WINTER TROUT LINE 2012 Newsletter from the Council of Trout Unlimited

Restoration in Upper Clark Fork Advances by Bruce Farling n December, several landmarks were amounts dedicated with the Blackfoot reached that, after more than 20 years for each resource River. Iof expectations, should accelerate are proportionate to Also released restoration in the mining damaged upper those the State sought in December was basin. After years of in the original legal another important crafting and public engagement, Gov. claims. Montana TU plan developed Schweitzer signed a plan that formalizes has long endorsed by Montana FWP how $117 million in remaining restoration this approach as fair biologists with the funds from the State’s settlement of its and equitable. Some aid of the state’s natural resource damage litigation against folks in the basin, Natural Resource Arco will be allocated for Clark Fork however, sought to Damage Program. projects. The Upper Clark Fork River Basin steer most of the Prioritization of Areas Long Range Priorities & Fund Allocation money to the Butte Upper Clark Fork River in the Upper Clark Guidance Plan is close to what Montana TU and Anaconda areas, though the damage Fork River Basin for Fishery Enhancement and the Clark Fork Coalition –as well as the from mining and smelting has extended identifies specific areas and streams the governor’s advisory group for Clark Fork along 120 miles of Clark Fork floodplain restoration money will be steered to. The restoration – actively advocated for. all the way to Milltown. The allocation main Clark Fork above Deer Lodge as well The allocation plan divides the trust split means that approximately 39 percent as two tributaries of Silver Bow Creek -- fund among the three damaged resources of the remaining funding – with a few German Gulch and Brown’s Gulch, which that were the focus of the original legal caveats -- could be dedicated to restoration are long-standing priorities of the George action: groundwater, terrestrial habitat or replacement of damaged aquatic Grant Chapter of TU -- rank high for and aquatic habitat. Importantly, the habitat in the basin above the confluence See Upper Clark Fork, page 7

