FALL TROUT LINE 2017 Newsletter from the Montana Council of Trout Unlimited Celebrating native cutthroat restoration

in the South Fork Flathead basin by David Brooks n 2008 I floated the South Fork to the Young’s Creek tributary of the have adapted perfectly to wild streams Flathead River through the Bob main stem where a mule train dropped like the South Fork. Its combination Marshall Wilderness and never wet our boats. It was a wonderful, eight- of cold, clear waters run over a bed of I polished stones in hues of red, blue, a line. In addition to hauling two day’s day family trip. Fishing was not our worth of camping gear, my wife and I focus. Two years ago when we returned, green, white, and black into which took turns either carrying our 5-year old Sage was twelve and fully capable of westslopes have evolved to blend. daughter atop our packs or coaxing her carrying all her own gear. She was also The valley’s mosaic of fire-dependent along the 18 miles of horse packed trail developing her angling and rowing conifers contributes rafts of wood into chops. The friends who accompanied the river. These rocks and logjams us are maniacal anglers, so, rods were have provided westslope cutties with waving most hours of the day. In the ideal spawning, rearing, and adult years between trips it wasn’t just our habitat for millennia. Despite pristine crew that had changed. The river had water quality and the river’s isolation become a better native trout fishery. within one of the largest designated MTU and the Flathead Valley Chapter Wilderness Areas in the lower 48 of Trout Unlimited (FVCTU) helped states, the South Fork’s native cutthroat make that happen. have faced challenges all too common Native westslope cutthroat trout within their native range. Sediment see SOUTH FORK, page 6

Final stretch for Hebgen Dam rehabilitation by Brian Ohs orthwestern Energy (NWE) safeguard against seismic activity in the bottom and warm water isn’t good for celebrated completion of the area. Then, in 2008 problems with trout. Thus, local folks are looking NHebgen Dam Rehabilitation the dam’s operations allowed for an forward to the return of cold water Project on November 8, 2017, in Ennis uncontrolled release of water, which pulses, particularly in late summer, to Montana. A month earlier, NWE, triggered the Federal Energy Regulatory accommodate lower river temperatures, the owner of Hebgen Dam, informed Commission (FERC) to require repairs which is good for trout. the public that the final phase of the to the outdated Hebgen Dam intake, According to NWE, plans to project, which called for installation of a spillway and outlet pipe. Construction transition flows from the spillway back new concrete lining for the outlet pipe, began in 2009. to the outlet will commence this fall. was completed in September, ahead of While conditions of the Madison The energy company will put finishing schedule. River watershed have held steady touches on the project in 2018 with Although dam restoration is rarely over most of 2017, the completion money that has been budgeted for a focus of Montana Trout Unlimited’s of the approximately $40 million rehabilitating the construction site and attention, we have been engaged in project is good news for friends of the fishing access near the dam. the Hebgen rehabilitation process Madison. During construction of the All of this bodes well for the world- since 2009. We have advised NWE intake and outlet pipe, releases from renowned brown and rainbow trout on technical aspects of the project, Hebgen Lake flowed from the newly fishery in the Madison. The colder represented the interests of Madison implemented spillway. This meant water being released will protect fish River stakeholders (especially anglers), that warmer surface water was being populations as well as help increase and have continued to monitor the last released down the spillway rather than insect numbers that declined when phase of construction this summer. In colder water that moves through the water was being released from the 2005, analysis of the century-old dam intake system near the bottom of the spillway. Ensuring coldwater flows will indicated the need for a new intake to reservoir. Simply put, water off the also increase the Madison’s resiliency reflect dam-safety standards as well as top of the reservoir is warmer than the see HEBGEN, page 6 1 FALL/17 FROM THE CHAIRMAN hank you to everyone who has taken the time this year, and Tespecially over the last several MONTANA TU’S MISSION weeks to advocate for clean water is to conserve, protect and and against the proposed Black Butte Copper mine in the headwaters of restore Montana’s world- the Smith River. The need to step class coldwater fisheries and up and fight for clean, cold water in their watersheds. Montana has become the new normal. Proposals to weaken protections for Founded in 1964, Montana clean water and proposals like the Chris Schustrom Black Butte mine are coming at an Trout Unlimited is a increasing pace. Agencies once thought representatives in the MT Legislature statewide grassroots to be the watchdogs who would ensure and US Congress and write letters to organization comprised of 13 that damages to our nation’s and our the editor and op-eds to advocate for chapters and approximately state’s natural resources would not the clean water we Montanans depend occur have either been hamstrung by upon for our livelihoods and for our 4,000 TU members. recently passed state legislation that recreation. I look forward to keeping undercuts a thorough environmental up the fight with you! www.montanatu.org review process or they’ve been co-opted by the proverbial fox ruling the hen house, as is the case at the national level today. How do organizations TROUT LINE is published quarterly like ours fight this? Keep showing by Montana Trout Unlimited. up at public meetings, hearings and Chris Schustrom, Chairman legislative sessions. Write letters to our EDITING AND DESIGN...... Jessica McCutcheon

