Winter 2009-2010

The change in seasons came quickly to Southwest Montana in late September, with single-digit temperatures and a week with two snowfalls in the mountains. While October was drier, November brought a single snowstorm with over 15" at our house near Alder, and more at elevations above our 6200' level. The extra moisture continued a trend of welcome wetness this year. To those who have been in Montana fewer than 10 years, this year seems unusual. Climatologists, however, have designated the year “a return to normal.” Whatever the case, it bodes well for our fisheries.

Anything that bodes well for the fisheries would seem to merit our support. Montana’s junior Senator John Tester has recently been holding town hall meetings in which he is presenting information on and gathering reaction to a draft bill called the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act. This bill (which you can read in its entirety HERE) would protect in perpetuity several of Southwest Montana’s rivers’ headwaters by designating them as wilderness. The last time anyone attempted to create wilderness in Montana, the bill was eventually vetoed by President Reagan. It is tempting, given the areas this current bill would protect, to throw our support behind the bill. A long and involved discussion with LCTU’s board and numerous Chapter Members, requiring several months of back-and-forth emails and conversations, revealed that it is not quite simple. In fact, Senator Tester’s bill, in its current form, contains some areas our chapter would like to see changed.

To that end, we have drafted a letter to Senator Tester that we will be sending in the next week or so. Click HERE to read our letter. This letter represents, in much the same way as the Senator’s draft bill does, a collaborative effort. It contains input from Chapter Members and Board Members, and informs Senator Tester of what we would like to see changed before the final Bill comes to the Senate floor in Washington, DC. If you would like to comment on Senator Tester’s draft bill, you may communicate directly with him HERE. Should you wish to become a “Citizen Co-sponsor” you may do so HERE. Should you wish to provide feedback on our letter to Senator Tester, you may email me HERE. With a good calendar-water year nearly behind us, let’s all pull for another one in 2010. And I’ll sign off with a word of thanks for all the efforts of our Chapter’s Board and Members in 2009, and with wishes for all to have a safe and happy holiday season, and prosperous new year!

Dave Delisi, LCTU President

Welcome to Kustich's Corner. 

1988 was a benchmark year. When the Jefferson River dried up for long stretches it was then I realized that the wonderful fishery available around the Big Sky State was no longer to be taken for granted. For me it was a call to action. At that point it became obvious that if healthy trout populations were to be maintained into the future it would take the committed effort of those who actually find value in the resource to become involved for the purpose of keeping the fishery around Montana viable. Since then, thanks to the hard work of conservation groups like Montana Trout Unlimited (MTU) and the cooperation of local landowners and ranchers, the rivers throughout the state have been consistently nursed through many low water years while still preserving a world class trout fishery.

       Unfortunately, not many folks who fish Montana's waters these days understand the behind the scenes effort it takes to keep the fishery intact. Even more disappointing is the apparent lack of involvement from some who directly or indirectly make a living off the rivers, minimally supporting any effort it takes to nurture the fishery that puts money into their pockets. Despite the very tangible evidence that our rivers are much better off than they were twenty years ago thanks to the cooperative approach to river management inspired by MTU, there are still those who are distrustful of the organization's motives. These days, however, the stakes are too high to let any perceptions cloud what should be the common goal of everyone who benefits from healthy rivers and hearty trout populations.

      The Lewis and Clark Chapter of Trout Unlimited would like to rededicate its effort to preserving quality trout habitat in southwestern Montana. The chapter invites   industry people and sportsmen alike to renew their involvement as well to assure that Montana's rivers remain healthy well into the future. Since it seems low water conditions may be here to stay, I can only hope that the lessons learned in 1988 will inspire a new generation of caretakers for years to come. We could leave no greater legacy than rivers that are as beautiful to next generations as they are for us today.

Fishing Conditions and the LCTU Reports Page can be found here.

Visit our Area with Microsoft Virtual Earth and plan your next fishing trip!

Take time to visit our Chapter Waters of Lewis and Clark Trout Unlimited in the Twin Bridges area. From the winding Beaverhead River to the famed majestic Big Hole, these rivers provide us here in Southwest Montana with quality trout fishing practically year round.

We hope you find the site useful in finding information about the great trout fishing in our area, and our ongoing conservation efforts to keep it that way. If you've never experienced casting a fly into a Montana river, maybe we can convince you to come here and give it a try. See you on the river!