Preserving Paradise: Voices and Perspectives from the Jefferson River Basin
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- Опубліковано 17 гру 2023
- The long-term health of one of the world’s best trout fisheries (Jefferson River Basin - which includes the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Jefferson, and Ruby Rivers) is in question according to the population data collected annually by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Unfortunately, the current reality, most impactful variables and eventual solutions are unclear and complex. While in-stream flows and water temperatures are foundational to trout health and survival, other factors such as water quality, nutrient pollution, dissolved oxygen, fungal infections and fishing pressure may also be playing some role in affecting the health of these trout.
Despite trout population data hitting historic lows, the actual fishing this past year was quite good with a lot of larger fish being caught. It’s also important to note that the trout population data in the upper Beaverhead river is within a relative average range.
While collaboration and effective communication across stakeholders and government agencies is absolutely imperative for accurately diagnosing and then managing this issue, there are real lives and livelihoods at stake as many locals are closely connected to and dependent on this world renowned fishery.
It’s easy for visiting anglers to decide to avoid this area due to the concerning data, but again, the reality is more complex. The local economies rely heavily on fishing tourism and it’s highly unlikely that angling pressure alone is responsible for these trout numbers. It’s still a great time to visit these Montana Fisheries, but it’s imperative to minimize our angling impact on the trout by using barbless hooks, stop fishing when water temps are reaching unhealthy levels, keep fish wet and in the water as much as possible, avoid fishing to actively spawning fish, use rubber nets, etc.
Preserving Paradise is a short film/mini-doc that shares some (but certainly NOT ALL) of the voices and perspectives of local stakeholders as they reflect on the current state of the river and actions that have been taken thus far.
Created by Frogwater Productions (www.frogwaterproductions.com).
Supporting Photos Provided by Wade Fellin.
Fish population survey data provided from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (MT FWP).
Special Thanks to everyone who dedicated their time and perspective to this project, which includes, but is not limited to: Marty Anderson (Stonefly Outfitters), Ryan Barba (Sunrise Fly Shop), Joshua Bergan (Fly Fisherman Magazine), Mike Bias (Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana - FOAM), Garret Brain (Angler), Wade Fellin (Save Wild Trout / Big Hole Lodge), Dr. Kyle Flynn (Save Wild Trout), Jens Gade (Angler), Jackson Jenkins (Angler), Dan “Rooster” Leavens (Stonefly Outfitters), Seth McLean (4 Rivers Fishing Co.), Jim Olsen (Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks - FWP), J.M. Peck (Trapper Creek Ranch), Ross Purnell (Fly Fisherman Magazine), Jeff Raddon (Big Hole River Foundation), Tom Ralston (Angler), Brayton Shea (Angler), Eric Thorson (Sunrise Fly Shop), Jess Tuchscherer (Angler), Brian Wheeler (Big Hole Lodge / Big Hole River Foundation).
Also, thanks to LETMRUN Driftboats (letmrundrift-boats.com) for giving us an awesome boat to row around on the Big Hole!
For more information, visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MT.GOV/FISH) and Save Wild Trout (www.savewildtrout.org). - Розваги
I recognize Wade Fellin's voice as the narrator. I had the good fortune to fish with Wade last year while staying at The Big Hole Lodge.
I have a tendency to NOT do a lot of research when exploring a new sport (for me, fly fishing) or location as I like to be surprised by what I find, or don't find. So, before my first fly fishing trip (to the Big Hole last year) I didn't realize the issues plaguing the fishing in the area. But I had a great time and was taught a good foundation for fly fishing and concern for the conservation of trout waters.
Thank you, Wade, Brian, and others working hard to keep these waters productive and enjoyable for anglers and the fish.
I definitely appreciate that Bill. With effects of climate change, growing development, more people fishing, etc., it's important to always be thinking about how to both enjoy our amazing fisheries while also helping them be sustainable for years to come.
Being in Colorado, and the uncle of one of the anglers in this film, I hope that this has a huge impact with the fishing management community. We need to protect our fisheries and the places around them. You are doing good work! Keep it up!
I appreciate that Carter and couldn't agree more. I know that a lot of hard work is going into the management, care and accurate assessment of this fishery and the surrounding economies. It definitely takes a significant amount of coordination, collaboration and resources. Thanks for watching!
The Big Hole Watershed Committee has brought $Millions of dollars of studies and projects to this watershed and meets every third Wednesday doing exactly what’s being recommended- get people together, share data and plan for the future. We coordinate drought management and get ranchers to sacrifice and turn down headgates during low water.
We have done dozens of projects with FWP that support ranchers to be more efficient, use less water and decrease sedimentation and metals. Millions into the French Creek drainage that is the second biggest native fish restoration in the State. How did you not come to us for this film? Happy to show you what real projects that benefit fish look like.
Data collection is important- but useless if it doesn’t lead to actual projects, which is what we do.
Nice film but you missed a key player.
Yea, I definitely did miss an important voice... and my true apologies as I know you all do a lot of important and great work up there. I'd love to still catch up and talk w/ someone if you have the time in the near future. Feel free to send me an email at aj@frogwaterproductions.com. I'll also reach out to you all via email or IG DM. Thanks for the response.
A video about SW Montana is not complete without the great white beard of Jeff Vernacky! Exceptional work!
Thanks a lot for checking it out!
Great work. Love what you all are doing!
Thanks a lot Jade! I appreciate you checking it out.
Well done!!! Thank you.
Thanks Arik!
There needs to be laws against developments near waterways.
Nice work. I hope you update us what caused this recent drop in population. Beautiful images btw
Much thanks Dave. We know that temperature and flow plays a huge/foundational role, but hopefully more clarity develops as the FWP, Save Wild Trout and other research progresses.
Will hay farmers agree to take less water from the river? Will outfitters agree to book fewer trips? Will anglers agree to all catch and release? The resource is being overburdened. Everybody is going need to cooperate to preserve the resource or it will be gone. Changing long standing traditions and culture is very tough.
It sure is tough Mike! I think that all of these stakeholders actually are starting to making some compromises but much more work and compromise is definitely needed! Thanks for watching.
I LOVE flyfishing and spend many great days outdoors pursuing the sport. Three things that make me sad are people dewatering rivers, guide boats every 50 yards and people taking stringers of fish home all because "that's the way I grew up". While I enjoyed steak in the past I have quit buying it...I wish you best of luck on this effort friend
By “drought” do you mean over irrigation? The Jefferson is one of the biggest cow ditches in mt… and the big hole has been destroyed by guiding…. Life long crow Indian native here .. speaking with more experience, then you new comers …
Couldn't agree more. The guides are destroying all the fisheries with over pressure.
Perhaps we should put less emphasis on saving invasive brown trout (ditch donkeys) , and consider saving the cutthroat and grayling 😢
Great point... There's some great and relatively successful work going on in the headwaters to support the cutthroat and grayling. This work might also serve as a model for sections of the lower river. Mike B. actually brought this up in his interview but I wasn't able to fit in this edit.
The current decline in trout populations is not impacting cutthroat nearly to the degree it is hitting browns and bows. But only time will tell if they can figure out what's going on. My guess is a combination of low water and hot summers (as if that isn't bad enough) are creating an environment for certain disease. I wonder if they've seen the dead fish in tributaries that they find in the main stems. Looks like another poor snow pack for 2023-2024 so far. No bueno.