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#235: Oct. 11, 2021
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University of Montana ecologists construct an artificial beaver dam on a tributary of Fish Creek, astream in western Montana. Source: Montana Public Radio.
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A pair of artificial beaver dams on the Fish Creek tributary. An improvement in water level was noted immediately. Source: Montana Public Radio.
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Two beavers busy as beavers constructing a dam. Source: Alamy.com
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The earliest European adventurers to explore the rivers and creeks of Montana weren't looking places to locate a fishing lodge or golf course. Many were working for the Hudson Bay Company which was chartered in 1670 and had posts and factors all over the Northwest. Their aim, and that of the trappers and characters that trailed Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery was to collect, carry, cache and cash in as many fur pelts as they could manage. As detailed in Don Berry's 1961 vivid and entertaining book A Majority of Scoundrels, Jedediah Smith, Jim Bridger, Hugh Glass and others were working for the North American Fur Company or the competitor American Fur Company.
The aggregate goal was to satisfy the desires of the Eastern US and Europe customers for fur and fur-based products, like felt top hats. And as was pointed out by legendary University of Montana history professor K. Ross Toole, this was the first major exploitation of Montana, and led to many fur bearing mammals being driven to near extinction. The most abundant, largest and easiest prey was the dam building semi-aquatic rodent, the beaver (Castor canadensis), which have nearly vanished from waterways across the west. Numbers are now starting to recover a bit and you might hear the slap of a beaver's tale or see a lodge on some of our westside tributaries.
A relatively unappreciated consequence of this history, as was pointed out to me recently by our recently retired but still lucid MFWP fisheries biologist Chris Clancy, was that the unspoiled trout streams that we prize today would have looked very different when beavers were common. Beaver dams are few now, but back then dams would have been numerous all along the streams creating impoundments that would have stored and gradually released water over the course of the year. It is interesting to speculate what the water regimes and hydrographs would have looked like on Blodgett, Mill or Skalkaho Creeks then. A 2008 article about wetlands in the Bitterroot mentions the role of beavers in the valley's wetland.
In recent years, the positive role that beavers may play as our climate changes is becoming a focus of study, as described in this posting from the National Wildlife Federation. Some projects have started to re-introduce beavers into arid landscapes such as the Price River in Utah in an effort to rehydrate the riparian areas and create or improve wetlands and water resources. Other projects are being undertaken by groups like the Clark Fork Coalition to resolve beaver-human conflicts and enable the benefits that beavers bring to our streams. Another strategy is to build extremely low tech artificial beaver dams that might minimize conflicts between people and beavers while still allowing the benefits of the large rodents.
One question under examination is do beaver dams interfere with movements or migration of native fish, like bull trout. Recently, a very talented young fisheries biologist, Niall Clancy, undertook a collaborative study to address this question in western Montana. Niall chose to look at Meadow Creek, a small tributary of the East Fork which has some bull trout as well as some beaver dams. The results of Niall's work were compiled into a brief but informative video which left the question unanswered. Please note that the footage of rather large bull trout in the video is NOT from Meadow Creek!
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The Beaverhead River on Sept. 29 between Clark Canyon Dam and Dillon. The green algae covers the stream bottom in an ominous portent. Source: Meagan Thompson, Montana Standard
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On October 11, Blodgett Creek at Bowman Road is still nearly dry after a bit of rain. Source: Whygin Argus
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Montana rivers are still hurting.
It is no surprise that Montana's fish and wildlife are in the hurt locker. Although it was raining lightly as I composed this article, the historic and unprecedented drought that led to early "hoot owl" restrictions on the Bitterroot and frank closures on streams like the Smith River is going to amplify the problems that we will face as climate change accelerates even faster than most models have predicted.
Although "hoot owl" restrictions have been lifted, according to the MFWP website, closures are still in effect on much of the Big Hole and part of the Red Rock. Stream flows are at historic lows on many streams across the state, and the Bitterroot is no exception; the flow at Darby today is 160 cfs where the mean is 333 cfs. And many of our tributaries, like Mill Creek and Blodgett Creek, are nearly completely dry as they enter the river. I have not been able to confirm rumors that the self-bailing floors of some rafts are being replaced with ball bearing arrays.
