Urgent Comments Appealed for to Save Montana's Vulnerable Grayling

Red Rock Creek Grayling Public Comment Opens

A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in collaboration with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, outlining six viable options for saving the Arctic grayling in Montana's Red Rock Creek. The Arctic grayling is native to Montana, is currently listed as a species of concern under the Endangered Species Act, and exists only in a few of its native rivers and lakes in the Lower 48.

The EA assessed six potential management options for the Red Rock Creek population of Arctic grayling, with the goal of maintaining or enhancing the population to a level that could support delisting the species. The main issue currently affecting this vital population is a lack of dissolved oxygen in the water during winter.

The six management options assessed in the draft EA were:

1. No Action Alternative
2. Electric Powered Splashers or Diffusers
3. Electric Generators with Pumped Aeration
4. Shambow Pond Diversion Pipeline
5. Permanent Barrier from Elk Springs Creek to the Lake Center
6. Dredge and Berm Elk Springs Creek

The full draft EA can be viewed here, which fully explains each option.

Montana Trout Unlimited believes the best options are the underwater diffusers (option B) and/or the Shambow pipeline (option D). Click here to read more about its stance.

Comments will be accepted through March 28^th, and should be sent to Elizabeth Tsang, Natural Resource Specialist and Conservation Planner for the USFWS’s Lakewood Regional Office.

AFFTA Now Accepting Grant Applications

The American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) Fisheries Fund is accepting grant applications from eligible nonprofit organizations. These organizations must have a focus on conserving fish and their habitats, promoting education and outreach related to fish conservation, or promoting responsible angling practices and stewardship of aquatic resources.

The grant application process typically involves an initial submission of a letter of inquiry, which outlines the proposed project or program, the target audience or community, and the expected outcomes. If the letter of inquiry is approved, the organization will be invited to submit a full grant application, which will require more detailed information about the project or program, including its budget and timeline.

The AFFTA Fisheries Fund typically awards grants ranging from $2,000 to $7,000, although larger grants may be awarded in exceptional cases. The Fund has granted more than a quarter of a million dollars since its inception in 2014. Previous recipients include Bighorn River Alliance, Henry’s Fork Foundation, Utah Stream Access Coalition, South Florida National Parks Trust, and North Umpqua Coalition.

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The organization prioritizes projects and programs that have a measurable impact on fish and their habitats, engage local communities in conservation efforts, and promote sustainable fishing practices. The AFFTA Fisheries Fund is an important source of funding and support for nonprofits working to protect and conserve fish and their habitats.

Deadline for submission is April 21. Please visit afftafisheries.org for more info.

Registration for Reeling in Serenity’s Retreats Opens

Registration is open for Reeling in Serenity’s 2023 fly-fishing retreats. The non-profit organization that provides fly fishing as a form of therapy and support for individuals recovering from addiction, trauma, and mental health issues, is hosting four events in 2023: Pennsylvania Delaware River Club Retreat on April 15, Georgia Hatchcamp Retreat on April 23, Helen, Georgia in summer 2023, and Colorado in fall 2023.

Reeling in Serenity (formerly Reeling in Recovery) offers free 1- and 2-day fly fishing retreats where participants can learn the art of fly fishing and connect with others in recovery. The retreats are led by experienced fly-fishing guides and mental health professionals, who provide instruction on fly fishing techniques as well as counseling and group therapy sessions.

The organization's mission is to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals in recovery to learn new skills, build confidence, and form meaningful connections with others in similar situations. Reeling in Recovery believes that the combination of physical activity, mindfulness, and social support provided by fly fishing can be a powerful tool in the recovery process.

Anglers can register for the events here.