A Profile in Excellence: Bob Lane Retires as FWP Chief Lawyer by Staff hen Bob Lane surrounding management standard stream access hunters and wildlife, retired from of bison, wolves and elk. law. Despite the law’s engaged with the Montana WMontana Fish, Perhaps his best work, and extraordinary popularity Legislature. He has long Wildlife and Parks in what he says he is most and broad success, it been FWP’s go-to guy for December, anglers, proud of, was his successes continues to be targeted well-researched, persuasive hunters and wildlife in defending Montana’s gold- by a powerful handful who legal arguments at the enthusiasts lost one of seek to privatize public Capitol, and he has been an the state’s most effective invaluable ally and friend to advocates for the outdoor A Helena native, Bob has Trout Unlimited. traditions we so treasure. watersa degree and in physics,fisheries. which In retirement, Bob hopes TU will especially miss may help to explain his to spend more time with his Bob’s thoughtful, articulate meticulous legal approach. wife Valencia, his daughter and effective legal work and son, his Tennessee on behalf of excellence in Bob’s generous tendency Walkers, and, he says, on Professionalsto share his time benefit and from Montana’s rivers chasing the and public access to rivers. knowledge. They describe fisheries, Bob effectively healthy streams tackled him as a gentleman, long. some of the thorniest patient, collegial and fish Becky he championed Jakes Dockter, for so wildlife controversies thorough. Nowhere have who Bob mentored the last imaginable as FWP’s these characteristics been 11 years, will replace him as lead attorney for 27 more important than when chief legal counsel at FWP. Bob Lane waits to testify at a legislative hearing Bob, on behalf of anglers, 1 years, including flaps WINTER/12 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE “The greatest casualty is being forgotten.” -- from Wounded Warrior website MONTANA TU’S “7/24/10-Wounded Warriors- Hungry MISSION is to conserve, Horse to Teakettle, Dan O, Tim J. Larry L. protect and restore & I each had 2 caregivers. I had Mike from MD. and Jeff from N.C.. Both did well- Montana’s world-class yellow stim, purple caddis, royal Wulff. coldwater fisheries and their Very Intense!” watersheds. -- from 7/24/10 entry in my fishing log any organizations use fishing to Dan Short, Montana TU Chairman Founded in 1964, Montana help veterans disabled in Iraq Trout Unlimited is a statewide Mand Afghanistan achieve some any TU members in Montana normalcy in their lives. I’ve been privileged Mare involved in veterans grassroots organization to help one of these groups. A friend asked programs, including: comprised of 13 chapters me two Julys ago to help the Wounded The Wounded Warriors and approximately 3,400 TU Warriors Project by rowing caregivers down Project. Its mission is to honor and members. the Flathead River for a day of fly-fishing. empower wounded service people. Caregivers are usually family members who Fishing is one of many activities the www.montanatu.org take care of wounded vets. The sons of my organization uses to nurture the mind guests, Mike and Jeff, sustained serious and body, while encouraging economic injuries serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. empowerment and engagement. See TROUT LINE is published quarterly This was not the usual fishing trip. www.woundedwarriorproject.org. These guys needed to have fun while talking A group of retired Vietnam-era by Montana Trout Unlimited. Warriors and Quiet with others facing similar circumstances. officers founded Waters. It provides traumatically They also needed a break from worrying. EDITING AND DESIGN...... BRUCE FARLING injured U.S. servicemen and women They boated their share of fish and seemed MICHAEL GIBSON from Iraq and Afghanistan with a high- to enjoy the day. & KATE GRANT quality restorative program, using the Later, Mike and Jeff told me about their therapeutic experience of fly fishing on PHOTOS...... CLARK FORK COALITION injured sons. I heard about a 27–year-old Montana waters. Long time Bozeman & AMY JIMMERSON who will never be mentally older than TU member Bob Frey was instrumental about 14 because of traumatic brain injury. in its formation in 2007. See www. Printed on recycled paper using eco-friendly inks. I heard about a man losing his job because warriorsandquietwaters.org. © 2012 Montana Council of Trout Unlimited. of conflicts between work and caregiver Project Healing Waters Fly obligations. I heard about the Defense Fishing is a well-established national Department filing a $480,000 judgment organization. It assists in the physical to recover “potential insurance benefits,” and emotional rehabilitation of disabled and about the fear of having your home active duty military personnel and foreclosed because of the debilitating cost veterans through fly-fishing and fly tying of providing care for a son. education and outings. Its presence in I still struggle to describe how I felt Montana is enabled by the VA hospital while listening to these stories. I can’t in Helena. Bob Frey is a principle, as adequately express how large our moral is noted Montana fly-tier Bob Lay, obligation is to these veterans and their who has developed a 6-week fly tying families. But I am thankful that Montana’s curriculum and class for teaching Got trout plates? Pick them up at wonderful fisheries provide therapeutic disabled veterans. Garrett Fawaz, a your County Motor Vehicle office! relief to this remarkable group. veteran and president of MTU’s Pat Barnes-Missouri River Chapter, is also All veterans, disabled or not, and highly involved. The chapter’s two drift their families have sacrificed. Please take boats are available free of charge for every opportunity to thank them for what veterans fishing the Missouri River out they have done. And support them by of Craig. Call Headhunters Fly Shop at contributing time, money or even a box of 406-235-3447 to reserve. And see www. flies to the caring organizations that put projecthealingwaters.org. them on our rivers. Dan 2 Winter 2012 COUNCIL 2011 ANNUAL REPORT MONTANA OF TROUT UNLIMITED OFFICERS

DAN SHORT, CHAIRMAN 164 Juniper Bend Drive Kalispell, MT 59901 257-0069 [email protected]

DOUG NATION, PAST CHAIRMAN AND NLC DIRECTOR 289 Bowman Hamilton, MT 59840 363-2137 [email protected]