Printed on recycled paper using eco-friendly inks. Rock Creek watershed program by Casey Hackathorn © 2017 Montana Council of Trout Unlimited. U’s Clark Fork River Project project manager in 2018. Rock is pleased to announce a new Creek is revered by local and Tprogram aimed to restore traveling anglers alike for its prolific MONTANA TU STAFF and protect the iconic Rock Creek hatches, ample access, and quality watershed and its beloved trout fishery DAVID BROOKS dry fly fishing. The 890-square southeast of Missoula. The program, mile watershed is recognized as EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR a joint venture between WestSlope [email protected] a headwaters native bull trout Chapter TU, MTU and national staff, and westslope cutthroat trout JESSICA McCUTCHEON is made possible through a two-year stronghold as well as a mainstem BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS fundraising pledge from WSCTU that destination brown and rainbow MANAGER will support hiring a new full-time trout fishery. The program will focus [email protected] on collaborating with BRIAN OHS private landowners SOUTHWEST MONTANA COORDINATOR and agency partners on [email protected] projects to restore and reconnect spawning KELLEY WILLETT tributaries, protect DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR streamflows, and [email protected] improve water quality to ensure that the next generation of Montana anglers can share the same exceptional Rock Creek fishing experience with their children.

2 Fall 2017 MONTANA COUNCIL OF Tip of the Hat 2017 by Kelley Willett TROUT UNLIMITED orking 28 days in a row - no problem. The alarm going off at 4:30 a.m. each day to make lunches, ice coolers and call the shuttle - that’s the deal. OFFICERS WKnowing every bend, riffle, sweeper and osprey on a reach of river better than anyone else in the world… Welcome to the life of a Montana fishing guide. CHRIS SCHUSTROM, CHAIRMAN For the past 2 years, more than 50 guides and outfitters in Montana have worked one Whitefish more thing into their busy schedule: They generously donated their tips for one day 862-3440 [email protected] each season to help Montana Trout Unlimited conserve, protect and restore the rivers SHARON SWEENEY FEE, that make their livelihoods possible. VICE CHAIRWOMAN Imagined by Tim Linehan (Linehan Outfitting Company) and Brian Neilsen Livingston (Missouri River Guides) as a way for conservation-minded guides to help out, the event 579-7735 [email protected] Tip of the Hat was BRIAN NEILSEN, TREASURER born, and has raised Great Falls nearly $7,000 in the 240-3715 [email protected] past two years. Guides are frequently asked LYLE COURTNAGE, SECRETARY to donate whole trips Billings for good causes, and 671-0572 [email protected] many of them do. Tip of the Hat requests DAN SHORT, NLC DIRECTOR Kalispell only a day’s tip, so is 250-5064 [email protected] hopefully doable for guides at any point in DOUG HAACKE, PAST CHAIRMAN their careers. Billings The money often 656-4072 [email protected] arrives as cash with clever notes like, “stingy tip today, so I backfilled with my own $$,” or “client knows Trout Unlimited, so was extra generous.” The gift sizes range from $20 DAN VERMILLION, NATIONAL TRUSTEE Livingston to $200 and come from nearly every watershed in the state. 222-0624 [email protected] Montana Trout Unlimited realizes that the sheer number of hours guides spend on the water means they often see first where a river is hurting or healing, and are some of STEWARDSHIP DIRECTORS Rock Creek watershed program the best conservation advocates and educators for anglers who fish with them. More and more of us use our purchasing power to buy food and other items that are DR. MARSHALL BLOOM by Casey Hackathorn local, organic, ethically sourced, sustainable… Why not apply the same standard to the Hamilton, MT guides we fish with? Those conservation-minded guides are out there, so when you book your next trip, please consider them: MONTE DOLACK Missoula, MT

