Bringing a trout stream back to life - BRTU Jan 2015 Public Meeting

• What: Bitterroot Trout Unlimited January 2015 program
• Program title: Bringing a trout stream back to life
• When: Thursday, Jan 15, 2015, 7:00 PM
• Where: Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St, Hamilton, Montana
• Speaker: Casey Hackathorn, Montana Trout Unlimited

This program is open to the public, no charge for admission.
The upper Clark Fork River was assassinated by decades of copper mining in the headwaters. Heavy metals and other poisons strangled the fish and insect, creating the largest superfund site in the world! Once the Milltown Dam was removed, restoration started in earnest. Montana TU is playing a crucial part in resuscitating the fishery and bringing the river back to life. Casey Hackathorn is the TU coordinator on this project and he will tell us about what will probably rank as one of the environmental miracles of our generation. The Clark Fork is the quintessential example of how easy it is to kill a river, and what a herculean effort is needed to bring it back to life. As the current Montana legislature is talking about allowing the Smith River to be “Clark Forked” by a new copper mine, this program is more important than ever. Don’t miss it!

The program will begin at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 15, 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 Casey 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 Marshall Bloom (drtrout@mtbloom.net),

• 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

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

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

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.

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

For more information, visit NRCS - Montana Snotel site

Montana TU moves into the historic Florence Hotel building in Missoula, MT

Missoula, MT - Come join Montana Trout Unlimited at their new office!

What:  A reception at Trout Unlimited’s new office
When: Friday May 14th from 4-6 p.m.
Where:  111 N. Higgins (Florence Building) Suite 500 (5th Floor)

Refreshments and appetizers will be served.

Questions? Contact:
Kate Grant - 406-543-0054
Program Administrator
Montana Council of Trout Unlimited
PO Box 7186
Missoula, MT  59807

www.montanatu.org

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited, exciting future for our fisheries

The excitement of our 2009 banquet is past, but not the memories. See our photo albums from the banquet below. We are already planning the next banquet. Mark your calendar for Friday, September 24, 2010. You will want to attend for the great food, people, and many auction items.

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited (BRTU) wants to thank all the supporters, donors, contributors and helpers. The 2009 annual banquet, our 30th, was a huge success. Over 200 people attended and we raised more dollars than we hoped for, quite a feat in these difficult economic times.

• More blog posts about BRTU Banquet - posts about the auction items, delicious food and more
  

We have a lot planned for the coming year and your support will be critical. You will be reading about Bitterroot Trout Unlimited in the news and you will see how we work to protect, preserve and restore our streams and fisheries.

In summary, be assured that we will redouble our efforts, and your help makes this possible.

Our banquet is a popular Bitterroot event, if you want to participate or contribute, your exposure and help as a contributing business or patron is far reaching.

If clean water and healthy trout are important to you, join our organization and consider serving on our Board of Directors. We welcome all local residents and newcomers as there is much work to be done and camaraderie to enjoy!

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited contact information:
BRTU President - Bill Bean, 406-363-6158 or fishaus@montana.com
Banquet organizer -Marshall Bloom, 406-363-3485 or drtrout@mbloom.net

Banquet photos of people, food, auction action and more

View all in a new window

Photos of BRTU Auction Items

View all 35 photos in a new window

Photos of awards given at the BRTU banquet

View all 36 photos in a new window

Dancing Trout Ale helps celebrate Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited's Success and Future on Sept. 12, 2009 in Missoula

Here is a post dedicated to our neighbors, Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Missoula, Montana.

A message from our friend, Jerry O'Connell:

For the past 20 years, our Big Blackfoot Chapter Trout Unlimited (BBCTU) has done more watershed restoration and preservation than any other chapter in the US. It has gained national acclaim and recognition for the hundreds of miles of restored and protected tributaries of the Big Blackfoot River. Over the years, BBCTU has set the standard for designing, managing, and executing boots-and-shovels projects at the grass roots level.

BBCTU has done all of this without a single fundraising event. However, we feel it’s time to break that tradition as we celebrate these two decades of progress. Thus, we’ll be holding our 20th Anniversary Party on Saturday, September 12, 2009, complete with bus tours of some of our projects, cocktails, a pitchfork BBQ and an auction with some very unique items (need a steer?). It’ll be at the Rolling Stone Ranch in Ovando, right in the heart of the Blackfoot Valley.

Please come! Pass the word to your friends – the more the merrier. You can call me (244-5612) or the BBCTU offices (677-6454) to make reservations. It’s a bargain at $25 each (or $50 will get you dinner and a Monte Dolack print of the Blackfoot). Email Jerry at joconnell@blackfoot.net.

Merle's note: What a way to break tradition. If you can make this event, DO IT! It will be an amazing gathering loaded with fun and you will mingle with some of Montana's interesting, caring and socially and environmentally involved people.

About Trout Slayer and Bayern Brewery

The original brew was called Trout Slayer Ale but in 2007 on the 20th anniversary of Bayern Brewing, the oldest brewery (and in my opinion the best) in Montana decided to give Trout Slayer Ale a new face to best reflect Bayern Brewing’s environmental company philosophy.

Their search for a more appropriate name kept them coming back to “Dancing Trout.” Whether as a fishing term or in various spiritual expressions of music and dance, Dancing Trout became a symbol of celebrating life and the lifestyle embraced by Montana.

