Friday, June 19
Saturday, June 20th
Obituaries
Albert David Pernichele
Sarah Jeanne Seltzer
Sarah Jeanne Seltzer passed away on May 21, 2026, at the age of 44 after a year long battle with cancer. Born Sarah Jeanne Bailey on July 24, 1981, in Butte, Mt. She was raised in Missoula by her parents Merry and Kurt King alongside her sister Kate and Brother Ethan. She married her high school friend, Sean Seltzer, in 2004. She got her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University
Sue Day McCormack
Sue Day McCormack was born to loving parents in San Francisco in 1941.
Her life was filled with challenges from which she learned to be both gregarious, forgiving, and assertive.
Albert David Pernichele left this world peacefully, surrounded by his family at home, on Sunday, June 6, 2026. Al leaves a legacy of relentless curiosity, thoughtful deliberation, incisive thinking, open-mindedness, generosity of spirit, a passion for the natural world, and an avid interest in improving everything within his reach.
Albert was born January 25, 1936, In Staunton, Illinois, to Giovanni Pernichele and Irene Lorenzetti Pernichele. The youngest of fve siblings, he enjoyed an active childhood hunting and fshing near the banks of the Mississippi River. Albert not only helped to feed his family after the early loss of his father, he also developed a lifelong love of the outdoors and fascination with nature.
Albert joined the army in 1954, serving two years as a sharp shooter and football player. He earned his BA in Geology at the University of Illinois, his MS in Mining Engineering from the University of North Dakota and pursued his PhD at the University of Utah. He enjoyed a long career in mining engineering and management, innovating at Kennicott, Dames and Moore, IT and Materials Recycling, as well as a lifetime of community service.
At the University of North Dakota, Albert met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Stenso, and they married in 1962, a union
that would last over 63 years. Albert is survived by Mary and their four children, Gwen (Patrick), Anne (Elliott), Matt (Kelly), and Gretchen (Bryan), as well as fve grandchildren, Max, Finn, Sophia, Henry and Tori. He instilled in those who spent time with him a love of learning and a passion for making the world a better place. Albert will also be remembered for his ceaseless love for animals, and especially Golden Retrievers. He is survived by Blue, his 7th Golden Retriever.
In 1998, Albert and Mary retired to the Bitterroot Valley to enjoy fyfshing, farming, beekeeping and Montana’s spectacular beauty. Al quickly involved himself in the community. Al served on the board of the Western Agricultural Research Center, The Bitterroot Water Authority, Budwood Apple Growers, Bitterroot’s Own Rainbow Coalition, and the Montana Beekeepers Association. He received an award from Trout Unlimited for his water stewardship and dedication to conservation. Albert will also be remembered for his remarkable green thumb, and his talent for tying innovative fshing fies. And, of course, Albert led Frost Top Orchard to produce the best darn apple cider we have ever known.
A community picnic will be held in Albert’s memory on June 28 from 1 to 4pm at Summerdale Park in Corvallis. Please RSVP at 801-556-5587.
of Montana while raising their two wonderful children, Tristen and Ella. They moved to Hamilton in 2010. Sarah went on to get her master’s degree in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling. She was passionate about her work in vocational rehabilitation as the DET Deputy Administrator. Sarah was driven to better herself and her family while helping others along the way.
Wendy Joy Stevens (Hallford), age 77, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2026, in Stevensville, Montana. Born on October 19, 1948, in Missoula, Montana, Wendy lived a life rooted in her Montana heritage and dedicated to her family and community.
Wendy spent much of her career as a waitress, working at various establishments throughout the Missoula area and the Bitterroot Valley. Her work brought her into contact with countless people over the years, and she was known for her helpful and giving nature. Wendy’s kindness and generosity left a lasting impression on those who had the pleasure of knowing her.
In her personal life, Wendy found joy in tending to her flower gardens, where she cultivated beauty and tranquility. She also loved playing Farkle, a game that brought laughter and cherished moments with family and friends.
Wendy is survived by her son Faron Stevens (Jill), her “adopted” daughter Lora Johnston (Carl), granddaughter Jessica Hals (Travis), greatgrandchildren Rhyland, Kinsley, and Holter, sisters Carole Wall, Kathy Barker, and Melody Loop. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who will remember her fondly.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Frank; her parents Ella and Vernon Hallford;
felt she was their best friend. She cultivated her friendships and worked hard to be there for everyone she met. She was also extremely bright and used that to her advantage when she played bridge with her ’bestest’ friends.
Over the years before retiring and moving to Montana, she made her mark in the Executive Relocation business. She could make every move of a family successful. She easily worked with all levels of society and organizations. She could speak the language of the boardroom and the street.
Her love of animals was what led her to begin volunteering at the Bitter Root Humane Association beginning in 1998. She became a board member before moving to the Bitterroot in 2003 and from there sat in all the board chairs, finally becoming President for two terms. She was the principal force for building a new shelter and personally raised more than two thirds of the purchase price. She was a volunteer every Monday morning after the weekend closure doing the dishes and blankets for all the animals. Even with all that energy she had enough left over to join the Board of the Daly Mansion and did a turn there as President during the Covid crisis.
In downtown Hamilton she was well known for her dedicated support for non-profits like SAFE, the Hamilton Players, often volunteering there as an usher. She supported the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council and was an early adopter of the program beginning in 2004. She also was a supporter of the Missoula Symphony Association and held season tickets and of course the Daly Mansion.
her brother Doug Hallford; sister Verna Weber; and grandson Josh Stevens. Their memories remain intertwined with hers as part of a legacy of love and connection.
Wendy’s warmth and generosity touched many lives. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her.
The family would like to thank those special people who helped with her care the last few months. Niece Renee and also Big Sky Hospice, with their help she was able to spend her last months at home.
She was a true Renaissance woman. She will be missed by her husband Dave, her son, Craig Day, her stepdaughter, Tracy McCormack, her nephews Phillip and Graham Silcher, and her brother Peter Silcher. The family has decided to have a small private ceremony for her later this summer. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com. Remembrances should be sent to the Bitter Root Humane Association in Hamilton, MT.
