Welcome to the MRF email Newsletter
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Dear Foundation Member or Friend of the Madison,
Welcome to our email newsletter to help keep you informed and up-to-date on Foundation events and activities. We know that getting a whole lot of email messages can be annoying. We promise not to fill up your Inbox with frivolous messages. And you can unsubscribe to this email newsletter at any time by clicking the button at the top of the page. So again, welcome to our newsletter. And please forward this to any of your friends who might be interested in the Foundation and our efforts to preserve and protect the Madison River and its related ecosystem.
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Madison Whitefish Study Launched  Research Project Starts Radio Tagging Fish for TrackingThe first phase of a three-year research study of mountain whitefish in the Madison River has gotten underway. The study, a joint project of the Foundation, Montana State University and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, is the first of its kind. It promises to produce groundbreaking information about the life history and spawning habits of this native fish. The study is being conducted by graduate student Jan Boyer under the supervision of MSU Professor Christopher Guy of the Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit in Bozeman. The Foundation secured major funding for the project from the C. Walker Cross Charitable Foundation. Madison Gallatin Trout Unlimited also contributed funding. PPL Montana has awarded the Foundation a $50,000 grant to fund the second year of the project.  The whitefish research team has implanted almost 70 whitefish with radio tracking devices like the one above. These marvels of miniaturized electronics will allow Jan and her team to track whitefish movements through the summer and into the fall spawning season. Little is currently known about many whitefish habits, especially their spawning behavior, preferred habitats, and characteristics of young fish. The research project aims to establish basic knowledge about the species that plays an important role in the overall ecology and health of the river.  Please DO NOT KILL WHITEFISH. Not only are they an important source of trout food, but we need to keep the tagged fish in the river. If you harvest a whitefish to eat (they're really good smoked!) and find a radio tag, call Jan at the number printed on the tag. Not only will the information about when and where the fish was caught be useful, but we can reuse the expensive transmitters. 
Foundation member Jim Van Osdell (in the cowboy hat above), Director Jeff Montag and Executive Director Richard Lessner accompanied Team Whitefish one day last week to observe the work. The team impressed us with their high degree of skill and professionalism, as well as their obvious care for the fish.
Last week Foundation volunteers (above) also worked with the research team, fly fishing for whitefish to tag below Hebgen. Unfortunately, and despite some highly skilled anglers, we caught mostly trout. In fact, the only two whities that were caught were too small for tagging. Figures, doesn't it? Deliberately targeting whitefish produced only trout, like the beauty Foundation Director Bruce Richards (below) fooled. Rather increases respect for wily Mr. Whitefish!
 Despite the notable lack of success catching whitefish for tagging, we had a great day of trout fishing. The Foundation wants to thank all the volunteer anglers who came out on a cold, blustery morning -- Terry Quirk, Jerry Schildroth, Gary Laqua, Bob Beekman, Bob Welna, Ray Plante, Bernie Oglietti, Jeff Montag, Hank Anderson, Brian Barker and Jim Brown. You all are great TROUT fishermen! Whitefish? Not so much. But, nearly everyone said he'd be happy to try again. And so we will! Varney Road & Ennis FAS Cleanup May 19th -- Volunteers Needed! Saturday, May 19th marks the first cleanup day of the season along Varney Road and the Ennis Town Fishing Access Site. The Foundation has "adopted" the highway from Ennis to Eight Mile Ford. Three times each season we collect litter along the roadway. And this year we'll include the FWP Fishing Access Site at the Highway 287 bridge on the east side of Ennis. The Foundation in partnership with Fish, Wildlife & Parks this year launched an Adopt a FAS Program. Fly shops, outfitters and guides, and local businesses have "adopted" access sites along the Madison and committed to collecting litter and keeping the sites neat and clean. FWP is erecting signs at each site recognizing the adopters. If you want to help with the cleanup, volunteers will meet 10 am, Saturday, May 19 at the U.S. Forest Service office in Ennis. We'll provide garbage bags, orange safety vests and water. Bring gloves, hats and clothing appropriate for the weather conditions. |
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In the News
FWP Announces Make-up of Madison Recreation Management Plan Citizens' Committee Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has announced the make-up of the Citizens Advisory Committee that will draft a recreation management plan for the Madison River.
