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Archive for the ‘Trout Unlimited’ Category
Bitterroot Trout Unlimited, exciting future for our fisheries
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
The excitement of our 2009 banquet is past, but not the memories. See our photo albums from the banquet below. We are already planning the next banquet. Mark your calendar for Friday, September 24, 2010. You will want to attend for the great food, people, and many auction items.
Bitterroot Trout Unlimited (BRTU) wants to thank all the supporters, donors, contributors and helpers. The 2009 annual banquet, our 30th, was a huge success. Over 200 people attended and we raised more dollars than we hoped for, quite a feat in these difficult economic times.
- More blog posts about BRTU Banquet – posts about the auction items, delicious food and more
We have a lot planned for the coming year and your support will be critical. You will be reading about Bitterroot Trout Unlimited in the news and you will see how we work to protect, preserve and restore our streams and fisheries.
In summary, be assured that we will redouble our efforts, and your help makes this possible.
Our banquet is a popular Bitterroot event, if you want to participate or contribute, your exposure and help as a contributing business or patron is far reaching.
If clean water and healthy trout are important to you, join our organization and consider serving on our Board of Directors. We welcome all local residents and newcomers as there is much work to be done and camaraderie to enjoy!
Bitterroot Trout Unlimited contact information:
BRTU President – Bill Bean, 406-363-6158 or fishaus@montana.com
Banquet organizer -Marshall Bloom, 406-363-3485 or drtrout@mbloom.net
BRTU President – Bill Bean, 406-363-6158 or fishaus@montana.com
Banquet organizer -Marshall Bloom, 406-363-3485 or drtrout@mbloom.net
Banquet photos of people, food, auction action and more
View all in a new window
Photos of BRTU Auction Items
View all 35 photos in a new window
Photos of awards given at the BRTU banquet
View all 36 photos in a new window
Dancing Trout Ale helps celebrate Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s Success and Future on Sept. 12, 2009 in Missoula
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009Here is a post dedicated to our neighbors, Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Missoula, Montana.
A message from our friend, Jerry O’Connell:
For the past 20 years, our Big Blackfoot Chapter Trout Unlimited (BBCTU) has done more watershed restoration and preservation than any other chapter in the US. It has gained national acclaim and recognition for the hundreds of miles of restored and protected tributaries of the Big Blackfoot River. Over the years, BBCTU has set the standard for designing, managing, and executing boots-and-shovels projects at the grass roots level.
BBCTU has done all of this without a single fundraising event. However, we feel it’s time to break that tradition as we celebrate these two decades of progress. Thus, we’ll be holding our 20th Anniversary Party on Saturday, September 12, 2009, complete with bus tours of some of our projects, cocktails, a pitchfork BBQ and an auction with some very unique items (need a steer?). It’ll be at the Rolling Stone Ranch in Ovando, right in the heart of the Blackfoot Valley.
Please come! Pass the word to your friends – the more the merrier. You can call me (244-5612) or the BBCTU offices (677-6454) to make reservations. It’s a bargain at $25 each (or $50 will get you dinner and a Monte Dolack print of the Blackfoot). Email Jerry at joconnell@blackfoot.net.
Merle’s note: What a way to break tradition. If you can make this event, DO IT! It will be an amazing gathering loaded with fun and you will mingle with some of Montana’s interesting, caring and socially and environmentally involved people.
About Trout Slayer and Bayern Brewery
The original brew was called Trout Slayer Ale but in 2007 on the 20th anniversary of Bayern Brewing, the oldest brewery (and in my opinion the best) in Montana decided to give Trout Slayer Ale a new face to best reflect Bayern Brewing’s environmental company philosophy.
Their search for a more appropriate name kept them coming back to “Dancing Trout.” Whether as a fishing term or in various spiritual expressions of music and dance, Dancing Trout became a symbol of celebrating life and the lifestyle embraced by Montana.
So, they also endorsed Montana Trout Unlimited. The name change to Dancing Trout Ale was not merely a cosmetic one. They knew that it was time to brew a beer with a cause. They presented the idea of making Bayern Brewing’s Dancing Trout Ale the official beer sponsor of Montana Trout Unlimited (www.montanatu.org) and were met with the organization’s immediate support and enthusiasm. Bayern Brewing pledges a portion of all merchandise and every case of beer sold to Montana Trout Unlimited to support the preservation of Montana’s trout habitat.