Montana Made Gifts selling in Stevensville
by John Dowd
One thing the Bitterroot Valley is well known for is the vast number of crafters and makers of all number of things. From furniture to decorative pieces, and everything in between, artisans of all kinds can be found in the area. One family decided to open the doors on a place for many of those makers to sell their wares.
Montana Made Gifts opened in February and has seen their host of goods grow to include those made by over 50 vendors. Most of them are from the Bitterroot Valley.
Sandy Besemann, owner of Montana Made Gifts, said they give each vendor their own space to display their creations, and everything has been going surprisingly well.
According to Besemann, she comes from generations of crafters and her daughters are taking it on as well. They started young, even marketing their own crafts since
middle school. She raised her three daughters, Andrea Adams, Michelle Wangstad and Sara Cox, in the Stevensville area.
For Besemann, the business has been that much more fun because her daughters all pitch in. She said it works out pretty well, with her frst daughter being a crafter and into photography, her second daughter acting as the business partner and the third running social media.
They used to visit all the craft shows in the area, and Besemann made a line of children’s and baby clothes. Now she sells some of her stuf in the store, and a daughter has a line of skincare products they also sell.
“It’s just a family thing, all of us do a little bit; something diferent,” said Besemann. She said she always wanted to have a storefront, but not just for her.
Having been active in the crafter community, fnding people
who needed the space to show their items was not hard. She added that they have seen a lot of interest in opening a shop since the beginning, so
“It was not a challenge to fll the space,” said Besemann. For many, it meant an opportunity to have “a place they can show it of.”
And they have lots of variety. Montana Made Gifts has options for tourists and locals: “every day, reasonably priced gift items.”
Most of their stuf does not compete with other local craft stores, some of which sell higher-priced items that are more shopper or centerpiece and art-themed goods. Montana Made Gifts fall more into the “every day” category.
The shop even has a ceramic studio in the back.
Besemann described it as a “self-serve studio,” where customers can visit and choose their ceramic sculpture and paint it. The sculptures are then left to get fred and fnished. When they are fnished, the customer can pick them back up.
The ceramics shop is always open when the store is open. Parties can call ahead to make sure space will be
available. Besemann said they love to have groups come participate, and said it is a “fun family or group activity,” not just for kids, but parties, birthdays, etc. “Something to do that’s just fun.”
For those interested in selling, the store makes a commission on the sales, but vendors also rent the space, and if they volunteer to work the store one shift a month, they get a large discount on their rental. Besemann said this is a “great way to promote what you’re selling.” Additionally, this helps customers build an “emotional connection” to the crafter and their craft.
Besemann said they are “trying to get more involved with the community,” participating in First
Friday events, planning on participating in the Scarecrow Festival and joining various community groups.
Montana Made Gifts are open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They are open during the Stevensville farmers market, and put up signage, so people visiting can fnd them. For more information, interested parties can contact the store directly for a space. However, they try not to have multiple vendors selling the same things. They can be contacted by calling (406) 625-2055 or by emailing montanamadegifts406@gmail.com. Their website is montanamadegifts406. com. They are located at 202 Main Street in Stevensville.
Sandy Besemann and her daughters stand outside the Montana Made Gifts shop. From left to right: Andrea Adams, Michelle Wangstad, Sandy Besemann and Sara Cox. Photo courtesy Sandy Besemann.
Inside Montana Made Gifts; something for everybody. Photo by John Dowd.
Sports
Softball, baseball All-Conference/All-State
The All-Conference and All-State teams for high school softball and baseball were recently announced, and the Bitterroot Valley was well represented.
In softball, Florence competes in the Class B/C Western Division, while Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville are in the Class A Southwest Conference.
In baseball, Corvallis, Florence, Hamilton, and Stevensville all compete in the Class A/B South Division.
South A/B Baseball
All-State: Chase Wagner, Florence; Jordan Vigil, Florence; Bridger Huddleston, Hamilton; Joe Hixon, Corvallis.
All-Conference First Team: Chase Wagner, Florence; Jordan Vigil, Florence; Bridger Huddleston, Hamilton; Joe Hixon, Corvallis; Wes Potter, Florence; Brady DeMoss, Hamilton.
Second Team All-Conference: Boedy Tadvick, Hamilton; McCoy Endres, Stevensville; Jackson Lubke, Hamilton; Adrian Cardullo, Hamilton; Jude Widmer, Hamilton; Calan Rocco, Florence.
Honorable Mention: Waylon Lendak, Corvallis; Jackson Guenzler, Stevensville; Alden Crawford, Florence.
Southwest A Softball
All-State: Mariah Johnson, Hamilton; Dawson Ekin, Hamilton; Brooklyn Cary, Corvallis; Ella Daly, Corvallis; Molly Davids, Stevensville.
All-Conference First Team: Mariah Johnson, Hamilton; Dawson Ekin, Hamilton; Brooklyn Cary, Corvallis; Ella Daly, Corvallis; Molly Davids, Stevensville; Casey Kennedy, Hamilton.
Second Team All-Conference: Hayleigh Savage, Hamilton; Addalyn Henderson, Hamilton; Emma Tan, Stevensville. Honorable Mention: Brooke Savage, Hamilton; Tayleigh Bakken, Hamilton; Maddix Yeager, Stevensville; Isabella Cardullo, Corvallis.
Southwest B/C Softball
All-State and First Team All-Conference: Maggie Schneiter, Florence; Jaden Fisher, Florence; Taylor Pyette, Florence. Second Team All-Conference: Morghan Adams, Florence; Elizabeth Camps, Florence.
At top right, Florence’s Jaden Fisher was named All-State and First Team All-Conference. At bottom right, Hamilton’s Mariah Johnson was named All-State and First Team All-Conference. Below, Corvallis’s Joe Hixon was named All-State and First Team All-Conference.
Red Sox off and running
The Bitterroot Red Sox are of to a strong start in the 2026 American Legion Baseball season. The Red Sox have won their frst 10 games while outscoring their opponents 11224. This includes a 19-10 win in their opening game over the Class AA Missoula Mavericks.
“We have a very talented group of young men, many of whom could be playing for travel club teams. Instead, they have chosen to represent their hometown and community,” said Thad Widmer, a Bitterroot Red Sox board member. “They understand that their talent, work ethic, and character can help them reach the next level without leaving behind the people who support them and show up to cheer them on every summer.”
