Put a stake through its heart

This is the project that would not die. How many times do we need to say NO to the disastrous idea of a cyanide heap-leach gold mine at the headwaters of the Blackfoot River?

The notion that the Montana law that bans cyanide heap-leach mining is a "taking" of private-property rights reveals the radical anti-government ideology of some on the right at its most extreme. Arguing that a citizens initiative that bans a mining technique with a well-documented history of environmental disasters and pollution — with downstream neighbors, also known as the citizens of Montana, usually footing the bill for clean up — is actually an argument advancing the political ideology of anarchy.

Access fight continues

The fight regarding bridge access points to rivers in Madison County underscores the reality that access opponents will stop at nothing to overturn Montana's Stream Access Law. That's why the fight regarding access at Mitchell Slough in the Bitterroot Valley is so important. Give access opponents a foot in the door you can expect their legions of attorneys and anti-access sycophants to set up camp in your favorite trout stream.

Let's hope the Montana Supreme Court gets it right on Mitchell Slough. It's the biggest threat to Montana's Stream Access law now before us.

Are talks good news?

It sounds like folks on both sides of the border are putting a friendly spin on recent talks regarding Canadian mining projects proposed in the Flathead River headwaters near Glacier National Park. If it works to stop these projects, great. But I'm not convinced the line-in-the-sand approach suggested by some Montana political leaders should be dropped just yet.

These mines need to be stopped, for good. The North Fork has been held hostage for too long.

Fishing picking up

The North Fork Flathead River is clear and dropping like a rock. Chernobyl ants have been the ticket for westslope cutts, which are hitting dries with abandon. The Middle Fork is also clearing and should start fishing well real soon.

Tony Werner of Chicago nailed this nice cutthroat near Polebridge on a North Fork float last week.

How it's supposed to work

If reintroduction is to be a long-term success, wolf supporters will have to get used to stories like this. Groups fighting proposed hunting seasons for wolves need to set aside their objections, or have their objections overruled in the courts. There are plenty of wolves out there and hunting and other lethal controls measures was always part of the deal. Those working to oppose hunting seasons for wolves are trying to change the rules at halftime.

Tale of two rivers

Here's a look at the confluence of the North and Middle Fork Flathead rivers looking upstream from Blankenship Bridge. That's the Middle Fork, coffee-with-cream colored, on the right. That mud line extends downstream as far as you can see from the bridge.

The North Fork may be fishable soon. The Middle Fork may clear up sometime around the archery hunting opener.