DOUG HAACKE, TREASURER 2104 Mariposa Lane Billings, MT 59102 656-4072 Fish Water [email protected] Ensuring the health of CHRIS SCHUSTROM, SECRETARY Climate change and increasing 504 Spokane Ave. the nation’s best wild trout human demands are stressing Whitefish, MT 59937 populations is at the heart of what 862-3440 Montana’s water resources. In [email protected] we do. This includes securing 2011 we created critical tools that strongholds for dwindling native help ensure water is available species such as cutthroat trout, TOM ANACKER, NLC SECRETARY into the future for healthy aquatic 945 Technology Blvd., Ste. 102 bull trout and grayling. Our Bozeman, MT 59771-1247 achievements in 2011 on behalf (h) 586-7585 Prevailing in a landmark [email protected] communitiescase in by: the Montana Pressuring the State of • Supreme Court that of wild fish include: Montana to adopt strong guarantees the public a MTU STAFF • angling regulations on the voice in the allocation of BRUCE FARLING world-famous Missouri water rights in Montana, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR River near Craig to protect allowing citizens to protect [email protected] wild trout from a growing streams from dewatering. population of invasive Supporting our local MARK AAGENES CONSERVATION DIRECTOR walleyes. chapter’s efforts to [email protected] Establishing a landmark • force federal managers partnership with to improve water MICHAEL GIBSON OUTREACH DIRECTOR • Yellowstone National Park management at Yellowtail [email protected] and our TU colleagues Dam, promising better in Wyoming to recover protection for the famous KATE GRANT one of the world’s most PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR [email protected] famous native cutthroat Bighorn River. populations at Yellowstone tailwaterWorking withfishery the of Forest the Lake. MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 7186 Working with state • data and develop a list of Missoula, MT 59807 and federal agencies to Servicepriority tostreams, collect tofield enable • reintroduce cutthroats, OFFICE LOCATION 111 N. Higgins Ave., Suite 500 and restore critical bull rights on crucial spawning Missoula, MT 59802 trout habitat, in the upper permanenttributaries ofinstream many of flow Phone: (406) 543-0054 Missouri, Flathead and Montana’s best trout Clark Fork basins. streams. Winter 2012 3 MONTANA TU STEWARDSHIP DIRECTORS Dr. Marshall Bloom Hamilton, MT

Monte Dolack Missoula, MT

Dr. Stanley Falkow Hamilton, MT and Portola Valley, CA

Jerry Lappier Craig, MT

Bud Lilly Three Forks, MT Habitat People Craig & Jackie Mathews West Yellowstone, MT Protecting high-quality habitat, and restoring damaged riparian zones Tom Morgan people who care about them. and stream channels are critical People need fish, but fish need Manhattan, MT Building a cadre of effective trout advocates requires education, Paul Moseley Montana. In 2011 we furthered reward and recognition. It also Missoula, MT for the future of trout fisheries in requires that anglers have direct Initiating habitat restoration experience with the rivers and these objectives by: Roy O’Connor projects in the Bitterroot and streams that require our attention. Clinton, MT • upper Clark Fork basins, and Our efforts in 2011 to connect Drs. Robert and Peggy partnering with others on Ratcheson ventures in the Yellowstone and Continuing our commitment to people and fish include: Hamilton, MT Big Hole basins. educating kids about habitat and Pressuring the Montana • wild trout, by completing our Paul Roos Legislature to continue funding 6th Annual Kids Conservation Lincoln, MT • the state’s primary program for Camp at Georgetown Lake. Participating in The Montana Paul Stanley time of tight budgets. Bozeman, MT and Neighbors Awards, an esteemed restoring fish habitat, during a • Piedmont, CA program that recognizes the are a top priority as restoration work of conservation oriented Neale Streeks • workEnsuring proceeds that fishery in the projectsmining private landowners. Great Falls, MT damaged upper Clark Fork watershed. at the 2011 Montana Legislature K.C. Walsh Setting the stage for additional • inLeading defense the of high-profile the public’s effort stream Bozeman, MT restoration activities in access rights -- thereby ensuring • Southwestern Montana, all Montanans can continue Dr. Irving Weissman including iconic watersheds Hamilton, MT and such as the Big Hole, Ruby, Redwood City, CA streams in the world. Beaverhead, Jefferson and enjoying some of the finest trout Madison Rivers. 4 Winter 2012 2011 Financial Report Montana TU’s Fiscal Year: Oct. 1, 2010 - Sept. 30, 2011