The Bitterroot Red Sox play in the West District in the Class A Division of the Montana/Alberta American Legion Baseball League. At the end of the season, the top two teams from the West District tournament advance to the Class A State tournament. The top two teams from the state tournament advance to the Northwest Class A Regional Tournament. There is no World Series in Class A Legion baseball. The 2025 Red Sox had a historic season last summer, winning the 2025 Northwest Class A Regional Championship.
The 2026 Red Sox played seven games last week. On Wednesday, June 10, they defeated the Mission Valley Mariners 6-0 and 11-0. Then on Friday, June 12, they defeated the Lewistown Redbirds 11-3, the Cody Cubs 12-0, and the Bozeman Bucks 12-0. On Saturday, June 13, they defeated the Bozeman Bucks 9-7 and the Gallatin Valley Outlaws 14-0. Finally, on Sunday, June 14, they defeated the Havre Northstars 9-1.
The Bitterroot Red Sox have a long tradition of excellence and community involvement in the Bitterroot Valley. “Giving back to the community is important to our program,” said Widmer. “Throughout the season, we host community nights that provide free admission to local organizations and groups. One of our most meaningful upcoming events will be our “Play Like Robert” Night. We have several special activities planned, and it promises to be a memorable evening for our players, families, and fans.”
The Bitterroot Bucs, the other Bitterroot Valley Legion team, don’t have a team this season. Three former Bucs players are currently on this year’s Red Sox roster. For more information about the Red Sox, and to see their 2026 schedule, go to the team’s website at www.bitterrootredsox.org.
Photos by Scott Sacry.
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Legal Notices
John D. Greef
attorney at law
P.O. Box 1926 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 360-8117
Attorney for Personal Representative
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST
JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF THE
ESTATE OF: Janice M. Garfield , Deceased.
Case No.: DP-2026-03
Department No. 1
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that Garry L. Garfield, Jr. has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to Garry L. Garfield, Jr., the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, in c/o John D. Greef, P.O. Box 1926, Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.
DATED this 21st day of May, 2026. /s/ John D. Greef
John D. Greef, Attorney for Personal Representative BS 5-27, 6-3, 6-10, 6-172026. MNAXLP
John D. Greef
Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 1926 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 360-8117
Attorney for Personal Representative
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST
JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: Chad Grossenburg, Deceased. Case No.: DP-20260000024
Department No. 2
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that John Michael Grossenbury has been appointed as the Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to John Michael Grossenburg, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, in c/o John D. Greef, P.O. Box 1926, Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.
DATED this 21st day of May, 2026.
/s/ John D. Greef
John D. Greef, Attorney for Personal Representative
BS 5-27, 6-3, 6-10, 6-172026. MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST
JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF Nikolay Pavlovich Shved: Nikolay Pavlovich Shved, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-41-20260000232-NC
Dept No.: 1 - Howard F. Recht
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is a notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Nikolay Pavlovich Shved to Nikolay Garyvich Ackermann. The hearing will be on July 15, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Dated May 29, 2026. Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court
/s/ Janenne Sorenson, Deputy Clerk of Court BS 6-3, 6-10, 6-17, 6-242026. MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF Daniel Pavlovich Shved: Daniel Pavlovich Shved, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-26-231
Dept No.: 1
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is a notice that Peti -
tioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Daniel Pavlovich Shved to Daniel Garyvich Ackermann. The hearing will be on July 15, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Dated May 29, 2026. Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court /s/ Catherine Di Gleria, Deputy Clerk of Court BS 6-3, 6-10, 6-17, 6-242026.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC HEARING
The Darby Town Council will hold a public hearing regarding the passing of Ordinance 172, Provisions and Regulations to Town Parks. Comments may be given orally at the hearing or submitted in writing before 5:00 p.m. on June 22, 2026. For more information contact Darby Town Hall at (406) 821-3753. The hearing will be held at: Darby Town Hall 101 East Tanner Avenue June 23, 2026 6:00 PM BS 6-10, 6-17-2026.
MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY OF HAMILTON PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD
The City of Hamilton is proposing to update Title 16 (Subdivision Regulations) of the Hamilton Municipal Code. More information, including a complete draft of the proposed update, is available at www. cityofhamilton.net, by contacting the Hamilton Planning Department at (406) 363-2101 ext. 218, mrohrbach@cityofhamilton.net, or visiting Hamilton City Hall at 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT.
Public Hearing
The City of Hamilton Planning and Zoning Board will hold a public hearing to review, take public comment, and consider a recommendation to City Council on the proposed Title 16 (Subdivision Regulations) update on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. on the 2nd floor of Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT.
Open Houses
There will also be two open houses for the public to learn more about, ask questions, and comment on the proposed update. The open houses will take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. and
5:30 p.m. and will be held on the 2nd floor of Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT.
At the public hearing any member of the public may attend and make comment in person or remotely. Instructions for remote participation are available on the City of Hamilton website www.cityofhamilton.net, or by contacting aenglish@cityofhamilton.net.
Comments prior to the Planning and Zoning Board hearing may be submitted to the Planning Department by emailing aenglish@cityofhamilton.net. Comments may also be mailed or delivered in person to City of Hamilton Planning Department, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840. BS 6-10, 6-17-2026.
MNAXLP
Legal Notice The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will conduct a public hearing for a Ravalli County Open Lands Bond project on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 1:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Third Floor) of the County Administrative Building located at 215 South 4th Street, Hamilton, MT 59840. The project is called Fox Conservation Easement (85.28 acres). The project is located about 4.3 miles north of Darby, Montana. Tax ID: 1107000.
Bitter Root Land Trust is the applicant. Information describing the proposals are available for inspection on the Ravalli County website at https://ravalli.us/181/Open-Lands-Board and at the Planning Department, located at the County Administrative Building, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite F, Hamilton, MT 59840. Written comments are encouraged to be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the public hearing and will be forwarded to the BCC for consideration at the public hearing. The public may comment verbally or in writing at the hearings. Comments and information submitted at the public hearing will be considered in the decision. Submit email comments to: planning@ rc.mt.gov, and questions can be asked by phone at 406-3756530.