A good case in point about the impacts of climate change was reported recently about the Beaverhead. About 35 years ago, the biologist from that part of the state was encouraging anglers to keep a few brown trout because the numbers were so high. Not today! There was an excellent article in the September 30 papers about the river's travails. Since the 1980's the late season and winter flows of the Beaverhead have been declining and this winter it is expected to be about 25 cfs! Some of the flow could be made up by increasing releases from Clark Canyon Dam, but as the people on the Colorado River are finding out, that strategy only works if there is sufficient precipitation upstream to refill the reservoir.
There is only a 40-50% chance of above normal precipitation between November and the end of January. Both the MFWP biologist and the Upper Missouri Waterkeepers worry about the direct impact on the fall spawning brown trout since the preferred flows would be about 200 cfs. But in contrast to many other southwestern Montana streams, the brown trout numbers in the Upper Beaverhead look pretty good. As Yogi Berra noted, "It's tough to make predictions - especially about the future." But, biologist Matt Jaeger is quoted as saying "I think the main thing we can do is just pray for rain." I think I sense a loud "Amen!"
And as If the natural threats were not enough, there are increasing worries about the current MFWP leadership and what is viewed as a clear move away from biologically based fish and wildlife management. I suggest that you read this rather chilling indictment by a large number of retired fish and wildlife managers and experts, including many real giants in the field. And, just today, there are media reports that MFWP is establishing a new Division of Parks and Recreation. The intent is not completely clear yet, but it seems another step in moving management decisions farther from the biologists, and the stated goals do not appear to be protection of the resource from overuse. If it leads to permits and fees for all users of Fishing Access Sites, that will be a good thing, but if it leads to more crowding, that will not!
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A picture of Tom Morgan attired in the ubiquitous apron he wore while working in the old RL Winston garage shop in Twin Bridges. Source: Tom Morgan
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The reel seat, Full Wells grip and flykeeper of a vintage RL Winston Fiberglass "Cosmic Rod" for streamer fishing.
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The Morgan Twitch!
It is no exaggeration to say that Tom Morgan was a real giant in the field of flyfishing, rod design and rod building. During the years that he owned RL Winston Rod from 1973 to 1991, and then later as founder and owner of Tom Morgan Rodsmith until he and his wife and partner Gerri Carlson sold TMR to Joel Doub and Matt Barber, Tom relentlessly pursued the design and construction of what he used to call "The Cosmic Rod." By this he told me that he meant a rod that put you in touch with the universe when you fished it.
He continued this pursuit long after multiple sclerosis confined him to a wheelchair and made it impossible for him to actually cast a rod. Expert casters like George Anderson and Brant Oswald came over to cast his latest designs and by watching them and the rods, Tom could tell how close he was to his aim. I had the privilege of "field testing" a 8'9" 3 weight TMR prototype once and I promptly ordered one of these "cosmic rods" which I treasure and use in select situations.
Tom was generally acknowledged to be the finest streamer angler around and before moving to graphite, in the 1980's he designed several fiberglass "Cosmic Streamer Rods," of different line sizes for different river sizes. Of course, he sold me one of those, too - an 8 1/2 ft, 3 3/8 oz 6 weight fiberglass rod - which is the "Cosmic Streamer Rod" for a smaller river like the Bitterroot. It does have the perfect action for effective streamer fishing.
He had a special strategy for streamer fishing that he called the "Morgan Twitch," whereby the streamer is twitched as soon as it hits the water and the action of the fiberglass rod allows that perfectly. Tom wrote a story for me about the "Morgan Twitch" to publish in an earlier iteration of Montana TU's Trout Line magazine. I still have the printed version he sent, but cannot find the digital file. Luckily, he also published the story elsewhere some years later when he and Gerri were running Tom Morgan Rodsmiths, so you can read the article. His meticulous and thoughtful approach illuminate this article.
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BRTU Meetings to Resume in January 2022.
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Since this feature will contain regular updates on BRTU Meetings, the Bitterroot Buggers, and Chapter Project reminders, I am going to leave it active and update as needed.
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General meetings of Bitterroot Trout Unlimited came to an abrupt halt in the spring of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic made such gatherings unwise and frankly unsafe!
The pandemic also forced us to cancel the 2020 and 2021 annual banquets. Our online 2020 fall auction proved successful, but it just wasn't the same and the board is contemplating the best of time of year to resume having a banquet.
