BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
Hi, you're receiving this email because either you are a member of Bitterroot Trout Unlimited or you have expressed an interest in BRTU. Don't forget to add drtrout@mtbloom.net to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! We make very effort to make sure this list is current. If you are receiving it by mistake, please let us know right away! Please feel free to forward on to friends and have them contact me if they would like to receive the BRTU E-News.
Permission is herein granted to forward or to use the content and photos in this newsletter. A credit would be appreciated. The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the publisher and may not represent those of BRTU or others featured in the newsletter.
You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.
January 10, 2021
|
|
Debris Flows Create Great Trout Habitat!
Well, mud - in the form of debris flows - has a well deserved place at the table when it comes to creating or restoring trout habitat. And this is true in the Bitterroot drainage as well. The contribution to trout habitat is well described in this article that BRTU Chapter President Jeremy Anderson sent along.
I can think of several major debris flows over the last 30 or so years, but perhaps the most dramatic were those that occurred in the spring and summer of 2001 following the major wildland fires of summer 2000. One set of debris flows that were well documented occurred the Sleeping Child Creek drainage above the hot springs.
The top photo is from a Bitterroot National Forest report about debris flows that year. It shows the dramatic flow in a small seasonal tributary of Sleeping Child that obliterated the creekbed and cut down to bedrock. My wife and I hiked up the creek in summer 2001 and it was truly astonishing. The trial was completely obliterated in multiple spots and boulders the size of VW Beetles had flushed down into the creek bottom.
This past summer we repeated that hike way up to Divide Creek and the transformation is stunning as you can see in the next 2 photos. Although the standing dead trees are still testimony to the fire, the entire drainage is completely revegetated and down fall has created some of the most amazing woody debris I have ever seen. We didn't take any fishing gear but the creek has completely recut the channel and some of the new pools were great looking. It would be neat if MFWP or the USFS were to do some bull trout studies up there.
There are several other examples of major debris flows in the Bitterroot including one in an area about a mile up Overwich Creek that had burned and then had been subjected to a very intense rain event that sloughed the entire hillside and washed out the road.
Another one was the high bank that sloughed about 2 miles upstream from the turn off onto the West Fork Road at Hannon. That debris flow made a major alteration in the river just below where the East and West Forks join, and almost took out the road.
And there are multiple examples of recent and historic debris flows on Skalkaho and many of the west side creeks. And in almost every case, large woody debris gets deposited improving the habitat.
|
|
Most fraternities and sororities have a couple of places that serve as the unofficial gathering place for members to meet for dinner, lunch or a beer or glass of wine. For BRTU members as well as many guides and outfitters, that place was probably the Spice of Life on Second Street in Hamilton.
Since Karen Suennen opened "Spice" so many years ago, it was unusual to go there without seeing other BRTU members, guides and outfitters with clients, or other anglers enjoying the fine food and drink. Karen along with Ellen Holland and other Spice staff even catered our banquets for several years when we had them at the Bedford Building. And in recent years, we always took our meeting speakers to dinner there before their programs, and Karen would donate a portion of the proceeds to our chapter.
Sadly, that era ended recently when Karen refused to risk the health of her staff and faithful clientele after a new landlord tried to force her to open unsafely during the pandemic. So, she has taken down and stored the "Spice of Life" sign until such time as the business is ready for a new era in a new location under the toque of DJ.
The Bitterroot has lost not only a fine eating establishment, but also a local institution that was a key pleasure of living in the Bitterroot for so many of us. I know that you all will join me in thanking Karen, Ellen, DJ and the rest of the staff for all their hard work and in wishing them all well.
|
|
BRTU Officer and Board Member Elections.
This is a reminder.....................
Among other things that the pandemic disrupted this past year, was the annual election of BRTU officers and board members. Normally, this would have taken place at a fall 2020 general meeting.
To compensate, the Nominating Committee has prepared a slate of officers and board members for consideration. In the next couple weeks, a ballot and a return envelope will be mailed out to all active Chapter members. The ballot will list the slate of nominees and provide opportunities for write ins.
When you receive your ballot in the mail, please vote promptly and send it back in the enclosed envelope.
The nominating committee will tally the ballots, and the results will be announced in a subsequent newsletter.
Thanks for your patience.
|
|
This week's picture is from BRTU member, angler, photographer and flyting master Les Korcala.
Another of Les's passions is recreating traditional full dress ties of Atlantic Salmon flies. For this week's picture Les has sent a unique Christmas tree ornament that has a full dress fly decked out in holiday colors.
Please send any photos of fishing, fish or other cool stuff to me. I will try to include them in the BRTU Picture of the Week spot.
|
|
This week's BRTU Puzzler was submitted by the indefatigable Les Korcala. The puzzle is an unusual trout fly.
To win the Puzzler, you must guess the name of this fly and all the materials used to dress it.
Chuck Stranahan has generously offered a prize to all winners of the BRTU Puzzler. The winner will be able to can claim a prize of hand-tied trout flies by contacting Chuck.
|
|
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
|
|
Company Name | Phone | Address | Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|