Kustich's Corner

It has been over ten years since back-to-back wet years kept Montana rivers flowing worry free throughout the summer. 2008 and 2009 have been a welcome relief after relentless low water years set in at the turn of the century. For several years after the wet years of ‘97 and ‘98 the fish counts on both the Ruby and Big Hole Rivers were notably high, so this latest period of high water does give rise to much optimism.

Thanks to drought management plans enacted by the Ruby Watershed Council and the Big Hole Watershed Committee in the 90s, the table was set for trout populations to rebound upon the return of increased flows. From the onset of both watershed groups in the mid-90s, Lewis and Clark Chapter of Trout Unlimited was involved with the Ruby Watershed Council and the George Grant Chapter was a vital player with the Big Hole.

With much hope, our Lewis and Clark Chapter lead the charge to get the Jefferson River Watershed Council established in the late 90s with the hopes that a similar rebound would occur in the river’s dire fish counts that had steadily declined since the river dried up in 1988. National Trout Unlimited took this project so seriously that it provided funding for a full time fishery biologist to work closely with the Watershed Council to address the many problems facing the river’s trout. TU biologist Bruce Rehwinkle worked closely with ranchers to provide more water, improve habitat, and develop new spawning areas all the way down to Cardwell below the city of Whitehall. And though low water continued through 2007, the river always flowed thanks to the efforts of Bruce and many cooperative ranchers along the Jefferson. Additionally, rainbow trout numbers have increased the past three years despite meager flows, and the increase of rainbows in the lower Big Hole has been notable as well. We can now only wait to see if this spate of water over the past two years will result in a more widespread increase in trout numbers. Bruce, ranchers, and the Jefferson Watershed Council have been nurturing the river for the return of normal flows. Only time will tell if all their hard work will pay off. Many believe it already has.

Because I have been very vocal about the Jefferson’s health since 1988, I couldn’t be more pleased with the management plan that has evolved. When we started the Lewis and Clark Chapter in 1993, one of its prime objectives was to address the needs of the Jefferson. Thanks to the efforts of so many a community has come together to unite for the sake of a wonderful river.