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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Big Hole brown trout survive threat in good shape

Fly fishers release a brown trout caught in the Big Hole River of Montana. (Rich Landers)
Fly fishers release a brown trout caught in the Big Hole River of Montana. (Rich Landers)

FISHING -- Fly fishermen will be interested in the latest news coming from Western Montana's Big Hole and Bitterroot rivers:

Record brown trout numbers cited as reason for fungus in Montana river
The spread of a fungal infection known as Saprolegnia in the Big Hole River primarily between Jerry Creek to Browne’s Bridge in the fall of 2014 reduced brown trout numbers in the river. But the number of brown trout in the river is still near state objectives, fish biologists say.
--Montana Standard

Montana wildlife commission OKs seasonal closure of Bitterroot River
On Wednesday, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the temporary closure of a five-mile stretch of the Bitterroot River this spring if conditions warrant, due to the danger posed by the Supply Ditch irrigation dam. Under certain conditions, the dam can create recirculating hydraulics downstream.
--Ravalli Republic



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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