Flathead Valley Mountain Exposure: Kalispell, Montana News

On Sunday, March 14, Hunter Education Instructor Pat McVay celebrated his 90th birthday and certified a new class of Hunter Education graduates. The students helped McVay celebrate his birthday at the end of the week-long Hunter Education course that McVay teaches at his home east of Kalispell.

Don't miss the March meeting of the Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited. On Tuesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. we will hold our regular meeting at the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks conference room, 490 N. Meridian in Kalispell.

This month our meeting features a program by Jerry Kustich from Sweetgrass Rods in Twin Bridges. Jerry will address the group on the fishing and appreciation of fine bamboo fly rods. Learn about the history and craftsmanship that goes into a custom bamboo rod. Discover arcane rod building techniques such as the difference between quad, pent and hex configurations and why it's important. You won't want to miss this presentation.

We had a great time at the Great Rockies Sport Show this past weekend. Thanks to all of you who stopped by our booth to share opinions and fishing stories. Also, don't forget to start planning now for the Annual FVTU fundraising banquet at Grouse Mountain Lodge on May 8. Contact FVTU President Chris Schustrom at 406-260-1198 for information, banquet tickets or to pick up some raffle tickets for the fabulous raft package that we will be raffling off at the banquet. We will be releasing more information about the banquet in upcoming weeks.

Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructors received service awards from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at the annual Region 1 Instructor Workshop held Saturday, March 6 at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell.

All service award recipients receive a plaque; additional awards include: 10 year: engraved knife; 20 year: FWP belt buckle; 30 year: .357 pistol; 40 year: monogrammed jacket; 50 year: Hall of Fame award, scholarship dedication.

Finally, the Flathead Valley is starting to see some signs of spring. Days are getting longer, ice is beginning to disappear from our smaller streams, crocuses are beginning to peek out of leafy mold in sunny garden spots and the wreck that was my yard has emerged from its dirt-brown covering of snow. One of the most reliable signs of spring is the Great Rockies Sport Show at the Flathead County Fairgrounds this coming weekend. The show is a great place to shake the winter blahs, have a lot of fun and get that early hunting and fishing fix.

As usual, the Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be manning our booth all three days of the big show. We will be tying flies, giving fly casting advice, sharing fishing secrets and discussing local native fisheries topics. Stop by March 12-14 and learn more about FVTU and our mission to protect, conserve and restore the world-class, cold-water fisheries of Northwest Montana. We would love to see you at the show, this is a great opportunity for us to get to know you and to share your concerns and ideas on local conservation topics. You have a choice, you can work in your yard this weekend or go to the Sport Show. See you there!

It's one of those oddball things that some of us never quite get used to. Drivers licenses expire every four or eight years, depending on the year you were born. If you are a fishing guide or outfitter, your license expires on Dec 31. Unless you operate on a fiscal year basis, most other things expire at the end of the year as well.

Montana fishing licenses run from March 1 to Feb. 28 each year, expiring at midnight on the 28th. The new licenses are available now, and have been for awhile, at all FWP license outlets. If you fish Lake Mary Ronan a lot, you tie the two together, because effective March 1, all you can fish for there are yellow perch. Still, many of us need reminders that you need to get those fishing licenses this weekend.

If you are an early riser, heading up to Little Bitteroot Lake this coming Monday morning for the kokanee bite, you need to get busy this weekend and get that 2010 license. I know the last thing any of us wants is to be delayed while we drive back to Kalispell for our license, while the prepared anglers are enjoying all that pre-dawn action!

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks would like to remind folks that cutting firewood is prohibited and illegal at any FWP owned or managed site. The Thompson Chain of Lakes Fishing Access Site complex has had several illegal tree cutting incidents in the last two months. Individuals can be cited for criminal mischief, which can result in fines up to $1000. FWP is looking for any information regarding tree cutting on FWP owned and managed lands. To report any timber cutting, please call 1-800 TIP-MONT (847-6668) or the FWP Regional Office at 406-752-5501.

Russ Geldrich of Kalispell has caught a new state record pygmy whitefish. Geldrich caught the 0.36-pound (5.76-ounce; 9.84 inches in length) pygmy in Little Bitterroot Lake on February 13. Geldrich caught the pygmy on a jig and maggot while fishing deep for kokanee.

Registration for the Pheasants Forever 2010 youth shotgun league will be at Glacier High School (enter through south entrance) in Kalispell on Sunday, January 24th at 1:00 p.m. All shooters should be present for the signup and orientation meeting. We will begin the day with the orientation/safety meeting then on to registrations. PLEASE ATTEND THE SIGNUP AND SAFETY TALK!!!

Youth League is open to all youth 12 years old through their senior year of High School. Prior completion of a Hunter Safety course is mandatory. If this is your first year participating please bring your Hunter Safety number with you to registration. You need to bring your own shotgun and shells. Safety meetings will be held every Sunday prior to shooting. Each team will be assigned a safety coach at registration.