The 2015 Montana Legislature: Lurking Dangers for our Trout and Streams

• What: Bitterroot Trout Unlimited November 2014 Public Program
• Program title: The 2015 Montana Legislature: Lurking Dangers for our Trout and Streams
• When: Thursday, Nov 20, 2014, 7:00 PM
• Where: Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St, Hamilton, Montana
• Speaker: Mark Aagenes, Conservation Director, Montana Trout Unlimited (MTU)

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

The election is over and the Montana Legislature will be meeting in January. Watch out because it doesn't look pretty! Since 2005, Montana TU has sent Mark Aagenes up to the Capitol to defend our rights as anglers and to fight for better stream protection and fish habitat. Mark will be in Hamilton to discuss a plethora of threats to our fisheries, streams, and public access. These include the proposed copper mine on the Smith, local and state water issues, and stream access. Come learn how Montana TU plans to fight for our trout and streams, and how you can help.

The program will begin at 7:00 pm on Thursday, Nov 20 at the Hamilton Elks Club at 203 State Street. Again, it is open to the public and there is no charge for admission.

And don't forget we will be having dinner with Mark at 5:00 pm at the Spice of Life. Long-time BRTU support Karen Suennen will donate 10% of the proceeds to our club.

For more information, contact BRTU Chapter President Ross Rademacher (RossRademacher@gmail.com) or Greg Chester (gchester55@aol.com)

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

• Information for Elks Lodge 203 State Street Hamilton, MT 59840-2522
  (406) 363-3031  Click here for directions

2014-2015 BRTU Monthly Program Schedule - Public is welcome

The public is welcome to attend all BRTU meetings. Unless noted, meetings are the 3rd Thursday evening of the month at 7:00 PM at the Hamilton Elks Club, 203 State Street, Hamilton, Mont. A tentative schedule (subject to change) is:

• October 15, 2014 - Mike Gurnett, MFWP, Helena, MT "Three Men, Three Rivers, and other video treasures from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks archives."
• November 20, 2014 - Mark Aagenes, Montana Trout Unlimited, Missoula, Montana "The 2015 Montana Legislature: Dangers lurk for our trout and streams."
• January 15, 2015 - Casey Hackathorn, Trout Unlimited Upper Clark Fork Restoration Coordinator, Missoula, Montana, "Bringing a trout stream back to life."
• February 19, 2015 - Chris Clancy, MFWP, Hamilton, Montana, "What's happening in the Bitterroot River? A year of surprises."
• March 19, 2015 - Bruce Farling, Executive Director, Montana Trout Unlimited "A copper mine on the Smith River. What will they think of next?"
• April 16, 2015 - Seth Jordan, Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation, Bozeman, Montana, "Building resilience and hope for wounded US veterans through trout fishing."

To join or for additional information about Trout Unlimited, go to www.montanatu.org, or contact Greg Chester at (406) 363-0033 or gchester55@aol.com or Ross Rademacher at rossrademacher99@gmail.com. And don’t forget we will be having dinner with the presenters, BRTU members and friends at 5:00 pm at the Spice of Life. Long-time BRTU support Karen Suennen will donate 10% of the proceeds to BRTU.

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

• Information for Elks Lodge 203 State Street Hamilton, MT 59840-2522 (406) 363-3031 Click here for directions

Three men, three rivers - BRTU October 2014 public meeting

• What: Bitterroot Trout Unlimited October 2014 program
• Program title: Three Men, Three Rivers
• When: Thursday, Oct 16, 2014, 7:00 PM
• Where: Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St, Hamilton, Montana
• Speaker: Mike Gurnett, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP)

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

The award winning  documentary that chronicles the enduring conservation efforts of Bud Lilly, George Grant and Dan Bailey on the Madison, Big Hole and Yellowstone Rivers. Bud, George and Dan started Trout Unlimited in Montana and the video has wonderful footage of them along with spectacular scenic shots. Dan had already died when the video was made, so his long-time friend Charlie Waterman stood in as his avatar.

