Outfitters protest Madison River permits

By DANIEL PERSON Chronicle Staff Writer

Fishing outfitters protested a plan Tuesday evening that would take 3 percent of their revenues from trips on the Madison River and require more documentation of their trips.

CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO Tubers enjoy a sunny summer day on the Madison River in July. New river-use permit rules will go into effect in March. "It smells like a tax, it feels like a tax. How can you say it's not a tax?" said Nancy Delekta, owner of Beartooth Fly Fishing after a public meeting about the new policy, held by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and the Bureau of Land Management, the agencies responsible for the changes.

The new policy will require any commercial outfitter on the Madison River to buy a special recreation permit to use the section between Quake Lake and where the river merges with the Jefferson River. The policy would also require permits for competitive anglers and groups of more than 15 people.

But outfitters would be the most affected by the permits, and they were the ones who turned out for the public comment meeting in Bozeman. Those who spoke questioned whether the new requirements put on their companies were practical, enforceable and fairly priced.

Under the plan, which begins in March, outfitting companies must buy a permit for $90 or 3 percent of their gross revenues from river trips, whichever is greater. Given the size of the operators, most assumed they would be paying 3 percent.

"Three percent tells me they've never run a small business," said Rod King, who owns the Bozeman Angler, after the meeting. "That adds up to 15 to 20 percent of what I take home. By the time it trickles down, it's huge.

‘‘We're not getting rich on this," King told the officials. "I know you guys think we are, but we are not."

For this year, officials said, the price of the permits is set, and only minor changes to implementing the policy are subject to change.

Throughout the meeting, officials expressed sympathy for the outfitters, but insisted the policy was necessary to keep the Madison River from over-crowding and would provide money to the agencies to improve the health of the popular trout fishing river. Also, the paper work that will accompany the new regulations is to ensure "rouge guides" are not using the Madison without paying their fair share.

"This isn't going to be convenient," said Capt. Sam Sheppard, a warden for FWP. "The most convenient thing is to be status quo."

Status quo, FWP and BLM officials reiterated throughout the meeting, is problematic because of the high density of guided fishing trips on the Madison River.

"This is to obtain compensation for commercial use of public resources," said Tim Bozorth, a BLM field manager.

"If we leave this for a free-for-all, it may be taken out of our hands and end up in the Legislature," added FWP recreation management specialist Charlie Sperry. "This will be good for the industry."

Outfitters also complained that the documentation required to make the system work could add an extra headache when they are planning their trips. This summer, all guides will have to carry a boat permit and log book when on the river, but the outfitters are responsible for those items at the end of the season.

After the meeting, King remained unconvinced of the plan's merits.

"This whole thing is going to be a cluster," he said.

Two more public meetings are planned - Jan. 29 at the Ennis High Library and Jan. 31 at the West Yellowstone Holiday Inn. Both meetings run from 6 to 8 p.m.

Public comment will be taken by FWP until Feb. 15.

Daniel Person can be reached at dperson@dailychronicle.com or 582-2665.

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