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.

August 1 TU meeting to focus on low water and fisheries issues

August 1 TU meeting to focus on low water and fisheries issues

Extremely hot dry weather coupled with a low snowpack have led to record breaking low water flows and high water temperatures. The severe impacts to streamflows, agriculture and fisheries continue to mount, and restrictions on angling have already been imposed on the Bitterroot and other rivers in Montana.

In order to inform anglers, recreationists and others about the situation and the measures being taken to mitigate the impacts, Bitterroot Trout Unlimited is holding a special meeting. The meeting will be from 7 to 8 pm on Thursday, August 1 at the Hamilton Elks Club, 203 State St in Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public and there is no charge for admission.

The meeting will feature presentations by Bitterroot River Commissioner Al Pernichele and MFWP Fisheries Biologist Chris Clancy, followed by an open question and answer forum.

According to Bitterroot TU President Doug Nation, “The situation so far this year is particularly dire. We are fortunate to have the water from Painted Rocks, but in order to minimize impacts, anglers and irrigators will all have to cooperate. Combating misinformation is the first step, and our TU chapter decided to provide a forum so people can learn the facts.”

For more information, please contact Doug Nation at douglas.p.nation@gmail.com, 363-2137.

Message from Chris Clancy

The following message is forwarded from MFWP Fisheries Biologist Chris Clancy. Al is Bitterroot River Commissioner Al Pernichele.

You are probably aware that FWP has imposed “hoot owl” fishing for the entire Bitterroot River mainstem. These regulations are most often related to elevated water temperatures. The criteria for the restriction are met when the water temperature reaches 73 degrees F for 3 consecutive days. Those criteria have been met in the Bitterroot River at Missoula and Hamilton, hence the restriction to that point. In the guidelines, restrictions can be applied more broadly for species of special concern or concerns about shifting angling pressure onto sensitive waters. So, even though the temperature target is not met in the upper river, we extended the restriction to the confluence of the East and West Forks. The East and West Forks themselves are not affected by the restriction.

We have floated the lower West Fork and Bitterroot River 3 times in the past 2 weeks, looking for dead fish. We have found more in the mainstem than in the West Fork. We found 36 dead fish total. Of the trout, about ¾ are westslope cutthroat. They make up about ¼ of the population of trout in the river up there, so they appear to be more sensitive to angler induced mortality (we assume these are release mortality). One question that I cannot answer is how many dead fish does the 36 we saw represent? Dead fish generally are not very conspicuous and don’t stay around in the stream very long if they are.

As for Painted Rocks, Al released 50 cfs. on Sunday. He and I talked 2 days ago and I asked him if the irrigators are going to make any releases. He said they are split on the idea. With that in mind I suggested we release another 25 later this week if the irrigators don’t. That would put us at about 100 cfs. which is more than I want to release now, but since temperatures are so high, every little bit helps (although not much). I am hoping we don’t have to release any additional water for a while.

If you have any comments, I am happy to respond.

Chris Clancy

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

1801 North 1st Street

Hamilton, MT 59840

(406) 363-7169 (work)

(406) 363-8317 (cell)

Also see: Big Hole, Jefferson, Madison, Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Dearborn, Smith and Sun River all have Hoot Owl Restrictions. Hot weather means hot water folks.
http://fwp.mt.gov/news/restrictions/waterClosure.html

For more information about Bitterroot TU, contact Doug Nation, BRTU President; email: douglas.p.nation@gmail.com

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

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

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BRTU online photo album at Picasa.com

Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited Summer Intern Announcement

2012 BRTU/USFS/MFWP Fisheries Intern Announcement
 
Once again, the Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited in conjunction with Bitterroot National Forest the Montana Dept of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks will be filling a GS-3 ($11.95/hour) summer fisheries technician job.  This is one of the ways that our chapter uses the money we raise at our banquet to support Native Trout protection and restoration.

The application process is simple - send a resume and cover letter to US Forest Service Fisheries Biologist Mike Jakober (mjakober@fs.fed.us). Please note that the deadline for applications is March 26th.  Feel free to distribute the announcement to any potential candidates.

Dates For Applying  –  Resumes need to be received no later than March 26, 2012.  The application process is simply a resume that is sent to Mike Jakober.  Resumes can be sent electronically or hard copy.  Transcripts and proof of college registration will be required prior to hiring the selected individual.
Electronic address:  mjakober@fs.fed.us
Mail:  West Fork Ranger District, 6735 West Fork Rd., Darby MT  59829.  Attn: Mike Jakober.
Phone:  406-821-3269

Dates of Employment  – June 4 to August 24, 2012 (some flexibility exists).

Pay Rate –  Pay grade would be a GS-3, which is $11.95/hour.

Qualifications  –  The Forest Service would hire the intern under the Student Temporary Employment Program.  The intern would need to show that they intend to go into fisheries or a closely related field and would be attending college as an undergraduate or graduate student in the fall of 2012.