Click here to learn more about Bayern Brewery and Dancing Trout Ale
To order Dancing Trout gear click here
To order Dancing Trout Ale online click here
For a signed print of the original Dancing Trout artwork contact Kate at
406-543-0054 or kate@montanatu.org
Bitter Root TU Commissioned Artwork by Monte Dolack
By the way, visit another post about Dancing Trout on the fantastic Missoula beer blog, the Grizzly Growler.
Omnibus Public Lands Bill Passes
Friday, March 27th, 2009
Omnibus public lands bill passes
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, some of the most significant conservation legislation to come before Congress in 25 years. TU is responsible for much of the act’s landscape protection legislation, including the Wyoming Range Legacy Act, the Copper-Salmon Wilderness Act and bills in California. »Press release »Reuters article
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Letter From Trout Unlimited, March 26, 2009 - Thank you for taking action
Yesterday marked a huge victory for Trout Unlimited and our conservation allies. The House of Representatives passed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, a landmark public lands protection bill that would ensure access and opportunity for hunters and anglers today and for generations to come. Passage of this bill does more for hunting and fishing and outdoor recreation than any other measure in the last 15 years. By a landslide vote of 285-140, the House of Representatives moved this bill over the finish line. Now the bill will go to President Obama for his signature on Monday, March 30th.
This victory would not have been possible without your help. Your continued engagement and efforts to communicate this bill’s importance to your Members of Congress paid out huge dividends. We were able to get landslide votes in both chambers which shows the hard work and perseverance you gave over the last 18 months. We thank you.
Because of your help, we have successfully protected over 2 million acres of public lands. We have protected places like Copper-Salmon in Oregon, the Wyoming Range in Wyoming, the Wild Monongahela in West Virginia, the Owyhees in Idaho, the Eastern Sierras in California and so many other special places. We have also permanently protected the National Landscape Conservation System, a network of highly valuable public lands of acute interest to anglers and hunters. Included in that system is the famed Gunnison Gorge of Colorado, one of the best trophy trout fisheries in the West, and the Steens Mountain region, an irreplaceable hunting and fishing destination in eastern Oregon.
In addition to protecting public lands, this bill will enact the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement, ending years of litigation, the Secure Water Act and the Cooperative Watershed Management Act. Both of the water bills will help to restore watersheds and provide the framework for working collaboratively with diverse partners to ensure adequate flows for viable fish populations across the country.
Many of the bills in the Omnibus have tremendous fish and wildlife conservation merit, have local community support –including ranchers and farmers who are partners in watershed groups – and have been developed in a bipartisan manner. Passage of the Omnibus, which includes nearly 160 bills, is truly historic and one that will be considered an outstanding achievement for generations to come.
We sincerely thank you for making it possible.
Steve Moyer
Vice President for Government Affairs
TROUT UNLIMITED
703-284-9406
smoyer@tu.org
Home | Stream Explorers – THE COOLEST PAGE for kids!!!
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009“TU has a new group of members–a bunch of Stream Explorers. Youth 15 and under have a special membership level now, including their own magazine and website. Launched February 1, the Stream Explorers website introduces kids to the basics of fishing (GO FISH), trout science (FISH FACTS), and conservation (GET ACTIVE). Take a look at this great new perk for TU kids at http://www.streamexplorers.org/.
The MEMBERS section will help you help your favorite youngster become a Stream Explorer.
»Sign a child up for Stream Explorers »streamexplorers.org“
Celebrating 50 Years – Trout Unlimited
Monday, February 2nd, 2009
Trout Unlimited is celebrating 50 years of conserving, protecting and restoring North Americas coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Visit http://www.tu50.org/ for more information.
TU will host its 50th anniversary celebration and annual meeting at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City, Michigan, not far from where TU was founded 50 years ago. A week-long schedule of events will mark the celebration. From hosted fishing trips, visits with fly fishing notables, casting contests and much more, the event will be a memorable celebration.