BS 6-17, 6-24-2026.
MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BUDGET AMEND MENTS FY 2026 RAVALLI COUNTY
The BOARD OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Commissioners Conference Room at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, Montana (3rd floor Administrative Center). The purpose of this public hearing is to take public comment, review and approve Budget Amendments for Fiscal Year 2026 via Resolutions. If you would like further information on these amendments, please contact the Commissioner’s Office at the above address, by phone 406375-6500 or by email: commissioners@rc.mt.gov.
BS 6-17, 6-24-2026.
MNAXLP
The Ravalli County Transportation Committee will meet (via email) on the 25th of June, 2026 to approve/make adjustments to school transportation routes and approve any individual transportation contracts for the 2026-27 school year. If you have any questions or comments regarding any school district’s bus routes, please send them to the Ravalli County Superintendent of Schools, 215 South 4th Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 or email them to recorder@rc.mt.gov or call Regina Plettenberg 375-6555, before June 25th. BS 6-17-2026. MNAXLP
Naomi J. Cheeney Cheeney Law, PLLC PO Box 212 Hamilton, MT 59840 Phone: (406) 363-9060 Attorney for Personal Representative
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: RONALD I. CORBETT, Deceased. Case No.: DP-41-2026-72 Dept. No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named Estate. All persons having claims against the Decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Nathan C. Knopf, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at Cheeney Law, PLLC, PO Box 212, Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.
DATED the 11th day of June 2026. /s/ Nathan C. Knopf, Personal Representative BS 6-17, 6-24, 7-1-2026.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF Christine Marie Greene: Christine Marie Greene, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-41-20260000254-NC Dept No.: Howard F. Recht
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE This is a notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Christine Marie Greene to Christine Marie Smith. The hearing will be on July 22, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Dated June 9, 2026. /s/Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court BS 6-17, 6-24, 7-1, 7-82026.
MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PENDING ATTACHMENT OF A TAX LIEN (MCA 15-17-122)
On Thursday, August 3, 2026, by 5:00 pm, the Ravalli
Bitterroot National Forest partners with U.S. troops to enhance forest facilities
Bitterroot National Forest members along with U.S. troops are planning to improve multiple infrastructure projects on the forest this July under the Innovative Readiness Training Program. This program will not only help the forest improve its visitors’ experiences through the enhancement of facilities, habitats, trails and roads but will also help to fulfill the yearly two-week duty requirements for guardsmen and reservists, a win-win situation.
Proposed improvements are located on the West Fork and Darby-Sula Ranger Districts of the Bitterroot National Forest. Projects include road and bridge maintenance, trail clearing and historic cabin renovation.
“We are very excited about the unique
partnership opportunity that the Innovative Readiness Training Program provides for our Forest and the community,” said Steve Brown, Bitterroot National Forest district ranger. “The professional skill set that the military brings to the table will enable us to accomplish a wide variety of project work in fairly short order, providing a great service to the Bitterroot Valley.”
The training team consists of many different U.S. Guard, Reserve active-duty units from across the United States. These units are then paired with different community needs.
These partnerships allow troops to meet their training requirements in dynamic real-world applications while assisting the Forest Service in accomplishing
critical infrastructure repair and renovation to improve public and recreational access.
For months, Forest Service members have been working closely with the training team to coordinate projects and logistics. When the team arrives, the forest will continue this close cooperation in the field with safety as the highest priority.
“All of our conversations steer back to how we can ensure the highest level of public and personnel safety at the various project sites,” said Brown.
The first group of military members will arrive in mid-June, and project work is planned for the end of June through the month of July. No roads or trails are expected to close during these projects. Signs will be placed around projects and
flaggers and road guards will help direct traffic when needed.
This project has received support from local partners and without them, these operations may not have been possible. The Darby School District, Trapper Creek Job Corps, Darby Office of Public Works, the Darby Mayor’s Office, Ravalli County Airport as well as other local groups have been key in providing logistics such as lodging, travel and other coordination.
To follow training team accomplishments in June and July, interested persons can visit the Bitterroot National Forest Facebook page.
To learn more about the innovative readiness training program that conducts dozens of partnership projects a year, visit the IRT Facebook page.
Pavement preservation work to occur on Eastside Highway
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), along with construction partner Knife River, Inc., will begin a pavement preservation project on Secondary Highway 203 (S 203), commonly known as Eastside Highway, east of Florence.
The project begins half a mile
south of the 8 Mile Creek Road roundabout and ends at the intersection with US Highway 93 (US 93).
Improvements include crack sealing the existing surface, applying a new asphalt overlay, and fnishing with a seal and cover (chip seal), fog seal, upgraded pavement markings, signage, guardrail, and
rumble strips. Work will begin the week of June 22 and be completed by the end of August, weather and other unforeseen factors permitting. This project will extend the service life of the roadway while enhancing safety, quality and drivability.
Crews will pause work for the
Fourth of July at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, and resume construction activities on Monday, July 6.
Motorists should expect single-lane trafc from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. controlled by faggers and delays up to 15 minutes. Select work will occur at night between 6:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. Please follow all posted signage and reduced speeds through the project area. For the most up-to-date information, visit: www.511mt.net/. The public is encouraged to contact Joan Redeen at 406-3961978 or email mdtprojectpi@ mt.gov with any questions or comments.
BANK: Stevensville Town Council discusses fnances, frefghter safety
Continued from page 1
annual audit process. So far, according to Crowe, they have not yet been knocked for failing to comply in this area. According to Underwood, “This just shows that the finance department has a high standard, and is trying to do right by the town.”
The review concluded that Stevensville has maintained a consistent approach to managing public funds by emphasizing both security and financial performance. Officials said the 2023 transfer to First Security Bank was an authorized effort to obtain better interest rates while continuing to protect public deposits under Montana law.