Duties  –  The intern would work from the Stevensville and West Fork Ranger Districts, with the Forest’s fisheries crews.  In August, the intern would assist Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) biologists conducting mark/recapture electrofishing surveys.  The goal is to expose the intern to a wide range of field-going fisheries duties, including:

• Conducting fish population surveys with electrofishers and by snorkeling
• Conducting fish habitat inventories
• Conducting mountain lake surveys
• Implementing fish habitat improvement projects
• Monitoring and maintaining livestock exclosure fences and grazing allotments
• Monitoring road decommissioning and timber harvest projects
• Deploying thermographs to monitor water temperatures
• Conducting flow measurements in dewatered streams

The intern would spend most of their time in the field working alongside regular summer field crews.  There would be minimal office work.  The intern may also participate on a few backcountry mountain lake or snorkel surveys.  The intern would rotate between the West Fork and Stevensville Ranger Districts of the Bitterroot National Forest.  In August, the intern would also assist FWP biologists when mark/recapture population estimates are being conducted.  The intern would keep a concise daily log to be compiled into a brief reporting of accomplishments and suggestions for improving the intern program.  This would be provided to TU in written format at the end of the season.  If the intern is attending a Montana college, they would be expected to conduct an informal presentation at a Bitterroot Chapter Trout Unlimited meeting during the autumn or winter of 2012-13.  The Chapter would like to see and hear firsthand about the intern’s experiences.

Housing – Forest Service bunkhouse space will likely be available at either the West Fork or Stevensville Ranger Stations.  If the employee stays in a bunkhouse, rent, which is about $5.00 per day, is automatically deducted from the employee’s paycheck.

Download this information in a PDF file or Word.doc

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 

Annual Banquet for BRTU, September 26, 2008

This is an invitation to attend the 29th annual Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Banquet. The banquet will start at 5:00 PM on Friday, September 26 at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton. Tickets are $45.00 per person – same as last year - and can be reserved or purchased now at Fishaus Tackle. Click the hotlinks (names) for addresses and/or maps.

There will be a gourmet dinner prepared from local ingredients and catered by Riversong Catering. Silver Coin is in charge of the beverage table and we will again be featuring premium microbrews from Bitter Root Brewing! We will have special awards, drawings, door prizes, live and silent auctions. Premiums will include gourmet dinners, fine wines, elegant jewelry, fishing trips on the fabled Middle Fork of the Flathead, the Kootenai, the Madison, Big Hole and Bitterroot River, tackle, and artwork by local artists and craftspersons.

Here are a couple sneak previews! Tom Morgan of Tom Morgan Rodsmiths, also know as the “Rodfather”, is donating one of his exclusive new fiberglass rod blanks. We have also secured a stay in a flyfishing lodge in New Zealand. Other special items include #2 of the Monte Dolack print that our chapter commissioned last year, and a special outing to Lake Como with dinner for 8 at the Hikers Lodge.

Why should you come? Besides having a great time, swapping fishing stories, meeting people and visiting with your friends, here are just a couple of other reasons. We continue to work hard on the conservation and education side of things. Chapter representatives are deeply engaged in youth education, water quality monitoring, stream setback efforts, native trout restoration, habitat restoration, and a host of other issues designed to make sure that the quality of our streams and fisheries will be in good shape for future generations.

This banquet is our only fundraiser, and we are strictly a volunteer organization. Importantly, all of the money we raise stays in Montana, most of it here in the Bitterroot. Your support is what makes it happen! So, please plan on attending now.

The doors open at 5:00 PM, so there will be plenty of time to visit with friends, buy raffle tickets, view the items and bid on the silent auction. Dinner will be at 6:30 PM and will be followed by the live and silent auctions, door prize and other drawings.

Tickets are on sale at Fishaus Tackle (363-6158, fishaus@montana.com). The $45 ticket price is a real bargain. VISA and MasterCard are accepted. Please remember that the last five years’ banquets were totally sold out at least a week before the event and seating will be limited, so reserve your tickets early. And of course, you don’t have to be a TU member to share in the fun.

If you would like to participate in our Sponsor Program, please contact Marshall Bloom (363-3485, drtrout@mtbloom.net) or Bill Bean (363-6158, fishaus@montana.com)

For more information, to make a donation, or help out, contact Marshall Bloom (363-3485, drtrout@mtbloom.net), Bill Bean (363-6158, fishaus@montana.com) or Doug Nation (363-3127).

By September 26, summer will be over and everyone will be ready to have some fun. So, come help us celebrate. Hope to see you there!

Live Auction Items for 2008 BRTU Banquet

Click on the links for more information. Use your browser's back arrow to get back to the BRTU blog or right click the link and choose "open in new window."

