Ambassador program
proposed to reduce conflict at access points
By Jessianne Castle EBS ENVIRONMENTAL & OUTDOORS EDITOR
BOZEMAN – The Madison River is known the world over for the chance of hooking aggressive rainbow or burly brown trout. Locals know how the wind can scream over the water, but many an angler cherishes memories of that sacred moment when a fly connects them to a fish in the secret pockets of the Madison.
River rats know the
allure of the Madison too—the Madison is a destination river float, attracting
families, tourists, college students and more.
But with such
popularity, recreationists and managers continue to tango with questions of
crowding and conflict and how best to steward the river.
Montana Fish, Wildlife
and Parks reports that between 1984 and 2017, angler usage has increased by
more than 300 percent and during that time, anglers have increasingly expressed
dissatisfaction with river crowding, traffic at access sites and conflict among
users.
Mac Minard, the
executive director of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association based in
Montana City near Helena, said he and his wife have experienced issues at
Fishing Access Sites firsthand. Whether it’s a site user who blocks the launch
point while they rig up a boat, or someone who doesn’t park their boat trailer
in the correct spot, Minard says it can be a frustrating start to a trip or a
sour note at the end.
“It’s not a matter of
people being mean,” he said. “It’s a lack of education.”
Earlier this year MOGA
hired a statistician to assess FWP’s river satisfaction surveys and according
to Minard, “There is no technical basis to support overcrowding [on the
river].” Instead, he said in about 70 percent of complaints, the issue was at the
fishing accesses.
With this in mind, and
with support from many of the association’s fishing outfitter members, MOGA
proposed an FAS Ambassador Program to the department in July. This program,
which is also endorsed by the Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana, would
place a seasonal staff person from FWP on-site at some of the most popular
accesses on the Madison to direct parking and traffic flow.
“This is an example of
collective thinking. We want to solve a problem and do it in a way that would
be positive for everyone,” Minard said, adding that the program could also be
used statewide.
Fisheries Chief of
Staff Eileen Ryce said that while the department won’t be able to implement the
program this year, they will look at options for next season.
This program comes on the heels of a year fraught with disagreement over regulations concerning the Madison River, which has been an ongoing focus of FWP efforts to address crowding and conflict throughout the past 60 years. After the disbanding of a stakeholder committee in May tasked with recommending actions to FWP that would address these challenges, the department is more or less back to the drawing board.
While unwilling to
discuss FWP’s stance on any new regulations, Ryce said to stay tuned and that
“we’re definitely continuing to look at it.”
She added that in
addition to considering the FAS Ambassador Program, the department is developing
outreach efforts that promote boat ramp etiquette to immediately address
concerns over conflict at access points.
In an Aug. 7 press release, FWP reported that roughly 3.9 million visitors utilize the 330 Fishing Access Sites in the whole of Montana, and whether recreationists are there to fish or float, it’s up to users to be polite, respectful and courteous in order to keep the sites open and enjoyable.