Montana TU is financially independent of TU National and is governed by directors from each of the state’s TU chapters. All contributions to Montana TU support conservation, protection and restoration efforts in Montana.

our tax-deductible donation funds conservation How you can contribute Ywork and professional advocacy on the ground in Montana. If you wish to direct your gift ontana TU gratefully accepts cash, checks and education or advocacy, you can do so using one of securities. Credit card donations can be made M toour a establishedspecific area, funds. such Pleaseas restoration contact projects,Kate Grant or on line at www.montanatu.org, or by calling Kate Bruce Farling toll free at 888-504-0054. Grant toll-free at 888-504-0054. Gifts can be sent to Montana TU at P.O. Box 7186, Missoula, MT 59807. annually by Boyle, Deveny & Meyer PC, an Planned gifts can an enduring legacy Montana TU’s financial statements are reviewed you’re gone. Options include bequests, gift annuities, Pleaseindependent send your CPA giftfirm to in Montana Missoula. TU, P.O. Box 7186, benefitting Montana’s trout waters now and after Missoula, MT 59807. Or, call Kate Grant toll free at charitable remainder trusts and contributions to 888-504-0054. Montana TU’s permanent endowment. Please keep us in mind when you create or update your estate plan. Montana TU’s Tax ID # is 23-7355289. Winter 2012 5 Thank you. Montana TU is grateful to those who supported us this past year, including member chapters, individual donors, foundations, businesses and dedicated volunteers.

