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If the goal is to get Flathead back to a historical species standpoint... why would the reservation not be touting the removal of Kerr Dam? Drop the lake level and go back to "natural, historical" flows. My guess is the answer to this question is $$$. Next year when the tribe takes total control of the dam they will be one of the richest tribes in the country. As others stated, I don't think this is about anything more than money---
There are millions of research projects going on around the US and we don't get up in arms about them being strictly for the money.
BPA has to give the tribe and FWP mitigation money each year regardless of whether there is a suppression effort going on or not.
The tribe has already said they are planning on using their mitigation money from the dam to fund suppression efforts.
Private entities may give more support to the tribe (TU), but I don't see why that is a bad thing.
There are millions of research projects going on around the US and we don't get up in arms about them being strictly for the money. This is just a cause that some private companies agree with, and have decided to help fund.
The tribe is not going to have a check written out to them to spend on whatever they want.
Guys lol, even in they post a no limit to lake trout and no size limit, we will only put a dent in their population. Lake Trout dominate Flathead. Don't worry, there will still be plenty around and always will be. They can't get rid of them
All I know is that I started Pete's Tackle on flies I tied for Flathead Lakers Now this past year sales on trolling stuff was almost nill. I feel there destroying not just Flathead but all waters leading in or out to the Columbia river drainage and as fisher men we should be up in arms on how they manage our fisheries. I talked to Jim Vashero before he retired and he asked me who the Pres of Flathead Walleyes unlimited was and I told him. Then asked why and he wanted to solicit funds for improving accesses. I ask why do you always ask for money from a group that your trying to destroy there fish that they like to eat and fish for. Then I asked why don't you get some other group like TU to fund that and he said they will not and they never have. Now I have followed and spoke out on the first management plan and found that TU is funding the tribe. Now we have groups that help enhance and we have groups that destroy in the name of preservation. now I also ask why destroy Flathead fisheries?If they do this they will soon be after what you enjoy to fish for. Now we have Pond here in Kalispell for planted trout for the kids and we have lakes and rivers that only experts can catch fish and they have to spend hours teaching a kid how to catch fish in these waters. Now I learned how to fish on lakes and stream here and had so much fun as a child and then a young man to where i am now. If anything the FWP should be enhancing our fisheries and so we can take our kids to lakes instead of ponds that die out in the summer heat. or freeze out over the winter. I'm done ranting. Thanks Strippnthedream for getting my heart going. All you folks out there have a great day!
I won't comment on most of the substance here, but I will say Jim Vashero deserves more credit for his management than you are giving him. He and his staff are in a VERY difficult position, an IMPOSSIBLE position because no matter what they do, someone will complain that they made the wrong choice. I would say that we have MANY lakes with strong, healthy fish populations. City parks are certainly not the only place to take a kid fishing. You want more walleye, other guys want lakers, others want kokes, others want crappie, perch, northern, bull trout, rainbows, cutts, brookies, sm bass, lm bass........it's endless. Overall we have pretty good fisheries in Montana and I think FWP does a pretty good job, despite all the flack they take from fishermen. It takes a lot of balls for Vashero to stand toe-to-toe against the tribe on the mgt of Flathead, you can BET that he got some SERIOUS political heat and fallout from standing his ground and you should at least respect he and his staff for it.
WhiptailGents: As you know, Mark Delray is the Acting Regional Biologist. He is anti-gill netting of Flathead Lake. Don't know where he stands on Noxon. Flathead Wildlife had a meeting tonight. In the after meeting discussions, Vashro said that TU and CSKT asked be on the selection committee for Jim's replacement. Jim Satterfield will chair the selection committee and be the deciding officer. Helena has already suggested that TU and CSKT be on the selection committee. We know they will never select Mark. So Vashro recommends that we offer our services to sit on the selection committee. They probably cannot refuse us if TU and Tribe guys are offered a seat. This must be done very quickly. Like an email in next day or two. Flathead Wildlife will recommend our president, Bill Matthews or Chuck Hunt. I cannot serve. I suggest that Flathead WU and the Noxon Warm Water Association also offer volunteers to serve on the selection committee. We need strong anti-gill netting folks. Perhaps Senator Fielder would servce. Again, time is of the essence. We need to play the same game as Tribe and TU The offer email or letter should explain how you cooperate with FWP, represent a diversity of R-1 anglers and have a keen interest in fisheries management. Warren
Having been an Alaska gillnetter, I can just hear the excuses and the flap-jaw when the lake trout nets bring up dead, mature Bull Trout spawners. When gillnetting salmon we would frequently haul big steelhead. A few we could save, but most were dead. How will that be justified when there are so few spawning Bulls now? Maturity rate is about the same as lakers so they will be removing a portion of the very 10-25 year old reproductive base they hope to protect. Gill nets are not known to be selective. I'm aware that this isn't part of the discussion right now, but rest assured that it's going to be pushed again. We will surely know what the slot fish change impact will be in a few years. One of the comments that made sense to me was that these bigger fish also cannibalize their own, thus fewer small lakers. Difficult topic..........
Most of you know I have been leading this charge here on IS as well as locally for years. Writing editorials, talking about it on radio and TV, going to the meetings, meeting with the tribe...several others also took up the fight over the last couple years (Andy, Herb and others) Now the same thing faces Noxon, and other waterways. The politics of native VS non-native are nasty, and financed by those with DEEP pockets. I just don't see how this goes any other way at this point. THREE PEOPLE SHOWED UP AT THE LAST MEETING TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE SLOT LIMIT BEING LIFTED.Sorry to be such a downer but I am tired and defeated...I make my living on this lake and I will be out there every day watching it get destroyed. Gill nets are NOT the answer..
Flathead Lake will NEVER return to the state it was in pre-mysis shrimp.
No matter what anyone says about your positions, your work and dedication to stand up and be heard and to spend so much time and energy fighting to encourage others to make themselves heard should be applauded, it is the basis of what makes a democracy work. Unfortunately, you are correct, most sportsmen are apathetic and would rather complain on message boards or in the coffee shop than take actual, meaningful action It's just tough because the process wears everyday working people down and ultimately, it is likely that a lot of issues have pre-determined outcomes from the beginning and agencies/organizations allow public process only to appease NEPA requirements. The sad truth is that, given our current judicial and NEPA processes, the only truly effective way to 'get your way' is via judicial action and lawsuits. The environmental groups figured this out a long, long time ago and this is why our forests are in disrepair and the ESA has been taken hostage in many cases. Actual issues don't matter in the judicial process, the process is what matters and environmental orgs and their lawyers have made a living figuring out how to nit-pick the process and get their way via technicalities. Sad state of affairs.This is a broader issue, but it is something that needs to be dealt with if we are ever going to have effective resource mgt in this country and especially in the west.
Interesting reading the various points of view here. I support any and all efforts to increase Bulltrout and cutthroat populations in Flathead lake, even if it means reducing Lake Trout populations. With the productive tributaries of the Flathead which contain both Cutthroat and Bull Trout, recovery for both of these NATIVE species could happen. There aren't many native fisheries left in Montana, if you really want to target Lake Trout and Walleye you still have plenty of options.
