The Bitterroot Buggers Fishing Day and Picnic is Sunday 4/29 at the Stock Farm - Help needed

Buggers casting class

Call For Volunteers!
The Bitterroot Buggers Fishing Day and Picnic is Sunday 4/29 at the Stock Farm.

Thanks to all the Bitterroot Trout Unlimited, Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot  and community members who have volunteered so far with the 2012 Buggers classes. The kids REALLY appreciate it!

Plan on attending the final class outdoors and picnic. Meet at 3:30 PM at the Westview Center  located at 9th and Main in Hamilton and board buses to the Stock Farm.

The buses leave promptly at 3:45 PM. Private vehicles not allowed! All helpers must take the bus!!

Don't forget to pick up one more raffle ticket if you join us - we'll draw the lucky winner at the picnic. The prize will be a terrific Monte Dolak print, ready for framing!

Please bring tippet material, knot tool and a landing net. We'll fish until about 5:00 then return to the Westview Center for the picnic, awards and wrap-up.

Questions?
Call Jeff at Western Flies and Guides (363-9099), Ria of the Keystone Program (363-5996) or
Greg Chester of BRTU (363-0033)

 Thanks in advance for your valued assistance -
BRTU and Keystone Enrichment Program

Celebrate Earth day with Bitter Root Water Forum on April 22

PROJECT: Grab your gloves and join Bitter Root Water Forum on Earth Day, THIS Sunday, April 22nd from 12pm-4pm, for the second re-vegetation project on the East Fork!

We will be planting nearly 100 native plants and installing browse protectors (the plastic, mesh pieces that guard plants from hungry wildlife).  The project site is just north of the Sula store and East Fork Road on the west side of Highway 93 – approximately mile marker 14.  Adjacent gravel bar and guardrail will be flagged on project day.
**Carpools are strongly encouraged.  Please meet us at the Safeway in Hamilton (101 E. Main Street) at 11:00am on Sunday to coordinate ride sharing.

Bring gloves and wear water proof/sturdy boots.  Dress in layers and bring a raincoat—we’ll work in a bit of rain but hopefully we will have shine!  Please bring shovels, picks, and post hole diggers if you have them; some tools will be provided.

We will start working at noon and have a volunteer appreciation BBQ when we’re done! 

 ***Please RSVP to brwaterforum@bitterroot.net or call us at 375-2272 to let us know you plan to help!

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited is co-funding this project and members will be participating.

See photos from last year's re-vegetation work on Bitter Root Water Forum's Facebook Page. You must be a member of Facebook to view them.

April 2012 BRTU General meeting - Yellowstone National Park by Mike Ruhl

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited April Meeting
Thursday, April 19, 2012, 7:00 PM
Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St
Mike Ruhl
Yellowstone National Park

"Native fish management in Yellowstone National Park"

The best job in the world? Mike Ruhl, a Fisheries Biologist in Yellowstone National Park, may have it. Over the course of the year he works in the best Native Trout fisheries in the world including rarely visited headwaters of Yellowstone Lake. The Park recently completed its Native Fish Conservation Plan, and TU was a major player. Anglers will not only benefit from this new plan, but angler volunteers can play a major role in the conservation effort. If you want to learn how you can help protect this unique resource for the future by fishing in some seldom visited spots, don't miss Mike's program! This will be the last BRTU program until October.

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

For more information, contact Cassie Buhl (cassie.buhl@gmail.com) or Marshall Bloom (drtrout@mtbloom.net) or 406-363-3485.

BRTU call for Volunteer Instructors Tuesday, March 20 Buggers Class

Buggers casting on the April 2011 Fishing Day and Picnic

The Buggers Casting and Knots Class is this Tuesday Tuesday, 3/20, 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. This is the final classroom segment. Thanks to all the FFB and TU members who have volunteered for the tying classes; we couldn't have succeeded without you!

Also on the curriculum for this final class, we'll be helping the kids set up their rod outfits and, weather permitting, begin casting instruction.

Don't forget to pick up a raffle ticket when you come in to help. A drawing will be held in April for volunteers. The prize will be a terrific Monte Dolack print, ready for framing.

• April TBA– actual Fishing Day and picnic - This is what all the kids have worked for and will be a ton of fun. Please check back for the actual date. 

Classes are sponsored by Bitterroot Trout Unlimited and the Keystone Discovery Enrichment Program.  For more information call the Westview Center at (406) 375-9999 or  Greg Chester at (406) 363-0033.

Related blog posts:

• 2012 Bitterroot Bugger Classes, fly tying, casting...
• Photos from the 2012 Buggers fly tying class 
• BRTU online photo album at Picasa.com - NEW photos of Buggers

Photos from the 2012 Buggers fly tying class

Nice to see parents come join in the fun!

This was the last night of the fly tying classes for the 2012 group of kids. They are great kids. The enthusiasm and delight in the room was contagious. You can see it in their smiles.

View all

BRTU and FFB host four session fly fishing workshop in the Bitterroot

Fly Fishing Workshop
Come join Bitterroot Trout Unlimited and Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot in their four week course (1 night per week) for beginner and intermediate anglers.

Classes will be 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays in May (the 9th, 16th, 23th and 30th ) at the Corvallis Middle School Cafeteria for anglers 16 years of age and up.

Topics include casting, gear, entomology, casting, knots, fly tying and many other important subjects.

Cost for the four classes is $50.00, and includes a one year membership to either Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot or Trout Unlimited – your choice. The fee is only $35.00 if you are already a member of one of these organizations.

Questions? Call Cathy Lowe at 961-5392 or Greg Chester at 363-0033 

Application for the clinic.  Right-click the picture and print it.

 Click here to download a PDF file of the application for the clinic.

BRTU General Meeting - March 15, 2012 Secrets of the Madison River

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited March Meeting
Thursday, March 15, 2012, 7:00 PM
Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St
Kris Kumlien
Montana Troutfitters

"Secrets of the Madison"

Kris Kumlien, from Bozeman's Montana Troutfitters, has been guiding on the Madison since before he was born! That's  because Kris's dad, legendary Bozeman guide Dave Kumlien, started Montana Troutfitters in 1978. Troutfitters (www.troutfitters.com) was Bozeman's first full-service fly fishing shop and an obligatory stop for anglers heading to the Madison. Kris maintains the tradition and exacting standards, and to say that he knows "The Secrets of the Madison" is a plain and simple fact. If you want to learn how to fish this celebrated Montana river, don't miss Kris’s program!


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

For more information, contact Cassie Buhl (cassie.buhl@gmail.com) or Marshall Bloom (drtrout@mtbloom.net or 406-363-3485.

Another March  note: The Bitterroot Buggers will be holding classes every Tuesday of this month from 6:30 to 8:00 at Westview School gym. You don't need to be an expert to help! Call Ria (363-5996) if you have any questions and want to be involved.