Aquatic Invasive Species Workshop in western Montana Sat, July 9 - Missoula Outdoor Recreation | Examiner.com

Aquatic Invasive Species Workshop in western Montana Sat, July 9 - Missoula Outdoor Recreation | Examiner.com

Guiding without the Dam on the Clark Fork River

Join Clark Fork Coalition and
Montana Trout Unlimited
for the 3rd Annual 'Guiding Without the Dam'

FWP biologists will describe the state of the fishery at the 2nd anniversary of the removal of Milltown Dam, with special focus on the upper Clark Fork and Flint-Rock drainages, as well as the Clark Fork-Blackfoot confluence.

• WHEN: Wed. March 10, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
• WHERE: CFC office, 140 S 4th W.
• FOOD/BEV: Pizza and Beer

RSVP to info@clarkfork.org - Call 542.0539 with questions

Clark Fork Coalition

www.clarkfork.org

140 S 4th Street West
Missoula, MT 59801-2703
(406) 542-0539
Get directions

In the meantime, help improve the fishery by weighing in on bull trout habitat today! As Montana's largest native trout and our primary indicator of watershed health, it's important to safeguard the rivers, lakes, and streams that bull trout call home. Help us make sure the USFWS proposed critical habitat for bull trout is clean, cool, and connected.
SUBMIT COMMENTS today, and ask to include critical habitat for bull trout in the upper river.

Fly Fishing the Clark Fork River near Superior, MT

Yesterday Jack fished with clients that wanted to do a stretch on the Clark Fork River near Superior. It fished, although not as well as they might have liked. Here are a few of the fish they caught. The lighting is a bit bright but you get the idea of the size and species from the photos. It was a bright day and a bit windy, too.

If you are a fan of the Clark Fork River and the cleanup project you will want to put this on your calendar.

The Lower Clark Fork River Cleanup will be held this Saturday, August 29. Meet at Cyr FAS at 9AM for float assignments. Free shuttle and food. Contact TRamaker@mt.gov for details. Sponsors include: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Clark Fork Coalition, Allied Waste, Bob Ward & Sons, Brady's Sportsman Surplus, Montana Eagle Scouts, NRS, Pipestone Mountaineering, REI, The Trailhead, and Strong Water.

And:

This Sunday, August 30, join Friends of 2 Rivers at the former Milltown Dam site in Bonner for an afternoon of presentations, music, food, and activities for the whole family at the 5th annual Community at the Confluence event! Admission is FREE and the event will be held from noon until 4PM.. Visit friendsof2rivers.org for more info.

Visit the Clark Fork Coalition website for more events and information at http://www.clarkfork.org/.

Clark Fork River 320 Float in July 2009

The Clark Fork Coalition believes that recovery of this amazing river is within reach. One board member, Dan Keily, wanted to see for himself what needs to be done.

This summer, Dan and fishing guide John Havlik floated the length of the Clark Fork River, starting at Racetrack Creek near Butte, and taking out 320 miles downriver at Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho.

Using the words of the Clark Fork Coalition: Long abused and neglected, the Clark Fork River is poised to make a tremendous comeback over the coming decade, and the dream of watershed-wide restoration we've been working toward for years is now a little closer to reality. We're using this historic float to launch our Vital Rivers Initiative, the Coalition's new stream restoration program that will repair damaged tributaries of the upper Clark Fork River.

During their month-long float, Daniel and John will be joined by Coalition members, political guests, scientists, writers, youth, and sportsmen-- and, maybe, by you. This hard-working river is coming back to life, and the Clark Fork 320 will showcase what this restoration means for all Montanans.

Jack participated in this float with many, many other dedicated people. Below are some photos that Jack took. After that, see a video and a map of projects that need to be done. Visit Clark Fork Coalition 320 for more information.

Click here to view all slideshow photos in a new window

The Clark Fork 320 Blog

For a list of other sites and articles click here, Bing search results for Clark Fork Coalition 320 Float.

4th of July Party at the Rattlesnake Gardens

If you haven't been, you need to go to the 4th of July BBQ put on by the Rattlesnake Gardens - (406) 543-9962
2501 Rattlesnake Dr, Missoula, MT 59802 Get directions Cross Streets: Near the intersection of Rattlesnake Dr and Powell St.

