Keep up with Ravalli County Floodplain regulation revisions at the Planning Homepage

Click here to visit the Ravalli County Planning Homepage

The regulations are being revised and the County Commissioners will be discussing them tomorrow, December 13 and provide input for the first time. For more information contact:

Eric Anderson, P.E., CFM

Ravalli County Floodplain Manager

215 S 4th St, Suite F

Hamilton, MT 59840

406-375-6530 phone

406-375-6531 fax

eanderson@rc.mt.gov  

 

Plan to attend the public meeting with the County Commissioners. See the link below for more information.

Ravalli County Floodplain – meeting Dec 13, 1:30 PM

The meeting information is actually the previous BRTU blog post.

Ravalli County Floodplain - meeting Dec 13, 1:30 PM

Aerial view of Bitterroot River, Victor Bridge on May 22, 2009

The Ravalli Commissioners are having a meeting at 1:30 pm Tuesday, December 13 to discuss amending the floodplain regulations. Eric Anderson, Ravalli County Floodplain Manager, has been working with Dan Browder, Deputy County Attorney at Ravalli County Attorney Office, to codify the regulations along with all the other County regulations. Codifying basically means putting all the individual regulations into one large code of ordinances instead of separate stand alone documents.

Montana, Ravalli County Planning Department - Floodplain
www.rc13.mt.gov/planning/land.htm
See the link above for Ravalli County Floodplain Regulations - reposted 11/10/08

The floodplain regulations will be fully open to modification during this codification process. Anderson and Browder have been doing minor modifications to the regulations for the past few weeks, primarily to correct errors and to make the regulations more consistent with State and Federal law. At this point, no changes are seriously substantial, however, one is never 100% sure what’s going to happen during the meeting on Tuesday. It’s possible that the meeting might get a large turn out of people who would like more substantial changes to the regulations, possibly with less protection for the river. Attend the meeting if you would like to track the progress or make comment.

The meeting is scheduled for 1.5 hours and will likely be continued to another day for further discussion. The Commissioner decision is NOT scheduled to be made on Tuesday. It is simply the beginning of the process to open up discussion with the Commissioners. Anderson and Browder will be explaining all the changes they have made, point by point, to the Commissioners


It appears that the entire process is open to written public comment at any time.


If you are interested and have questions, contact Eric Anderson, see information below. Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested.

Eric Anderson, P.E., CFM
Ravalli County Floodplain Manager
215 S 4th St, Suite F
Hamilton, MT 59840
406-375-6530 phone
406-375-6531 fax
eanderson@rc.mt.gov 

A little humor - catch and release of an elk in CO

According to an email that was passed around, this guy from Texas was fishing on the Big Thompson outside Estes Park, CO. It was his first ever fly-fishing venture. A crowd gathered on the highway to take pictures, including a Denver Post guy. One of the pics is on the front page of the Denver Post. Click here to see more on the Denver Post website.

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Nov 17 General Meeting - Montana Water Project

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited November Meeting
Thursday, November 17, 2011, 7:00 PM
Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St, Hamilton, MT (for directions, see below)

Pat Byorth
Trout Unlimited Montana Water Project
Montana Water Project: Saving Water with a Law Book

In old Montana, “Water is for fighting, whiskey is for drinking!” In today’s Montana, the Montana Water Project of TU National focuses on protecting and restoring coldwater fisheries by reforming Montana water law and policy while implementing on the ground instream flow and habitat projects with willing irrigators.

Please encourage your friends to come and learn from Pat Byorth how TU is changing the paradigm.

And, don’t forget! We will be having dinner with Pat at 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 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

October 20 for the BRTU general meeting, Become an Outdoor Woman

Did you get this postcard in the mail? You should have. Please join us October 20 for the BRTU general meeting.

The meeting will feature Liz Lodman presenting a talk on “How to Lure Women Outdoors- Montana’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman Program. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm at the Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St in Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public and there is no charge for admission.

Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) is a nationwide program and the one that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks operates is known as one of the best in country. According to the MFWP BOW website (http://fwp.mt.gov/education/bow/default.html), “Montana's Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program has been providing women the opportunity to learn outdoor skills since 1994. BOW helps break down barriers that might prevent women from fishing, hunting, or pursuing other outdoor activities.” BOW holds workshops around the state to encourage women of all ages to learn about and to participate in fishing, hunting, canoeing, etc.