• Ross CLA 2 Reel donated by John Hickman
• Dave Dedmon's R.L. Winston Signature Rod 4 piece 9'0" 5wt BIIX graphite donated by Sharon Dedmon
• Palate and Pallette donated by Robert Neaves Art Focus
• Float trip for 2 with Jenny West
• Float trip for 2 in Bozeman area Montana Troutfitters
• BRTU Dolack print by Monte Dolack
• Best of New Zealand Flyfishing in New Zealand sans air travel donated by Michael Covarrubias
• Float trip for 2 on the Bitterroot River Eddie Olwell, Fishs Eddy O
• Brown trout, original scratchboard donated by Judith DeYoung
• Float trip for 2 on Middle Fork of Flathead River with Rob Breeding and Wild River Adventures
• One night's lodging for 2 in Flathead area donated byFlathead Valley TU Chapter
• Tom Morgan Rodsmiths Rod Blank donated by Tom Morgan Rodsmiths
• Dinner for 8 at Hikers Lodge at Lake Como by Bitterroot Land Trust
• Lake Como photo donated by Tonia Bloom
• Cynthie Fisher s/n trout prints Cynthie Fisher
• Two night's stay at Alta Ranch for 2 people donated by Alta Ranch
• "Western Winds," s/n print by Mary Beth Percival
• 1/2 Day fishing for 2 people, March or April 2009, Dan Walker-Guide donated by The Teller
• Dutch Oven Brunch for 8 at the Elk Track Ranch donated by Judy and Dick Estler
• Lodging for up to 6 at Blue Ribbon Lodge on the Missouri with 5 course dinner and use of private boat ramp donated by Todd and Kim Damrow
• Float trip for 2 on the Blackfoot River donated by Jack Mauer of Wapiti Waters
• Weekend at Nez Perce Ranch - 3 nights for 4 people
• float trip for 2 with the Nez Perce Ranch weekend donated by Curt McChesney
• Shirley Cleary hunting print donated by Shirley Cleary, framing by Art Focus
• Float trip for 2 on Kootenai/Overnight stay in Yaak Cabin donated by Linehan Outfitting Company

Silent Auction Items for 2008 BRTU Banquet

Click on the links for more information. Use your browser's back arrow to get back to the BRTU blog or right click the link and choose "open in new window."

• Wine expert's case of wines donated by Dr Irving Weissman
• Handwoven scarf by d.j.e. handwovens
• Two tickets to Smuin Ballet - Tues, Sept 30 donated by Allie
• Original sketch by Dick Estler
• Black Forest Cake from A Place to Ponder
• Shirley Cleary s/n print donated by Marshall Bloom, framing by Joe's Studio
• Framing for Shirley Cleary print by Joe's Studio
• "Nice 'bow," trout carving donated byMarty Leibenguth
• Sac Fry painting donated by Evan Barbour
• Historic photgraphs donated by Vicki Dawson
• Scott E2 9'0 four piece rod 5 weight
• Redington CDLT 5/6 Titanium reel large arbor
• Scott A2 9'0 two piece rod 5 weight
• 4-Piece Rod case with storage space inside donated by Bob and Judy DeYoung
• Hand-made leather and suede grizzly bear sofa pillows donated by Kristi FitzGerald
• Hand-carved pine trout coat rack donated by Geoff FitzGerald
• "Headwater Prospectors" s/n print by Bryan Griggs
• Bear Creek Overlook, photograph by Larry Javorsky, framing by Art Focus
• Hand-woven Chobi rug, Main Street Rug Company
• Dorset print book, Chapter One Book Store
• Eco Art Landscape painting by Deana Diefenbach, framing by Art Focus,
• Deluxe Steelhead Fly Fishing Package donated by The Flyfishing Center, Dick Galli
• Vossler RC3L fly reel donated by Grizzly Hackle
• Simms Rollover waist pack donated by Grizzly Hackle
• Silver/Turquoise/Agate bolo tie donated by Marshall Bloom
• William Joseph Fishing Satchel donated by Anglers Roost (link for satchel shows general representation - not actual article)
• Framed photograph donated by Will Moss
• Hand-crafted table made from wine barrels donated by Rustic Furniture Ranch, LLP
• Fusion Trout Platter
• Fly Reel Fishing Lamp
• Trout Platter With Metal Rack
• CW Necklace Double Oval
• Earring Circle Fish
• 4 Dozen Flies and Flybox donated by Madison Gallatin Trout Unlimited
• Set of 4 Trout Prints by Lo Andiese (#349 of 1,000) donated by Bill Bean/ Fishaus Fly Fishing
• Hand Made Jewery Box donated by Jay Haglund
• Ross Cimarron Reel donated by Don Mabry
• Chicks Dig Trout Gift Basket
• Turtle Vase donated by Melora Neaves
• Hand-painted Gourd donated by Judith DeYoung
• Custom made knife donated by Wayne Skaggs, link shows his work, not the actual knife
• Gift Basket donated by Bitterroot Drug
• 4 handforged coat hooks donated by Glenn Gilmore-Gilmore Metalsmithing