MFWP's Mike Gurnett produced and directed this documentary that won the 1993 NY Film Festival Gold Medal for documentaries, the 1993 Outdoor Writers of America film of the year, and other prestigious awards.

Thanks to Mike we will be raffling off 2 copies of the video (DVD format) and the last of the movie posters personally signed by Bud, George, and Charlie. This documentary is fishing history at its finest and you won't want to miss it!

The program will begin at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 16 at the Hamilton Elks Club at 203 State Street. The meeting is open to the public and there is no charge for admission.

And don't forget we will be having dinner with Mike at 5:00 pm at the Spice of Life. Long-time BRTU support Karen Suennen will donate 10% of the proceeds to our club.

For more information, contact BRTU Chapter President Ross Rademacher (monkeykatet@gmail.com) or Greg Chester (gchester55@aol.com)

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

• Information for Elks Lodge 203 State Street Hamilton, MT 59840-2522
  (406) 363-3031  Click here for directions

Painted Rocks Dam Scheduled Inspection Oct. 20 – 21, 2014

In order to accommodate a scheduled inspection of the Painted Rocks Dam, outflows will be reduced by 50 percent on Oct. 20, 2014, and will be interrupted for approximately four hours on the morning of Oct. 21. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation thanks you for your patience. For more information, please contact Montana DNRC at (406) 542-5885.

September 26 is the 35th Bitter Root Trout Unlimited Banquet

Go directly to this secure link to sign up online

Things are really rolling on the 35th annual BRTU banquet! The premiums so far are outstanding and there are going to be some unique items on tap. They include a vintage RL Winston 8 foot, 4 weight glass Stalker Rod which is in near mint condition, a spectacular bronze Royal Wulff by bronze artist and legend Mari Bolen, fine art by Monte Dolack and Barbara Michelman, pottery, tackle, dinners, float trips on the Missouri and Bitterroot rivers. More premiums are arriving daily.

Members of the Bitterroot Buggers will be on hand to demonstrate the fly tying skills they learned in this year's class, and we will auction off the flies they tie to help support this program.
The banquet will be on September 26 at the Bitterroot River Inn and tickets are now on sale. See the poster for information.

BRTU banquets are always a wonderful time to see old friends, meet new ones, swap yarns and make plans for next year's fishing. Enjoy a great dinner by Riversong Catering and beverage service by the Banque Club including Bitterroot Brewing brews. Hope to see you there.
This is BRTU’s primary fundraiser and the funds support programs like the children’s program, The Bitterroot Buggers. BRTU is completely a volunteer group, so your help is crucial!
The event doors open at 5:00 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. The action includes door prizes, extensive silent auction and amazing live auction called by Doug Mason.

Tickets are $50 and are available at Chuck Stranahan’s Flies and Guides, Freestone Fly Shop in Hamilton and Darby, or by calling 363-9099, or visit www.brtu.org. This year for the first time you can secure your tickets and/or sign up as a Sponsor on line by going directly to https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=96f39f.

Banquet Location:
Bitterroot River Inn
139 Bitterroot Plaza Drive
Hamilton, MT 59840
(406) 375-2525

If you would like to make a donation or help out at the banquet, please email Marshall Bloom  at drtrout@mtbloom.net.
If you have questions about tickets or sponsorships, please contact Chapter President Ross Rademacher at rossrademacher99@gmail.com.

Volunteers really needed for Buggers on March 4

Tuesday, Mar 4, 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the Westview School gymnasium located at 9th and Main in Hamilton. Enter through the east doors facing 9th St.

Pattern: X Caddis

Don't forget to pick up a raffle ticket each night you help - there will be a drawing in April for volunteers to win an unmounted Monte Dolack print valued at $175. The more you attend, the better your chances!