The town’s most recent bank reconciliation was reported to be balanced in May 2026, and an updated cash report was provided to officials on June 9, 2026. Later in the meeting, Jeff Motley, the Stevensville Fire Chief, spoke to the council. The agenda item he was involved with presented the idea of hiring grant writing services for the fire department. Stevensville Fire Department is going to be apply -
ing for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, offered by FEMA. The grant would cover the cost to re-outfit the department with updated safety equipment. The current equipment the department has is, according to Motley, in its eleventh year of use, with a lifespan of 10 years. In other words, Motley expressed, “The problem does not go away,” if they do not approve this. Motley said they will need 28 new sets in order to replace one for each firefighter and to have a couple extra sets. That would cost the department, and the town, over $100,000. That personal protection gear, Motley explained, is essential. Each set, according to Motley, costs around $5,000.
Merle Unruh
The department’s plan is to hire a professional grant writer to increase chances of receiving the assistance. The cost would be around $3,000, and the firefighters have selected Grantmasters Inc. According to Motley, Florence Fire uses them regularly.
The department has also used this company before, when they sought a grant to upgrade their radio equipment. Because the grant writing company has worked with the department before, it will
already have access to a lot of background information that these grants require, meaning the process could be done much more quickly and efficiently than if they contracted a different company.
The grant will also call for a 5% match, which was estimated at around $7,000. The department plans to apply to the RAPP Family Foundation for a grant to help with some of these up-front costs. The department will also be hosting several fundraisers, including an upcoming pancake breakfast, among others.
During discussion, Stevensville Town Council Member Karen Wandler said, “They are volunteers, and we need to protect them all we can.” It was also apparent that if the department was not approved to engage Grantmasters Inc. and they applied and failed to receive the grant, the department would be back to request the full $100,000 for the replacement of the outdated equipment that keeps them alive.
The council approved the request.
Of road organization invites volunteers to trail revival weekend
Ravalli County Of Road User Association (ROR) supports OHV recreation in
ROR work supports a variety of recreational users including OHVs, hiking, biking, hunters, anglers, horseback riding, etc.
ROR is planning a trail and single-track reopening/clean up weekend on June 27 and 28 at Ambrose Saddle. Due to the high
wind events over the winter, a higher-thannormal amount of work is anticipated that needs to be completed to make road access points and trails available for use. This is in addition to known trail sections that need improvements to stabilize the tread surface properly.
Interested persons can visit the OnX website for additional details at www.onxmaps.com/ofroad/stewardship/trail-revi-
val-project/ravalli-county-mt (Trail Revival Project). Creating a login to sign up is free if you are not a member of OnX. For those seeking more information, ROR can also be contacted by email at rcofroaduserassociation@gmail.com. OnX is providing food, giveaways (chainsaws, cooler, gift certifcates and other items from local sponsors and businesses) and funding for heavy equipment. Limited dry camping is available.
Shared stewardship advances across western Montana
The Lolo National Forest and The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) are expanding their collaborative efforts to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk and enhance landscape resilience through strengthened shared stewardship across western Montana.
Under the leadership of Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, shared stewardship efforts nationwide are being renewed and expanded to focus on results rather than process.
In Montana, the landmark Shared Stewardship Agreement (2025) signed by Governor Greg Gianforte and Chief Schultz has led to the identification of two priority landscapes: the Kootenai–Flathead landscape and the Bitterroot landscape. Over the last few months, DNRC and Lolo National Forest have been working in close partnership to identify a third Shared Stewardship landscape across approximately 345,000 acres. This
approach helps federal, state, Tribal and local partners work together at meaningful scales, ensuring the right actions happen in the right places.
“The addition of this third landscape places our total acreage under this historic agreement at 750,000 acres,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “This new Shared Stewardship landscape on the Lolo National Forest builds on our commitment to active forest management and ensures we are taking responsibility today for the forests that future generations will inherit.”
Shared stewardship allows land managers to collaboratively identify needs, set priorities and coordinate work across boundaries. By combining expertise, projects can move more efficiently from planning to implementation. The Forest Service and the state of Montana continue to leverage approaches like the Good Neighbor Authority to accelerate forest management and wildfire risk reduction.
“This new landscape gives DNRC, the Lolo National Forest, and local partners a shared foundation for coordinated, long-term work in western Montana,” said DNRC Director Amanda Kaster. “I’m proud of the progress we have made to streamline planning and deliver on this landmark agreement.”
“Working together across boundaries is essential to creating healthier, more resilient forests,” said Ben Johnson, Lolo National Forest Supervisor. “By working in partnership the Lolo National Forest and the State of Montana can reduce wildfire risks, protect communities, support local economies and restore landscapes at the scale needed to address the issues facing our national forests.”
Since its inception in 2018, Montana’s Good Neighbor Authority program has demonstrated what is possible when the State and the Forest Service work as a
team. The LNF and DNRC are committed to expanding opportunities for collaboration, using shared stewardship as a foundation for landscape scale restoration and effective wildfire risk reduction across Montana.
The Shared Stewardship Agreement is additive to both agencies’ robust portfolio of active forest management projects. In 2025, DNRC’s supported the Forest Service in timber sales and forest restoration projects covering more than 40,000 acres through the Good Neighbor Authority.
To view the Shared Stewardship Agreement between the State of Montana and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, visit: 2025-Shared-Stewardship-Agreement-USFS-Montana.
For more information about the Good Neighbor Authority, visit: dnrc.mt.gov/ goodneighborauthority.
Lolo National Forest. USDA photo.
Montana GOP Platform or What
Some planks in the Montana GOP platform are questionable in frst reading. One proposes to tax family and other small farms out of farming. That would result in those properties being available to either make the big farms bigger or to introduce other activities that would beneft the real estate industry. This is a thinly disguised land grab brought about by taxation of a specifc activity and is an abuse of government authority.
The second denies analysis as written. It proposes to exempt some farm property from taxation then increase the tax on other farm property to fnance a layof in the Department of Revenue. Meanwhile stating the results would give farmers and ranchers the chance to invest in “Infrastructure.”
On the surface it appears to be another proposal that would result in farmland becoming available to the real estate industry with the justifcation that it would allow farmers and ranchers the opportunity to invest in unspecifed “Infrastructure.”
If the farmers and ranchers were not content where they are they would already have left. That is to say, without the experience of having been taxed out of their activities for the convenience of an unknown person.
In conclusion, it appears that both planks are, in fact, intended to cause the involuntary conversion of farmland to some other purpose.