So, they also endorsed Montana Trout Unlimited. The name change to Dancing Trout Ale was not merely a cosmetic one. They knew that it was time to brew a beer with a cause. They presented the idea of making Bayern Brewing’s Dancing Trout Ale the official beer sponsor of Montana Trout Unlimited (www.montanatu.org) and were met with the organization’s immediate support and enthusiasm. Bayern Brewing pledges a portion of all merchandise and every case of beer sold to Montana Trout Unlimited to support the preservation of Montana’s trout habitat.

Click here to learn more about Bayern Brewery and Dancing Trout Ale

To order Dancing Trout gear click here

To order Dancing Trout Ale online click here

For a signed print of the original Dancing Trout artwork contact Kate at

406-543-0054 or kate@montanatu.org

Bitter Root TU Commissioned Artwork by Monte Dolack

By the way, visit another post about Dancing Trout on the fantastic Missoula beer blog, the Grizzly Growler.

MT HB 455 Big Sky Rivers Act Needs Your Action

This is a repost! If you haven't done so, please contact your representative and tell them to Support HB 455, The Big Sky Rivers Act. Read on for links to find contact information for your represtentative.

Help Protect Montana’s best rivers NOW!

Tell your Montana House Rep to support HB 455, The Big Sky Rivers Act!

Exploding streamside development threatens Montana’s blue-ribbon trout streams. By balancing river protection and property rights, The Big Sky Rivers Act protects water, crucial riparian areas and trout habitat from new development that occurs along 10 of Montana’s most iconic rivers.

Please contact your Representative TODAY and ask him or her to support HB 455.

HERE IS HOW:
Go here for information on how to contact your Representative and click here to find your legislator and contact them.

The Big Sky Rivers Act establishes a 250-foot protective streamside zone along 10 of Montana’s most famous rivers. It limits removal of key vegetation within a 150-foot buffer inside the streamside zone. The Big Sky River Act makes sense because it also allows local governments to opt-out of these mandatory conservation measures if they adopt ordinances or zoning rules that provide the same amount of protection.

Rivers included in the Big Sky Rivers Act: The Madison, main Flathead, Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Smith, Jefferson, Upper Missouri, Upper Yellowstone and Gallatin.

Why support the Big Sky Rivers Act?
• It reduces costly flood and erosion damage by steering development away from known flood hazard areas;
• It protects private property rights by ensuring that actions of upstream landowners do not harm downstream landowners;
• It gives local governments control over the tools they need to manage their rivers;
• It protects water quality from stormwater runoff, lawn chemicals, and individual wastewater systems;
• It shields local governments from lawsuits brought by homeowners whose homes are damaged by flooding and erosion;
• It preserves critical fish and wildlife habitat by reducing the need for rip-rap and levees;
• It ensures high-quality recreational opportunities for anglers and boaters who value scenery and solitude;
• It includes a variance process to make sure no one loses the ability to build on an existing lot, and it includes a grandfather clause for existing homes.

Contact Members of the House and tell them this is a good bill. It protects private property as well as economic and recreational values all Montanans cherish.

Again go here for information on how to contact your Representative and click here to find your legislator and contact them.

What the Big Sky Rivers Act does NOT do:
• It does NOT take away the authority of local governments to create their own streamside development standards;
• It does NOT deprive riverfront landowners of the opportunity to build on their lots if their entire lot is located within a streamside management area;
• It does NOT apply within incorporated cities, towns or sanitary sewer districts;
• It does NOT prohibit property owners from rebuilding their home if it is destroyed by causes other than flooding;
• It does NOT grant public access to private property or expand the state’s stream access law.
• It does NOT affect agricultural-related buildings.

House Bill 455, the Big Sky Rivers Act, will be heard in the House Local Government Committee on Thursday, February 19th at 3:00 p.m. in room 172 of the Capitol. Please email, write, or call any and all members of the House of Representatives regarding the Big Sky River Act. If one of the following committee members represents your district, get them a message straight away!

House Local Government Committee meets Thursday, 3 p.m., Room
172

Arntzen, Elsie (R) (Chair) emarntzen@excite.com
Hands, Betsy (D) (Vice Chair) betsyhands@gmail.com
MacLaren, Gary (R) (Vice Chair) garymaclaren@yahoo.com
Becker, Arlene (D) arlene_becker@bresnan.net
Bennett, Gerald (R) jbenhd1@hotmail.com
Berry, Tom (R) tom@tomberrymt.com
Driscoll, Robyn (D) rdriscoll@peoplepc.com
Ebinger, Bob (D) buffalojump@imt.net
Grinde, Wanda (D) wsgrinde@aol.com
Hamilton, Robin (D) robinlhamilton@bresnan.net
Ingraham, Pat (R) pathd13@blackfoot.net
Menahan, Mike (D) mike@mikemenahan.com
More, Michael (R) mp_more@yahoo.com
Reichner, Scott (R) sreichner@centurytel.net
Reinhart, Michele (D) michelereinhart@gmail.com
Sands, Diane (D) hdsands@aol.com
Stahl, Wayne (R) wstahl@nemontel.com
Vance, Gordon (R) vancehd67@gmail.com

For more information contact Mark Aagenes at mark@montanatu.org or 449-9933. Or contact Bruce Farling at bruce@montanatu.org or 543-0054.