Jason Brininstool, Blackfoot River Monti Moniz, Linehan Outfitting Co. DR. STANLEY FALKOW Outfitters Garrett Munson, Montana Fishing Hamilton, MT/Portola Valley, CA Joe Dilschneider, Trout Stalkers Outfitters Jared Edens, JE Fly Fishing Brian Neilsen, Missouri River Guides PAUL MOSELEY Wade Fellin, Big Hole Lodge Scott Nicolarsen, Montana Topwater Missoula, MT Craig Fellin, Big Hole Lodge Eddie Olwell, Fishs Eddy O Chris Fleck, Stillwater Anglers Borden Porter, Trout Stalkers CRAIG & JACKIE MATHEWS Cameron, MT Tim Gaar, Trout Stalkers Anthony Reinhardt, Montana Trout Tom Gagnon, Missoula on the Fly Outfitters ROY O’CONNOR Benjamin Hardy Chase Robeson, Robeson Fly Fishing Clinton, MT Beth Langell, Missouri River Steve Shaw, Linehan Outfitting Co. Tim Linehan, Linehan Outfitting Co. Adam Shaw-Doran, Trout Stalkers DRS. ROBERT & PEGGY RATCHESON Matt Lum, Trout Stalkers Peter Skidmore, Rise Outfitters Hamilton, MT Matt Lyng, Big Hole Lodge Marcus Stears, Trout Stalkers PAUL ROOS Sean McAfee, Linehan Outfitting Co. Sam Stevenson, Linehan Outfitting Co. Lincoln, MT Brian McGeehan, Montana Angler Scott Vollmer, Scott Vollmer Outfitting Fly Fishing Doug White, Blackfoot River Outfitters PAUL STANLEY Dan Milligan, Blackfoot River Stephanie Winter, Big Hole Lodge Bozeman, MT/Piedmont, CA Outfitters K.C. Walsh Bozeman, MT

