated:
Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to put out a quick update regarding the status of the reservoir.
Painted Rocks reservoir completed filling and began spilling at approximately 8 pm. on Saturday night.
Future adjustments will be made to insure that the reservoir remains full and that the outflows equal the inflows.
Larry A. Schock, CFM
Civil Engineering Specialist
MT DNRC WRD MRO
(406) 542-5885
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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!
You can pay for your cap and drybag with cash, check or credit card. Make checks out to Bitterroot Trout Unlimited.
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This week's picture comes from well-traveled angler Ryan Jones.
The photo, taken in mid-April, is of a lovely cutthroat, and Ryan notes "It was a sucker for a slim profiled skwala pattern."
Ryan cleverly informed me that he caught the fish in the Bitterroot between Hamilton and Stevensville.
Please send your photos and stories to me. Your picture might end up as the Picture of the Week!
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There were a number of correct answers to last week's BRTU Puzzler, but the first one came from Bill Wichers, who is the winner of the Puzzler.
Bill correctly identified this image as a lake sturgeon from the Detroit River. An Acipenser fulvescens, estimated to be about 100 years old, the fish was 7 feet long, 4 feet around and tipped the scales at 240 pounds.
According to the May 5 story on National Public Radio, the 3 biologists from Alpena, Michigan were more than surprised:
" In the 19th century it's estimated there were more than half a million sturgeon swimming in the Detroit River. Scientists now believe there are fewer than 7,000. The decline is largely due to overfishing and habitat destruction. But Jason Fischer, one of the other scientists on the boat, says the Detroit River's water has vastly improved in recent decades.
"We see ... world class fisheries in the Detroit River and St. Clair River," Fischer says. "I can ... think of a whole bunch of walleye fishermen who would agree with me."
Jennifer Johnson, that scientist lying next to the giant sturgeon in a photo that's gone viral, says she thinks the big catch has captured so many people's imaginations because of what it shows us about real-life magic.
"The fact that the sturgeon has survived for so long and probably has seen way more than any of us could imagine is kind of phenomenal, and just, I think everybody loves a good ... fish story," Johnson says with a laugh....."
Chuck Stranahan has generously offered a prize to all winners of the BRTU Puzzler. Bill 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 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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