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March 21, 2021
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Woody Debris Task Force
by
By now, faithful readers of this newsletter are well aware of the important role that woody debris plays in the health of the Bitterroot fishery. As described in the February 21st issue, and in greater detail in the excellent article by BRTU Vice President Dave Ward and MTU Executive Director David Brooks referenced therein (see Trout Need "Good Wood"), the presence of fallen trees and log jams in the river creates great habitat for fish, contributes to the natural dynamics of the river, and enhances the aquatic insect populations on which our Bitterroot trout grow fat. What we call woody debris, trout call home.
But these fallen trees and log jams can also pose serious risks to those who float the river in rafts and other watercraft. As such, it has been common practice over the years for some floaters to saw or otherwise remove portions of the offending woody debris to allow safe, or at least safer, passage. Cutting of woody debris has been especially prevalent on the upper West Fork, although cut wood can be observed throughout the watershed. Unfortunately, this indiscriminate cutting of woody debris can be detrimental to fish habitat and stream function, and can have unintended consequences downstream.
Which leads us to the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act of 1975, commonly referred to as the 310 law (because it started life as SB 310). The 310 law was enacted to protect and preserve Montana’s rivers and streams, and it does this by requiring prior authorization from the local Conservation District for any work done within or around a stream or river. Before issuing a 310 permit, the CD, in consultation with a representative from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, must first ensure that any potential negative impacts from the proposed work are avoided or minimized. Activities such as cutting logs in the river fall within the scope of the 310 law.
Recognizing that unauthorized cutting of woody debris in the Bitterroot River has the potential to degrade the fishery, negatively affect natural stream function, and is a violation of the 310 law, the Bitterroot Conservation District (BCD) and local MFWP created the Woody Debris Task Force back in 2019, to identify and implement ways to address this problem. Task force members include representatives from the BCD, MFWP, Ravalli County Floodplain, USFS, the outfitter/guide community, Trout Unlimited, and the angling community. While these members bring a diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives to the table, they all share a strong interest in protecting the Bitterroot River and its fishery, which has helped to create a collaborative team focused on finding solutions.
The task force has several activities planned for the upcoming season. First off, prior to high water, the task force is planning to conduct a survey of woody debris in the river from Painted Rocks Dam down to the Hannon FAS. The survey will be conducted by boat and also on foot in some stretches, and is intended to evaluate previously cut wood, identify current or future hazards, and, where feasible, identify possible actions that can be taken to mitigate the hazards without negatively impacting habitat or stream dynamics. Another focus is on communicating with the public about the benefits, but also the risks, associated with woody debris, and the need to get a 310 permit before doing any work on woody debris in the river. The task force is also looking at ways to streamline the application process for 310 permits for woody debris projects. The overall goal of all these activities is to ensure that any manipulation of woody debris in the river is done with guidance from the BCD and FWP.
You can get more information about the Woody Debris Task Force, 310 permits, or any other topic related to working in the Bitterroot River and its tributaries by contacting the BCD office (website: www.bitterrootcd.org; email: bcd@qwestoffice.net; phone: 406-361-6181).
If you have any questions, you can also contact Kent Myers.
The photo of a tree across the West Fork was submitted by long-time BRTU member Mel Holloway. It was taken March 9 well above Mile Marker 18. The Task Force is aware of this potential hazard.
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Dave Campbell - a True Friend of the Trout
The trout in our rivers are the report card for how we treat the entire landscape. So in order to be a true friend of the trout, it is necessary to care for, not only the fish, but the entire ecosystem - the streams, the riparian areas, the grasslands, the animals, the woods, and the wildlands.
Dave Campbell, who died suddenly 2 years ago this week, met the criteria. Dave who moved to the Bitterroot as Sula District Ranger in 1990 and then was West Fork Ranger until his retirement, cared deeply for the entire ecosystem and in his career in the Forest Service was a fierce advocate for resource protection and natural processes. But he had a special love of rivers and fish.
After his retirement, Dave became a member of the BRTU board and brought his unmatched knowledge and people skills to bear on behalf of the Bitterroot, especially the West Fork and its fish.
Shortly after Dave's untimely death in March 2019, BRTU undertook a collaborative project with Dave's family and the Bitterroot National Forest to honor Dave by improving the West Fork River Access Site near the West Fork Ranger Station where Dave was District Ranger.
That project is now moving ahead. BRTU submitted a proposal to the Ravalli County Resource Advisory and the proposal was recently approved and funded. BRTU will be providing funds, too, and we will be looking for volunteer labor.