DR. IRVING WEISSMAN Hamilton, MT/Redwood City, CA

Montana Trout Unlimited 3 Chapter News in fall 2016, which were submerged creek at the Lilly Orphan Boy Mine Bitterroot Chapter in a pond over the winter. In June site. BRTU chapter members are hot off 2017, a JBTU volunteer the heals of a record setting banquet. helped plant the willows The Chapter was proud to present along the bank of the newly John and Elna Foust with a Lifetime formed pond above the new Achievement Award for their great concrete barrier bridge that contribution to fly-fishing in the forms a 4.2 foot waterfall, Bitterroot Valley and beyond.To find and prevents brook trout out more visit www.brtu.org/blog. invasion. The MTU mini- grant of $5000 supported Big Blackfoot Chapter this $405,225 project. BBCTU has been busy this fall. A Photos of that project are new fish screen went in outside of shown on this page courtesy Lincoln, MT to keep fish out of hay of Jerry Ladewig. fields. The Chapter has also been collecting willows for its extensive Nevada Creek Restoration Project. Madison Gallatin Volunteers collected more than 20,000 Chapter willows to revegetate this project! MGTU members have been busy. The Snowy Mountain Chapter chapter sponsored a bus to transport The Snowy Mountain Chapter people from Bozeman to Helena for dutifully continued work on its Flathead Valley Chapter public meetings on the Smith River multi-year restoration of Big Spring FVTU volunteers have been busy mine proposal. For more information Creek. This collaborative project has supporting native trout. Chapter visit mgtu.org. dramatically improved the stream. volunteers helped with a brook trout Volunteers showed their dedication by suppression project on Sheppard hand-watering revegetated areas bucket Creek in September as an effort Magic City Fly Fishers MCFF volunteers have been providing by bucket to ensure they would make it to protect the native cutthroat through the hot, dry summer. population. Monthly meetings are guidance on the development of also in the works each third Tuesday, two new urban fisheries proposed in October through April. Visit Billings. Chapter members see these flatheadtu.org for more information. urban fisheries as an opportunity WestSlope Chapter to boost involvement in their youth The WestSlope chapter has made program and cultivate the next some extensive investments in its Joe Brooks Chapter generation of conservation anglers. local fisheries including generous The JBTU continued work on a large contributions to in the Rattlesnake project in the upper Shields River. In drainage and funding a project 2014, JBTU along with FWP fisheries Missouri River Flyfishers A big thanks to MRF volunteers who person for the Rock Creek Watershed biologist, Carol Endicott, applied Program. for a MTU mini-grant to create a stood up for the Smith River at the fish barrier on the upper Shields Great Falls public scoping meeting River, north of Livingston. This was on October 30. MRF will host IF4 - a cooperative project with FWP, US International Fly Fishing Forest Service, & TU, the purpose Festival on January 26th. being to protect Yellowstone cutthroat A schedule of general from brook trout invasion. JBTU meetings is available at volunteers helped harvest live willows missouririverflyfishers.org. Pat Barnes Missouri River Chapter Another big thanks to volunteers from PBMRTU who showed up for the boat procession and rally before the November 6 public hearing on the mine proposed on the Smith River. Chapter volunteers also braved wintry weather to help with a revegetation effort on Telegraph 4 Fall 2017 Please consider a contribution to MTU this year

Each December, Montana Trout Unlimited (MTU) reaches out to past supporters with a personal letter, and we plan to continue that tradition. We also have sent a “Dear Friend” letter to the several thousand MTU Members who have not made a recent contribution to our work. This year, we are trying something different.

A quick show of hands in our office revealed that we all feel like we get too much mail - snail and electronic - between November 1 and December 31. As a conservation organization, we’d like to lighten that load of paper.

If you are a TU member (nearly 4,500 strong in Montana) who has not donated to MTU, will you please consider a gift this year? As you likely know, we don’t ask for money in every newsletter; in fact this is our first time. We are hoping this is a timesaver for you, and also means less of your investment goes to the mail house, and more money goes directly to our important mission of conserving, protecting and restoring Montana’s coldwater fisheries.

We put your tax-deductible contribution to work IN MONTANA. We partner with landowners, businesses, TU Chapter grassroots volunteers, ranchers and state and federal agencies to: • Conserve and restore populations of Montana’s native coldwater fish, including bull trout, westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, fluvial arctic grayling, interior redband trout and mountain whitefish • Promote progressive wild fish management (self-sustaining populations) • Defend traditional public access for recreation to Montana’s rivers, streams and lakes • Protect and improve water quality in the state • Educate the next generation of water stewards at our annual Youth Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp • Enhance instream flows in Montana’s rivers and streams (translation: more coldwater for trout)

Specifically, here are some of this past year’s highlights: Supporting MTU chapter on-the-ground projects across the state with nearly $50,000 through our chapter mini-grant program Fighting a mining proposal that threatens the Smith River Serving on the Montana Invasive Species Council Leading the State’s efforts to preserve the intent of the 1972 Clean Water Act,especially as it relates to Montana’s pristine ephemeral and intermittent headwaters; aka spawning tributaries. Contributed nearly $50,000 for on-the-ground projects lead by local Chapters across Montana Worked fulltime at the 2017 Legislature fighting bad legislation and proposing good legislation for both trout and anglers

Will you please contribute today? We invite you to use the enclosed envelope or contribute online at montanatu.org. We’ll drop a reminder via mail only to people who we have not heard from by early December.