To put it bluntly, the intention is to force farmers and ranchers of their lands by means of taxation to provide for the development of an undisclosed enterprise. The historical use of taxation for control has not changed in the minds of many in the GOP. Such mentalities have no place in positions of authority.
William (Bill) Campbell Conner
Thank you, Bitterroot Star
Now that another election season has come and gone, I would like to take a moment to thank the Bitterroot Star for the role it played in keeping the public informed.
In an era when many media outlets are criticized for favoring one viewpoint over another, the Bitterroot Star provided a forum where citizens from across the political spectrum could express their opinions, support their candidates, challenge ideas, and participate in the public discussion. Whether readers agreed or disagreed with the viewpoints expressed, the opportunity for open dialogue is essential to a healthy community and a functioning democracy. I would also like to commend General Manager Sarah Glass for her leadership and stewardship of the newspaper. Under her guidance, the Star appears to be increasingly focused on the people, issues, events, and concerns that matter most to the residents of Ravalli County. Local journalism serves an important purpose when it refects the interests of the community it serves, and I believe the paper has made meaningful strides in that direction. Elections can be contentious, and emotions often run high. Yet throughout the season, the Bitterroot Star provided space for difering voices and viewpoints while helping residents stay informed about issues afecting our valley. That service deserves recognition and appreciation.
Thank you to Sarah Glass and the entire staf of the Bitterroot Star for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving the citizens of Ravalli County. Helen and Marc Sabin Corvallis
Opinion
Burning coal to make electricity is just dumb
There certainly was a time in history when extracting and burning fossil fuels was a reasonable, even necessary choice. It was far better than burning whale oil and helped power industrial growth in America.
But nostalgia and tradition cannot override hard data. Today, the argument for keeping coal-fred power plants running has entirely lost its fnancial and logical footing. Burning coal is fundamentally outdated technology. Modern coal plants are incredibly inefcient, converting only about a third of their raw thermal energy into actual electricity. The remaining 60 percent is completely lost to the atmosphere as waste heat. Contrast this with wind and solar, which bypass the massive thermal waste of combustion entirely, capturing kinetic and radiant energy and converting it directly into power.
The environmental toll of this inefciency is staggering. Coal generates roughly 20 times more carbon emissions per unit of energy than solar power, and up to 80 times more than wind. Burning coal is very harmful to our environment.
A decade ago, renewables were a relatively expensive alternative. Today, thanks to plummeting technology and battery storage costs, unsubsidized utility-scale solar and onshore wind are consistently the cheapest sources of new bulk electricity generation. In fact, it is now frequently cheaper to build brand-new wind and solar infrastructure from scratch than it is to simply pay the operating and fuel costs of keeping an existing coal plant running. Furthermore, solar and wind ‘fuel’ is permanently free.
Perhaps the most overlooked cost of coal, however, is its drain on natural resources—specifcally, our water. In regions where drought, native vegetation and wildlife management, and the health of local watersheds are constant concerns, fossil fuel power plants are a massive liability. They require millions of gallons of water just to create steam and cool their systems. Solar and wind technologies consume a mere 1 to 5 percent of the water required by coal to produce the exact same amount of energy. Transitioning a power grid entirely to renewables can cut total energy-related water consumption by up to 95%, easing the strain on our rivers and drought-prone landscapes.
The Trump administration’s intent on propping up the coal industry is misguided at best. It is disappointing that our nation’s treasure is spent on fossil fuel industries instead of moving America toward sustainable renewable energy.
We are standing at a crossroads of energy production and land use. Embracing the transition to clean energy isn’t just an environmental imperative—it is the only economically sound choice for our future. It’s time to leave coal in the past and put displaced coal workers to work building renewable energy systems. Steve Schmidt Darby
What’s crazy now?
Every day there is something crazy to stun us. We can’t stop for now the worst policies of this administration but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Here are a few of my concerns: Entrance Fees to National Parks being funneled to Trump’s DC vanity projects.
There is a huge backlog of maintenance for Glacier NP and Yellowstone NP. Montana’s lost fees amount to $230 million going to things like the painted ultra blue refection pool in the national mall, which has a major underground leak. November 2025 the House and Senate unanimously passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act and President Trump signed it. The totality of fles is yet to be released unredacted except for the survivor names. Americans, left and right, want these fles
released now.
The screwworm, a fesh eating fy larvae has been found in Texas cattle. Guess what happens when a program from the 1960’s is stopped to protect US cattle. Who stopped it? DOGE is why. The young computer geeks Musk sent in every agency did not know the signifcance of the program which introduced sterile fles for years and protected the cattle industry. Now Brooke Rollins, Secretary of the USDA and the GOP want you to believe it was Biden. Stop with the Biden blame game when he is long gone from ofce.
Marilyn Wolf Stevensville
In support of RML
I was born in Hamilton and am a second generation Montanan. I grew up and still live just blocks away from Rocky Mountain Lab.
RML has been an integral part of my life since I was a young girl lining up for tick shots at the Jeferson Elementary School and recently taking my children and grandchildren on a tour of the lab sponsored by the Bitterroot Public Library. It has always been a source of pride for our community.
I support RML, a world-renowned bio research facility specializing in infectious diseases, such as Q-fever, tick-borne viruses, and Ebola. This facility continues to play a critical role in developing new vaccines and treatments that have saved thousands, if not millions, of lives. Its research has strengthened our ability to understand deadly diseases, respond to outbreaks and protect communities around the world. Supporting RML means supporting Scientifc Progress, Public Health and life-saving innovations.
RML is a vital institution, a major part of our community, and it deserves our support. Alene Tunny Hamilton
Attention Evangelical Christians and Republicans
Many of Trump’s supporters are Christian and believe the Bible to be the word of God and an authoritative guide to God’s will and to human history, for example:
The Bible says that animals such as donkeys and snakes talk, and that the sun and moon stood still so the Israelites could kill their enemies. In battle, God commanded the Israelites to kill not only soldiers but also elderly men, women, children, and animals, and to take virgin girls as sex slaves for those who killed their families. The universe, including humans, was created in six days, and men thrown into a blazing furnace came out unharmed.
We are told that a man survived inside a whale for three days; that God created a food; and that Noah built a boat in which his family and every animal on Earth, including kangaroos, polar bears, dingoes, pandas, woolly mammoths, and dinosaurs, were saved. And dead people rotting in their graves were brought back to life.