The BRTU Board continued to meet monthly on Zoom, and conduct chapter business, but they felt that virtual membership meetings would not be that productive or fun!
Now that the nature of the pandemic is better understood and many have received one of the extremely effective COVID-19 vaccines, we plan to start holding regular meetings in January. The current plan is to resume the meetings in January 2022 at the Hamilton Elks Club on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
The schedule for next spring is still being developed, but here is what we have so far:
- January 20, 2022 - "How does it work?: a panel on Painted Rocks Lake," featuring MFWP biologist Jason Lindstrom, River Commissioner/Dam Tender J.R. Iman, DNRC Engineer Larry Schock, and irrigator Roger Raynal.
- February 17, 2022 - "The Upper Bitterroot/West Fork Recreation Plan: status report and future prospects," Chrissy Oschell and Jason Lindstrom, MFWP
- April 21, 2022 - "What's up with President Jefferson's River?," Chris Edginton, Jefferson Watershed Project Manager, Montana TU
Conversations are also in progress about resuming Bitterroot Buggers which was another early victim of the pandemic. Watch for details on that, too.
Sadly, one tradition that we will not be able to restart are the terrific dinners at Spice of Life before our chapter meetings. Long time BRTU supporter Karen Suennen had to close Spice in the early stages of the pandemic, and that closure became permanent. This has left a huge gap in the culinary and social milieu of the valley.
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BRTU Caps and Drybags!
These cool items have sold out, but are being reordered. As soon as they are available, I will post it.
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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!
Chuck has made it very easy! You can pay for your cap and drybag at his shop with cash, check or credit card.
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This week's picture was submitted by my friend Neil Ku from Billings. Neil was fishing on the Blackfoot early last summer when he landed this nice cutthroat.
When Neil isn't fishing for trout in Montana or permit and bonefish in exotic locations or working on behalf of Montana TU, he is a superb infectious disease physician at the Billings Clinic. Neil was recently featured in an article in High Country News about his very personal and challenging experiences dealing with the dual COVID-19 pandemics - the virus pandemic and the even more sinister misinformation pandemic. I'll give you a tip - don't ask Neil for an Ivermectin prescription.
Please send your photos and stories to me. Your picture might end up as the Picture of the Week!
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A correct answer to this BRTU Puzzler was submitted by avid angler Ryan Jones. Ryan successfully identified the location as Star Falls on the East Fork of the Bitterroot.
These dramatic falls are located in the Anaconda-Pintlar Wilderness area about 5 miles up the trail from the East Fork Trailhead, just above where Star Creek enters the East Fork. Ryan noted "Legend has it there is a nice pool just below the falls that harbors a few nice cutthroat."
Other lovely falls that are reputed to have trout at the base are Boulder Falls about 3.5 miles up Boulder Creek and Mill Creek Falls about 3 1/2 miles up the very popular Mill Creek trail. There are a number of other falls, like the ones on Blodgett Creek, Sweathouse Creek, and on the Skalkaho highway which can be very dramatic when the water is high.
The prize for this week's BRTU Puzzler was donated by Ryan Lutey and Vital Ground Foundation. They have donated one of the very cool Scatbelts which are specifically designed to hold a large can of bear deterrent spray. This is a very appropriate prize for this BRTU Puzzler since Old Ephraim spent a few weeks in the upper East Fork drainage this past summer, and a bear spray would have been very handy had a confrontation occurred.
Vital Ground Foundation is dedicated to preserving and enhancing grizzly bear habitat and to educating people about this very valuable native species. An important aspect of their work is the promotion of " Be Bear Aware," an effort that educates landowners and residents who live in areas where grizzlies might be showing up. Vital Ground's work is in synch with TU priorities since the preservation of Old Ephraim's habitat will also protect valuable native fish habitat.
Brown bears were featured recently as part of Fat Bear Week, which ran from September 5 to October 5. This cool project from the stunningly beautiful Katmai National Park and Preserve allows people to vote for their favorite ursine contestant as they pack on the avoirdupois in preparation for winter hibernation. You can see the results of this year's contest here. An amazing live webcam observes the brown bears as they feast and frolic around Brooks Falls on the Brooks River in the park. One look at these brutish bruins and it becomes pretty clear why a scatbelt and bear spray is becoming a prudent idea here in the Bitterroot where Old Ephraim might make an appearance.
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, 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
Gavin Marston (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
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