Bitterroot Buggers Feb and Mar 2013 classes in session

FREE fly tying and fly fishing classes in Hamilton, Montana! Here is the scoop for 2013.
Fly tying class for Bitterroot Buggers
Do you know kids who would like to learn how to fly fish? How about fly tying? How about learning about bugs and fish identification? Classes are sponsored by Bitterroot Trout Unlimited and the Keystone Discovery Enrichment Program. Join them for the 13th
annual Bitterroot Buggers learning sessions which are open to any child in the Bitterroot Valley ages 8 through 14.

The program will provide small group instruction and all the materials. In addition to the beginner class, an advanced class is offered for students who would like to learn more advanced fly patterns.

For more information call the Westview Center at (406) 375-9999 or Greg Chester at (406) 363-0033.
Click here for a class flyer.pdf (PDFformat) or class flyer.jpg (picture of the flyer).
Here are the important dates:

• January 24 – Deadline for registration
• February 12 – Classes begin with orientation at Westview Center in Hamilton Classes continue on the following Tuesdays: February 19, 26 and March 5, 12, and 19
  All class times are 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
• March 26– Final Class - casting instruction
• April TBA– actual Fishing Day and picnic

Registration forms are available at:

• Bitterroot Buggers Class Registration Form in Microsoft Word
• Western Flies and Guides 906 South 1st Street, Hamilton, Montana
  (406) 363-9099

• Westview Center 103 S. 9th, Hamilton, Montana
  (406) 375-9999

The group can be as many as 50 children so help is welcome. If you are interested in volunteering to help teach fly tying, or supervise and interact with the students, distribute materials, etc., please call the Westview Center or Greg Chester.
What is expected of students?
The success of the program depends on the continued support of volunteer instructors. Because of this, participants are expected to arrive each week ready to learn and enjoy themselves with attitudes that are respectful of everyone involved. Every child is expected to help with cleanup and treat the materials and equipment with respect. If a student’s behavior is disruptive to the program or dangerous to themselves, volunteers or other students, parents will be notified immediately, asked to pick their child up and the student will be dismissed from the program. The program attendance is large and to be fair to all Participants, general rules must be followed.
What is expected of families?
Because the staffed is volunteer, it is essential that children be at the class promptly but not before 6:30 pm. They must be picked up by 8:00 pm. No supervision is provided beyond the program time. For the safety of the children, the staff must be notified in advance if a child will be walking home or someone other than those listed on the registration will be picking them up. Parents are welcome to be in class and participate but are expected to assist the child in following the directions given by the instructors. Everyone has different methods and techniques used in tying but the curriculum has been carefully developed to allow for a continuity of techniques. Be sure and take a moment to thank the volunteer instructors. They generously give up their evenings to prepare for and work with this program.
Download a copy of the "Buggers Expectations" in a PDF file here.

BRTU meeting - Spirit of the Salmon, a tour of tribal fisheries in the Deschute watershed

• What: Bitterroot Trout Unlimited February 2013 program
• Program title: Spirit of the Salmon - Wy-Kan-US-Mi Wa-Kish-Wit
• When: Thursday, February 21, 2013, 7:00 PM
• Where: Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St, Hamilton, Montana
• Speaker:Geoff FitzGerald, BRTU Board Member and former President

This program is open to the public, no charge for admission.

At the February 21, 2013 BRTU meeting, Geoff FitzGerald will present “Spirit of the salmon, a tour of tribal fisheries in the Deschute watershed!”

Wy-Kan-US-Mi Wa-Kish-Wit - "Spirit of the Salmon" was the plan to enhance wild salmon in the Columbia River Basin. Former BRTU President Geoff FitzGerald worked on the Deschutes for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon to increase natural production of the spring Chinook salmon (sacred brother) from 2002-2005. Geoff will cover everything from adult outplanting to redds and smolts to carcasses. Plus he will reveal some angling secrets for these magnificent fish.

And, remember! BRTU will be inviting Geoff to the Spice of Life at 5:00 pm before the meeting. Long-time TU supporter Karen Suennen will be donating 10% of the proceeds to our club. So please come join us for dinner.

Information for Spice of Life Cafe and Catering
163 S 2nd St Hamilton, Montana
(406) 363-4433
Directions | Menu | Hours
Information for Elks Lodge
203 State Street
Hamilton, MT 59840-2522
(406) 363-3031
Get directions

For more information, contact Doug Nation (douglas.p.nation@gmail.com) or Marshall Bloom (drtrout@mtbloom.net) or 406-363-3485.
Learn more about Bitterroot Trout Unlimited at www.brtu.org.

