Our Mission

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

The George Grant Chapter of Trout Unlimited is a volunteer, nonprofit organization devoted to protecting and restoring wild trout, watersheds, and fishing opportunities in Southwest Montana. Most of our members live in or near Butte, Montana, although others are scattered around the country. We feel a special responsibility for protecting the outstanding trout streams in our area, such as the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Jefferson, Ruby, and their many tributaries. Our chapter is honored to be named after George Grant, a great conservationist from Butte. We are one of thirteen Trout Unlimited chapters in the Montana Council of Trout Unlimited, and one of over 450 chapters nationally. With around 100,000 members, Trout Unlimited is one of the strongest and fastest growing conservation organizations in the United States

The George Grant Western Trout Fly Collection is now on permanent display at the new Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce Visitors' Center. The collection, widely regarded as the most comprehensive of its kind in the West, was originally prepared by George Grant for display at the International Fly Fishing Center in West Yellowstone, MT. Mr. Grant is an internationally known fly-tier and angler who has been recognized by several organizations for his stream conservation work. He is widely published and is one of the subjects for the popular film Three Men, Three Rivers.

The Grant collection consists of 700 flies, many of which are examples of Mr. Grant's patented woven-body construction. In addition to the flies, the collection includes prints by such famous artists as Harvey Eckert and Dave Whitlock. The display is a tribute to several notable western fly-tiers including Jack Boehme, Franz B. Pott, Norman Means, and Dan Martinez. Displays of material and fly-tying methods make the collection of particular interest. Flies in the collection are western-style patterns showing a great degree of originality. The collection also traces the history of fly-tying in Montana.

The collection is displayed in plates and museum cases at Butte's new Visitors' Center, at 1000 George Street, behind the KOA campground, just off I-90, and easily accessed from the Montana Street exit.

"We are very proud to be able to bring this important piece of angling history back to Mr. Grant's hometown," said Big Hole River Foundation Chairman Todd Collins. The collection, originally located in West Yellowstone, was at various times housed in other settings around Montana, including the Historical Museum of Fort Missoula, the Arts Chateau in Butte, and the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton.

Mr. Grant contributed his collection to the Big Hole River Foundation in 1989. The Foundation is responsible for maintaining the collection and insuring it. If you would like to contribute towards maintaining this invaluable collection, please send your contribution to the Foundation at P.O. Box 3894, Butte, MT 59701.

Contact Information

Telephone

406

Postal address

P.O. Box 563, Butte, MT 59703

Electronic mail

General Information: sluebeck@aol.com
Webmaster: lbailey@in-tch.com

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Copyright © 1998 Trout Unlimited
Last modified: June 10, 1998