This will be the third of the 5 fly tying classes and we are shooting to have a lot of volunteers! We have a terrific bunch of kids this year, so please come and help with our flagship program now in its 17^th year!  You do not need to be a good tier to be a good helper!

We'll be judging flies each night for those students choosing to enter. Be sure to pick up judging criteria sheet and instructor guidelines when you arrive.

Questions? Call Jeff at Western Flies and Guides (363-9099) or Ria of the Keystone Program(363-5996) or Greg Chester of BRTU (363-0033)
Thanksin advance for your valued assistance -

Classes are sponsored by Bitterroot Trout Unlimited and the Keystone Discovery Enrichment Program

For more information aboutBitterroot TU, contact Ross Rademacher, BRTU President; email: monkeykatet@gamil.com

Like BRTU on Facebook

Follow @BRootTU on Twitter


Visit the BRTU blog at:
http://www.brtu.blogspot.com/
http://www.brtu.org/blog/ generously hosted by Cybernet1 inHamilton, MT

See BRTU photos:
BRTU online photo album at Picasa.com

Bitterroot fly fishing clinic to be offered in May

Print this form as a jpg or download
a 2014 Bitterroot Fly Fishing Clinic PDF form

This Bitterroot Fly Fishing Clinic is sponsored by The Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot (FFB) and the Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited (BRTU).


When: Four Wednesdays in May , 2014 (5/7, 14, 21 & 28) 
Where: Corvallis Middle School, 6 – 8:30 PM

• Designed for beginning and intermediate adult anglers
• Comprehensive curriculum covering all aspects of fly fishing
• Great value at $50 per person
• Enrollment includes membership in either BRTU or FFB

Sign up deadline - April 25!! Limited enrollment so sign up early!

Special Feature! Casting instruction is provided by Chuck Stranahan and his expert staff. Chuck is a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor.

Enroll at Freestone Fly Shops in Hamilton or Darby or Chuck Stranahan's Flies and Guides in Hamilton or mail in your enrollment form plus a check payable to FFB and mail to FFB, PO Box 692, Victor MT 59875.

Questions? Call Greg Chester at 406-363-0033 or Jim Cline 406-363-2516

Already a member of BRTU or FFB? …then your tuition is only $35

Enrollment form:

Bitterroot Fly Fishing Clinic

Tuition: $50 ($35 if a member of BRTU or FFB) Make checks payable to FFB.

If mailing send to FFB, PO Box 692 , Victor MT 59875

Name_______________________________________

Telephone ____________________________________

Email _________________________________________

BRTU Pint Night February 27, 2014 at Higherground Brewing

• What: Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Pint Night
• When: Thursday, February 27, 2014, 4:00 PM
• Where: Higherground Brewery
• 518 N 1st St, Hamilton, MT 59840
  Cross Streets: Between Foxfield St and Saranac Ave
  (406) 375-5204
  highergroundbrewery.com
  Directions | Menu
• Music: Cootehill
• Offering fishing gear raffle & silent auction

This program is open to the public, no charge for admission.
  
For more information, contact BRTU Chapter President Ross Rademacher (monkeykatet@gmail.com) or Greg Chester (gchester55@aol.com)

2014 BRTU Pint Night Premiums (more coming)

Item # -  Description -  Donor  - Retail Value
1)  “Bitterroot River” by Ron Jenkins (painting) Wild Rivers Art $350
2)  Handcrafted Bear Paw Coat/Hat Rack - Geoff FitzGerald $125
3)  “Montana” Hardwood Cutting Board - Brian Grand $95
4)  Bitter Root TU Wine Opener - Gwynn Inlay $119
5)  Certificate for Comprehensive Eye Exam and $100 towards new glasses - Big Sky Eye Center
$350
6)  Hamilton Golf Course Extravaganza; includes: lunch for 2, two hats, round of golf for 2, range balls - Hamilton Golf Course $160
7)  One-pound Beef Jerky - Hamilton Packing $12
8)  $50 Gift Certificate - The Wild Mare $50
9)  Grey’s Debarring scissor/pliers and Simms Wading Belt - Grizzly Hackle $60
10)  “Buy Local” t-shirt (L) and “Simms Fishing Products” t-shirt (L) - Simms Fishing Products $50
11)  Wooden Trout Magazine Rack - Peggy & Bob Ratcheson $50
12) Assortment of 6 5x7 frameable Greeting Cards from A Montana View - Merle Ann Loman $24

Fishing Christmas Island is a holiday any time of the year, but Christmas in February?

