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Welcome...
Help Our Wild Trout and Salmon!
 This little steelhead, less than an inch long, is a young-of-the-year fish that took cover beneath the habitat enhancement structures the Trout Conservancy placed in Hughes Creek, Idaho this past August. Like the many young trout we saw along with it, this one took advantage of new habitat we had created less than a day before-hand. In three or four years, this fish may be a 10 pound adult returning from the ocean to spawn in our restored reaches of Hughes Creek.
This is the kind of work we do. It is not dramatic or headline-grabbing. It builds up slowly, one stream reach at a time. But, our work is making a difference. At project sites in Montana’s Blackfoot River basin, on Lolo Creek, up near Libby and within Missoula, and most recently in Idaho, we have restored stream reaches and access to spawning areas. Project by project, we are giving back the one thing trout need most: great habitat.
A wild trout stream is unique and beautiful...the rushing of cold, clear waters, the bright patterns of fish, the intoxicating smells of streamside trees and shrubs. Don't take this for granted...donate HERE to us and keep wild trout around!
- John Zelazny
Executive Director, the Trout Conservancy of Montana
The Trout Conservancy
is a World Trout award winner!
Patagonia, through its World Trout initiative, awarded the Trout Conservancy its coveted World Trout award in September 2009. This award complements the R.L. Winston Rod Company's own World Trout award, given to the Trout Conservancy in April 2009. These awards recognize the importance of our work to help the wild trout of the northern Rockies. A big THANK YOU to Patagonia and R.L. Winston for these awards and for their commitment to the world's wild trout!
Our Wild Trout Gallery! (and a little info on catch and release)
We are pleased to be able to offer these pictures of trout and trout fishing in Montana, featuring the breathtaking photography of Pat Clayton ( www.fisheyeguyphotography.com). Although many of the photos we receive show people holding trout out of the water, we do not condone doing so.
While catch-and-release undoubtedly reduces the number of wild trout removed from Montana streams, there is still significant stress placed on a caught fish, which can mean death for that trout - sometimes several hours later, especially when fish are played to exhaustion and other proper techniques are ignored.
These proper techniques can make the difference between life and death when used by anglers to catch and release fish. For instance, any harm to the fragile slime layer coating a trout can invite infection and disease - thoroughly wet hands first before handling, or, better yet, avoid handling fish altogether by using a simple tool to remove hooks while the fish stays in the water. Never handle trout roughly, let them contact your boat or drag them onto shore. Also recommended: use heavier lines and gear to allow fast playing of fish. Cut the leader of any fish deeply hooked. Turn fish over when unhooking to reduce fish struggle. Use a good net with soft material and small mesh. Revive fish carefully and slowly before releasing. Don't remove fish from the water for more than a few seconds for taking photos, bearing in mind the suffering you inflict upon a trout by doing so. And, always quickly play and release Bull trout, with a minimum of harm. For more information on proper catch-and-release techniques, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has this website: http://www.fws.gov/Refuges/FishingGuide/catch_and_release.html.
Clicking on an image will take you to a larger version. Clicking on the underlying link, if available, takes you to the website of the source of the photograph. Thanks to all who've provided these wonderful pictures. More pictures are available on our trout gallery page.
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