The seven-member committee is composed of: Robin Cunningham (Gallatin Gateway), Joe Dilschneider (Ennis), Joe Fontaine (Cameron) Bob Gibson (Bozeman), Lee McKenna (Helena & Ennis), Philip Naro (Bozeman) and John Way (Ennis).
Foundation Executive Director Richard Lessner was one of the 33 applicants for the committee but was not chosen.
The seven-member committee, chosen by Gov. Schweizer from 14 names submitted by FWP's Region 3 staff, marks a significant break from past practices. Other CACs on the Bighole/Beaverhead and Blackfoot numbered between 15 and 25. The small number of committee members on the Madison CAC has certainly raised eyebrows -- if not concerns about how representative of all the interests and stakeholders on the Madison the committee will be.
The CAC's first meeting is set for 4 pm to 8 pm, Wednesday, May 30th at FWP Region 3 HQ in Bozeman. The meeting is open to the public and time for public comment will be available.
Although the Madison River Foundation was not selected to serve on the CAC, we plan to attend the committee's meetings and serve as "the voice of the river." Our focus, in keeping with our mission statement, will be on the health and well-being of the Madison as a great natural resource.
FWP's administrative rules that govern the recreation management plan process clearly state that "The highest priority of a management plan is providing protection for the following resources: the quality of the fishery, wildlife, water, riparian habitat and other natural resources." Insofar as recreation activities on the Madison impact these natural resources, the Foundation will act as a watchdog to ensure that the health of the resource is always of foremost consideration as the process moves forward.
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For more information about the Foundation, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, the 10th annual"Guardians of the River" Gala Banquet, June 23rd, or the 2012 Ennis on the Madison Fly Fishing Festival visit www.madisonriverfoundation.org or call 406-682-3148.
Tight Lines, Richard Lessner, PhD
Executive Director
Madison River Foundation |
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"When one tugs at a single thing in nature he finds it attached to the rest of the world."
--John Muir
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Upcoming Events
May 17 Bear Creek Days, Cameron, MT
May 19 Varney Road and Fishing Access Site Cleanup
May 30 Madison Recreation Management Plan Citizens Committee, 4 pm, FWP Bozeman
June 23 Annual Membership Meeting, 10 am, Ennis, MT
June 23, 10th Annual Guardians of the River Gala Banquet, 6 pm, Cameron, MT
July 9 MRF Day at Blue Ribbon Flies, West Yellowstone, MT
August 31- September 1 Ennis on the Madison Fly Fishing Festival, Ennis, MT
September 17 Board of Directors Meeting, Ennis, MT
December 10 Board of Directors Meeting, Ennis, MT
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Visit Our Newly Re-designed Web Site!
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Watch Your Mailbox!
The 10th Annual "Guardians of the River" Gala Banquet invitations will arrive soon.
The elegant Lodge at Sun Ranch will host this year's banquet. The Lodge is set amid the sprawling 26,000-acre Sun Ranch. The evening will feature gourmet dining by Executive Chef Daniel Wendell and live music by the always popular Steve Hulse Jazz Trio.Invitations to the gala were mailed last week. Reservations are going fast! This year's gala is sure to sell out quickly, so be sure to make your reservations without delay.
Special thanks is due the Sun Ranch Partners for inviting the Foundation to hold our 10th annual gala at their beautiful lodge.
If you're not already on the MRF mailing list and receiving our quarterly newsletter Madison River Currents you can sign up on our website. Stay in the loop on all upcoming Foundation events, volunteer opportunities, and invitations to this year's very special Guardians of the River Gala Banquet.
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