Updated 1/24/07

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Top Stories

Raccoons Possible Precursor to Bear Issues
Raccoons, with their ringed tails and little bandit masks are unmistakable. Unlike bears, raccoons don't hibernate, so Montanans may experience a raccoon raid winter or summer.

Read more in this article from Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Bucket Biology Poses Threat to Native Species
With Montana's lakes and rivers facing an epidemic of illegal stocking of fish, state officials said anglers will see wardens checking boats and live-wells for unwanted hitchhikers. Illegal introductions of fish, or "bucket biology," occur from the illegal movement of fish from one body of water to another, bait-bucket transfers, and even from mail-order companies that market all manner of fish.

It is illegal to transport live fish in Montana without a permit from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. It is also illegal to dump live fish into any Montana water.

"It's a national problem that's rapidly spreading across Montana," said Chris Hunter, chief of fisheries for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Helena. "We believe that more than 20 percent of Montana's illegal fish introductions occurred in the past 10 years."

Read more in this article from Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Stop Invasive Species Spread
As you head to the water, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game asks that you keep an eye out for a small mollusk called the zebra mussel. The warning is especially critical to those who are purchasing used boats from  states east of the Rockies.

Zebra mussels are an invasive species that can take over a water way. They are already wreaking havoc with fisheries and impacting the economy in the Great Lakes states. So far, there has been no confirmation of live zebra mussels in Columbia River Basin waterways, but there have been some close calls in the West.

Read more in this article from Idaho's Fish and Game department.

Reduce Hazards to Wildlife
Most people are naturally inclined to help a wild animal in trouble. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices often receive calls reporting stressed or injured animals, for example a deer with a puncture wound, owl with a broken wing, or an abandoned elk fawn.

In some cases, there is nothing wrong with the animal. It is natural for deer and elk to leave newborns for extended periods of time. What appears to be an orphaned animal may not be and FWP urges people to leave newborn wild animals alone. FWP will not accept, hold or rehabilitate deer and elk. This policy is a precaution to reduce the possible spread of any undetected cases of chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological disease that affects deer and elk.

Read more in this article from Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Triploid Trout
When trout spawn, the female’s eggs possess two sets of chromosomes and the male’s sperm possess one set. After the eggs are fertilized, the chromosomes recombine and each egg inherits one set of chromosomes from the female and another set from the male — similar to humans. The third set is then kicked out of the egg. Rarely in the wild, an egg will “forget” to kick out the third set and the fish becomes what is known as a triploid (possessing three sets of chromosomes). Triploid fish look, swim, jump, and taste like normal fish, except for one important difference—they never develop normal eggs or sperm and are unable to reproduce (i.e., they are sterile).

Read more in this article from Idaho's Fish and Game department.

Prevent black bear encounters by taking precautionary measures
BEND - In light of a recent situation in the Tumalo area north of Bend where a black bear had to be euthanized after it became accustomed to eating garbage and pet food, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife urges people to take precautionary measures to prevent situations that lead to unfortunate outcomes between bears and people.

Read more in this article from the Oregon's Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Top Articles

It almost happened again today.
On a cold overcast Sunday morning, I found myself along the banks of the Snoqualmie River. The water was the color of a dusty green chalkboard - not the most promising conditions for steelhead but a morning fishing is a morning fishing. Read more here in this short NorthWestTrout.com item on wading.

Observation & Investigation
Taking time to look around can pay big rewards when it comes to fly fishing. Anglers who are astute observers of nature and her insects typically have greater success. Read more here in this NorthWestTrout.com article on observing sub-aquatic insects.

Winter Fly Fishing
It may be cold out there but the fishing can be hot. With the right gear, conditions and stretch of water, winter fly fishing is often more rewarding as those other days when you're fighting the crowds. Read more here in this NorthWestTrout.com article.

Fly Fishing, Business Trips and Air Travel
Work sometimes gets in the way of one's fly fishing pursuits. However, if prepared, work travel can open up new waters far from home. The trade off is traveling light and time taken away from your home waters. Read more in this article on a business trip to the Great White North and a wonderful little spring creek known as Stauffer.

Reader Submission
Southwest Alberta is home to wonderful trout water. From the plains to the Rockies, anglers can find receptive trout in a number of locales. Alberta resident George Sgouromitis shares his experiences of some of it during a recent weekend fly fishing trip in this special submission to NorthWestTrout.com.

Who, What & Why
A number of visitors have emailed NorthWestTrout.com asking variations on these simply questions. As we continue grow, add content and refine our direction, we wanted to take some time to answer these questions and explain the goals of the website. Click here to read more.