Liz Lodman manages BOW for the state of Montana and will present a great overview of the program with a special emphasis on fishing. Plan to attend and to encourage your friends to come learn about this program.

And, don't forget! We will be having dinner with Liz at 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 come join us for dinner.

For more information, contact cassie.buhl@gmail.com or drtrout@mtbloom.net (363-3485)

A photo review of 2011 Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Banquet in September

This post has five albums from the 2011 Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited Banquet. If you did attend, you will enjoy looking through the photos and remembering the fun. If you didn't attend, you will see all the fun, amazing auction items and great people you missed.

1. A few well deserved awards were given out at the 2011 Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited Banquet

View all photos from this slideshow in a new window

2. Photos of Bitterroot Buggers - the wildly successful kids club - at the banquet. Great group of kids and volunteers who make this program as active as it is. Thank you to all!

View all photos from this slideshow in a new window

3. Action at the Auction - photos during the live auction

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4. Raffle and Auction Items at the 2011 Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited Banquet

View all photos from this slideshow in a new window

5. People and more people - photos taken at the banquet of people attending and mingling

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See BRTU photos:

BRTU online photo album at Picasa.com

Like BRTU on Facebook

Follow @BRootTU on Twitter

2011-2012 Program Schedule for the Bitterroot Chapter Trout Unlimited

Here is an exciting line-up of programs put on by Bitterroot Trout Unlimited. Click the links to read more about the topics. The public is welcome to attend all Bitterroot TU program meetings.

TWO programs are scheduled this fall, four are scheduled for this winter and early spring.

Unless noted, meetings are the third Thursday evening of the month, at 7:00 PM at the Hamilton Elks Club, located at 203 Bedford St in Hamilton. A tentative schedule (subject to change) is:

• October 20, 2011 – Liz Lodman, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, “Becoming an Outdoor Woman.” Visit http://fwp.mt.gov/doingBusiness/store/bow/ to read more about the program sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
• November 17, 2011 – Pat Byorth, TU Western Water Project, "Challenges to Restoration of Instream Flows for Montana's Renowned Trout Fisheries." Click Wild Trout VIII for a PDF document with more information about the project.
• January 19, 2012 – Mike Jakober, Bitterroot National Forest, “Fish and Fires” Travis Horton, Native Fish Coordinator, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
• February 16, 2012 – Tim Linehan, Linehan Outfitting Company, “Fishing Northwestern Montana – The Kootenai and the Yaak.”Read more about Tim Linehan at Visit Montana - Linehan Outfitting Company.
• March 15, 2012 – Kris Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters, “Secrets of the Madison.” Read more about Kris Kumlien at Montana Troutfitters
• April 19, 2012 – Todd Koel, Yellowstone National Park, “Fisheries and Fishing in Yellowstone National Park.” Read more about YNP and fishing at Yellowstone National Park - fishing and fisheries science

To join or for additional information about Trout Unlimited, go to http://www.montanatu.org/, or contact or contact Greg Chester, 363-0033, gchester55@aol.com, or Marshall Bloom 363-3485, drtrout@mtbloom.net drtrout@mtbloom.net.

All are invited to join the speakers 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

Upcoming Events in September

• 9/10 Bitterroot River Cleanup 10 am to 4 pm followed by BBQ for volunteers at Anglers Roost (south of Hamilton). Call Don at 406-363-3146 
• 9/14/17 National TU's Annual Meeting in Bend, Oregon Visit www.tu.org for details and registration.
• 9/23 32 Annual Bitterroot TU Banquet 5 pm at Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton, Montana. Contact Marshall Bloom at 406-363-3485 of drtrout@mtbloom.net. 
• 9/24 Montana TU's State Council Meeting 9:30 am at the Double Tree in Missoula. Contact Kate Grant at 406-543-0054 or kate@montanatu.org.

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.

Annual state of the Bitterroot by Montana FWP biologist Chris Clancy, 2-17-11

Chris at last years talk

February 17, 2011, Chris Clancy will talk about the state of the Bitterroot River to the public. The talk is sponsored by Bitterroot Trout Unlimited.