Individuals Daniel Ellison Robert Johnston Kent Myers Howard Sheridan Foundations, Madeline Aagenes & Elizabeth Fournier Will Johnston Eric Myers Ron & Adelaide Shields Organizations Jim Abel Michael & Roslyn Ellison John Jost Doug Nation William Shields & Businesses Heather Almquist Ron Erickson George Kesel Daniel Nauts Dan Short AlphaGraphics Tom Anacker Kirk & Beth Evenson Donald Kiely John Neely Michael Small Bayern Brewing, Inc. Merna Andres Stan Falkow & Lucy Tompkins Jill King Wesley & Janet Nelson Fritz & Nancy Snideman Big Blackfoot TU Chapter Stan Anglen J. Paul Ferguson Lawrence Klee Kathi Nickel John Snively Bitterroot TU Chapter Wilbur & Sarah Avril Paul Fickes Barry Klien Allen Norris Dudley Snyder Blackfoot River Outfitters Craig Barfoot Robert Flynn Matthew W. Klumpp Emily O’Conner Nicholas Spencer Blue Ribbon Flies Bill & Pat Barringer Henri Foch Barbara Klutinis Roy & Susan O’Connor Adam Spenner Cape Cod TU Chapter Richard & Diana Beattie Mark & Ethel Fogelsong Gene & Carolyn Koch Allen Olsen Dawn Splan The Cinnabar Foundation J. Bruce Beckwith Al Foucar Jeffery Lake Mark Ozog Paul & Marolyn Stanley The Fanwood Foundation Douglas P. Beighle Lynn Fuqua Michael Lancaster George Parisot Ralph Stephens First Interstate Sean Benton Michael K. Gewitz Story & Dennis Landis Reno Parker Ted & Martha Stetler Bancsystem Foundation Edwin Berkinshaw Paul Gingras Richard Lauritzen Daryl and Sherrie Parker Linda Stoll Fishs Eddy O JoDean Bing Keith Glaes Land M. Lindbergh Robert Pearcy Rick Stowell GlaxoSmithKline Ted Birr Berril Gold W. Dawson List Harry & Cindy Poett Karen & Jim Stutzman Foundation Jessica Bouchee Bill & Gerry Gram R.V. Little John Porter David Stuver Kinsale Communications Tim Bozik Dennis Grundman Merle Loman Tom Pruitt Ron & Wendy Susott Lewis & Clark TU Chapter Stan & Glenda Bradshaw Mary Anne Guggenheim John B. Lord Andy Puckett Will Swearingen Magic City Fly Fishers Scott & Charlotte Brooke Doug Haacke Fred Lurie Robert A. and Peggy S. James Thompson Merrill Lynch & Co. Jesse Brooks Casey Hackathorn Kelly Lynn Ratcheson Greg Tollefson Foundation Bill Bruzek R. Terry Hammerschmidt Arnold Lyon Bruce & Paula Rehwinkel James & Marcia Valeo The Norcross Robert Bungarz Kiku & Johnnie Hanes John & Carolyn MacKenzie Ruth & Kim Reineking Agnes & Jeff Vandergrift Wildlife Foundation Bruce Burnett Michael Hanford Charles & Kathlyne Maltby Donald R. Reithlingshoefer Sandy & Pam Volkmann Out in the Cold Productions Teagan & Conor Byorth Tom Harding Campanelli Mark Larry Richardson Ann & Robert Von Pentz Pat Barnes-Missouri River Pat & Susan Byorth Stanley Hastings Ben Massion Penny Ritchie Richard Vorous TU Chapter Eileen Carney Eric Hayhurst Craig & Jackie Mathews John & Nancy Roberts Loren Vranish Ruby Springs Lodge John T. Carpenter Ed Heger Jack Mauer Andrew & Karen Roberts Kevin Wagner The Pleiades Foundation Allen Chrisman Pat Hemingway Doug McClelland Chase Robeson Jim Wallace R & R Enterprises David & Patricia Constable Shane Hendrickson William McIvor Christopher Rock K.C. Walsh Riverbend Publishing Stan Cook Gregory Hertz Thomas & Doreen McMahon Sandra Roe Willard Weaver Simms Tim & Kathy Crawford John Herzer & Terri Raugland Gregg Messel Paul & Carolyn Roos Irving Weissman The Thomas and Stacey Howe Crockett Ken High Gerald Meyer Lloyd E. Ross Roy A. Wells Siebel Foundation Norton Cross James A. Highland Curt & Rolane Meyer Richard & Marjorie Rothermel Tom Wenke Trout and Salmon Tom Deveny Robert E. Hill Warren Michelson James Sadler Idell Weydemeyer Foundation Douglas Doty Joe Hoch Mitch Miller Frank & Bev Salomonsen Steve Wickliffe W.O.O.D. Foundation Sarsfield & Teresa Verne House William & Joyce Miller Len Sauer, MD George Widener Wapiti Waters Dougherty Bob Howard Christian Miller Steve Schombel Frank Willett West Slope TU Chapter Roger Doyel Jan Janura Dan Milligan Chris Schustrom John Wilson Buddy Drake Jerry Parker Thomas Mocilac Bill & Lynn Schwanke Kendrick R. and Linda B. In Memoriam Robert Dunnagan Wynn & Minette Jessup Jay Monahan Bob & Terry Scott Wilson Aaron France Bob Ebinger Jim Paulsen Dick Monroe Lance Sears Dave & Sherri Wood Charles Maltby Eddie Olwell Amy Jimmerson Kim & Jeff Montag Joseph Sears C. Baker Wright Art Weydemeyer Paul Elder Cindy Jimmerson William J. & Peggy Jo Wayne Seitz Hugh Zackheim Don Williams Rebecca Ellison John Kimball Moore Randall Shannon Sarah Ellison James Johnsey Paul & Jeanne Moseley David Shattuck Above Donations Received 10/1/10 - 9/30/11 6 Winter 2012 Montana TU Conservation MONTANA TROUT UNLIMITED & Fly Fishing Camp July 8-12, 2012 Foundations, CHAPTERS Organizations & PRESIDENTS & Businesses Montana TU is accepting applications to fill 15 BITTER ROOT CHAPTER #80 AlphaGraphics spots for kids ages 12 -15 at our 2012 Kid’s Camp, Cassie Buhl, Hamilton Bayern Brewing, Inc. where they’ll learn about fly fishing, fly tying, [email protected] stream restoration, watershed management and 360-2080 Big Blackfoot TU Chapter trout biology. BIG BLACKFOOT CHAPTER #544 Bitterroot TU Chapter Scott Gordon, Seeley Lake Blackfoot River Outfitters The $300 camp fee includes all meals and lodging at Camp Watanopa, on the banks of [email protected]

