BUTTE — The reservoir of figurative tears shed in recent years about trout populations in three proud regional rivers could boost streamflows for years to come.

In May 2023, more than 30 fishing outfitters and guides in Montana beseeched Gov. Greg Gianforte to move swiftly to harness state resources to help understand the how and why of waning trout numbers.

More than two months later, Gianforte convened a discussion in Wise River that included fishing guides, irrigators, agricultural producers and biologists.

Since then, research examining declining trout populations in the Big Hole, Ruby and Beaverhead rivers has been spearheaded by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, by Montana State University and by the former Big Hole River Foundation and Save Wild Trout, both nonprofits.

Last week,

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