BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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April 3, 2021
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Personal Flotation Devices Save Lives! They Are Called Life Jackets for a Reason!
If you check out the great catalog and view the video clips on the Northwest River Supply website, it is apparent that the whitewater rafters and kayakers, all of whom seem to be young, athletic and fit, are wearing life vests or personal flotation devices (PFDs). It is second nature to them, like wearing a seatbelt. On the other hand, if you check out galleries of fishing photos on various sites, you'll look for a long time before you see a PFD. And I am not going to mention that a substantial fraction of the anglers, including yours truly, could scarcely be categorized as young, athletic or fit!
According to data supplied by MFWP Boating Education Coordinator Sara Smith, there were 69 boating fatalities between 2010 and 2020 in Montana; this is for all types of boating in the state and specific or reaches of water are not provided. By my review of the information which lacks clarity in some spots, only 19 of these individuals were wearing PFDs. Twenty one of the fatalities occurred in drift boats or rafts; only 1 was in a commercial raft. Canoes or kayaks accounted for 16. Of course, near misses don't get recorded. There were 3 deaths in Ravalli County and 4 in Missoula County. This data should be compelling cause to invest in and wear a PFD.
This issue's Picture of the Week feature also shows a couple of other good reasons to use a PFD.
It is with information in mind that Steve Davis and I make our annual plea for newsletter readers to use PFDs.
Steve (pictured above) is wearing one of the PFDs that inflate when you hit the water. Steve recently replaced his old inflatable one after 5 years, which is how long the warranty is good for. These are pretty convenient, however, they do require some care and the wearer has to be careful not to get the actuating device wet.
On the other hand, NRS now sells a number of PFDs (like mine pictured below) that are extremely comfortable and not too hot to wear during the summer. I traded in my inflatable for it. In fact, several are specifically designed for anglers with pockets large enough for flyboxes. However, leaving in them in the bottom of the boat is like not putting on a seatbelt until you have the collision.
After the second fatality in Ravalli County, I decided I was never getting in a boat or raft without wearing a PFD, and always bring my own. What is it going to take for you to start wearing one?They are called life jackets for a reason!
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Another hazardous situation with nary a PFD in view |
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Gird Creek Project Needs Volunteers!
Few creeks on the eastside of the valley have been battered as badly as Gird Creek. This stream which heads in the Sapphires has been over grazed, channelized, rerouted and just about everything else you can imagine.
Ultimately it runs through Teller Wildlife Refuge where a considerable restoration project has already taken place. That project has clearly shown the fishery potential that Gird Creek has.
Now BRTU is joining up with the Refuge to begin restoration on a section of Gird Creek just off of Tammany Lane east of Hamilton (map is below).
As noted in the image above, volunteers are needed on Saturday, April 17 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm to plant trees and install weed fabric. If you can help out, please email BRTU Chapter VP Dave Ward.
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Marisa reports that over a half dozen of these special books have already been ordered, so be sure to order your copies soon. This offer will run until April 15.
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.
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Scattered Zebra mussels on a boat bottom |
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Mussels trying to weasel their way into Montana from Michigan. |
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Mussels Try to Muscle Into Montana Waters.
According to MFWP news release, watercraft inspectors at the Anaconda inspection station found a third mussel-fouled watercraft on March 29 (photos above). A boat was being transported from Lake Macatawa, Mich., to Missoula with plans to launch on Flathead Lake later this spring. The boat was heavily infested with zebra mussels.
“This was the most mussels I’ve ever seen on a boat in Montana” said AIS Area Supervisor John O’Bannon. “The boat owner was very cooperative and happy to have the boat inspected.” The watercraft will undergo a mandatory 30-day dry time followed by decontamination by FWP AIS staff.
Earlier on March 29 the second mussel-fouled watercraft was intercepted at the Dillon watercraft inspection station.
Boaters must stop at all watercraft inspections stations they encounter. All boats entering Montana from out of state must be inspected before launching on Montana waterways.
Nonresidents planning to visit Montana should be aware of boating laws that protect the state’s waterways and ensure quality fishing and boating opportunities.
Visitors bringing a boat to Montana must do two things before launching their watercraft:
1) The watercraft must be inspected before launching to ensure it is free of aquatic invasive species (AIS). This includes all motorized and non-motorized boats, stand-up paddle boards and personal pontoon boats used by anglers.
2) Nonresidents must purchase a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass for each watercraft they plan to use in Montana. The pass is valid for the entire year and expires Dec 31. It is not transferable between vessels.
- The fee for motorboats is $30 and applies to all motorized watercraft that is registered in another state or country.
- The fee for non-motorized watercraft is $10 and applies to all non-motorized watercraft that nonresidents bring into Montana.
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The Vessel AIS Prevention Pass can be purchased online or at any FWP office. Proof of purchase is an electronic or paper receipt.
Nonresidents passing through Montana and not launching a watercraft are not required to purchase the pass. But anyone transporting watercraft in Montana must stop at ALL open watercraft inspection stations they encounter. Failure to stop could result in a fine of up to $500.
“Montana welcomes boaters and anglers to our state but we want to ensure visitors aren’t transporting invasive plants or animals that can severely damage our lakes and rivers” said Tom Woolf, AIS Bureau Chief. “Boats that are free of mud, water, plants and animals will have a quick and easy inspection.”
BRTU Chapter President Jeremy Anderson is on the group monitoring Aquatic Invasive Species. Jeremy provided the information in this article and can be contacted for additional information.
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This week's picture of the week was submitted by long time BRTU supporter and water safety advocate Steve Davis.
Steve says the photo was taken in mid-March and "These young fishermen for whatever reason decided to go over the top instead of the right side." Steve also notes that "They were lucky with the water flows and hydraulics." Neither of them are wearing any kind of PFD in this photo.
Steve also reported that a serious accident occurred last week in the same location when 2 experienced anglers/boaters from Bozeman stuck their drift boat on this same log, now almost completely submerged, and lost most of their personal gear and tackle, including a Yeti Cooler. They did not recognize that the safe passage was to the right. Fortunately, they were not injured and were able to recover their boat. If you recover that Yeti cooler, Steve Davis can put you in touch with the anglers from Bozeman.
MFWP posted signs at the Darby and Hannon access sites warning of hazards in the river, and noting that scouting and portage might be necessary. As far as BRTU Chapter VP Dave Ward and I can determine, no one has submitted a 310 application to mitigate the hazard. The Woody Debris Task Force described in the last BRTU E-News is designed to deal with hazards like this, but the hazards must be reported. Kent Myers is chair of that group.
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This photo shows the boaters in a precarious situation. |
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This is what the hazard looked like on March 31. |
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MFWP has posted warning signs like this at Hannon and Darby |
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No one has even taken a shot at guessing this rather easy puzzler! Another clue is that "down south" is below the equator and that the boating hazards are hippos.
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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