Thank you and happy holidays,

Chris Schustrom, Chairman David Brooks, Executive Director

P.S. Every penny of your tax deductible contribution will be put to good use in Montana.

Montana Trout Unlimited 5 SOUTH FORK, from page 1 From the outset, the project about ‘poisoning’ tributary celebrated. faced two serious challenges. waters to the Flathead’s wildest Just as genes from the trout loading from over-logging, Many people hated the idea restored to those 21 lakes dams like Hungry Horse, and and most pristine drainage. of poisoning wilderness lakes Along with FWP’s Region will flow down into the main hybridization or competition full of perfectly healthy fish, South Fork, our efforts and from nonnatives like brook, 1 fisheries staff, MTU and even if those fish were of FVCTU advocated for state the work done on this project rainbow, or brown trout are nonnative stock. And, there will spread. Using Hungry ever-present threats. resources to begin raising was no hatchery source of basin-specific strains of pure Horse Dam mitigation dollars, While Wilderness westslope cutthroat trout with FWP has already expanded the protection safeguards the westslope cutthroats. Those genetics specific to the South efforts led to the reopening research and rearing capacities South Fork from logging, Fork Flathead drainages. Even at Sekokini to produce more road-building, or new dams, of the Sekokini Springs Fish cutthroat from two tributaries Hatchery near the banks of and different strains of basin- the river’s native fishery still within the same river system specific westslopes. Because faced the threat of impure the Middle Fork Flathead, can vary at the genetic level as southwest of West Glacier, of success in the South genetics, especially from high much as a black lab retriever Fork, similar projects using mountain lakes stocked with MT. Previously a federally- and a Pudelpointer. At the owned rainbow trout hatchery, these native stocks are being nonnatives. So in 2007, time, the Washoe hatchery undertaken or considered Region 1 Fish, Wildlife and FWP revamped the facility to in Anaconda was raising the meet the purebred trout needs for places like the Stillwater Parks (FWP) began the South only pure westslope certified basin and Glacier National Fork Flathead Cutthroat of the South Fork project. for reintroduction in Montana This fall, Matt Boyer, Region Park. Seeing the ripple effect Conservation Project. The waters. FVCTU and MTU of this successful project is project aimed to reduce 1 science program supervisor, strongly opposed eradicating oversaw the completion of the gratifying for all of us who care hybridization of the native all fish from those South Fork about our coldwater, native cutthroats by eradicating South Fork restoration project lakes only to replace them by treating and putting fish trout fisheries. I look forward nonnative fish from 21 with the M012 “cookie-cutter” to celebrating that success by tributary lakes in the Bob and from Sekokini into Sunburst strain of cutthroat being reared Lake. In addition to being the returning to the source and adjacent Jewel Basin. To do in Anaconda. So, we worked feeling the tug of our state so, the plan called for treating last and largest lake on the list with FWP on solutions. for treatment, Sunburst was fish in the wildest heart of its one or two lakes per year for Promoting the effectiveness native range. a decade with the piscicide the most controversial lake of Rotenone, its low risk to at the outset of the project Rotenone. After killing all other aquatic life, and the the fish in each lake, FWP because of its high usage by ability to neutralize it in a the public. By project’s end, would restock with genetically very defined space and time pure strains of westslope. restoration of native trout helped quell public worries in Sunburst was roundly

HEBGEN, from page 1 hotter summers to southwest of NWE’s commitment to as climate change brings Montana. We’re excited for protecting one of our state’s diminished snowpacks, the fishing to return to pre- premier tailwater fisheries. earlier runoff, and longer, construction levels because

