5th Annual Bryant/Herzer Memorial Float

Friday, August 5 is the date of a benefit fishing float to raise funds for Montana TU’s conservation work and to honor the memory of Moe Herzer and Steve Bryant.

This is the fifth float honoring Moe and Steve. Both men were extraordinary fishermen and passionate about coldwater conservation. 

Blackfoot River Outfitters will donate 100% of the proceeds. Their full day professional guided floats include lunch, bevvies and a scrumptious BBQ at Council Groves State Park in Missoula. Their guides will pick the best western Montana stream available on August 5th.  Please book your reservation early: Donations of $475 per boat or $238 per seat will help Montana TU conserve, protect & restore the watersheds Steve and Moe loved.

For details and reservations, contact Terri at (406)-542-7411 or trout@blackfootriver.com.

National Weather Service - Missoula MT

 Want more information about western Montana weather and river flows? See this link National Weather Service - Missoula MT or click on the map below.

Western Montana and Central Idaho Weather   Map FAQs  |  Glossary

Click on the map below for the latest forecast. Read watches, warnings & advisories Zoom Out Flash Flood Watch Flood Warning Flood Advisory Flood Watch Hazardous Weather Outlook Hydrologic Outlook Last map update: Jun, 6th 2011 at 8:19:30 am MDT

Public input sought for Montana fishing regulations - Hamilton meeting is June 8

Photo courtesy Billy Burk

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks review statewide fishing regulations and proposal changes every four years and offers public discussion forums. 

The 2011 MT FWP review public meeting in Hamilton, Montana is:

• Date: Wednesday, June 8
• Time: 7:00 pm
• Where: Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1801 North 1st, Hamilton, MT 406-363-7100. Park behind the building and enter through the back door.

There are a number of proposals statewide. Some of the proposals could potentially affect the fishing regulations in the Bitterroot. Specifically, the two proposals that anglers in the Bitterroot might be interested in are:  

1. Increasing harvest on expanding brown trout populations in areas such as Rock Creek (near Clinton), Bitterroot River and Clark Fork River drainages. and

2. Simplify the regulations throughout the Region by reducing the number and variety of harvest regulation exceptions, particularly within the Bitterroot drainage and between rivers.

Montana Fish  Wildife and Parks will present information and accept comments from the public.

The public comments will be considered when recommendations are placed on the statewide list of tentative proposals. The tentative list will be available this summer and additional  comments accepted at that time. Eventually, the Montana Fish and Game Commission will make final decisions in October 2011.

Questions? Email Chris Clancy at cclancy@fs.fed.us

Montana Snotel data for April 30, 2011 - every basin is over 130%

For more information, visit NRCS - Montana Snotel site

Thank you Bitter Root Brewery, Spice of Life, and Banque Club

(Hamilton, Mont., Mar 17) March 2011 is a good month for winter recreation and for Bitterroot Trout Unlimited (BRTU) to recognize and thank three exceptional supporting businesses. The BRTU chapter is very fortunate to have many establishments in the area that are good supporters and reliable contributors to TU’s conservation and education efforts. The local TU Chapter encourages visitors and residents to patronize these places to eat and drink as you recreate around the Bitterroot Valley. These recommendations don’t come lightly. Read about each supporter below.

o   Bitterroot Brewing Company

Nicol and Tim Bozik are the daughter-father team owning and running Bitter Root Brewing. In addition to sponsoring the BRTU banquet and providing the best microbrews in the valley, the Brewery also hosts a fly-tying roundtable every Wednesday evening. According to Greg Chester, the fun and tying starts about 5:30 P.M. Prominent tiers from around the valley periodically show up, flaunt their abilities, and provide entertainment and fishing fables. If you want to pick up some tips from the best, stop by, grab an IPA and check it out. Rumor has it that even local living legend John Foust occasionally shows up. The food is superior pub fare, too. And, check their website for information about the brews and the popular music venue.

Bitter Root Brewing Co.
101 Marcus Street
Hamilton, Montana
(406) 363-7468
Directions | Menu | Hours and Calendar

o   The Banque Bar

Al Mitchell, owner of the Paper Clip in Hamilton, has opened a full-service bar in the old Banque Club and Bar on Hamilton’s Main Street. Paper Clip has been a donor to BRTU since the late 1970’s when Cherie and Dale Linduska opened it; Carol and Al continue this tradition. If you are still thirsty for a drink and some conversation after the Brewery closes at 8:00 pm, head on over to the Banque. It is an historic building worth spending time in.