Montana Trout Unlimited Legislative Update 2-9-13

Montana Trout Unlimited Legislative Update February 9, 2013  Five weeks into the 2013 legislative session, new bills affecting water, fish, habitat and recreational use keep trickling into committees. A few have been shelved. Others have progressed through committees or one house. For an updated list of priority bills we are tracking, see our Hotlist on www.montanatu.org.

Current topics detailed in the Hotlist that we are focusing on include:  Water - Killing SB 19 continues to be a priority for us. It codifies a loophole that allows developers to use unlimited "exempt wells" for subdivisions or fish ponds, without having to have the cumulative effects of this use evaluated for how it might affect connected trout streams or senior water rights. Land use planning - A bevy of new bills have been introduced that reduce the ability of local government to use planning and zoning to protect fish, wildlife, water, human health and safety and property rights. Still alive is SB 17, a bill that would place a constitutional initiative on the general ballot altering constitutional language affecting private property in a way that invites blizzards of lawsuits by landowners who object to reasonable regulations that protect water, air, fish or wildlife.  Other bills will make it difficult for private interests or FWP to purchase conservation easements from willing sellers. Gravel Pits - Several new bills - SB 229 and SB 23 -- facilitate the construction of new gravel operations with reduced deference for protecting streams or nearby private property. Or, they allow major expansions of existing operations without requiring additional environmental review for potential effects on nearby rivers. These are unnecessary measures and we're working to get them tabled.   Funding - Appropriation bills are still in a holding pattern or slowly working their way through committees. Our concern over the fate of funding of the Future Fishery Improvement Program, which has funded millions of dollars of great habitat restoration over the last 17 years has not diminished. A number of proposals are being discussed that could divert money away from this incredibly important program - a program that has helped fund many TU restoration projects.  We will probably be calling on TU members for help on this one. Other - A curious bill that would have required barbless hooks for waters with catch-and-release angling regulations was tabled last week. The language was flawed. We note that the FWP commission already has authority to implement this by regulation, and to do it, unlike the proposed legislation, after considering local fish populations and angling pressure.  Your help will be crucial. Please keep checking www.montanatu.org. And don't hesitate to contact us at 406-543-0054, or, at action@montanatu.org.

Quick Links...         Montanatu.org  2013 Legislature More About Us Montana Trout Unlimited phone: 406-543-0054

Montana Trout Unlimited Legislative Update, 2/1/13

February 1, 2013  As the Montana Legislature rolls into February it's still hard to determine what this legislative session portends for water, fish and recreational access to streams. So far, big picture items have revolved around fiscal matters, such as shoring up the pension system for state employees, modifying taxation and funding education. However, conservation of fish, wildlife and water, as well as hunting and fishing haven't been ignored. As of late January more than 50 bills were directed at FWP management or funding.  For a detailed list of the priority bills we are tracking, see our Hotlist at www.montanatu.org/take-action/2013-legislature/

Primary areas we are focusing on include:  Water - Most bills we have looked at we either support, or, we are neutral on. However, SB 19 is still problematic. It codifies a loophole that allows developers to use unlimited "exempt wells" for subdivisions or fish ponds, without having to have the cumulative effects of this use evaluated for how it might affect connected trout streams or senior water rights.  Land use planning - A bevy of bills have been introduced that reduce the ability of local government to use planning and zoning to protect fish, wildlife, water, human health and safety and property rights. Particularly bad is SB 17, a bill that would place a constitutional initiative on the general ballot altering language affecting private property in a way that invites blizzards of lawsuits by landowners who object to reasonable regulations that protect water, air, fish or wildlife.  Other bills will make it difficult for private interests or FWP to purchase conservation easements from willing sellers.  Funding - We are supporting a number of bills that fund DNRC reclamation programs that include funding for projects that improve fishery habitat. We are also supporting full funding for FWP's successful Future Fisheries Improvement Program, which has funded millions of dollars of fishery habitat restoration over the past 17 years. We might need your help on that one.  We expect to see additional bills this month that we will need to support or oppose. Your help will be crucial. Please keep checking www.montanatu.org. And don't hesitate to contact us at 406-543-0054, or, at action@montanatu.org.  Check out our new website! In 2013, Montana Trout Unlimited rolled out  a redesigned website.  Montanatu.org has the same great conservation content while adding a news feed, an events calendar for TU activities across the state and more...Check it out! Bamboo Rods for Sale! Want to buy a great bamboo rod while supporting trout conservation in Montana at the same time?  Here is your chance!  Montana TU has been gifted a number of bamboo rods and we are selling them to support our mission. Check them out at http://montanatu.org/resources/bamboo-rods/

Quick Links... www.montanatu.org More About Us 2013 Legislature Montana Trout Unlimited phone: 406-543-0054