6 Fall 2017 Helping the Clean Water Act through its mid-life crisis by David Brooks defending the scientific evidence for ince its passage on Oct. 18, 1972, and fisheries benefits of applying the the Clean Water Act (CWA) has CWA protections to all water bodies Sbeen critical to protecting and with a significant connection to main improving our water sources in Montana stem rivers, including ephemeral and and nationwide. Then in 2015 The intermittent streams and wetlands. Clean Water Rule (CWR) clarified that ephemeral or intermittent streams (aka •Along with a few dozen other trout spawning headwaters) deserve conservation leaders representing protection too. Seemed like smooth sailing hunting and angling interests from for these reasonable protections. But not around the nation, I voiced identical quite. This year CWA’s 45th birthday concerns about repealing the rule during came along. And like for many of us, an EPA-led conference call. some new aches and pains made us think: midlife crisis. •I followed that up with a trip to DC to As we reported in both the spring engage both our Montana Senators and and summer Troutline issues, President a coalition of conservation groups on the Trump signed an Executive Order that fight to protect clean water. could revoke or significantly roll back the Clean Water Rule. This weakening One of the top take-away messages from of the CWA could leave Montana my trip to DC and the EPA conference waters vulnerable to countless threats. call is that your stories of why-protecting- Perhaps most lethal is contamination headwater-streams-is-important-to-you by dangerous metals like arsenic, lead, How you can help: matter. The EPA is now conducting We recommend that you use your nickel and mercury, which leak from 305 a second public comment session to abandoned mine sites across the state. own stories to insist that any rewrite gather input on what a rewrite of the of the CWR include protection We want our children to celebrate Clean Water Rule ought to include or the CWA’s 100th birthday knowing it for Montana’s headwaters and exclude. MTU will again comment in wetlands. Please submit comments is still the robust protection that it was favor of fully applying CWA regulations intended to be. MTU continues to fight to the agency before the November to all headwater streams and wetlands. 28 deadline. (Visit EPA Docket and hard to push through this crisis and We are also in favor of clearly articulating avoid the repeal: “Comment Now” here: https://www. exceptions that allow farmers and regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ- ranchers to use their water rights without OW-2017-0480-0001). •During the first round of public undo legal impediments or permits, comments the EPA solicited on whether as long as coldwater fisheries remain Please post your personal stories or not it should repeal the 2015 CWR, protected. MTU and all of the state’s chapter about the importance of your presidents submitted a letter strongly favorite headwater to Instagram @ montanatroutunlimited or email [email protected] SUPPORT COLDWATER CONSERVATION WITH AN MTU LICENSE PLATE Get an MTU license plate when you renew an existing or register a new vehicle. The fee is tax deductible and your contribution is used in Montana. Inquire with your county licensing office.

Montana Trout Unlimited 7 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MISSOULA, MT PERMIT NO. 569

Montana Coucil of Trout Unlimited PO BOX 7186 MISSOULA, MT THIS ISSUE: Celebrating native cutthroat resotration in the South Fork Flathead Basin Page 1 ------Final stretch for Hebgen Dam rehabilitation Page 1 ------Rock Creek Watershed, Tip of the Hat, Chapter News, Support MTU, Clean Water Act Pages 3-7

FALL TROUT LINE 2017 UPCOMING EVENTS www.montanatu.org 12/2/17 Montana Council of Trout Unlimited State Council Meeting 9:30am, Celtic Cowboy, Great Falls, MT.

Madison Gallatin Member Meeting 12/13/17 Wear a festive sweater. Visit details at mgtu.org.

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Meeting 1/18/18 Chris Clancy, “The Bitterroot River: what now and what next?” Visit brtu.org/blog for details.

1/26/18 Missour River FlyFishers host IF4 In Great Falls at The Do Bar @ 6:30 p.m. $15.

2/17/18 MGTU’S 46TH Annual Troutfest Banquet Best-Western GranTree Inn in Bozeman, 5:00 PM-10:00 PM

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