There is a correlation between believing something on faith, such as the Bible, and being gullible and blind to the truth about the lies Trump tells, especially when the clergy endorses it.
It is easy to understand why many Christians, especially Republicans, believe Trump when he said the 2020 election was “rigged” against him and that immigrants were “eating dogs and cats.” He said the rioters were “unbelievable patriots,” called the January 6th riots a “day of love,” and claimed, “not one of those people had a gun,” even though many were arrested for carrying frearms.
Trump claimed he would reduce prescription drug prices by “1,500%”, said there was no “infation”, he lied about turning on the “valve” to supply Los Angeles during the shortage, and claimed he was not mentioned in the Epstein fles, even though it was verifed that he was mentioned more than 1,000
times! Do you believe God would send us someone who is a pathological liar, unethical, irresponsible, delusional, insecure, cunning, combative, a dishonest businessman, a sexual abuser, a criminal, or a solipsist with a very low IQ to represent this country or Christianity? Trump has also been incriminated as being a Russian asset, a pedophile, having the spirit of the anti-Christ, and closely mimicking Hitler’s rhetoric, spirit, and political tactics.
How on Earth can anyone justify, respect, or support such a horrible man or president? A rational or moral person cannot do so; only someone like Trump can love him as they love themselves. The sayings “birds of a feather fock together” and “two peas in a pod” exemplify this perfectly.
Mark Snider Hamilton
RML questions
I attended the June 10, 2026, meeting of the Ravalli County Board of Health (BOH) which was focused on the subject of recent “incidents” at Rocky Mountain Labs (RML) and the arrest of two men in Detroit who were charged with attempting to smuggle vials of the virus which causes monkey pox into the country and lying about it to the customs authority. The men, Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe, are both employed by RML and, presumably, were expected to carry the virus back to Hamilton for further research. See https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/ crime/2026/06/03/nih-monkeypox-detroit-scientists-africa/90384319007/.
Neither Dr. Marshall Bloom, a director at RML, nor Commander Megan Brose, a safety manager at the same lab, would comment directly on the arrest of Munster who was apparently in charge of the illegal operation, stating repeatedly that it was an ongoing investigation and that Munster was “innocent until proven guilty”. This was repeated so much that, when a member of the BOH mentioned it in a somewhat sarcastic manner, it drew laughter from the crowd.
• Is Vincent Munster still employed by RML?
• Is Munster restricted from entry into the building?
• Has he visited the building since his arrest?
• What is his current relationship with the lab?
What are his duties there currently?
Instead of answering these questions directly, Bloom referred to the “incident” as under investigation and, therefore, was unable to say anything about it. We still do not know if Munster is actively working at RML. Brose, in her presentation on safety protocols and procedures at the lab, made a statement to the tune that there was “very little risk if there was no failure”. This implies there is a possibility of failure which does carry some risk. During the public comment time, I directly asked her what a failure would look like and what the risk to the local community was in the event of a failure. She equivocated and instead brought out the concept of redundancy to ensure that, even in the event of a failure, it would be contained. (Redundancy means that even if three pairs of latex gloves and a leather glove are worn, a monkey can still bite through them, which was one of the incidents being investigated, admittedly a failure of redundancy). I wanted to know, in detail, what “failure” meant, she gave a tour of the ways in which the lab was quite certain that failure, if it did occur, would not pose a risk to the community.
The question still stands.
What would a real failure at RML look like? This is what I wanted to know and neither Brose nor Bloom would touch that at all.
is
at 5 p.m.
strive to include news and information that’s important to the people of the Bitterroot Valley. If you have a story idea, or any other concern, call us at 406-777-3928, email: editor@bitterrootstar.com or stop in at our ofce at 115 W. 3rd, #108, Stevensville. The mailing address is P.O. Box 133, Stevensville MT 59870. Correction Policy Accuracy is important to us. If you see a factual error in a Bitterroot Star news story, please notify the editor immediately and we will print a correction in the next issue. Our View/Letters Bitterroot Star editorials are written from the position of the newspaper. The personal columns and letters appearing on the Opinion page and elsewhere in the paper represent the opinion of single individuals and do not necessarily refect the position of the newspaper. The Star welcomes public comment and encourages letters to the editor. Letters on local topics or issues are given priority for publication. Letters should be 450 words or less. Shorter letters generally have a better chance of prompt publication. While letters expressing appreciation for a specifc, out-of-the-ordinary action are welcomed, letters with lists of names of contributors, donors or volunteers are not accepted as letters to the editor. Author’s name, address and phone number (for verifcation, not publication) are required. We do not run letters anonymously. We attempt to run all letters, but reserve the right to edit for length, accuracy, clarity, content and libel. We ask that writers email letters to us, and do not turn them in by hand. This increases the chances the letters will get printed. Our staf already has a full workload.
Roger Mitchell Stevensville
Bitterroot Star staf
New book revisits Montana’s forgotten horse racing empire
by Mike Hudgins
Most Montanans know Marcus Daly as a copper king who helped shape the state’s early mining economy. Fewer realize he also played a signifcant role in building a horse racing operation that, for a brief stretch in the late 1800s, put Montana in the thick of American thoroughbred racing.
That story is at the heart of “When Montana Outraced the East,” a new book by historian Catharine Melin-Moser, who recently shared her research during a presentation at the Marcus Daly Mansion. The event drew a crowd of local history enthusiasts eager to hear about a chapter of Montana sports history that has largely faded from public memory.
“They were really interested and asked a lot of questions,” Melin-Moser said. “It was a good turnout and a good presentation.”
Her work reveals a little-known era when Montana-bred thoroughbreds were not just competitive on the national stage, but dominant in some of the country’s most prestigious races.
The idea for the book began more than a decade ago while she was combing through Montana newspapers from the 1880s and 1890s. She kept stumbling across brief, almost unbelievable references to Montana horses winning major eastern races.
“I’d read snippets of information that told of thoroughbred horses from Montana winning important eastern races,” she said. “Montana was still very much a frontier at that time, and I wondered how all that came to be.”
