The Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited invites you to attend the premier showing of our exciting new video Jewel in The Crown: Flathead River Bull Trout. On Tuesday evening October 18 at 7pm we will be giving a free public showing at the Central School Museum at 124 2nd Ave. East in Kalispell, MT. There will be a social get-together at 6:30 in the Swanberg classroom on the second floor of the museum with the film showing at 7pm.
We hope you can join us for this important event. Jewel in The Crown recounts the recent history of bull trout in the Flathead Watershed through conversations with old-time local anglers who were able to legally fish for bull trout prior to their precipitous decline. The video includes interviews with several state and federal fisheries biologists and managers as well as with representatives of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Many of the participants in the film will be available to answer questions or provide information following the film.
A century ago, native bull trout were the largest aquatic predator in the Flathead River system. Tens of thousands of fish to more than 20 pounds roamed our streams and provided a stable and abundant food source to native tribes and unparalleled thrills for anglers in the Flathead Valley. Within the last few decades, our actions and inattention have reduced this magnificent species to less than three thousand adult fish in our home waters. Bull trout and other native fish are now at risk of extinction in our waters. Fishing for bull trout is no longer allowed in most of our waters. Please join us to discover what has happened to our native fish populations and how we can slow or stop environmental changes that threaten these charismatic native Montanans.
To find out more about native bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout and other coldwater fish in northwest Montana, or to purchase your own copy of Jewel in The Crown, please visit our website at www.flatheadtu.org.