Now here’s an interesting concept – reserve parts of the upper Bitterroot, at least on some days of the week, for locals.
From the story that ran in the Missoulian on the 20th –
HAMILTON — Local fishermen who have given up on fishing the upper reaches of the Bitterroot River, including the popular West Fork, because of crowding are going to like this news.
Following four long days of deliberations, a diverse volunteer committee has agreed on an alternative that will set aside portions of the river to non-commercial use on specific days.
“There was consensus on the alternative,” said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Regional Fisheries Manager Pat Saffel. “I actually didn’t expect that.”
The 16-member Bitterroot River Recreation Advisory Committee will meet one more time to finalize their preferred alternative before passing it off to state officials. That meeting is tentatively set for Monday, March 6, at 6 p.m. at the Bitterroot Forest Supervisor’s office in Hamilton.
The proposed preferred alternative uses a plan similar to what’s already in place on the Big Hole River.
It divides the West Fork and upper Bitterroot River into four sections…
Read the full piece, with more details, at the link above.
