SWT Collecting Data; Opportunity to Comment on Statewide Fisheries Management Plan
We Can't Manage What We Don't Know
It's an old saying that applies to our current conundrum. As we begin to end another hot summer, with warmer water temperatures and lower flows, we're not sure if we know anything more than we did when we first began seeing zombie dead and dying trout this spring. The reality is for all the concerns expressed and promises made by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) and Governor Gianforte, the disease pathology testing on a live trout sample still hasn't been done and we still don't have any answers as to what diseases are ravaging wild trout in this basin. It's concerning to say the least and it makes it extremely difficult to address or recommend any potential remedies that could help save wild trout.
The unknown hasn't been lost on other outfitters, guides, or the fly fishing community either, who are concerned that whatever is happening in Southwest Montana could impact other cold water fisheries in the state. You don't have to be a biologist or a hydrologist to understand the concern and risk of the Jefferson Basin's interconnection with the Madison, Gallatin, and Missouri Rivers - all world-class trout fisheries in their own right. In short, we are still flying blind, and no one is sure why trout numbers are crashing.
Save Wild Trout’s New Science Lead Already in the Field Collecting Valuable Data
You might have caught that, thanks to the generous support of our partners, we retained Montana native Dr. Kyle Flynn as our science lead. Dr. Flynn is a certified engineer and hydrologist, with extensive experience working in both the public and private sector on water resource studies and fisheries science. He's well-equipped to undertake an interdisciplinary study on this ecological emergency, work collaboratively with FWP and other partners, and he's already hit the ground running.
Dr. Flynn, with the help of Save Wild Trout's lead Wade Fellin and the Big Hole River Foundation, was already in the field and placed eight water quality monitoring sondes throughout the Jefferson Basin during some of the hottest dog days of summer to gather valuable data.
Two water sondes were installed in each river (Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby, and Jefferson) and collected a week's worth of data during a critical low-flow and warm water period. Sondes measure water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and turbidity, factors that influence the health of the fisheries and may be associated with the prevalence of fungal infections or parasites in salmonids. More robust data collection will be implemented in the 2024 field season including the development of a science panel consisting of SWT, fish and water quality agencies, NGOs, and watershed stakeholders that will coordinate future monitoring and assessment campaigns.
Governor Gianforte Comes to Wise River and Holds Meeting
Due to the continued efforts of local outfitters, guides, businesses, community members, and Save Wild Trout, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte visited the area and was greeted with a standing-room-only crowd of about 100 area residents at the Wise River community center earlier this month. Montana State University Professor Dr. Al Zale, leader of the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, also addressed the research that he and his students will be doing in conjunction with FWP's work and Save Wild Trout's independent research and interdisciplinary study. We are grateful that the Governor, his staff, FWP, and MSU's fisheries research unit took the time to hold an important meeting in the community.
A strong theme among all participants was a shared love of these public trust resources, but that didn't mean everyone understands that we are all in this boat together, and that what we do now will determine if we sink or float. Finding a balance between various water user groups can be difficult, especially when some believe they are entitled to it. The Blackfoot Challenge is certainly a model, which is based on collaboration and accountability, that could be replicated in the Jefferson Basin. Big Hole Lodge's Craig Fellin summed it up well, concluding that "with the help of our governor, FWP department, Big Hole River Foundation, Save Wild Trout, Big Hole Watershed Committee, guides and outfitters, general public, and private donors - we can beat whatever is taking our wild trout. We all need to work together as one big team."
Photo Credit: Blair Miller, Daily Montanan
How we all work together was again brought to the forefront in the meeting with the Governor. Despite repeated requests from the fly fishing community, the Governor has yet to form an intergovernmental multi-agency, public-private cold water fisheries task force. Collaboration and transparent communication are key to solving problems and protecting this and other watersheds. Much like Governor Racicot quickly formed a whirling disease task force and got out in front of it before it decimated wild trout populations, a cold water fisheries task force could help address this crisis and other emerging threats before they become emergencies. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Encouragingly, after just over an hour of discussion, Governor Gianforte, again, acknowledged low flows and warmer waters are driving factors and concluded that the meeting was just the beginning. We certainly hope so, but that requires additional resources and urgency that we have yet to see. Time doesn't appear to be on our side.
Take Action and Comment on the New Draft Statewide Fisheries Management Plan
FWP released the state's new draft fisheries management plan that will guide the agency's management decisions through 2026. Save Wild Trout is busy reviewing all the materials, which are available on FWP's website. Along with the opportunity to provide public comment, FWP will be holding a series of question and answer public meetings.The full schedule is available online, and some meetings have the option to attend virtually. For Southwest Montana's Region 3, meetings are planned in Bozeman at the FWP Office, 1400 South 19th, on August 30th at 6pm and in Butte at the Forest Service Building on August 31st at 6pm.
Take a moment to review your favorite basin and rivers' new draft management plan, write down any questions, attend a public meeting, and submit a public comment. The comment deadline is September 25th and comments can be submitted here. These are our rivers, and we all have a say in how they are managed.
Listen Now: Disappearing Wild Trout Populations in Southwest Montana
SWT's and Big Hole Lodge's co-owner, Wade Fellin, and Upper Missouri Waterkeeper's Executive Director, Guy Alsentzer, discuss what the hell is going on with wild trout in Big Sky Country on Yellow Dog Flyfishing's podcast, Waypoints with Jim Klug.
Don't miss this important conversation - listen here!