Banque Club
225 W Main St
Hamilton, Montana
(406) 363-5205
Directions

o   Tapas at the Spice of Life

Karen Suennen and the crew at Spice of Life are also long-time supporters of BRTU. In fact, Spice catered the banquets for a number of years before BRTU moved the event out to the Bitterroot River Inn. Karen recently added Tapas based on her regular menu between 5:30 and 6:30 on Wednesdays through Saturdays. In case you don’t know, tapas are “small plates” of delectables designed to whet the appetite and stimulate conversation over a glass of wine or a beer, perfect before a larger meal or before heading home to dinner. Stop in for dinner or for a very modest price enjoy a beverage and a selection of A to Z nibbling including hummus & crostini, tuna yakitori with sushi rice and nori, and olives in warm olive oil. Click the menu link so you can check it out yourself.

Spice of Life Cafe and Catering
163 S 2nd St
Hamilton, Montana
(406) 363-4433
Directions | Menu | Hours

For more information about Bitterroot Trout Unlimited and becoming a sponsor:
Visit www.brtu.blogspot.com
Contact:
Bitter Root Chapter
PO Box 262
Hamilton, MT 59840

President: Cassie Buhl
cassie.buhl@gmail.com
(406) 363-3485

Vice President: Greg Chester
gchester55@aol.com
(406) 363-0033

BRTU special events: Marshall Bloom
drtrout@mtbloom.net
(406) 363-3485

Fishing the Bitterroot River with a living legend, John Foust speaks to BRTU

Legendary fly-tier, guide and general raconteur, John Foust, will be the speaker for Bitterroot Trout Unlimited (BRTU) at the March 17, 2011 public meeting. It is still winter, but we can talk about fishing. Soon it will be warm enough to enjoy the river. Get inspired, come hear John Foust tell fishing tales and more.

What: John Foust, speaker
When: 7:00 PM, March 17, 2011
Where: the Elks Lodge - Get directions
203 State Street
Hamilton, MT 59840-2522
(406) 363-3031

John, his wife Elna, and their dog Mayda are among the best known characters on the Bitterroot River. John and Elna have forgotten more about fishing than most of us remember or will ever know. John has graciously agreed to give this month’s presentation. Come hear John talk about his life’s adventures, including lots of fishing, in an interesting and entertaining fashion.
Before John speaks, Chase Sanderson, the Bitterroot National Forest Service Fisheries intern for 2010 will give a quick recap of his summer project on native trout.

For more information, call 406-363-3485 or email BRTU President cassie.buhl@gmail.com.

All are invited to join John, Elna and BRTU members at Spice of Life in Hamilton at 5:00 PM before the meeting. Long-time TU supporter Karen Suennen, owner of Spice of Life, will be donating 10% of the proceeds to BRTU. Come on down and join the fun!

Information for Spice of Life Cafe and Catering
163 S 2nd St
Hamilton, Montana
(406) 363-4433
Directions | Menu | Hours

More about Bitterroot Trout Unlimited

• Like BRTU on Facebook
• Follow @BRootTU on Twitter
• Follow the BRTU blog at: http://www.brtu.blogspot.com/ or
• http://www.brtu.org/blog/generously hosted by Cybernet1 in Hamilton, MT
• See BRTU photos: BRTU online photo album at Picasa.com

Suggested by the author:

• Be a sponsor of Bitterroot Trout Unlimited, a win for you, trout, and the future
• Fishing 101: Take your kids fishing this spring and summer - tips and resources
• Bitterroot Buggers, fly fishing program for kids is now in session
• Your chance to win a BRTU Commemorative Montana made bamboo fly rod

Three more BRTU monthly programs to note on your calendar

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited proudly presents monthly programs open to the public. For 2011, we only have three more. See below.

February 17, 2011 – “State of the Bitterroot.” Chris Clancy, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Hamilton, MT.

March 17, 2011 – “Fisheries and Fishing in Yellowstone National Park.” Todd Koel, Supervisory Fisheries Biologist, Yellowstone National Park

April 21, 2011 – “The Kootenai and the Yaak: Rivers and Fishing that Time Forgot.” Tim Linehan, Linehan Outfitting Company, Libby, MT.  

The meetings begin at 7:00 pm at the Elks Lodge
203 State Street
Hamilton, MT 59840-2522
(406) 363-3031
Get directions.

It is tradition to have dinner before the meetings at with the speaker at Spice of Life at 5:00 pm. Long-time TU supporter Karen Suennen will be donating 10% of the proceeds from each bill to Bitterroot Trout Unlimited. The public is invited come on down, have dinner and a drink and visit before the meeting.

Information for Spice of Life Cafe & Catering
163 S 2nd St
Hamilton, Montana
(406) 363-4433
Directions | Menu | Hours

To join or for additional information about Trout Unlimited, go to www.montanatu.org, or contact Greg Chester, 363-0033, gchester55@aol.com), Marshall Bloom (363-3485, drtrout@mtbloom.net) or Chapter President Cassie Buhl, cassie.buhl@gmail.com.