BRTU presents, Rebirth of a river system By David Schmeterling, Clark Fork River

Clark Fork river in September - nice rainbow trout

When: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 7:00 pm
Where: Hamilton Elks Lodge
             203 State Street
             Hamilton, Montana
What: Bitterroot Trout Unlimited presents
           Rebirth of a river system
           By David Schmeterling of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

David Schmeterling, FWP biologist, will talk about the fishery effects of Milltown Dam Removal.

By removing the old dams at Milltown and Bonner, Montana, the river system and junction that Lewis and Clark saw will be recreated.  On July 4, 1806, Merriwether Lewis described this river in his journal and now 100 years later, it is as he first saw it. The Blackfoot and Clark Fork come together in a confluence without a dam and reservoir. Fish from the lower Clark Fork can swim up the Blackfoot, the Clark Fork, to Rock Creek and beyond in their natural state.

Dave Schmetterling has been and is tracking the impacts. He is learning about effects on bull trout, cutthroat and other fish. He will be sharing with the public what this incredible project is doing for our native fish!

Raffle tickets for the Sweetgrass Bamboo fly rod made by the Sweetgrass Boo Boys will be sold at the meeting. The Raffle ends in November. $20 will give one a chance to win the exquisite $2500 rod. The rod is on display at Art Focus, 215 W Main St, Hamilton, MT, phone (406) 363-4112.()
Raffle tickets are available at Fishaus Tackle, Western Flies & Guides, and Art Focus.

For more information about Bitterroot Trout Unlimited, the program or the raffle:

Visit www.brtu.org
Contact:
Bitter Root Chapter
PO Box 262
Hamilton, MT 59840

President: Bill Bean
fishaus@montana.com
(406) 363-6158

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

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

More articles:

• Fishing 101: an introduction to the Clark Fork River in western Montana
• Be a sponsor of Bitterroot Trout Unlimited, a win for you, trout, and the future
• Living, thriving and building near streams – sponsored by the Clark Fork Coalition

2010 Banquet review and photos

September 24, 2010 was the 31st annual Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Banquet. Bitterroot Trout Unlimited (BRTU) is one of the most respected groups in the Bitterroot Valley. They are proud of their status and the accomplishments the chapter has made in collaboration with the private and public sector. BRTU is “working today for the trout of tomorrow.”

The banquet theme this year was “Working together for conservation” and the fundraising event was a smashing success. The delicious organic dinner was catered by Riversong Gourmet and the beverage service was provided by Silver Coin Casino. As usual, local brews were available featuring Bitter Root Brewing Company. One will want to put this event on the September 2011 calendar. Check www.brtu.org for the date. It will be posted early in 2011.

Proceeds of the banquet and the sponsor program support the BRTU Education and Stewardship efforts, and, unlike other sponsor programs, the money will stay local and is not used for salaries!

Two new projects are being launched this year. They are in addition to all the conservation and education projects they have done for many years.

New project #1: support of a fisheries intern to work on native trout projects with the U.S. Forest Service fisheries staff.

New project #2: the underwriting of a fish biology class at Corvallis High School. This class will include the acclaimed “Trout in the Classroom” program.

See photos from the banquet in the slideshows below.

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