Blue Ribbon Flies Georgetown Lake. Details and applications available at www.montanatu.org. 677-8420 Cape Cod TU Chapter To volunteer, donate fly tying materials*, or for more information, contact volunteer camp FLATHEAD VALLEY CHAPTER #85 The Cinnabar Foundation *Especially olive chenille and olive maribou Chris Schustrom, Whitefish coordinator Penny Ritchie at 406-396-7300 or [email protected]. [email protected] The Fanwood Foundation WE NEED: 862-3440 First Interstate • Fishing “guides” to help with casting, knots, etiquette & fish handling GEORGE GRANT CHAPTER #183 Bancsystem Foundation Bob Olson, Butte • Campfire Host, Camp “Moms,” Pancake Chef Fishs Eddy O [email protected] • Fly Tiers (at camp and/or to provide flies for campers) 560-3791 GlaxoSmithKline Participants do not need to know how to fish! There is plenty of free time for volunteers, JOE BROOKS CHAPTER #25 Foundation who can stay at the camp or provide their own lodging. Sharon Sweeny Fee, Livingston Kinsale Communications UPPER CLARK FORK, Continued from page 1 [email protected]

Lewis & Clark TU Chapter restoration activities. in water conservation or or similar mechanisms, 579-7735 Magic City Fly Fishers FWP ranked Clark Fork leasing of water rights. It’s as has occurred in the KOOTENAI VALLEY CHAPTER #683 Merrill Lynch & Co. tributaries after assessing three important to note that the past. Montana TU and its Travis Lee, Kalispell restoration activities must chapters have used grants [email protected] Foundation value as a recruitment restore, enhance or replace from the natural resource 291-1242 The Norcross main characteristics: 1.) LEWIS & CLARK CHAPTER #656 Wildlife Foundation and that they need not recent projects. Bill Fraser, Sheridan Out in the Cold Productions source for sport fish to damagedoccur on afishery water values,directly damage The removalfund to finance of the [email protected] 842-7442 Pat Barnes-Missouri River the river; 2.) value as a damaged by historical Milltown Dam and the recreational fishery on mining. Further, the contaminated sediment TU Chapter MADISON-GALLATIN CHAPTER #24 itsOther own; top and, priorities 3.) value include as projects are not meant to it impounded, at the Mark Peterson, Bozeman Ruby Springs Lodge athe native Little species Blackfoot fishery. River, substitute for remediation [email protected] The Pleiades Foundation Warm Springs Creek and of pollution sources that Fork and Blackfoot, as 595-1409