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

Chris will offer a status report and update on the river system and fishery trends. Among the other topics to be covered are fishing regulations, a floating bypass for the Corvallis Canal, and the impact of fish screens and siphons on Skalkaho Creek.

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 with Chris.

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

For more information, please contact Greg Chester (gchester55@aol.com) or Chapter President Cassie Buhl. cassie.buhl@gmail.com

Rainbow trout - an entirely synthetic fish. Learn more Feb 7 in Missoula, MT

Join Missoula and the author for a reading and signing of Anders Halverson's An Entirely Synthetic Fish. The event will be at Fact & Fiction, 220 N. Higgins Ave, Missoula, Montana on February 10^th from 7 pm to 8:20 pm. For more information call the book store at (406) 721-2881. Click here for directions to Fact and Fiction downtown.
About the Book

An Entirely Synthetic Fish: How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World (Hardcover)

By Anders Halverson
$26.00 - ISBN-13: 9780300140873
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Yale University Press, 3/2010
Anders Halverson provides an in-depth account of the rainbow trout and why it has become the most commonly stocked and controversial freshwater fish in the United States. Rainbow trout have been proudly dubbed “an entirely synthetic fish” by fisheries managers. According to Halverson, his book examines the paradoxes and reveals a range of characters, from nineteenth-century boosters who believed rainbows could be the saviors of democracy to twenty-first-century biologists who now seek to eradicate them from waters around the globe. He discusses how the story of the rainbow trout is the story of our relationship with the natural world—how it has changed and how it startlingly has not.

Anders Halverson is an award winning journalist with a Ph.D. in aquatic ecology from Yale University. With support from the National Science Foundation, he wrote this book as a research associate at the University of Colorado’s Center of the American West.
A lifelong fisherman, he currently lives in Boulder, CO.

• Anders Halverson’s An Entirely Synthetic Fish: How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World just won the National Outdoor Book Award. You can get a copy for yourself if you donate $25 to Trout Unlimited.
  
• Click here for excerpts of reviews.

Other Montana events for this book are:
Book Signing at Country Bookshelf Bookstore, Bozeman, MT on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 4:00pm. Click here for more information about the Country Bookshelf Bookstore.
Book Discussion at Montana State Univ., Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman, MT Monday, February 7, 2011 at 6:00pm. Click here for the website for Museum of the Rockies
Plenary Address at the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Great Falls, MT, Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 9:00am. Click here for AFS information http://www.fisheries.org/units/AFSmontana/

For fun, he posted this quiz on GoFishn.com. The winner received his book.
The Rainbow Trout Quiz: Question #1 - GoFISHn on GoFISHn
In 1996, IdahoDepartment of Fish and Game hatchery managers routinely taught their fish one thing before releasing them into the wild. What was it?

The answer: worms. Candy Craig got it right, and she's the winner of a copy of the book. The reason the fisheries officials put the fish on a worm diet was to prepare them for the wild. They feared the fish would swim around looking for pellets  when they were released, which is their normal fare in the hatchery.

BRTU presents Bad Boys and Bull Trout - Sordid Tales of Montana Men - Jan 20 in Hamilton

The January Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Meeting will be Thursday, January 20, 2011, 7:00 PM at the Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St.

The speaker will be Wade Fredenberg, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Kalispell, MT

The title of Wade’s talk is: "Bad Boys and Bull Trout - Sordid Tales of Montana Men Who Fished For Bull Trout and the Dollies Who Loved Them."

The Bull Trout is one of Montana’s native trout. Native Americans once fished for enormous bull trout all up and down the Bitterroot, but big bruisers are rare now in the main stem of the river. Wade Fredenberg coordinates bull trout programs for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He is going to give an incredibly interesting and entertaining historical account of these special fish and describe their prospects for the 21st century .

And, don’t forget! We will be having dinner with Wade at Spice of Life at 5:00 pm before the meeting. Long-time TU supporter Karen Suennen will have a special tapas menu for us and will be donating 10% of the proceeds to our club. So come on down, have a beer and a bite to eat and meet Wade.

The meeting and the dinner are open to the public and you need not be a TU member to attend.

For more information, contact 363-3485 or  gchester55@aol.com