Deleray interview, continued

This week we conclude the recent interview with Mark Delaray, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region One Fisheries Manager.    

FT:  Who is the average angler in Region One?

MD:  Someone who fishes for multiple species and changes what they fish for seasonally.  They like to try different ways of fishing.  Some spin-fishing.  Some fly-fishing.  Some trolling.  Sounds like me!

FT:  So how do you like to fish?

MD:  We’re so lucky, in Montana, for the great diversity of fishing opportunities.  We have warm water lakes, cold water lakes, big rivers, small rivers.  I like fly fishing for trout in the North and South Forks of the Flathead and the Missouri River.  Also throwing soft baits for bass.  And jigging for walleyes.

FT:  How did you get started in fishing?

MD:  Family fishing trips for small rainbows in creeks.

FT:  Some legislators do not want FWP to buy more access, yet time-after-time, sportsmen’s biggest gripe is lack of access.  Comment?

MD:  I have a strong opinion on this one.  Too often our Fishing Access Sites are full in summer.  No place to park.  Too crowded. The Flathead Valley will continue to grow and, right now, we don’t have enough access.  We will need more FAS’s in the future.  We must plan and be prepared. It’s not only anglers who use FAS’s.  They are also used by hikers and paddlers and people having a picnic.  There are great economic values to FAS’s. Obviously waterfront property is expensive.  In cases where we can’t afford to buy, we must seek conservation easements.

FT:  What will Flathead Lake be like 50 years from now?

MD:  Similar to now.  Flathead is a very large, complex ecosystem and give credit to Jack Stanford (former director, Flathead Lake Biological Station) for educating upstream communities to lower phosphorus effluent. 

One great unknown is invertebrate invasive species.

FT:  If the Montana Legislature gave you a blank check, you would…

MD:  Increase access sites.

FT:  Anything else you would like to include in this interview?

MD:  We are constantly trying to balance the value of fish conservation with quality angling opportunities.  And all our work must fall within the parameters of conserving and promoting native fish species.