Trout Unlimited

Montana waters are under assault from Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and it seems like every week or so another aquatic alien or terrorist is identified. Sometimes they are fish dumped from a home aquarium or live baitbox, or an escapee from an unlicensed private pond, and sometimes they hitchhike on fishing boots, tackle or watercraft from other states. No matter the source, they pose a serious threat to our trout fisheries and streams.

If you would like to learn more and understand what MFWP is doing to protect our resources, attend the BRTU meeting on Thursday, October 17.  The program will focus on Aquatic Invasive Species, “plants, animals or pathogens not native to Montana that can cause harm.” MFWP has a vigorous monitoring program, backed up by laws and regulations, to prevent these AIS from getting into the waters and to deal with them if they show up. So far the program has been pretty successful but a slip up or two could produce irremediable damage.

Tayler Templin is the MFWP Northwest Area AIS Supervisor. She will provide an overview of the AIS program and describe some of the challenges and near misses that have been encountered. As the number of anglers and boaters coming to Montana increases, the risk of an AIS introduction increases pari passu. However, there are some simple steps that we as sportsmen and conservationists can take to minimize risks and to educate others.

The meeting will be at the Hamilton Elks Club at 203 State Street in Hamilton. The program will begin at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 17, but come on down at 5:45 to join TU for a beer and one of the Elks Club legendary brats cooked in beer, grilled and served with onions and ‘kraut.

There is no charge for admission and the public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Dave Ward or Marshall Bloom.