(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.
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.
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.
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
Perhaps no fly is as versatile as the celebrated Muddler Minnow. Since its invention by Dan Gapen in Michigan and its perfection by the expert flytiers at Dan Bailey’s shop, the muddler has found utility in almost all fishing situations. However, it is an imitation of a little understood group of fishes, the sculpins. 
