The January BRTU meeting will be at 7:00 PM Thursday, January 21 at the Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State Street. Travis Horton, who is the Native Fish Coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, will give a presentation about Montana’s Native Trout programs. This will be a great opportunity to learn about what makes Montana’s fisheries so special. Attached is the postcard that is being mailed out. Please feel free to forward on to interested friends. If you have any questions, please contact Bill Bean at 363-6158, Fishaus@blackfoot.net
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. We 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.
The Clark Fork Coalition believes that recovery of this amazing river is within reach. One board member, Dan Keily, wanted to see for himself what needs to be done.
This summer, Dan and fishing guide John Havlik floated the length of the Clark Fork River, starting at Racetrack Creek near Butte, and taking out 320 miles downriver at Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho.
Using the words of the Clark Fork Coalition: Long abused and neglected, the Clark Fork River is poised to make a tremendous comeback over the coming decade, and the dream of watershed-wide restoration we’ve been working toward for years is now a little closer to reality. We’re using this historic float to launch our Vital Rivers Initiative, the Coalition’s new stream restoration program that will repair damaged tributaries of the upper Clark Fork River.
During their month-long float, Daniel and John will be joined by Coalition members, political guests, scientists, writers, youth, and sportsmen– and, maybe, by you. This hard-working river is coming back to life, and the Clark Fork 320 will showcase what this restoration means for all Montanans.
Jack participated in this float with many, many other dedicated people. Below are some photos that Jack took. After that, see a video and a map of projects that need to be done. Visit Clark Fork Coalition 320 for more information.
Jeremy and Becky Anderson went to the Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Annual Banquet last September. They had a great time and won the bid on a fishing trip with Wapiti Waters. Today was the day and boy, did they catch fish! Next years BRTU Banquet is Friday, September 25 – 2009 Annual BRTU Banquet, 5:30 pm, our 30th!!! Mark your calendar and plan to attend. Visit BRTU’s site at http://www.brtu.org/
Jeremy sent these terrific photos with this note:
Jack,
Thank you for a great time fishing on Saturday. Becky and I enjoyed it and learned a lot. We will definitely be coming back for more. Here are some pics for your website.
Thanks again,
Jeremy Anderson
Thank you, Jeremy and Becky. Jack really enjoyed his day with both of you.
See the slideshow below for all four photos from the Big Hole River fly fishing day.
Please send Registration Form by February 25 to:
FOAM Annual Meeting
PO Box 67
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Saturday, March 7, 2009
DoubleTree Hotel, Missoula
FOAM invites you to the DoubleTree Hotel in Missoula on Saturday, March 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for discussions, lunch, our traditional raffle, and drinks.
Ten rooms are available @ $109 double occupancy if you reserve before February 20.
Call Rachel at 406-542-4654 and refer to FOAM when making reservations. PLEASE CALL IMMEDIATELY if you want to reserve a room for the night.
Agenda 8:30 – 9:00 Register, get coffee, find friends, swap stories 9:00 -10:30 RRAFT Blackfoot Mgt. Proposal – Charlie Sperry, Chet Crowser, Jack Mauer 10:30 -12:00 B’foot & Madison SRP Process, Fees, Expenses, Local spending – Molly Wainwright, Gerry Walker
Noon Buffet Lunch 1:00 – 2:00 Stacy Juelfs, Payne Financial Group, on FOAM insurance costs, coverage, benefits 2:00 – 3:00 Wayne Johnston, Board of Outfitters on operations plans, guide advertising, agents, and more 3:00 – 4:00 FOAM updates, Q&A from members for directors 4:00 – ? Raffle, hors d’oeuvres, drinks
For the raffle, we’ve got Simms, Patagonia, and Northwest River Supply gear scheduled to appear, other items from local and national flyfishing gear manufacturers, plus gift certificates from local eateries and such.
