Happy new year to all our friends, old, new and not yet met

Pinegrass played new years eve for First Night Missoula at Break Espresso from 5 pm to 6 pm. The turn out was fantastic. Lots of people pulled chairs towards the band, stood along the walls and in the aisles and enjoyed coffees, teas, and pastries. Pinegrass has never sounded better. Happy new year everyone.

Pinegrass has been playing weekly since 1988. The over-all sound of the band is a result of the individual influences and passions of each player. The common denominator for all Pinegrass members is to play each number with feeling - they strive to play good tunes, the way they're "supposed" to be played. You will hear traditional Bluegrass played "true" to the original (mostly), and a bit of Swing, Dylan and whatever else strikes the fancy of the band-mates at the moment. Members are John Joyner, fiddle and vocals; Bill Neaves, guitar and vocals, Chad Fadely Mandolin; Jack Mauer, banjo, dobro and vocals; and Ted Lowe, bass and vocals. Tidbit: "Pinegrass" (scientific name: Calamagrostis Rubescens) is a native grass.

Casey, a man of four rivers and at least four pike

Casey Hackathorn is an Outfitter/Guide out of Missoulian Angler in Missoula, MT. He and Jack have this bond: a fascination for pike, actually BIG pike. So far Casey is the winner but then he has been at it longer. I see a long running competition developing. Fun!


Missoulian Angler Fly Shop
Website
401 S Orange St ·
Missoula
(406) 728-7766

We highly recommend the Missoulian Angler Fly Shop and Casey Hackathorn. Professional, great selection and service and the staff is exceptional. Visit them when you are in Missoula.

Click here to view all four photos in a new window

All photos were sent to us by Casey Hackathorn.

Clark Fork & Blackfoot Rivers near Missoula, MT - River Closures Remain Around Milltown

Contact: Vivaca Crowser, Information Officer
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
(406) 542-5518,
vcrowser@mt.gov,
Website: fwp.mt.gov/r2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2009

River Closures Remain Around Milltown

Small sections of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers near the site of the old Milltown Dam remain closed to fishing, boating and other recreation.


Although the dam has been removed, construction work continues and river conditions are unstable. Riverbed levels are expected to drop this spring as the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers work to reclaim a natural channel, exposing wood and other debris that could create hazards to recreationists.

The Clark Fork River is closed from about one-half mile below the old Milltown Dam site (at the railroad bridge) to three miles upstream from the bridge. Turah Fishing Access Site (FAS) is the last public take-out for floaters upstream from the closure area, and Sha-Ron FAS, is the first public access below the closed zone. Sha-Ron may be unusable this spring because of sediment deposition at the ramp. This sediment is expected to erode during high flows.

On the Blackfoot, the closure covers a stretch of about 1.5 miles upstream from the river's confluence with the Clark Fork. Floaters must take out at Weigh Station FAS. All closed areas are signed.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) expects the public safety closures will remain in effect for at least one more year. FWP will continue to monitor river conditions and construction activities and will lift closures as soon as conditions stabilize.


For additional information on the closed areas, contact the Missoula FWP office at (406) 542-5500. -fwp-

FOREVER BLUEGRASS (Pinegrass) by Joe Nickell for the Missoulian

Forever Bluegrass By JOE NICKELL - Like the seasons that govern the growth of all good things in nature, bluegrass music is forever dying away and resprouting anew. In the 1950s, the energetic sounds of Appalachia were spreading far and wide in American culture, until rock ’n’ roll appeared and diverted everyone’s attention...read the rest of his story.

Excerpt:

The story of Pinegrass actually dates back to the late ’70s, when bluegrass bands such as Poor Monroe, the Great Northern Bluegrass Band (of which Ryan was a member), and Finley Creek frequented stages around western Montana. Over time, the members of those groups became the core of an increasingly tight-knit community of pickers and fans, who began gathering every Wednesday at a local instrument store called String Instrument Division or at the house of one of the musicians to play together in impromptu picking circles.
“Anybody could show up, and everybody got to play,” recalls Ryan fondly.

Like clockwork Pinegrass performs every Tuesday night at the Top Hat Lounge - click for map, located at 134 W. Front St. in Missoula. Through the end of this month, the band begins its performances at 10:30 p.m.; beginning on the first Tuesday of January, the band will begin its performances at 9 p.m. Admission is free.

Top Hat phone - (406) 728-9865

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./