R & R Enterprises Racetrack Creek. Secondary are being required under confluencewell as the reconstructionof the Clark MAGIC CITY FLY FISHERS #582 Riverbend Publishing priorities include Flint Clark Fork Superfund of natural river channels Lyle Courtnage, Billings Creek, Boulder Creek and cleanup – a process in in the old reservoir area, [email protected] Simms Blacktail Creek. itself that when complete seems to have occurred in 896-1824 The Thomas and Stacey The allocation plan and will total in the hundreds the blink of an eye. Who MISSOURI RIVER FLYFISHERS Siebel Foundation of millions of dollars. The would have thought in Sam Wike, Great Falls Trout and Salmon (a similar document was damage claim program will the late 1980s, when we [email protected] 761-6623 Foundation fisherycompleted prioritization for terrestrial plan now focus on developing started wrestling with additional direction for that mess, we’d be where W.O.O.D. Foundation PAT BARNES/MISSOURI guideposts for where and determining how best we are today? We can RIVER CHAPTER #55 Wapiti Waters wildlifewhat types habitat) of projects are the to get the funding to only hope that cleanup Garrett Fawaz, Helena West Slope TU Chapter will occur. Among the and restoration of the [email protected] 422-4426 restoration tools that planned, and those still enormous basin upstream could be deployed are specificin the conceptual projects currently phase. SNOWY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER #610 enhancement of damaged It’s unclear at this time Mike Chapman, Lewistown Aaron France potential – will be as riparian habitat, removal whether future work –successful. with its great fishery [email protected] Charles Maltby will be done primarily by 538-2517 Art Weydemeyer movement, reconstruction state agencies, or whether Contact Bruce Farling at WEST SLOPE CHAPTER #56 Don Williams of barriersdamaged to channels, fish and there might be a direct [email protected] Carey Schmidt, Missoula enhancement of instream role for non-agencies [email protected] through a grant program 360-5256 7 flowsWinter through 2012 investments NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MISSOULA, MT PERMIT NO. 569

Montana Coucil of Trout Unlimited PO Box 7186 Missoula, MT 59807 THIS ISSUE: 2011 Annual Report Pages 3-6 ------Upper Clark Fork Restoration Page 1 ------FWP Legal Chief Change Page 1

WINTER TROUT LINE 2011 UPCOMING EVENTS www.montanatu.org Madison-Gallatin TU 40th Annual Banquet Missouri River Flyfishers 30th Annual Banquet 2/18/12 5 p.m. at the Best Western GranTree Inn, 1325 N. 7th Ave. in Bozeman. 2/25/12 6 p.m. at the Best Western Heritage Inn, 1700 Fox Farm Rd. in Great Hors d’ oeuvres & no host cocktails, raffles, silent auction, dinner & Falls. No host cocktails, raffles, the “infamous duck pond,” silent live auction. Tickets at www.ticketriver.com/2679-mgtu. auction, dinner at 7:30 p.m. & live art auction at 8:15 p.m. Contact Magic City Fly Fishers Fly Fishing Expo Erik Haugen at [email protected]. 2/25/12 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Grand MT Convention Center, 5500 Midland Rd. in Billings. Workshops, programs, casting lessons, Montana TU State Council Meeting contests, demos & raffles. Contact Alex Martin at 406-628-9325 or 3/3/12 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 205 Haggerty Lane, Bozeman. [email protected]. All TU members welcome. For details or an agenda, contact Kate Grant toll-free at 888-504-0054 or [email protected]. Magic City Fly Fishers Banquet 2/25/12 5-9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Grand MT Convention Center, 5500 The Drake Fly Fishing Film Festival Midland Rd. in Billings. Auction items incl. fishing trips, art, 3/30/12 Friday evening at the Best Western Heritage Inn, 1700 Fox Farm Rd, rods, reels & gear. Details at mcffonline.org. Great Falls. Proceeds help fund Missouri River Flyfisher projects. Pat Barnes-Missouri River TU Banquet Contact Brian Neilsen for details at 406-240-3715. 2/25/12 6 p.m. at the Gateway Center, 1710 National Ave. in Helena. Dinner, raffles, live & silent auction & lots of fun! George Grant TU Banquet Contact Garrett at [email protected]. 3/31/12 5 p.m. at the Star Lanes Event Center, 4600 Harrison Ave. in Butte. No host bar, games, bucket raffles, silent & live auctions and buffet Westslope TU Annual Banquet dinner at 7 p.m. Grand raffle prize: inflatable raft! Contact Gary 2/25/12 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3720 N. Reserve St. in Chatriand at 406-490-7598 or [email protected]. Missoula. Silent auction, raffles, dinner at 7 p.m. and live auction at 8 p.m. Tickets on sale now in Missoula fly shops. Contact Layne at [email protected]. WANT OVER 3,400 MONTANA TU MEMBERS TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR EVENT? Contact Montana TU at 888-504-0054 or [email protected] to get the word out in Trout Line @montanatu Find us on facebook