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.