- Time and Place: Monday, August 17-24, 2009 at 12:00am
Location: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Street: 100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard
City/Town: Traverse City, MI
View MapContact Info Phone: 1-800-834-2419
Annual Banquet for BRTU, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
This is an invitation to attend the 29th annual Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Banquet. The banquet will start at 5:00 PM on Friday, September 26 at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton. Tickets are $45.00 per person – same as last year – and can be reserved or purchased now at Fishaus Tackle. Click the hotlinks (names) for addresses and/or maps.
There will be a gourmet dinner prepared from local ingredients and catered by Riversong Catering. Silver Coin is in charge of the beverage table and we will again be featuring premium microbrews from Bitter Root Brewing! We will have special awards, drawings, door prizes, live and silent auctions. Premiums will include gourmet dinners, fine wines, elegant jewelry, fishing trips on the fabled Middle Fork of the Flathead, the Kootenai, the Madison, Big Hole and Bitterroot River, tackle, and artwork by local artists and craftspersons.
Here are a couple sneak previews! Tom Morgan of Tom Morgan Rodsmiths, also know as the “Rodfather”, is donating one of his exclusive new fiberglass rod blanks. We have also secured a stay in a flyfishing lodge in New Zealand. Other special items include #2 of the Monte Dolack print that our chapter commissioned last year, and a special outing to Lake Como with dinner for 8 at the Hikers Lodge.
Why should you come? Besides having a great time, swapping fishing stories, meeting people and visiting with your friends, here are just a couple of other reasons. We continue to work hard on the conservation and education side of things. Chapter representatives are deeply engaged in youth education, water quality monitoring, stream setback efforts, native trout restoration, habitat restoration, and a host of other issues designed to make sure that the quality of our streams and fisheries will be in good shape for future generations.
This banquet is our only fundraiser, and we are strictly a volunteer organization. Importantly, all of the money we raise stays in Montana, most of it here in the Bitterroot. Your support is what makes it happen! So, please plan on attending now.
The doors open at 5:00 PM, so there will be plenty of time to visit with friends, buy raffle tickets, view the items and bid on the silent auction. Dinner will be at 6:30 PM and will be followed by the live and silent auctions, door prize and other drawings.
Tickets are on sale at Fishaus Tackle (363-6158, fishaus@montana.com). The $45 ticket price is a real bargain. VISA and MasterCard are accepted. Please remember that the last five years’ banquets were totally sold out at least a week before the event and seating will be limited, so reserve your tickets early. And of course, you don’t have to be a TU member to share in the fun.
If you would like to participate in our Sponsor Program, please contact Marshall Bloom (363-3485, drtrout@mtbloom.net) or Bill Bean (363-6158, fishaus@montana.com)
For more information, to make a donation, or help out, contact Marshall Bloom (363-3485, drtrout@mtbloom.net), Bill Bean (363-6158, fishaus@montana.com) or Doug Nation (363-3127).
By September 26, summer will be over and everyone will be ready to have some fun. So, come help us celebrate. Hope to see you there!
Live Auction Items for 2008 BRTU Banquet
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008Click on the links for more information. Use your browser’s back arrow to get back to the BRTU blog or right click the link and choose “open in new window.”
