Mike Sedlock was presented a service award by WUM President Steve Chvilicek at the recent state meeting in Lewistown. The celebration was attended by his family! Mike Sedlock has been the Membership Director for Walleyes Unlimited of Montana for many years.
IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM DALE GILBERT FROM THE BOR MEETING IN CHESTER!!
Thanks for the opportunity to represent the state last night at the Tiber Development plan meeting with the Bureau of Rec. In Chester.
The meeting was well attended. So our outreach and spreading the word of the meeting was worth the effort. Thanks to everyone who helped.
The Bureau had several people from the Billings Regional office as well as the design architects from Helena that presented their preferred proposal as was shown in the Bureau press release.
Overall, I think the meeting went very well and they seemed receptive to the majority of comments and recommendations for some potential revisions.
They also were clearly aware that the boat ramp improvements are the number 1 priority.
Some of the recommendations:
1. Reconsider the existing Liberty loop design. As proposed they would increase the number of sites by 20%, but make it a one way road with “back in only” sites to where campers would have their doors and awnings opening into the prevailing wind which is not desirable. The people would not be able to sit in the shade, in the afternoon or evening….simply not what anyone would prefer.
2. Reconsider the existing permanent sites behind the boat storage area….to pull through but requested the site plots be flopped, again so the picnic tables, fire pits and lounging area is by design on the typically leeward side considering the prevailing winds and then also have shade in the late afternoon.
3. Consider the project in phases, so something can be done sooner than later like the boat ramp improvements which is a life safety issue.
4. We discussed storm shelters….which the Bureau has not done, but they agreed it was worth some extra consideration when designing the new marina and showers, etc….so they could serve as shelters.
5. We also discussed the negotiations in the works with the Army Corp of Engineers and FWP efforts with the Bureau to consider managing water levels to avoid the additional drawdown that was originally proposed by the Corp. It sounded like they have made progress and are not foreseeing having to have new requirements for additional drawdowns every year. These water levels are a significant issue when considering the boat ramp lower water level usable elevations.
6. Others raised concerns about other ramps and the lower water levels making then not usable.
We discussed why I’ve been told the Bureau that a non profit can not provide funds to help get projects completed. And discussed other alternatives for working with other federal agencies like the FWP. To make a long story short, the Bureau Environmental Specialist will send me a copy of the MOU they were able to do with the Fresno Chapter so we can see how they were able to get their boat ramp projects done. (Apparently if there is a will, there is a way….Fresno simple completed the projects paying for the materials and labor directly, vs. paying the Bureau.). Also, we talked some about the Bureau working with the FWP for Fishing Access Site projects. We were told it would be difficult at Tiber because the contract with the Tiber Marina Yet, I am planning to pursue this further….as we know the Bureau has a MOU with FWP regarding the filet station at the Marina, so though it may be difficult to separate out the boat ramp, I can’t see that it can’t be done.
Public comments will be accepted through March 10. People can email comments to Cody Hendrix, Bureau of Reclamation, 2900 4th Avenue N. Suite 501. Billings, MT 59101. Email: chendrix@usbr.gov
Sincerely,
Dale Gilbert
Billings Chapter Banquet
Saturday, March 7
Doors open 4pm, dinner at 6
Location: Billings Hotel and Convention Center
Tickets: $50 Adults, $25 for kids under 12, 850 tickets available!
Contact for tickets: Randy Redfern 406-672-6305 or Bob Klein 406-860-9192
TAX FILING IS DUE TO CHMS!-MARCH 1
Flathead Chapter Banquet
March 14, 2026
Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell
Doors Open at 430 pm, dinner served at 630 pm
Tickets are $60 each and may be purchased at:
Snappys Sport Center, 406-257-7525
Sportsman Ski Haus 406-755-6484
Chancy and Dave’s Fish Camp 406-300-1695
Wolf Point Chapter Banquet
Saturday March 21
Elks Club in Wolf Point. Doors open at 5pm. Prime Rib and Walleye Dinner is at 7pm.
Three big cash prizes for general raffles, bucket raffles and more!!
Card Raffles for Custom HDS Rod, Bergara Sierra Wilderness 7mmPRC with a Vortex Scope, and the ever
popular Henry Golden Boy 22 LR.
There is also a membership sign up raffle for new or renewing members thats sponsored by the Wolf Point Chapter. Its going to be a nice prize and you won’t want to miss out!!
Call Kris Keller 406-790-0224, or Joe Erickson 406-885-1469 for tickets or details!
Miles City Walleyes Unlimited Annual Banquet
March 21, Fish Tales’ Spring edition deadline
June 20, Fish Tales’ Summer edition deadline
September 20, Fish Tales’ Fall edition deadline