Check out this weeks meeting!!! Should be AWESOME!

Fishing Christmas Island is a holiday any time of the year, but Christmas in February? BRTU board member and expert angler Greg Chester will show us why Christmas Island is considered one of the top angling spots in the world!

The island is a primitive and pristine atoll in Micronesia, and even I know that like Zanzibar, you can't get there in a car. The island surrounds a beautiful lagoon with stunning beaches and the Micronesians are friendly with a very interesting culture. And the fishing! Just outside the lagoon are bonefish and a variety of trevally species, including the tackle-busting Giant Trevally.

Obviously, most of us won't wet a fly or bust a rod on Christmas Island, but Greg has fished there several times and his slide show is the next best thing to going there.

The program will begin at 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 20 at the Hamilton Elks Club at 203 State Street. The meeting is open to the public and there is no charge for admission.

And don't forget we will be having dinner with Greg at 5:00 pm at the Spice of Life. Long-time BRTU support Karen Suennen will donate 10% of the proceeds to our club.

For more information, contact BRTU Chapter President Ross Rademacher (monkeykatet@gmail.com) or Greg Chester (gchester55@aol.com)

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

• Information for Elks Lodge 203 State Street Hamilton, MT 59840-2522
  (406) 363-3031  Click here for directions

Volunteers needed for the Feb 25th Bitterroot Buggers fly tying class

Tuesday, Feb 25, 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the Westview School gymnasium located at 9th and Main in Hamilton. Enter through the east doors facing 9th St.

Pattern: Gray Hackle Peacock

Don't forget to pick up a raffle ticket each night you help - there'll be a drawing for volunteers
in April for an unmounted Monte Dolack print valued at $175. The more you attend, the better your
chances!

This will be the second of the 5 fly tying classes and we are shooting to have a lot of volunteers!
We have a terrific bunch of kids this year, so please come and help with our flagship program now
in its 17th year!  You do not need to be a good tier to be a good helper!

We'll be judging flies each night for those students choosing to enter. Be sure to pick up judging
criteria sheet and instructor guidelines when you arrive.

Questions? Call Jeff at Western Flies and Guides (363-9099) or Ria of the Keystone Program
(363-5996) or Greg Chester of BRTU (363-0033)
Thanks in advance for your valued assistance -

Classes are sponsored by Bitterroot Trout Unlimited and the Keystone Discovery Enrichment Program

For more information about Bitterroot TU, contact Ross Rademacher, BRTU President; email: monkeykatet@gamil.com

Like BRTU on Facebook

Follow @BRootTU on Twitter

Visit the BRTU blog at:

http://www.brtu.blogspot.com/

http://www.brtu.org/blog/ generously hosted by Cybernet1 in Hamilton, MT

See BRTU photos:

BRTU online photo album at Picasa.com

Bitterroot Buggers Feb and Mar 2014 classes in session

Registration for 2014 is closed, but this post is for your information. The Buggers Program is offered annually and NEEDS local volunteers.

For more information about Bitterroot TU, contact Ross Rademacher, BRTU President; email: monkeykatet@gamil.com.

FREE fly tying and fly fishing classes in Hamilton, Montana! Here is the scoop for 2014.
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 17th 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 11 – Classes begin with orientation at Westview Center in Hamilton Classes continue on the following Tuesdays: February 18, 25 and March 4, 11, and 18
  All class times are 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
• March 25– 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.