Idaho Council of Trout Unlimited

The spring meeting is fast approaching.  We will be meeting June 1 at the Clarion Inn in Pocatello.  They are holding a block of rooms for us at $75 /night.  When you call and make reservations tell them you are with Trout Unlimited.

Clarion Inn (ID057)
1399 Bench Road, Pocatello, ID, US, 83201
Phone: (208) 237-1400Fax: (208) 238-0225
http://www.clarionhotel.com/hotel-pocatello-idaho-ID057/Hotel

Look forward to seeing everyone in Pokey.  Soon,  I will send out a meeting location for our Friday night get together.

Thank you for your time

Chris

Blackfoot River Project
by Matt Woodard
Blackfoot Home Rivers Initiative Project Manager

Two irrigation diversions were completely rebuilt to improve fish passage. One diversion on Diamond Creek, another on Lanes Creek now utilize instream rock weirs for elevating water to the correct level for irrigation while providing excellent fish passage. New diversions will now incorporate fish screens as part of each improvement. This work has opened up approximately 25-30 miles of new fish spawning and rearing habitat that was previously blocked!

The next fish habitat improvement is to rebuild 5-6 miles of Upper Lanes Creek. This aspect will completely fence off the stream project area, build new off-site water installations and incorporate rebuilding quality fish habitat that removes in-stream sediments and stabilizes the banks. These improvements will have big implications for downstream landowners.

Efforts continue in working with the Bear Lake Grazing Company to re-meander a section of Sheep Creek, a tributary to lower Lanes Creek. This project could be another big win for Yellowstone Cutthroat trout.  Sheep Creek historically produce large numbers of native fish in the Upper Blackfoot. Sheep Creek was straighten out over time and subsequently lost its ability to dissipate energy. Rebuilding Sheep Creek is another big step in restoring Yellowstone Cutthroat trout populations within the Blackfoot watershed.

The Blackfoot HRI is working with IDFG on the Pelican issue. One goal is an attempt to restore some sort of balance to the pelican population on the Blackfoot Reservoir.

The 3rd Annual Fly Casting Tournament is set for May 11, 2013, at Eagle Island State Park, sponsored by the Ted Trueblood Chapter.

Casting judge Bob Caldwell keeps an eye on the target circles at the 2012 Fly Casting Tournament

The cause remains the same: conservation of the South Fork Boise River wild trout fishery.  And you can participate by entering a team in the event.  Visit the Tournament web page here.

A day of competition and camaraderie begets conservation. The success of the first Fly Casting Tournament in 2011 contributed the funds that made possible the completion of the Pierce Creek reconnection to the South Fork of the Boise River. A culvert is gone, a new steel bridge crosses Pierce Creek and wild trout have access to tributary spawning habitat.

The 2nd Annual Fly Casting Tournament in 2012 kick-started the focus on flow management of the South Fork Boise River and in late summer 2012 the first assessment was made of the effects on juvenile trout and on the macroinvertebrate community when the river flows are decreased. Results from this work will be released this summer.

Work will continue in 2013 and following years to assess river flows on fish stranding with the goal of finding a flow management that can improve the fishery.

Here is an event you don’t want to miss.  This year is the 20th Annual East Idaho Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo in Idaho Falls, April 19-20.  There will be many Buszek Award fly tyers, and workshops by many western fly-fishing greats.

For more information go to the website srcexpo.com and other sites such as their Facebook page or check out some videos here.

The Idaho Panhandle Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its Spring Banquet at the Sandpoint Business and Events Center on Saturday, April 6^th.

The event will include door prizes and a silent and live auction. A buffet dinner will be catered by Ivano’s.  And of course there will be a no-host bar offered.

Chip Corsi fishing the Kootenai River. Photo from the Spokesman-Review

The guest speaker will be Chip Corsi, the Regional Supervisor for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Corsi has worked with the Panhandle on several projects over the years.  Corsi will talk about current and upcoming fishery improvement projects.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. .  Dinner will be served at 6:30pm.  Contact Don Childress at 208-255-2928 for more details.

More information about the banquet can be found on the website for the Idaho Panhandle Chapter of TU here.

The Idaho Council of Trout Unlimited has voiced it support for the Silver Creek restoration project at Kilpatrick Pond.

Council support was outlined in a letter from Council Chair Chris Jones to Blaine County.  The proposed project goes before the Blaine County Commission on Tuesday March 19.