Located near the Historic Lower Rattlesnake District

Jack's band, Pinegrass, played the music there this year. I had never been and had no idea this was their 10th annual party! I can see why they have been so popular. The family picnic atmosphere was amplified with the great food, beverages, and ice cream. There was plenty of seating in the shade and some in the sun. Music was both the feature and the background.

So many people of all ages seemed to grin, visit, eat, dance and be merry from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. When it was over, the crowd left by bike, foot, and car and with in minutes, the place was quiet and clean. Amazing!

If you want to see for yourself, see the slideshow below. There are lots of photos so you might want to open it in a new window and buzz through it. Or, you can come for yourself next year!

Click here to view all in a new window - feel free to download copies

Get your own

Jack will be doing a benefit float on the Clark Fork River this Tuesday and Thursday for the Clark Fork Coalition 320 Float. They will be doing 320 miles in 20 days! Whew. He has decided to use the Rattlesnake Gardens for his lunches. That will be tasty! Lucky floaters.

Support the Big Sky Rivers Act - MT HB 455

Posted from an email by Clark Fork Coalition:

Support the Big Sky Rivers Act TODAY! Join us Friday for River Lobby Day. Your river needs you this week.

Please voice your support for HB 455, the "Big Sky Rivers Act," up THIS THURSDAY, February 19 in the House Local Government Committee.

1) Leave a message for your Representative at 406-444-4800
2) Email a brief message of support directly to your Representative 3) Send your support to the entire House Local Government Committee: send emails to kbutcher@mt.gov

Join us this Friday, Feb 20th, at the Capitol!

8:30 am - Vans leave from CFC office in Missoula.

10:30 am - Meet at the Rotunda and tour the Capitol building.

11:00 am - "Lobbying and Legislature Basics" with Brianna Randall of the Clark Fork Coalition, Sarah Cobler of Montana Conservation Voters, and other policy mentors.

12:00 pm - Lunch with selected Representatives and Senators (food provided).

1:00 pm - View House and Senate floor sessions from the gallery.

2:00 pm - Join a mentor to attend committee hearings or lobby your elected officals on the Coalition's priority bills.

4:30 pm - Leave Capitol and swing by the Blackfoot River Brewing Company to meet and greet other Coalition members and river supporters.

Please RSVP by Weds 2/18 to attend or carpool: info@clarkfork.org or 542-0539 x200.

Trout Unlimited on the Rise - Fishing the Clark Fork River

Trout Unlimited On the Rise
Clark Fork River: Missoula, MT
Sat, Jan 24, 2:00 PM Run Time: 30 min.
OUTDR 153 on Dish Network
Genre: Sports, Sports non-event
First Aired: Jan 23, 2009
Topic: Fishing the Clark Fork River

For me, the jury is out on this new TU TV show, but in this episode, my favorite outfitter is fishing with Host Frank Smethurst. Check it out.

One of our clients saw it and emailed, "Hey Jack, I saw you this morning on Trout Unlimited TV fishing the Clark Fork. In early July and I will try to fish a day or two with you. The Clark Fork looked like a lot of fun. Hope all is well."

Clark Fork River - Guiding without the Dam

Milltown Cleanup Update for Guides

On Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 5:30-7:30PM, the Clark Fork Coalition and Montana Trout Unlimited will co-host Guiding Without the Dam, an update for guides on the Milltown cleanup project, at the Coalition offices at 140 S. 4th St. W. Free pizza and beer will be served.

Please RSVP to info@clarkfork.org or 406-542-0539.

Clark Fork Coalition
Montana Trout Unlimited

The state of the Clark Fork River - after removal of Milltown Dam

Missoula, Montana - article from eCurrents of the Clark Fork Coalition

Beyond the breach: A guide to Milltown down

The Milltown dam is officially history this fall as the last of the spillway is removed. But how has the river fared during this massive construction project? At the Clark Fork Coalition, we're dedicated to bringing you the facts about what's going on at the former Milltown Dam site as well as downstream throughout the Clark Fork basin. We've started a new online resource page for the public to use, summarizing data from the breach and beyond on fisheries, water quality, groundwater levels, and sediment in the river. The pages are under construction, and we'll update as new information becomes available.

