BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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#279: Feb. 26, 2023
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First 2023 motorized proposal on Bitterroot sinks! Thanks due to FWP Commissioner Jeff Burrows! |
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If a petition to expand motorized use is ever accepted, hovercraft like this might add to your enjoyment of a day on the river. Source: Missoula Current. |
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Although you would not have known it from the local media, there were petitions to expand motorized use on the Bitterroot and Clark Fork River on the agenda for the Montana Fish and Game Commission on Feb 22. Montana TU and BRTU put the word out and the Commission received a lot of comments!
The first petition was presented by a Mr. Craig Thomas from Stevensville. The stated aim of this proposal was
"1. The petitioner will be allowed to use motorized vehicle on the Bitterroot River at any time outside of the prime fishing period as determined by FWP.
"2. Current rules are excessively restrictive basically eliminating summertime motorized use for said river."
Montana TU Executive Director David Brooks summarized discussion on the petition as follows:
"Region 4 Commissioner KC Walsh asked questions about why the current rules were put in place. FWP Region 2 Supervisor Randy Arnold said that rules were put in place more than 10 years ago because the sections of river lacked the water to safely allow motorized watercraft and because the overwhelming majority of use was and is nonmotorized. He confirmed that the current rules on the Bitterroot are working well and only very few motorized watercraft are used during the waterfowl season.
Region 2 Commissioner Jeff Burrows said he’s floated the portion of the Bitterroot in question and that it is not suitable for motorized watercraft, which could in some places damage the streambed or habitat.
Commissioner Cebull referenced new rules for motorized use on the Boulder River and recommended that because there are new technologies the Commission should form a work group to consider if new multi-use rules are appropriate. The petitioner agreed to the recommendation that the Commission form a work group.
Commissioner Walsh made a motion to deny the petition. Commissioner Burrows seconded the motion to deny and said that there is so little public support for changing the rules that it would be a waste of time to form a working group and that the public would weigh in strongly against any change in rules. Commissioner Burrows said he received 100 to 1 public comment against this petition.
The petitioner then withdrew his petition saying he didn’t realize there was so much public opposition to his proposal. He said he’s not that much of a boater anyway. Thus, the Bitterroot petition died."
The second petition was submitted by Mr James Crews, also of Stevensville. This was the proposal to greatly expand motorized use on the Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers. Mr Crews is the individual who has advocated for hovercraft. This petition was not presented because the petitioner was not present. It seems probable that it will be presented at the April Commission meeting, but for the moment the river is safe from hovercraft. Montana TU and BRTU will continue to track.
There can be little doubt that all of the comments highlighted that these petitions were both unsound and unpopular. Region 2 Supervisor Randy Arnold accurately presented the case, but it was the vote of the Commission that sank the proposal.
BRTU extends sincere thanks to both our Region 2 Commissioner, Jeff Burrows, and Region 4 Commissioner K.C. Walsh. Please take a minute and send a thank you to Commissioner Burrows.
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2023 Bitterroot Buggers - helpers needed for tomorrow's tying class. |
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A group of Buggers and parents pay rapt attention at the weekly fly judging competition. |
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BRTU Board member and former Chapter President Jack Mauer shows a Bugger how it's done. |
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Buggers course master and former BRTU Chapter President Greg Chester peers through bifocals as he assists a Bugger with the fine points of technique. |
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The first flytying class for the 2023 Bitterroot Buggers will be tomorrow, Monday, February 27 from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Hamilton Middle School Keystone Enrichment Center. The entrance is on Madison Street between 5th and 6th Streets. Look for the blue door with the yellow flower.
This time only the class will be on Monday, Feb. 27. The fly to be learned is the Wooly Bugger.
Remember, the success of this program is absolutely dependent on volunteer helpers. It is not necessary to be a flytier in order to help with these classes. Please consider signing up to assist with the very worthwhile program. Contact Joe Byrne or Greg Chester.
The subsequent flyting and casting classes also start at 6:30 feature tying and casting. The schedule for subsequent classes follows:
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Tuesday, March 7 (Gray Hackle Peacock),
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Tuesday, March 14 (Gold-ribbed Hare's Ear),
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Tuesday, March 21st (X-Caddis),
- SPRING BREAK,
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Tuesday, April 4th (Parachute Adams),
- Tuesday, April 11 (Casting instructions).
- The Buggers Fishing Trip and picnic have yet to be scheduled.
All tying classes begin with a video demonstration of the particular fly being tackled. Then the students and volunteers head to the vices to put the lesson into practice. At the end of each class, flies are entered into a competition judged by an expert tier.
Each Bugger receives a manual with all of the fly patterns, and links to the on-line videos. Quality tools and materials may be purchased for a very nominal cost, or borrowed during the class. Rod and reel outfits are also available for purchase below cost. For information on purchasing, please contact Joe Byrne or Greg Chester.
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This issue's Picture of the Week was submitted by BRTU supporter Phil Frank.
Phil spends part of the year in the Bitterroot and part of the year living in the Florida Keys. An avid freshwater and saltwater angler, Phil sent this photo of what he says must the smallest tarpon ever caught - or at least the smallest photographed.
The typical tarpon photo is of some 60 -100 pound bruiser tailwalking across the water as the angler hangs on for dear life. Photos of little fish like this should remind us that saltwater species, like tarpon, permit and bonefish, face many of the same problems that native trout do. And they have unique ones, too. You can learn more about conservation efforts from the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.
Please send me any fishing or conservation related photos to be considered for the "Picture of the Week." Make sure that the files are less than 5 mB in size. Note that in most cases I plan to not to use "grip and grin" photos, but rather pictures of fish in the water or net.
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This week's BRTU Puzzler was submitted by Phil Frank, who lives part of the year in the Florida Keys.
The Puzzler is to identify the fish that Phil is holding by both its common and technical names, as well as the nickname applied. Also, please explain the conservation implications leading to this nickname.
The BRTU Puzzler now has a new sponsor - Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton. Chapter One is offering a $10 gift card to each winner but it must be picked up in person. The book store is a long time BRTU supporter and has an unbelievable inventory of books and magazines. If Chapter One doesn't have the tome you want, they can get it in a jiffy. Shouldn't we be patronizing local small independents rather than big online giants?
The winner will be able to collect their gift card by stopping in at the book store.
If you have a cool fishing, outdoor activity, or conservation related photo, consider submitting it to BRTU Puzzlemaster Marshall Bloom for the BRTU Puzzler. BRTU E-News will no longer publish grip and grin photos of native fish out of water but will highlight photos of actual fish in the water.
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Monte Dolack BRTU prints
now available at Joe's Studio.
A very few Publisher's Proofs of the limited edition "Bitterroot River-Lost Horse Bend" by Monte Dolack are still 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 BRTU sponsor, 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 the Montana TU office at 406-543-0054.
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
Vacant, Treasurer;
BOARD MEMBERS
Charlie Harris; E-mail: hmgharris@gmail.com
Vacant; (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
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