Oh What a Night

By Clark Fork Coalition, 7-15-09

We knew we had a long, fun day ahead of us when we put in for the Superior to St. Regis stretch.  In our boat, John and I played gracious host to Marcy Hikida, John’s friend from Seattle.  She was a diligent angler, but she said her biggest take-away on the day was all the talk about conservation.  Marcy’s usually a paying client, when river restoration isn’t a huge topic of conversation (ironically enough).  But we chatted it up about different threats and opportunities for the river on this stretch.

The biggest piece of news on the education front was learning about the impact of the highway system on the river.  The St. Regis river enters the Clark Fork on this stretch.  The interstate goes west alongside the St. Regis, leaving the Clark Fork in its valley without a big freeway alongside it. Meaning, the Clark Fork is constrained only by small state highways to its terminus.  In the upper and middle stretches, the highway definitely cramped the Clark Fork’s style, cutting off lots of braids and meanders, in some places even forming the river into a rip-rapped lined canal.  But from here on out it looks like the Clark Fork got too big to be pushed around by highways.

In boat number two, fishing guide Jack Mauer showed up with his token pair of binoculars around his neck.  Lo and behold, he was guiding 320 member contest winner Caroline Byrd, who also showed up wearing a pair of binoculars.  The pair of them spent the day swapping off on the oars and ID-ing raptors over the river.  Caroline did land a nice cutty, though.

Then, the day turned into night.  John, Marcy and I stepped off of our boat to be greeted by one of the nicest, most impressive spreads I’ve ever seen.  We walked straight into a garden-style party at John and Karen Driessen’s house, with a nice bonfire, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.  After a few cocktails and socializing, we walked about 150 yards to Karen and Fred Hollon’s property along the river for a BBQ.  It was an amazing party– I felt like royalty with my “320 martini” in my hand.  And more than a party– it was a great opportunity for all folks in the area to come on out and chat with me about what I’ve been up to on the river.  Coalition staffers were present too, and were fielding questions from the community about the Milltown Dam removal, sedimentation, and the like.  The whole night epitomized for me exactly what the 320 was supposed to be– reaching out to folks in communities along the river, answering tough questions, and reflecting upon the reality of what’s happening on the river as we move towards long-term, sustained health for the entire Clark Fork basin and ecosystem.  There were some pretty amazing people present–Brooks and Jackie Sanford, who own Clark Fork Trout & Tackle, Renee Driessen, the Driessen’s daughter, and Dick and Nancy, who own the liquor and drug store.

Those of you who know me also know that I like to talk.  So, I couldn’t help it– I had to get up and give a speech. John stood up and said a few words as well, and then Coalition Executive Director Karen Knudsen stood and gave a real rally for the river and the St. Regis community.  It was a good one.

The night ended with host Fred Hollon offering to donate his driftboat to the cause for Friday’s stretch from St. Regis to Quinn Springs, meaning that a few more folks could join us on the water for the day.

You’d think I’d be tired by now, but I’m not.

Daniel Kiely