The West Fork River Access Site will be improved through the installation of an accessible picnic table, benches, interpretive sign, and improving approximately 1000’ of the user-created trails to meet accessibility standards. A few benches will be located along the trails that will provide river access/viewing both upstream and downstream. The work will be completed through partnerships between BRTU, MFWP, and the Bitterroot National Forest. The design is currently being finalized.
An interpretive sign will discuss the eight native fish species that the West Fork of the Bitterroot River is home to and the conservation efforts achieved to improve the condition of the native trout. Dave's efforts will be highlighted.
So stay tuned and be prepared to help us honor a true friend of the trout when the project is completed.
(The upper photo shows Dave helping BRTU teach flycasting at a recent Youth Expo. The lower photo is a picture of Dave near the interpretive display at Nez Perce Pass honoring BRTU Board member and wilderness advocate the Doris Milner and the longtime Idaho US Senator Frank Church.)
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I might as well have direct deposit to Hamilton's Chapter One Book Store. I was on my way out of the door with a couple of books I had ordered when I was arrested by, Bull Trout's Gift: A Story About the Value of Reciprocity, written by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and illustrated by Sashay Camel.
As described on the Reading is Fundamental website " In this book the wisdom of the elders is passed on to the young as the story of the Jocko River, the home of the bull trout, unfolds for a group of schoolchildren on a field trip. Bull Trout’s Gift is steeped in the culture, history, and science that our children must know if they hope to transform past wisdom into future good."
The illustrations by Sashay Camel are absolutely exquisite and they perfectly depict the story of how the bull trout is responsible for saving the Jocko River. Ms. Cam lives on the Flathead Reservation and is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Her illustrations also accurately depict the habitat needs of the bull trout, including large woody debris (see below).
This is a perfect gift for kids or grandkids. Heck, it is a great book for adults, too. There are some books that enrich our lives just by being on our coffee tables - this is one such book.
By special arrangement, Chapter One Book Store will be donating 10% of the book sales to BRTU for our education programs. Simply email or call (406-363-5220) Chapter One and tell Marisa that you would like to order one or more copies. I have already ordered 3 copies.
Marisa reports that over a half dozen of these special books have already been requested, so be sure to order your copies soon. This offer will run into April.
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Trout in the Classroom.
BRTU Chapter Vice President Dave Ward recently sent along another photo of trout in Vanessa Halflich's classroom, taken on March 10. Dave sent me a file of reduced size, so I can include it in the newsletter, and you can observe the fish are really starting to grow.
Dave has been working with Vanessa to arrange a time for the students to release the fish into the Hieronymous Park pond. This will be done under proper supervision. So, stay tuned.
As mentioned in a previous newsletter, other local schools are really interested in signing on to this great program. The potential impact on kids of high school age cannot be underestimated.
Remember that Trout in the Classroom and all the other BRTU projects are made possible exclusively because of volunteer effort. We do not have paid staff and rely on our board and chapter members to do the job. If this approach appeals to you, why not get more involved? Send a note to BRTU Vice President Dave Ward. The trout you save might be your own!
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The enormous bruiser of a brown trout was caught by Robbie Dockter of Conrad on the Marias River. This leviathan weighed in at 32.43 and is now the State Record Brown Trout, busting a record that had stood since 1966 (!) of a 29 pound brown from Wade Lake.
The very scenic and rather remote Marias River arises east of Glacier National Park near Cut Bank, MT where Cut Bank Creek and Two Medicine River merge. The Marias flows east and then south feeding into the Missouri at Loma right after picking up its Teton River tributary.
The Marias is generally a warm water fishery but there is some terrific trout fishing for the 10 or so miles directly below the Tiber Dam. I am guessing that stretch of river is where this fish is from.
The Marias River was named by Meriwether Lewis after his cousin Maria Wood in early summer 1805. The Corps of Discovery initially thought the Marias was the main Missouri River, and Lewis returned in the summer of 1806 to explore the river. It was on the Marias that the expedition had its sole hostile encounter with Native Americans after a young Blackfeet warrior tried to steal from them. Two warriors were killed, forcing Lewis and his small contingent to hotfoot it down to Missouri to evade a larger body of Blackfeet.
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This week's BRTU Puzzler was submitted by former Montana TU Executive Director Bruce Farling.
Bruce and his much better-half Bonnie Gestring were on a fishing trip down south a few years ago when he hooked this unusual but very cool fish.
If you can identify the common name, the Latin binomial designation, and the river where Bruce landed this critter, you will be the winner of this week's BRTU Puzzler.
Chuck Stranahan has generously offered a prize to all winners of the BRTU Puzzler. The winner will be able 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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