The answer led her into a story built around three self-made Montana millionaires: Marcus Daly, Samuel Larabie and Noah Armstrong. At a time when Kentucky and Tennessee largely controlled thoroughbred breeding, the men became convinced that Montana ofered something diferent, and potentially better.
They believed Montana’s bunchgrass, wide-open land and high-altitude climate could produce stronger, faster horses capable of competing with the most established bloodlines in the country.
Not everyone was convinced.
“When eastern traditionalists heard about this, they thought they were absolutely nuts,” Melin-Moser said.
Many in the racing world expected Montana horses to be undersized, undertrained and outmatched by animals bred in the long-established racing regions of the East. Instead, Montana began to win.
Between roughly 1886 and 1900, Montana horses emerged as a legitimate force in
American racing. One of the most famous victories came when Noah Armstrong’s horse, Spokane, won the 1889 Kentucky Derby. Other Montana-connected horses went on to capture major wins in races such as the Belmont Stakes, the American Derby and the Metropolitan Handicap.
As victories piled up, skepticism among eastern sportswriters and racing ofcials
began to give way to reluctant respect.
“They earned eastern traditionalists’ respect,” Melin-Moser said.
But that kind of success came at a price.
The scale of the operation was enormous for the time. Horses were shipped thousands of miles by rail. Breeding stock was imported from Kentucky, Tennessee, England and South America. Specialized barns, training
facilities and rail cars were built to support the growing enterprise.
Marcus Daly alone reportedly invested more than $1 million into horse racing, a staggering sum in the late nineteenth century.
Despite the fnancial strain, the men continued to invest heavily in the sport, driven by ambition, pride and a desire to prove that Montana could compete on equal footing with the established centers of American racing.
Melin-Moser’s research also uncovered layers of the story that go beyond the owners and the races themselves. One of the most telling shifts she noted was the changing landscape of jockeys during this period.
In the early years of American horse racing, African American jockeys were dominant fgures in the sport. As the industry professionalized and prize money increased, white jockeys increasingly displaced them, reshaping the sport by the early twentieth century.
She also found herself drawn to the personalities of both the horses and the people who built their reputations.
“You spend so much time researching these men and their horses, and eventually their personalities come through,” she said.
Some horses were known for late surges from behind. Others preferred to set the pace from the front. One horse, Tammany, developed a reputation for being unusually gentle and afectionate, even around children and dogs.
Though Montana’s dominance in the sport faded after 1900, its infuence did not disappear entirely. Several bloodlines developed during this period continued to shape American thoroughbred racing for decades. Horses such as Ben Holladay, Hamburg and Ogden became infuential sires whose descendants carried Montana’s legacy forward well into the twentieth century.
For Melin-Moser, that legacy is precisely why the story matters. “It’s such an underrepresented piece of Montana sports history,” she said.
More than a century later, her work aims to restore attention to a brief but extraordinary moment when a handful of Montanans challenged the established racing world and, for a time, beat it at its own game. For fourteen remarkable years, they did exactly that.
Information about Melin-Moser, her book and her history research journey can be viewed at cathymoser.com.
Lef t to right: Jenna Ellis, Haven Oshell, Avery Stevens, Kiera Judy, Alexis Anson, Kendra Athman, Violet Stuart, Taylor Doleac, Jackson Lubke, Brian Matten, Connor B urnett.
Conner and Marihas Oshell.
With salmonfies, expect the unexpected
I recall one evening on Hat Creek in Northern California when squadrons of salmon flies were overhead. The nighthawks were gorging themselves on the big bugs in an acrobatic aerial show. Below them, the trout were active on the surface. There were plenty of rises. Frustrated anglers were striking out – situation normal for Hat Creek.
To figure out what was going on, I waded in deep below a line of working fish... I bent over, felt chilly water run into my waders, clenched my teeth, and looked upstream. In the fading light I could make out a parade of small mayfly spinners. “Six-X, size eighteen Brown Quill!” I shouted back to my client. He made the change and started to connect. The takeaways: Be observant. Carry whatever else might be hatching during a salmonfly hatch. Don’t be afraid to switch.
fished in quiet water toward the bank, often work when nothing else will. Heavy flies strike out for this sort of fishing. So do flies that don’t carry an accurate silhouette. Carry both. You’ll need them to adapt to different situations.
by Chuck Stranahan
A favorite strategy of mine is one I borrowed years ago from my mentors and legendary fly tyers, Cal Bird and Polly Rosborough. They knew that as many, if not more, salmonflies get eaten underwater than on top. They get washed under and drift until they get eaten.
When Nathan Paul was guiding for me he took a “busman’s holiday” to the Big Hole for salmon flies. I told him about Cal and Polly’s wet salmon fly patterns and tied some similar flies for him.
After seventy-four boats in the last three days have shown the same fish the same three bulky foam patterns, show them something different –maybe a fly with a slender silhouette and natural hair wing. Heavily-fished trout often get pattern-shy. Fish the popular patterns, certainly, but be prepared to show them something different – maybe a sparser pattern or a golden stone.
Nymphs are always an option. A slender rubber-legged salmon fly nymph sinks fast and will wiggle when it gets to the bottom. Movement that simulates life is important. Lightly weighted nymphs,
Those flies scored better than anything else his group fished that day - until he broke off the last one in the jaw of a brown that he swore would have scaled eight pounds.
The biggest trout in the stream will often wait below a small eddy or in a side current and take drowned salmon flies. It won’t bother to break the surface. A wet salmonfly can produce there when all else fails. It can also produce when dries are working, but will often produce more and bigger fish.
It’s easy to strike out with the salmon fly hatch. All you have to do is hit it wrong. Hitting it right might mean hitting it close to right, and being ready for whatever comes.
For
Vinny ● M ● 1 5 years
As a naturally shy soul, Vinny finds the world a bit overwhelming at times and is searching for a family that can offer him an abundance of love, kindness, and unwavering patience as he finds his confidence He is not a dog who wants to be rushed; instead, he thrives in an environment where he has time to decompress, bond, and learn that he is safe With the right people by his side to provide gentle guidance, Vinny promises to be a loyal and devoted companion.
A lone salmonfy waits to take off. Photo by Rebecca Kidwell.
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INDOOR FLEA MARKET
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