- Ross CLA 2 Reel donated by John Hickman
- Dave Dedmon’s R.L. Winston Signature Rod 4 piece 9’0″ 5wt BIIX graphite donated by Sharon Dedmon
- Palate and Pallette donated by Robert Neaves Art Focus
- Float trip for 2 with Jenny West
- Float trip for 2 in Bozeman area Montana Troutfitters
- BRTU Dolack print by Monte Dolack
- Best of New Zealand Flyfishing in New Zealand sans air travel donated by Michael Covarrubias
- Float trip for 2 on the Bitterroot River Eddie Olwell, Fishs Eddy O
- Brown trout, original scratchboard donated by Judith DeYoung
- Float trip for 2 on Middle Fork of Flathead River with Rob Breeding and Wild River Adventures
- One night’s lodging for 2 in Flathead area donated byFlathead Valley TU Chapter
- Tom Morgan Rodsmiths Rod Blank donated by Tom Morgan Rodsmiths
- Dinner for 8 at Hikers Lodge at Lake Como by Bitterroot Land Trust
- Lake Como photo donated by Tonia Bloom
- Cynthie Fisher s/n trout prints Cynthie Fisher
- Two night’s stay at Alta Ranch for 2 people donated by Alta Ranch
- “Western Winds,” s/n print by Mary Beth Percival
- 1/2 Day fishing for 2 people, March or April 2009, Dan Walker-Guide donated by The Teller
- Dutch Oven Brunch for 8 at the Elk Track Ranch donated by Judy and Dick Estler
- Lodging for up to 6 at Blue Ribbon Lodge on the Missouri with 5 course dinner and use of private boat ramp donated by Todd and Kim Damrow
- Float trip for 2 on the Blackfoot River donated by Jack Mauer of Wapiti Waters
- Weekend at Nez Perce Ranch - 3 nights for 4 people
- float trip for 2 with the Nez Perce Ranch weekend donated by Curt McChesney
- Shirley Cleary hunting print donated by Shirley Cleary, framing by Art Focus
- Float trip for 2 on Kootenai/Overnight stay in Yaak Cabin donated by Linehan Outfitting Company
Silent Auction Items for 2008 BRTU Banquet
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008Click on the links for more information. Use your browser’s back arrow to get back to the BRTU blog or right click the link and choose “open in new window.”
- Wine expert’s case of wines donated by Dr Irving Weissman
- Handwoven scarf by d.j.e. handwovens
- Two tickets to Smuin Ballet - Tues, Sept 30 donated by Allie
- Original sketch by Dick Estler
- Black Forest Cake from A Place to Ponder
- Shirley Cleary s/n print donated by Marshall Bloom, framing by Joe’s Studio
- Framing for Shirley Cleary print by Joe’s Studio
- “Nice ‘bow,” trout carving donated byMarty Leibenguth
- Sac Fry painting donated by Evan Barbour
- Historic photgraphs donated by Vicki Dawson
- Scott E2 9’0 four piece rod 5 weight
- Redington CDLT 5/6 Titanium reel large arbor
- Scott A2 9’0 two piece rod 5 weight
- 4-Piece Rod case with storage space inside donated by Bob and Judy DeYoung
- Hand-made leather and suede grizzly bear sofa pillows donated by Kristi FitzGerald
- Hand-carved pine trout coat rack donated by Geoff FitzGerald
- “Headwater Prospectors” s/n print by Bryan Griggs
- Bear Creek Overlook, photograph by Larry Javorsky, framing by Art Focus
- Hand-woven Chobi rug, Main Street Rug Company
- Dorset print book, Chapter One Book Store
- Eco Art Landscape painting by Deana Diefenbach, framing by Art Focus,
- Deluxe Steelhead Fly Fishing Package donated by The Flyfishing Center, Dick Galli
- Vossler RC3L fly reel donated by Grizzly Hackle
- Simms Rollover waist pack donated by Grizzly Hackle
- Silver/Turquoise/Agate bolo tie donated by Marshall Bloom
- William Joseph Fishing Satchel donated by Anglers Roost (link for satchel shows general representation – not actual article)
- Framed photograph donated by Will Moss
- Hand-crafted table made from wine barrels donated by Rustic Furniture Ranch, LLP
- Fusion Trout Platter
- Fly Reel Fishing Lamp
- Trout Platter With Metal Rack
- CW Necklace Double Oval
- Earring Circle Fish
- 4 Dozen Flies and Flybox donated by Madison Gallatin Trout Unlimited
- Set of 4 Trout Prints by Lo Andiese (#349 of 1,000) donated by Bill Bean/ Fishaus Fly Fishing
- Hand Made Jewery Box donated by Jay Haglund
- Ross Cimarron Reel donated by Don Mabry
- Chicks Dig Trout Gift Basket
- Turtle Vase donated by Melora Neaves
- Hand-painted Gourd donated by Judith DeYoung
- Custom made knife donated by Wayne Skaggs, link shows his work, not the actual knife
- Gift Basket donated by Bitterroot Drug
- 4 handforged coat hooks donated by Glenn Gilmore-Gilmore Metalsmithing
