Basic incompatibility: Alcohol, side-by-sides, spawning trout
The side-by-side revs its engine, roars down the boat ramp and launches into a crossing of the Big Hole River.
Rowdy hooting and hollering by a shore bound throng of women accompanies the crossing. The whoops and yelps increase in volume as the side-by-side's spinning tires spew water skyward.
All of this in a stretch of stream favored by brown trout for spawning. All of this in a river hammered this summer by low flows and warm temperatures. And all of this in a river where declining populations of brown and rainbow trout have stirred fear and controversy.
The crossings occurred around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Salmon Fly Fishing Access site near Melrose.
A passerby who asked to remain anonymous shot footage of two separate river crossings by side-by-sides, as well as the loud crowd of a few dozen women cheering the endeavor in the vicinity of several parked side-by-sides.
He said alcohol and its disinhibiting effects seemed prevalent.
One person who commented on social media wondered, "How many Twisted Teas accompanied this stunt?"
Later, the Big Hole Watershed Committee posted the video, with commentary: "Folks, the Big Hole is precious. It is unique — the kind you make a living from and much more you can't put a price on. This access site is ground zero for brown trout spawning."
Brown trout spawn in the fall. Female fish find a relatively shallow place in the stream, one with a gravel bottom. The female clears the area of sediment and silt to create a nest, or redd. She then lays eggs that are fertilized by male brown trout.
Spawning tends to be a stressful time for fish. Redds and spinning tires are not compatible. Macroinvertebrates who live in the streambed suffer too.
In recent years, concerns about declining trout populations in the Big Hole River have attracted national attention and led to related research by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Montana State University and a scientist working for Save Wild Trout.
Population estimates this spring provided some evidence of recovery, such as a general increase in juvenile fish. Yet in several river sections the numbers of brown and rainbow trout remained well below long-term averages.
In the river's Melrose section, which includes the Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site, estimates in 2024 suggested 506 brown trout per mile. That was up from a 2023 estimate of 324 brown trout per mile but well below the 908 per mile long-term average for that stretch.
On Monday, Morgan Jacobsen, a spokesman for FWP's Region 3, said the agency is investigating the circumstances of the events of Saturday evening. He said FWP is contemplating what violations occurred.
Jacobsen said anyone with information about the side-by-sides driving into the Big Hole River can share what they know at tipmont.mt.gov .