For a full presentation of the impacts and benefits of the breach, plan to attend the upcoming public meeting on the Milltown cleanup on Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Bonner. EPA, state, and local officials will be on the bluff south of the Clark Fork overlooking the project starting at 4:00 PM to answer questions and point out the work to-date. At 6:30 PM, the meeting will reconvene in the Bonner Elementary School gymnasium.

Streamside Protections: Voice your support today

Streamside Protections: Voice your support today to protect our rivers, streams, and waterfront property from the threat of too-close development. Proposed stream setbacks in western Montana counties will protect clean water, conserve wildlife habitat, and prevent flood damage and private property loss.

Now is the chance to stand up for the future of our streamsides in Missoula County. Learn more about proactive tools we can use to protect water, wildlife, and private property-- like setbacks that guide where to place new development on our rivers and streams. ... more

Headwaters Summit to be held September 15-17, 2008 in Missoula, MT

Wapiti Waters information sharing...

Clark Fork Coaliton announces
David James Duncan to Headline Headwaters Summit

Renowned environmental writer David James Duncan will open the Headwaters Summit with a keynote address titled "Being Cool: The New Key to a Compassionate Daily Life." Join us for the Headwaters Summit from September 15-17 at the University of Montana. For more information or to register, visit http://www.northernheadwaters.org./

Low Flows, Hot Trout - Montana Rivers are heating up again this summer

Jack hasn't been with clients the last few days. He is working on a video project with Trout Unlimited. It has been really hot on the Clark Fork and it made me think about the trout trying to surive in the summer water temperatures. We, at Wapiti Waters, are concerned, especially in the Bitterroot as the flows get lower and lower. Clark Fork Coalition has great information at their website. It includes what we can do, even in our homes, to help. See an excerpt below and visit their website at http://www.clarkfork.org/.

Click here for a free download of their new report, "Low Flows, Hot Trout: Climate Change in the Clark Fork Watershed." Or, order a hard copy online through the River Store for only $5.

Clark Fork Coaliton text:

We hear about climate change on a daily basis -- but it's often from a global, overarching, far-from-home perspective. So what does it all mean for the Clark Fork basin? This report explores what the future holds for inhabitants of this 22,000-square-mile area and the waterways that define its landscape, culture, and economy.

"Low Flows, Hot Trout" delivers a plain-language synthesis of key findings from years of data-gathering in our watershed blended with anecdotal observations from river basin citizens. We gathered perspectives from realtor to rancher, fishing guide to firefighter. Our report is accessible to the public, informative to those whose livelihoods are directly tied to the river, and illuminating to policymakers looking for effective responses. The bottom line is: things can be done in the face of climate change, and everyone can make a difference-- from simple at-home fixes that improve energy and water use to large-scale policy changes that stimulate renewable energy production and river-sensitive growth management. This report gives a snapshot of what we can do to protect our hometown creeks, our local economies, and our celebrated way of life in the
changing climate of the Clark Fork watershed.

We hope "Low Flows, Hot Trout," will also spark discussion at the upcoming Headwaters Summit: "Re-visioning How We Use Water in the Changing Climate of the Northern Rockies," sponsored by the Clark Fork Coalition, National Wildlife Federation, and Western Progress. The Summit will be held September 15-17 at the University of Montana, beginning with a keynote address by David James Duncan at 7 PM on September 15th in the University Theater.

If you'd like to schedule an in-person presentation of the report and its findings for your group, please contact Brianna Randall at brianna@clarkfork.org.

Montana Trout Unlimited also has a NEW! Global Warming Report.

As long as we are talking about the Clark Fork River, Milltown Dam has been removed and here is a site serving as a public information resource on the remediation, restoration and redevelopment of the Milltown Reservoir Sediments and Clark Fork River Superfund site.
Clark Fork River Technical Assistance Committee

(C-F-R-TAC).

Safety Reminder
DURING THE MILLTOWN CLEANUP, THE CLARK FORK AND BLACKFOOT RIVERS ARE CLOSED TO RIVER RECREATION ABOVE AND BELOW THE PROJECT AREA.

• 
  Clark Fork River users must exit the river at Turah Fishing Access;
• 
  Blackfoot River users must exit at Weigh Station.

VIOLATORS and TRESPASSERS WILL BE FINED. For more information, contact Montana FWP at 542-5500.