The Beartooth Alliance, an affiliate of the Northern Plains Resource Council, is holding a one day panel discussion on Saturday, July 25th, about the future of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in streams in and near YNP. The program will be held at the Range Rider Lodge in Silver Gate at the NE entrance to Yellowstone on Highway 212. The panelists will be members of the YNP team of biologists, a biologist from MFW&P, and Wyoming Fish & Game. From the NGO side we will host Craig Matthews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, Bruce Farley, Director of MT Trout Unlimited, Dr. Robert Behnke world renowned trout taxonomist and author of “Trout & Salmon,” the definitive work on the subject. Our special guest will be John Randolph, Publisher Emeritus, of Fly Fisherman Magazine.
This outstanding group of experts will discuss the status and threats to the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout which are being threatened by invasive rainbow trout that breed with and hybridize this important keystone species. Near Cooke City, in Soda Butte Creek, the Cutthroats are also trying to survive an influx of non-native brook trout. Both of these threats are serious, but the two together in the same watershed demand immediate attention from state and park biologists. It is also extremely important that the people who fish and protect these waters also learn what they can do to help.
Silver Gate and Cooke City are the perfect place for this meeting. You can step outside and cast a line into Soda Butte Creek before or after the meeting. Better yet, plan to come for the weekend and fish the Park’s other nearby streams as well. This is a perfect opportunity to learn what you can do to protect this priceless resource, and you can enjoy a few days of fabulous fishing while you’re here. For more information about this resource or lodging, contact mwoolman@crosslink.net.