“The Idaho Council fully supports the Nature Conservancy and the Purdy family’s efforts to help improve the long term health of the Silver Creek Preserve,” said Jones.  “The Kilpatrick Pond Project will help address critical issues important to sustaining Silver Creek as a fly fisherman’s destination now and for future generations.”

Silver Creek in the Fall. Photo courtesy of Chad Chorney

Idaho Council support for the project adds a voice to that from the Hemingway Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  In addition to Trout Unlimited grassroots support, the project meets favor with TU Idaho staff.  “Trout Unlimited supports The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to address two critical issues current affecting Silver Creek:  elevated water temperatures and unstable sediment load and transport,” wrote Chad Chorney.  Chorney is the Southern Idaho Project Manager for TU’s Idaho Water Project.  He noted in his comments the proposed project will help reduce elevated water temperatures and stabilize sediment within Kilpatrick Pond.  “The project design provides more sustainable sediment conveyance in Silver Creek, and incorporates a significant amount and diversity of wetland and emergent habitat.”

Nancy Cooley
Blaine Co. Land Use and Building Services
219 1st Ave. South; Ste. 208
Hailey, ID 83333

RE: Silver Creek Kilpatrick Pond Restoration Project

Dear Nancy,

The Idaho Council of Trout Unlimited (ICTU) and its 1800 members wish to thank the Blaine County commissioners for the opportunity to provide comments on this unique project.

The Idaho Council fully supports the Nature Conservancy and the Purdy family’s efforts to help improve the long term health of the Silver Creek Preserve. The Kilpatrick Pond Project will help address critical issues important to sustaining Silver Creek as a fly fisherman’s destination now and for future generations.

ICTU appreciates the fact that best available science from the University of Idaho and GeoEngineers was used for developing the suggested enhancements that will result from this project.

ICTU feels that implementing this project will conserve, protect, reconnect, and sustain the Silver creek ecosystem and continue to offer diverse recreational opportunities.

Sincerely,

Christopher P. Jones
Chairman, Idaho Council of Trout Unlimited

Do you know someone who is interested in getting a master’s degree in fisheries or a related field or is already working on such an advanced degree?  And is that graduate student attending an institution of higher education in Idaho?  If so, they are probably eligible for a scholarship from the Idaho State Council of Trout Unlimited.

Click on the logo to download a .pdf application scholarship form.
Deadline for submitting a scholarship application is April 1, 2012.

The Idaho State Council of TU established the scholarship fund in 1998 thanks to the vision of Bob Dunnagan and others, and after several years of fund raising we grew the account to the level where scholarships can be awarded.

This scholarship is administered by the Idaho Community Foundation.  Idaho TU reviews the applications and makes the decision and the ICF cuts the check to the institution.  ICF also manages the funds and grows them using their investment prowess.

Click on the Idaho Community Foundation logo (above) to visit the scholarship page, scroll and click on Idaho State Council of Trout Unlimited Graduate Scholarship Fund, then click to download an application form.

Deadline for submitting a scholarship application is April 1, 2013.

Test of the Mores Creek tour.

Abandoned Minelands Restoration in Headwaters of Boise River in Idaho HD from Gary O. Grimm on Vimeo.

After years of meetings, public hearings, work sessions and draft products, an updated Idaho State Water Plan was transmitted to the Idaho Legislature at the beginning of this legislative session for final review and adoption.

The Idaho Constitution allows the Legislature up to 60 days to adopt the plan as is or make amendments, otherwise the plan goes into effect as is.  Nearly thirty days into the session the House Resources and Conservation Committee held a hearing on House Bill 38 to adopt the plan.  Then, a group of House members decided to rewrite sections of the plan.

These House members worked with lobbyists and lawyers to take out references to climate change,  riparian and wetland habitat, as well as amendment references to Endangered Species Act protected fish like salmon and steelhead.  Many of these topics are in the plan and were shaped in part through participation by Trout Unlimited.

The House Resources Committee held a hearing Friday March 1st to print an amended Water Plan and set March 7th for a hearing on the bill.  The 60-day deadline runs out on March 8th and one report suggests the rewrite stands no chance to replace the submitted plan.  Meanwhile, others have sounded the alarm.

Trout Unlimited is disappointed in the rewrite given our extensive comments and participation in the process with the Idaho Water Resource Board.  We will continue to monitor the situation and alert TU grassroots leadership as events warrant.