Chuck, please post accurate data

by Eddie Olwell, Stevensville

In Chuck Stranahan’s Fly Fishing Journal in the Bitterroot Star May 29, 2024 he stated “FWP data over the last few years indicates roughly a 40% decline in native cutthroat populations on the upper Bitterroot. As I said once before, let that sink in.” Being an avid fly fisherman and someone who has made their living guiding and outfitting anglers on the Bitterroot over the last 25 years, naturally I was surprised and concerned. Since Chuck stated this statistic was taken from FWP, I called our local FWP fisheries biologist Jason Lindstrom. Montana FWP has conducted fish population surveys on the Bitterroot for 35 years and recorded detailed results of those surveys. Chuck’s 40 percent decline is somewhat true but misleading. Jason sent me the population studies data and charts that have been recorded since 1989. Catch and release restrictions were placed on west slope cutthroat in 1990. What followed was a steady rise in cutthroat numbers reaching an all time high in 2013. In fact, there has been a decline between 2013 and 2021. I assume that is where Chuck is getting his 40 percent. One thing he fails to report is that in the years since 1989 there have been several years of rising and falling populations with 2010 cutthroat numbers actually being lower than 2021.  

I think Chuck is trying to draw a correlation between falling fish numbers and increased fishing pressure. Jason told me there are many variables that impact fish populations and flows are one of the biggest drivers. What is generally found is that fish numbers increase after good flow years and decline after drought years. The Bitterroot has experienced drought conditions in the last 5 years with hoot owl restrictions being instituted in 4 of the 5 years. The data implies that population drops are in large part due to low water and high temperature. The data also shows that cutthroat numbers are in the median range for the last 35 years. Lindstrom also noted a rise in the cutthroat population in 2023, which has not yet been published.  Not as alarming as one might think.

Chuck also mentions there has been a loss of spawning habitat which is critical to trout survival. I agree, development of our riparian zones has increased including on the West Fork. Several of these landowners with Chuck’s encouragement complained of the need for restrictions on all floaters. I guess Chuck and his friends can overlook that impact on habitat under the guise that the general public is damaging the fishery by fishing. Keeping anglers from accessing a resource who spend millions of dollars on license fees that fund the management of that resource doesn’t seem like a great idea. 

Regarding the regulations on commercial users put in place in 2018 which he states, “in hindsight didn’t go far enough.” I question what parameters he is using to calculate success and failure? I was a member of a diverse group of committee members who worked for months to negotiate and draft a plan. In the end we came to an agreement through consensus on a regulation that addressed concerns and issues on the upper Bitterroot and West Fork. Many members of the public who were welcomed and encouraged to present their views joined the process as well. I don’t recall seeing Chuck at any of the public meetings. I guess it’s easier to sit back, criticize, and complain, than it is to roll up your sleeves and work with folks to find solutions to challenging problems.  

In the end, we came up with a regulation that was designed to reduce crowding, cap and limit commercial use, and offer commercial closures four days a week including one day for wade only fishermen. In my opinion the regulation was effective at accomplishing those goals and FWP reports that this has been well received by most local anglers. Another statistic Lindstrom’s report shows is a steady increase in angling pressure on the entire Bitterroot watershed with one exception of a decline in angling pressure on the West Fork in 2019 and 2020. I wholeheartedly support and apply best practices for playing and landing fish, barbless hooks, minimal handling, keeping fish wet, never fish over spawning redds, and refrain from fishing when water temperatures exceed 65 degrees. I also teach these practices to my fishing guests. By educating anglers we can reduce mortality of landed fish. 

As my dad told me years ago, don’t believe everything you read in the paper. You sometimes have to make an effort and dig deeper to attain the true story. All of this data is public record and can be found on the FWP website.